Category Archives: Mariner Matters

of great starts, homer streaks and too many errors. . .

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Well, this was unexpected!

Whodathunk that the Mariners would be leading the majors in WINS after the first ELEVEN games?!? Granted, they’ve played TWO more games than every other team but the A’s but, still . . .

Going in to today’s rubber match w/the White Sox, this was the stat leader board . . .

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Yes! YOUR Seattle Mariners were leading in ALL the above offensive categories! (plus doubles and stolen bases – which didn’t show within the screen print) šŸ™‚

And, AFTER today’s game . . .

the homer streak is alive! ELEVEN straight games with a home run!

And, the pitching isn’t all that bad – EIGHT wins from starters and SIX saves from relievers (despite our closer being on the IL)

And then there’s the defense . . .

once upon a time, among our strongest suits, now the weakest sauce šŸ˜¦

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

annnnnd . . . . he’s IN!!!

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Edgar Martinez fina11y gets the call to the hall!

We’ve known it was coming, even before fun things like this . . .

Dear Edgar –

Thank you from the bottom of my Seattle Mariners’ fan heart for . . .Ā 

  • the double
  • countless other at-bat moments in your momentous career
  • the light-bat and geoducks in Puyallup
  • your unassuming, humble nature
  • your unparalleled, loyalty to the team & to the city

Congratulations, Gar, on your long-awaited, much-deserved election to the Baseball Hall of Fame!

Cooperstown will have you forever but, Seattle had you first . . .Ā 

Thank you for being ever, only a Seattle Mariner.Ā šŸ’™āš¾ļøšŸ’™āš¾ļøšŸ’™

Some of the MANY tweets . . . (see them all forever more at #EdgarHOF )

best laid plans . . .

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Where did the first half go?

Well, at least I cannot be accused of being a fair-weather fan (not that the weather hasn’t been more than fair this summer) . . .

During the way too long stretch of lean years, I posted religiously (it seemed baseball WAS my religion) . . .

  • season after season
  • series after series
  • game after game
  • at-bat by at-bat
  • pitch by pitch

And now – FINALLY – they are enjoying some success despite some injuries (as usual) and a significant suspension (totally UNusual) but, my recent move necessitates a 4am wake-up call to start an extremely long daily commute that makes it nearly impossible to even watch entire games, let alone sit up and blog. And, attending in-person requires a lot of preparation and accommodation (the ferry only runs so late). I say this not to elicit pity – I would not trade my new home (or view) for anything – but, merely as a reason for my prolonged absence. Add to that planning (hosting) our daughter’s wedding this coming September . . . just not a lot of time for my Mariners šŸ˜¦

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view from my living room on Anderson Island

But, hey – they seem to be faring pretty darned OK without me šŸ˜‰

Sending FOUR well-deserving players to the All-Star Game (Edwin, Mitch, Nellie and Jean) and re-signing BOTH their GM AND their Skipper to long-term deals. They may have finally found the consistent leadership they’ve been seeking. Couple that with young players and vets alike that are contributing night-in and night-out and it’s made for a pretty special first half.

2018 All Star M’s

Jerry D

The Skip

Just know that they are always in my heart and on my mind – even if I’m not putting pen to paper (or keystrokes to the Internet)

Best,

~ Rosy

Anderson Island #WHEREiROOT

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When it rains, it pours . . .

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First, the M’s not only lose their first road series (vs. Tiger) and lose Robbie due to a broken hand (hit by a pitch on the 13th)

but then, on the 15th comes the extremely disappointing news that Robbie has been suspended . . .

It was going to be bad enough to do without Robbie for 4-6 weeks because of injury.

Now, not only does the team have to do without him for much longer but, the reason could have a larger, different impact on the team. Truly one of the biggest challenges the organization has had in many years. It will be interesting to see if the team is able to pull together and if Scott and Jerry can pull the right strings in order to get the right pieces, shuffle the field, respectively to ensure all bases are covered for the rest of the season.

No-No, eh?

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Wowsa!

Mariners 5 | Blue Jays 0

I won’t soon forget the excitement of James Paxton’s first complete game, as it was also his first no-hitter (the second no-no by a Canadian and the first by a Canadian on Canadian soil šŸ˜‰ )

I wasn’t able to watch but, heard the last few innings on the radio while commuting on the train (and holding my breath!) and heard the last call (ground out to Seager/Healy) while boarding the ferry šŸ™‚

So great to see James have the success he’s enjoying this season (even before the no-no). We have all known he was capable of becoming the M’s future ace but, crazy injuries seemed to have dogged him, derailing him in one way or another every season. Here’s to James’ continued health because it’s become apparent, when healthy, he can be absolutely dominant – whether he’s striking out 16 one game or giving up no hits the next – he’ll be a huge part of any success the M’s attain going forward.

Congrats, James!!!

Jr in bronze . . .

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Unfortunately, I’ve yet to see this stunning work of art in person . . .

I was actually working from home the day it was unveiled (Thursday, April 13th) but, didn’t realize until too late that the unveiling was occurring (otherwise, I could have at least watched it on TV/Twitter, etc.)

Thankfully, there are plenty of pics/videos on social media – the detail is impeccable . . .

First firsts | opening series vs. the ‘stros

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Obviously, the most important first came today . . .

the M’s first WIN ~ finally!

Mariners 4 | Astros 2

Here’s some other Mariners “firsts” from the first series of the 2017 season . . .

