The BlessReach knee scooter is compact, bright blue, and retails on Amazon for about $140. It’s been Trent Thornton’s constant companion in the clubhouse since he underwent season-ending surgery in early
August after tearing his Achilles covering first base in a July 31 game against the Rangers.
After his surgery, Thornton has spent time back home in the Charlotte area recovering, as well as at the team’s complex in Arizona, interspersed with visits to T-Mobile Park, where his cobalt-blue mobility scooter received some customization. Flame stickers adorn the sides, the kneepad has been reinforced with an extra-fuzzy dark blue cushion, and a pair of mini Truck Nutz dangle from the back. A pair of red-and-yellow flame streamers once trailed from the handlebars, along with a devil duckie hood ornament, but were found not to stand up to the rigors of a major-league clubhouse.
It’s silly, but it’s also allowed Thornton a wryly humorous way to stay connected with the clubhouse as he zips up and down the hallways, as well as a tiny fraction of control over a devastating injury that derailed his season. The scooter is more than just transportation; it’s a symbol of a team that’s not forgotten the contributions of the 31-year-old Thornton, who’s been with the organization since 2023.
“Some places, you go on the IL and it’s like, out of sight, out of mind,” said Thornton prior to Wednesday’s game. “Here, I’m so lucky to have the support of everyone.”
One of those supporters is bullpen catcher Justin Novak, aka “Champ.” The affable Novak—easily recognizable by his swath of wavy black hair and collection of t-shirts honoring every player—keeps the energy high and the vibes positive, even for players who aren’t able to contribute on the field. It was Novak who had the idea to hang Thornton’s jersey in the bullpen, surprising Thornton with it on a broadcast one night while he was away from the team.
“He said, ‘I got you, Thorny. You’re still with us,‘” said Thornton, who said he has fielded some texts from concerned acquaintances he’s had to reassure he’s “still breathing.”
The jersey tradition grew, going from T-Mobile to the road, most notably in the Houston bullpen over the past series. It changes, too, mirroring whatever jersey the team is wearing that day.
The jersey bit has been something noted by eagle-eyed fans, but it was hard to miss Thornton’s return to the scene on Tuesday, scooting out during the clinch celebration on his BlessReach and rumbling around the bases. It starts, as all great moments do, organically: one moment, Thornton is out celebrating with the team; the next, he’s scootering around the bases like he’s trying to win a race at a county fair.
“I got to second base and I saw J.P. waving me in and I was like, uh-oh, guess I better commit to this,” said Thornton, who said it hit him only after he started his wild ride that he was at risk of wiping out and either embarrassing himself or getting hurt worse. (Amazon reviews of the BlessReach are largely positive, but woefully lacking on its cornering ability.)
When Thornton crossed home plate, the crowd cheered, and the Mariners production booth sounded the air horn they do when a run scores in a game. Waiting for him at home plate: not only his fellow relievers, but position players and other teammates as well. Novak watched from the back, looking like a proud dad.
“It’s weird because I’m the same age as them, but sometimes they feel a little like my kids,” said Novak after Wednesday’s clinch. “But more like my homies. Those are my homies. Every day I get to come to work and this is our classroom”—he gestured to the clubhouse— “and that’s our playground. That’s recess,” he said, pointing out to the field.
This bonhomie permeates the entire bullpen, even with those who aren’t here. Thornton said he heard from Casey Lawrence, currently with Tacoma, who cracked it was a good thing Thornton didn’t have any champagne pre-romp or he might have gotten a DUI. (A sober Thornton did think to remove the Truck Nutz before the BlessReach made its television debut.) And it’s not limited to relievers on the IL: Ryan Bliss, who suffered a season-ending torn meniscus while rehabbing in Tacoma from a torn biceps, was also present for the celebrations, begoggled and participating in the champagne popping and team photos.
“Seeing Thorny out there last night, seeing Ryan Bliss crutching out to get in the picture, those are really good moments,” said Dan Wilson. “Thorny’s jersey has been up in the bullpen quite a bit throughout the time that he’s been gone. He was in Atlanta as well when things really started to turn around. Having the guys feeling comfortable being out there, it speaks a lot to the environment that those guys have in there, and the love that they have for each other. That’s another huge part of what makes these guys so special.”
As goofy as this all seems, it’s also indicative of the close bond that’s been built not just this season but over the past several seasons, a bond that’s tended to by catchers Novak and Fleming Baez, who works closely with the Spanish-speaking relievers, and bullpen coach Tony Arnerich, who jokes he’s just the guy who answers the phone but whose impact goes much deeper.
“Tony does such a great job down there keeping guys together and keeping it real down there,” said Dan Wilson last week, when asked about the bullpen’s turnaround—25th in fWAR from the start of the season to June 30th to 7th in fWAR from the start of July on.
On Wednesday night, it was again Thornton and the BlessReach in the middle of a celebration—this time, smack in the middle of the team-wide win dance to celebrate their first AL West division title in over two decades.
Later that night, Novak found Thornton by his locker, safely behind the plastic sheeting and away from the mayhem erupting in the middle of the locker room, and the two shared a moment amidst the madness.
“It was special,” said Thornton of his starring role in the celebrations. “Teams like this do special things because they are special.”
