The Seattle Mariners are entering a vital portion of their season, immediately following the trade deadline.

Entering play on Tuesday at 55-58, the M's are trying to hold onto playoff hopes. They are just 2.5 games back of the Houston Astros in the American League West, and they are 2.0 games back of the third and final wild card spot.

Seattle is beginning a three-game series with the new-look Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night, as Detroit just traded away both Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. Seattle will welcome Taylor Ward and Seranthony Dominguez to Seattle, while also getting Brendan Donovan back from injury.

After that? The M's will kick off a huge series at home with the Tampa Bay Rays, who have the best record in the American League. In addition to the games, the Mariners will be hosting an incredible weekend-long celebration in honor of the team's 50th Anniversary season.

On Saturday night, the M's will unveil the 50 Greatest Mariners to ever play for the franchise, and while there are certainly some surprises to come, there are no doubts in other respects.

We know that Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Ichiro, Edgar Martinez and Randy Johnson will be a part of the event, for instance. That's just a given.

It was also always evident that Alex Rodriguez was going to be part of the celebration, at least in terms of being named to the team. What hasn't been clear is if A-Rod was going to show up for the ceremony, and if he was going to be embraced by the fans or not.

Well, speaking on Seattle Sports 710 on Tuesday, Rodriguez indicated that he is part of the festivities set to take place at T-Mobile Park.

Frankly, I'm glad that's the case. Rodriguez always deserved a spot on the 50 Greatest Mariners roster from a talent and accomplishment perspective, and now, he deserves to have his moment with the fans. It's been 25 years in the making. It's time.

I, like many of you, disliked Rodriguez for much of the last 25 years. It had nothing to do with steroid use, or public image, and everything to do with how he left Seattle.

See, I'm of just the right age.

I was 11 years old when Rodriguez left the Mariners. I had just seen the 2000 Mariners win Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium. I had seen Rodriguez homer in that game. I loved Rodriguez. After Griffey left following the 1999 season, breaking the hearts of M's fans, I gravitated to Rodriguez in the way everyone else did.

And when he left following that 2000 season? I was crushed. I was crushed that another favorite player was leaving. I was crushed that a team that nearly made the World Series was breaking up. I was crushed that Rodriguez said his decision wasn't about money, and that it was then crystal clear that it was all about money. I felt lied to and betrayed as a fan.

As I've gotten older, I understand business. I understand Rodriguez didn't really have a choice and the Mariners didn't really have a chance. It's the same tactic the Mariners used when signing Robinson Cano back in the day. Money most always wins. I know that now.

But, even as I've learned that, I have only ever seen Rodriguez through the eyes of that heartbroken 11-year-old.

I'm ready to move on. And you should be too.

The newest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast is out, breaking down the Mariners trade deadline. You can listen here, or you can watch in the YouTube player below: