I record Baseball Tonight every day. Sure, the hosts can be annoying (although I love Tim Kurkjian), but I usually just skip ahead to the Web Gems. Tonight I was watching the Web Gems and it gets down to #1 and flashes Mike Cameron’s name on the screen. Now, you may know that Cammy’s my favorite ballplayer. So, obviously, I was really excited that he made the #1 Web Gem of the night. Then…the recording cut off. I don’t know if it’s TiVo’s fault or ESPN’s fault, but I was pretty bummed. Anyway…let’s have some fun with Mariners’ statistics!
David Bell has more HRs (3) than Scott Spiezio (2), who has more HRs than Adrian Beltre (0).
Oh…and guess who has more HRs than Kenji Johjima. That’s right…Miguel Olivo (3)!
Omar Vizquel has a better batting average (.362) than Carlos Guillen (.282), who has a better average than Yuniesky Betancourt (.257). However, while still absolutely pathetic, Yu-Bet’s OBP of .268 is better than Frank Thomas, Kevin Millar, Cliff Floyd, Justin Morneau, Reggie Sanders, Matt Holliday, Torii Hunter, Jeromy Burnitz, Mark Ellis & Jeff Francoeur. I’m guessing that won’t last long…
The Mariners, as a team, have a K/9 rate of 7.55 – good for best in the American League. Surprised? Me too! They’re significantly helped out by their trio of freaking-awesome relievers: Rafael Soriano, George Sherrill & J.J. Putz, who have strikeout rates of 10.03, 12.86 and 15.09, respectively. Felix and…Eddie? are both posting a rate of 10.80 K’s per nine innings, while Gil Meche and Jake Woods are also posting rates that are above league-average.
On the bad side, the M’s also tied for second in the AL in home runs allowed, with 29. Amazingly, 21 of those 29 bombs (72%) have been served up at Safeco Field. The M’s, on the other hand, have hit only 10 dingers at home. Yuck…
Ichiro’s average through April 26th, year-by-year:
2001: .347
2002: .312
2003: .258
2004: .268
2005: .333
2006: .263
Here’s hoping Ichiro gets a few hits, Beltre and Johjima hit home runs, Betancourt takes a walk, the M’s keep striking guys out and they pull off a winning record on this strange road trip. Go M’s!