Mariners fans put shoes on their heads as part of a superstition called the "Rally Shoe." This tradition began during the 2022 postseason when a fan named Ben Cox put a Birkenstock sandal on his head at a Mariners watch party in Seattle's T-Mobile Park while the team was trailing the Toronto Blue Jays. It started as a joke inspired by the traditional rally cap (wearing a hat inside out), but as the Mariners began to rally and catch up in the game, more fans followed suit, putting shoes on their heads hoping to bring good luck and a comeback for the team. The rally shoe became a symbol of that historic comeback and has been embraced by fans since then, even being inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame as a piece of memorabilia.
In essence, putting a shoe on the head is a fun, quirky way Mariners fans try to spark a rally for their team during games.
