The true impact of Joe Townsend will never be quantified, but for those in attendance at the Seattle Mariners game on Wednesday, May 28 at T-Mobile Park, there was a sense of how important he was to the local baseball community.
Townsend, who died unexpectedly on April 29 at age 52, was Thomas Jefferson High School’s baseball and bowling coach.
With his daughter Mohagani Townsend in attendance, she delivered the game ball before the game started against the Washington Nationals.
Through working with Baseball Beyond Borders, Joe Townsend had connected with Seattle Mariners Manager Dan Wilson and majority owner John Stanton. After delivering the game ball, Wilson, accompanied by King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, handed Mohagani Townsend a bouquet of flowers in honor of Joe Townsend.
During the All-Star Week festivities, Townsend represented the Mariners as a coach in the Commissioner’s Cup, a youth tournament that was played across King County.
The Mariners held a moment of silence for Townsend and also played a video tribute, with a collage of photos on the MarinerVision Jumbotron in center field. Mariners President of Baseball Operations Kevin Martinez as well as Stanton were on the field during the tribute.
Members of the Thomas Jefferson baseball and bowling teams were the human tunnel as the Mariners’ starters ran onto the field prior to the game. While standing on the edge of the warning track down the first-base line, center fielder Julio Rodriguez walked down the line shaking the hands of every single Thomas Jefferson athlete.
Townsend’s legacy will always be remembered in Federal Way and in the baseball community. He has brought together so many people and will continue to do so.
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Julio Rodriguez shakes hands of Thomas Jefferson High School athletes before the game on May 28. Ben Ray / Sound Publishing
Thomas Jefferson High School athletes make a tunnel for Mariners players, including JP Crawford. Ben Ray / Sound Publishing
Mohagani Townsend (middle) stands with family and friends along with King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer (at far right) on May 28 at T-Mobile Park. Ben Ray / Sound Publishing
Joe Townsend tribute on the Jumbotron in centerfield at T-Mobile Park. Ben Ray / Sound Publishing