(notice that the some of the “new guys” are well represented šŸ™‚ )

  • hit = Segura
  • double = Cano
  • home run = Segura
  • run scored = Haniger
  • RBI = Valencia
  • walk = Cruz
  • intentional walk = Seager
  • win = Altavilla
  • save = Diaz
  • stolen base = Haniger
  • double-play = Seager-Cano
  • outfield assist = Haniger

there were also some bad firsts (first loss, first blown save, first error) but, we’ll choose to focus on the positive . . . this isĀ Rosy, after all šŸ˜‰

Next up, the Hated Halos – Go M’s!

g52-53 | M’s take the ‘Vedder Cup’ in crazy fashion . . .

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g52Ā Mariners 6 | Padres 14

Scoring SIX runs shouldĀ by indicative of a win but, unfortunately, James (subbing for Felix who’s now on the DL with a calf strain) had a rough 2016 debut. He didn’t even survive the 4th and made a costly error that contributed to a SIX run 1st inning for the Padres.

The bullpen wasn’t much help – Joel and Steve each allowed FOUR hits and THREE runs! (and, Joel found himself DFA’d after the game)

The good news was: Kyle, Robbie, Nellie and Guti all stayed HOT, HOT, HOT (even Luis had a couple of hits!)

g53Ā Mariners 16 | Padres 13

You think the score is crazy? Wait till you hear how they got there!!!

THE biggest come-back in Mariners organization HISTORY!

Down 12-2 in the going into the 6th, the M’s proceeded to score FIVE in the 6th and NINE in the 7th to seal what would become one of the craziest wins ever (luckily, I got home just as the 7th inning started so, got to witness history, at least via TV). Obviously, not a lot of pitching on either side (Miley w/his worst M’s start) but, the ‘new guy’, Cody Martin gets the victory for the M’s

I’ll let some tweets tell the story . . .Ā 

https://twitter.com/BBTN/status/738709473544413184

https://twitter.com/ProspectInsider/status/738582702748663810

 

g32 | #4 goes 4 fer 4 and Felix is the King of Wins . . .

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Mariners 5 | Rays 2

Congrats to Felix, the Mariners all-time leader in victories . . .

ON the MOUND
Felix was far from his sharpest but, he hung in through seven full for the extra-special win. . .
~ Good news: Ā he only gave up FOUR hits
~ Bad news: Ā TWO of them were homers
~ Good news: they were both solo shots
SEVEN innings ~ FOUR hits ~ TWO earned runs ~ TWO walks ~ FOUR strikeouts

Bully . . .Ā 
Joel and Steve combined for TWO innings of ZERO hits/runs. Steve earning his TENTH save and preserving Felix’s historic victory šŸ™‚

AT the PLATE

Have a day, Ketel!!!

 

tweets of the game . . .Ā 

 

Let’s Meet those who are going to own the zone . . .

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Jerry gathered all the pieces with controlling the zone as his guide, now it’s time for Scott to assemble to puzzle into a complete picture of work ethic, peak performance and leadership.

Only ELEVEN players on the 25-man roster have been M’s before . . .

ROTATION | TWO new guys

FELIXhernandez RHPĀ The King is still The KingĀ  ~ set to start his NINTH Opening Day
HISASHIiwakumaĀ RHPĀ thank goodness he’s back ~ came Ā t h i s Ā close to being a Dodger
WADEmiley LHPĀ at least he’s an innings eater ~ 190+ in each of 4-full seasons
TAIJUANwalker RHPĀ time for Tai’s breakout season ~ slider a key performance indicator?
NATHANkarns RHPĀ beat out Paxton for the 5-spot ~ if he can match last year, not too shabby

BULL PEN |Ā FOURĀ new guys

STEVEcishek RHPĀ couple years removed from TWO 34+ save seasons ~ can he do it again?
JOAQUINbenoit RHPĀ an oldie but, hopefully still a goodie!
JOELperalta RHPĀ another oldie but, a necessity with Charlie out for the start of the season
TONYzych RHPĀ has the stuff but, this will be his first time on an Opening Day roster
NICKvincent RHPĀ he switched clubhouses late in ST ~ from the Pads to the M’s
VIDALnuno LHPĀ not a great season last year (but, then, who in the M’s pen had one?!?)
MIKEmontgomery LHPĀ started last season (posted TWO shutouts) ~ long relief this year?

CATCHERS | BOTH new guys

CHRISiannetta CĀ needs a bounce-back season, though was still better than any M’s C
STEVEclevenger CĀ has been better defensively than expected and the 7th lefty bat

INFIELDERS | THREE new guys

ADAMlind 1BĀ veteran solid first baseman with some pop but, only vs. righties
DAE-HOlee 1BĀ  Ā welcome to the U.S.!Ā ~ plan to platoon with Lind vs. lefties
ROBINSONcano 2BĀ after double hernia surgery in the offseason, bound to bounce back!
KETELmarte SSĀ tasted the big leagues last season ~ won the starting SS spot out of ST this year!
KYLEseager 3BĀ had a rough year at the hot corner (after his GG) but, looks to continue his upward trajectory at the plate
LUISsardinasĀ UĀ young at utility not always the case ~ hopefully, he can get some consistent time

OUTFIELDERS | THREE new guys

NORIaoki LFĀ consistency seems to be his motto ~ as in consistently on base
LEONYSmartinĀ CFĀ stellar defender at a crucial position (and a new daddy for the second time!)
SETHsmithĀ RFĀ great against righties, will platoon with Guti
FRANKLINgutierrezĀ RFĀ here’s to keeping him healthy, then there’s no stopping him!
NELSONcruz DHĀ key is keeping fresh and focusedĀ Ā ~ no doubt Gar can help with that

At-a-glance observations . . .Ā 

  • lack of lefty pitchers is a bit concerning
  • mix of platoons/experience of the position players seems like a great balance
  • from all accounts, newbies and veterans alike are “all in” on the vision and philosophy set forth from day one of the new regime and, to a man, they are all focused onĀ C the Z