Tragedy inspires Washington woman to connect with others through Mariners baseball

SEATTLE, Wash. (KOMO) -- A 70-year-old Washington woman is turning personal tragedy into an opportunity for connection by offering her extra Seattle Mariners season ticket to strangers.

Rhenda Strub, of Olympia, has found solace at the ballpark after the death of her son and now uses social media to find companions to join her for games.

Her first guest was 83-year-old Joan Staples-Morin, of Tacoma, who attended a game with Strub.

Strub's journey began after her son, Wyatt, died in March 2023 at age 27 from muscular dystrophy. His death left her deeply grieving, finding it difficult to leave her home.

"When I lost him, I didn't want to come out of my room," Strub said.

She initially found peace watching Mariners games on television from her home, a practice she maintained for three years as baseball helped her heal.

“There’s no such thing as a bad day at the ballpark," Strub said.

In March, on what would have been the third anniversary of her son’s death, Strub decided to embrace a new path. “On the third anniversary of his death, I gave myself a present to help bring me back into the world,” Strub said.

She purchased two season tickets just a few rows back from the first base line. Since her children and grandchildren are busy, and her husband dislikes crowds, Strub turned to social media to offer her second ticket for $71 a game.

Her post generated thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. Strub described the heartwarming response. “So many people said, 'I need a grandma,' 'I want a grandma,' 'I’ll be your grandchild,' and that just warms my heart,” Strub said. “I mean this is what I was hoping I would get when I bought myself the tickets.”

Strub expressed the strong bonds that form at the ballpark. “You make an instant connection with everyone around you. It's like being with family all the time," she said.