For Gary Payton, it was a little out of the ordinary to be standing in the interview room at a baseball stadium, preparing to celebrate basketball.

But for the former NBA point guard, it was also a testament to the passion Seattle still holds for the game three years after the Sonics relocated to Oklahoma City.

"It's weird, but it's great," Payton said. "I'm glad that the Mariners are doing this for us. They're trying to show that they want a basketball team back here. They knew how much the Seattle SuperSonics (meant) to this city."

Payton was joined during "Sonics Celebration Night" at Safeco Field by fellow Sonics who left an impression during the 41 years the team spent in Seattle. Sixteen team legends — including Jack Sikma, Nate McMillan, Dale Ellis, Shawn Kemp and Slick Watts — were introduced by former play-by-play man Kevin Calabro.

"It's a little different, man," Kemp said. "But I'm a big baseball fan and I actually picked the Mariners to do very well until this last little slide we had here. It's good to be here."

Sikma added, "When I got to town, the Mariners were a new team here and I spent many an evening watching the Mariners play in the summertime. And, again, I'm a Mariners fan, so I'm glad to be here."

The crowd — wearing more Sonics jerseys than Mariners — provided a standing ovation as each former player and coach was introduced. Payton then stepped to a podium in front of the pitcher's mound and provided the fans with some encouraging words on the future of NBA basketball in Seattle.

"Keep your head up, because we're going to get a team back here," he said.

On a night George Karl and Lenny Wilkens each threw out a first pitch, it was a time for those who helped create the moments fans remember to reminisce and, as Karl said, "embellish" their accomplishments.

"I'm just happy they're reuniting guys that haven't been together for a while," Karl said. "Our lives get too busy, and we forget about celebrating the good times."

It was a nice night for those who miss the NBA, a sign there are still passionate people waiting for the game to return to Seattle.

"I think it becomes more and more apparent that Seattle would be an interesting place for the league to put a team again," Sikma said. "We've got a market here. We've got a fan base. If the arena can get figured out, I don't think it will be too long before we get something done."

Note

• Before the game the Mariners also honored Rick "The Peanut Man" Kaminski, who died earlier this week after suffering an aneurysm. There was a moment of silence for the 67-year-old, and his fellow vendors made a ceremonial peanut toss to fans from the top of each dugout.

Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com