Seattle Mariners fans are still adjusting to the news that the longest-tenured player on the team — third baseman Kyle Seager — has retired from baseball. Seager made the announcement via Twitter shortly after Christmas.

For their final conversation of the year, KNKX sports commentator Art Thiel and Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick recount the region's top five sports stories of 2021.

The Seattle Seahawks host the Chicago Bears at Lumen Field Sunday afternoon. Their loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday night left the Seahawks with a 5-9 record and virtually eliminated from the playoffs.

After three years in Tacoma, Seattle's team in the National Women's Soccer League, OL Reign, will once again be in Seattle, starting in 2022. We learn more about what's behind the big news in this week's conversation between KNKX sports commentator Art Thiel and Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick.

The Seattle Seahawks play the Texans in Houston on Sunday morning. The Hawks followed a dramatic win this week over the San Francisco 49ers with a dismaying loss: a shoulder injury that ended the season of safety Jamal Adams.

After a surprisingly good season, the Seattle Mariners have made two important acquisitions that have created a buzz about 2022.

The Washington Huskies are seeking their eighth consecutive win over the Washington State Cougars in the 113th Apple Cup. The annual football rivalry game was canceled last year due to the pandemic but resumes Friday night at Husky Stadium.

Both of the professional soccer teams in the region made it to the playoffs this season. The OL Reign was ousted in the semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 14. And the Seattle Sounders are preparing for their first playoff game of 2021 on Tuesday night at home against Real Salt Lake.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is back from injury just in time to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, where the Seahawks haven't won this century.

The University of Washington football team hosts fourth-ranked Oregon on Saturday afternoon. Many believe it's the Huskies' most important game of the season.