SEATTLE — Are we entering a golden era of Seattle sports?

Before I answer that question, let’s accept that every sports fan’s experience is subjective. What matters to you may not matter to the stranger sitting beside you at the bar. We all prioritize our passions differently.

Let’s also accept that every era — even the one that made you a Seattle sports fan, when stars seemed brighter and outfield grass was greener than it’s ever been since — was imperfect. Greatness, by definition, is a finite resource. If it wasn’t so rare, why would we care? The valleys make the mountains look even larger.

Even in a “golden era,” there’s only so much greatness to go around.

From 2013 to 2016, the Legion of Boom Seahawks delivered Seattle’s first Super Bowl and won three NFC West titles, Chris Petersen led the University of Washington to the College Football Playoff, the Sounders secured an MLS title and Kelsey Plum powered Washington’s women to the Final Four. But the Storm went that entire span without a winning record, and the Mariners endured a 21-year postseason drought.

In 1995, the Mariners saved baseball in Seattle, while the Sonics sprinted toward an NBA Finals date with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp brought supreme star power to the city. But the Seahawks also suffered through eight consecutive seasons without a winning record.

There are other examples. Like the Seahawks’ four consecutive NFC West titles from 2004 to 2007 (and the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in 2005). Or Don James’ 1991 national title and three consecutive Rose Bowls. Or a 2001 in which Washington won yet another Rose Bowl, Ichiro earned both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors and the Mariners recorded a regular-season-record 116 wins. Or any of the five league titles between the Sonics and Storm. Or the Huskies’ Orange Bowl win in 1984, which coincided with the Seahawks’ first two playoff appearances.

Or, more recently, a two-year (2022-23) run that contained the Kraken’s playoff upset of the reigning champion Avalanche, Michael Penix Jr. powering UW to the national championship game, the Mariners finally burying their playoff boogeyman, the Sounders winning the CONCACAF Champions League final and the Reign earning an NWSL Shield.

(I didn’t include any era before the Sonics’ arrival in 1967, considering the Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders, Storm, Kraken, etc., all arrived after.)

This era, like those, has holes. College football’s traditions have been trampled by shadowy donors and TV networks. Tickets are more expensive than ever (which is always the case). The Kraken and Storm are both aging and average. UW quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is a Husky because his contract says so. The UW men’s hoops team can’t get over the hump. The Sonics are still referred to in the past tense.

But this is a golden era because of everything else. Because the Mariners and Seahawks won their respective divisions in the same season for the first time ever. Because they teetered on the brink of a title no one predicted 12 months ago. Because Cal Raleigh redefined what a catcher is capable of. Because Jaxon Smith-Njigba dunked on a goal post, and everyone else. Because “The Dark Side” dominated, UW men’s soccer team soared to a national title and the Sounders won a Leagues Cup trophy in front of a team and tournament record 69,314 fans.

Because, after his 59th and 60th homers helped the Mariners secure their first AL West crown since 2001, Raleigh said: “I’m just so happy. I love this team. I love this city.”

Because, after he snatched an overtime touchdown to help the Seahawks secure a 38-37 win over the rival Rams, Smith-Njigba echoed: “I love this team. I love this city. I’m excited for what’s next.”

Because what’s next might be even better.

Think about it. Seattle has young, marketable stars who want to be here. It has a 38-year-old wunderkind in Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald. It has Raleigh (the rightful AL MVP) and Smith-Njigba (the rightful Offensive Player of the Year). It has Julio Rodríguez, who made three All-Star teams before turning 25. It has a new Professional Women’s Hockey League team and a men's World Cup to help host this summer. It may soon have the Sonics, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver saying an expansion decision is coming this year.

(It has room for the Mariners to add another impact bat, but alas.)

For the Mariners, for the Seahawks, for Seattle, why shouldn’t this be the beginning?

Of course, sports don’t always work that way. Golden eras often end abruptly. They promise parades and then bring you rebuilds.

But I bet you’ll tell a friend what it felt like at Lumen Field when Rashid Shaheed shocked the San Francisco 49ers. You’ll tell them about the Dumper winning The Derby, Jorge Polanco lacing a 15th-inning single and Geno’s grand slam exploding into the seats. The pandemonium at T-Mobile Park will echo in your ears. You’ll laugh at the thought of Zach Charbonnet picking up a fateful football. This era will be golden even after it’s gone.

As Andy Bernard said in the 201st and final episode of “The Office”: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”

These are already the good old days. Long may they last.

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