Will the Mariners Ever Win When it Counts?

Andy and I were at the game with Mark and Megan on Tuesday night. The Mariners scored five runs quickly in the bottom of the first and we thought, “game’s in the bag.” Then Jeff Weaver and the entire bullpen blew the lead and we would up losing 10-6.

About halfway through the game, it was like the air got sucked out of the stadium. Nobody was cheering. Nobody was even invested in the game anymore. Mark turned to me and said, “Mariners fans suck!”

We kind of do. But that’s because we’re so used to being disappointed by our sports teams that we never fully invest our emotions in their seasons anymore. It’s kind of like someone who has been unlucky in love so many times that they just can’t seem to tear down the walls enough to let Mr. or Ms. Right in.

I’m not completely immune to that sentiment, although I’m loud and obnoxious at ballgames right until the last out. It’s not over till it’s over.

But I am beginning to wonder if the Mariners are ever going to deliver us our post-season dreams. Until Tuesday night, I though this might be the year. But if we’re going to let the Angels sweep us on our home turf, I don’t think this is the team.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Andy and I are going to the Mariners game this evening with some friends. Will you be there? Text me at (206)-229-9335 if you’re at Safeco field.

Mike Hargrove Says Goodbye

If you have read this blog before, or if you take a look at the right sidebar, you are aware that Teresa is not exactly a fan of the Mariner’s currently manager, Mike Hargrove. This is a stance she has had for years, which I believe dates back to him trading Randy Johnson (apparently he turned out to be an okay pitcher). However, the Seattle bigwigs seemed to like him, and it didn’t appear he was going away soon. Especially with the M’s winning 10 of their last 11 games.

So it came as a bit of a shock today Hargrove announced his resignation in the team’s pregame meeting right before playing Toronto. “It’s a shock, I think everyone’s still in shock here,” Raul Ibanez said. “Nobody was prepared for it, or anything like this.”

Hargrove cited a decreased amount of passion for the game as his reason for leaving. The timing, however, is confusing, as the Mariner’s win today put their steak at 8, and the team is looking better than it has since 2001:

Jeff Weaver, whose first six games earned him a demotion to the minor leagues, has since returned and allowed 1 run in 17 innings in his past two starts. Jose Guillen and Ichiro Suzuki are hitting well enough to make me think they are on steroids. And JJ Putz, with a 0.92 ERA, is the best closer in the league.

The Mariner’s have not announced any replacements candidates, but whoever takes over will inherit a very hot ballclub. They initially offered me the job, but withdrew the offer when they learned that my dad is a Yankee’s fan.

Welcome Back, King Felix!

After 27 days of resting himself, Felix Hernandez will return to Safeco field tonight to take on the division-leading Angels.

Felix has consistently impressed me both on and off the field. When he first signed to the major leagues, he invested the vast majority of his signing bonus, spending just enough money for a great new laptop. That’s pretty responsible for a then-nineteen year-old.

He also acted responsibly 27 days ago, when he pulled himself from a game early after feeling pain and tension in his throwing elbow.

It’s easy to let stardom go to your head, especially in your teens and twenties. That’s why I have a lot of respect for Hernandez as a person, not just as a pitcher. He seems just as level-headed as he was two years ago. Combine that with a killer fastball and some wicked breaking stuff and you have a kid with grade-A potential.

Let’s hope the Mariners management have the good sense to hold onto him.

What the FRACK Are the Mariners Thinking?

Trading Chris Snelling for fracking Jose Vidro? Who are they kidding with this crap. Dave Cameron at the U.S.S. Mariner was right when he called this front office incompetent. Five years ago, we won 116 freakin’ games. Now, we’re a marginal team at best. We need a new management team in the worst possible way. That’s why I put my Chris Antonetti for Mariners GM button up. If the gang at U.S.S. Mariner thinks that Antonetti is the right guy for the job, I trust them.

We really need to do something, or my Yankee fan “friends” will never stop terrorizing me about how much my team sucks. Ok, thus endeth the baseball rant.