I'm sorry it's been a while since I've posted here. But, for once, I have good reasons! 1) I got a new job! I'm finally putting my degree to use as I'm now a reporter for the Tribune newspapers in Snohomish County. I just started last Monday, so it's very exciting and is keeping me very busy. As a side note, it was awesome to find out that the reporter I’m replacing is almost as obsessed as I am with USSMariner. 2) Cheryl and I celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary on Sunday. So, needless to say, it's been an eventful week for me. I've got some post ideas that I've been kicking around, that I'll get to soon, but here are a few random things that I've been thinking about lately...

1) How freaking awesome is it that the M’s are on the verge of re-signing Ichiro? A lot of people rag on Ichiro and fill column space or bar conversations with stupid, straw-man arguments. He’s not a leader, he doesn’t talk to the media, he doesn’t hit for enough power, he’s only concerned with his own stats, he doesn’t dive for balls, blah blah blah. And, I’ll admit, I’ve felt a little frustration from time to time while watching Ichiro over the past seven seasons. But, I’ve put all that behind me and come to the realization that he is what he is — and he’s just awesome. Sure, $20 million per season is an awful lot for any player, especially for a player’s 34-38-year-old seasons. But, Ichiro is such a unique player. He’s had exceptional health and I think that even if he loses a step or two, he has the bat control and the skills to continue doing what he’s been doing. He’s also unique in the fact that he brings so much to the team off the field, and that has to be considered. To top it all off, he goes 3-for-3 in the All Star game, with the first inside-the-park HR in All-Star game history. Icing on the cake. Ichiro’s the face of this franchise and I’m so excited that he’s going to be a Mariner for at least another five seasons. Cooperstown is calling.

2) Adam Jones will be in Seattle soon! Boo yeah! Serioulsy…could this day get any better for M’s fans?

3) If you have Comcast, MLB Extra Innings is having a free preview week. According to the message I got, "Simply tune to channels 457-470 from July 12th through July 18th to see your favorite out-of-market baseball teams in action." They’re also offering the Extra Innings package for the second-half of the season for $99.

4) I love Matt Mangini. He's tearing up the Northwest League, hitting .354/.452/.508 and probably won't be in Everett too much longer. Luckily, I was able to see him hit his second professional home run on Saturday. A pitcher I really like on the Aquasox this season is Ryan Moorer, out of Maryland.

5) I don’t mean to brag, I don’t mean to boast, but…did you notice how close my All-Star break standings prediction was? One game off for the Angels, the M’s and the A’s. The Rangers got a little hotter than I anticipated, but still…as Larry David would say, “Pretty, pretty good!”

6) Sean Green-as-a-sidearmer update: 18.1 IP, 19 H, 18 K, 6 BB, 1.96 ERA. Ah yeah!

7) Cheryl got me “The Bigs” for our Wii as an anniversary present. It’s pretty sweet and I’ll have a more detailed review up soon, but you should check it out if you’re into baseball video games.

Did you know that, since dropping down to his sidearm slot, Sean Green has thrown 14.1 innings, striking out 14, walking 6 and posting an ERA of 1.88? Small sample? Yeah - but I'm liking the new & improved Sean Green. Sidearmers rule!

YouTube Friday…better late than never!

“The Bigs” came out this week and I hope to get it soon. When I do, look for a review. Until then, check out the trailer!


Another commercial for something I want to buy. Check out that curveball!


An awesome, old Griffey commercial…


I’m stoked that Oregon State won back-to-back National Championships! Here is some inside footage from SS Darwin Barney…


Alright…one more commercial, but I think I might have saved the best for last. Can your blender handle a baseball? LOL – why is this a selling point?

Working right down by Safeco Field the past couple days has made me realize how lame Mariners fans really are. Between the fact that they do the wave during critical situations, complain about people cheering too loudly, that the biggest roars from the stadium come from the hydroplane races and all the love for Bloomquist, I already knew most M's fans were lame, but watching this series against the Red Sox really cemented my beliefs. The M's were about to sweep the Boston Red Sox this afternoon. It was about 4:30 and the game was tied in the 8th inning, but people were flooding out of Safeco like the place was on fire. I couldn't believe it. How can you even call yourself a fan? Why even bother going to the game if you're going to leave when it's tied, so you can go sit in rush-hour traffic?

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled the M's swept the Sox and have won 5 in a row. They're one of the hottest teams right now and they're only five games out of first and two games back in the Wild Card. It's going to be a fun summer - but it would be better if Mariners fans weren't so pathetic!

Let's do a quick comparison between typical Red Sox fans and typical Mariners fans...

Red Sox fans get decked out for games. Almost every Sox fan wears at least three team-related items to the ballpark. You can tell who they're rooting for because they're all wearing shirts, jerseys, hats, jackets and red socks. Mariners fans, on the other hand, look like they're going to a PTSA meeting. Jeans, a polo shirt tucked in, sandals (with socks) and a North Face fleece? Yep...there's your typical Mariners fan.

Red Sox fans know what they're talking about. They know Kevin Youkilis is a beast and that he's hitting .330/.415/.498. They come to the ballpark to watch baseball and they cheer louder for a single than M's fans cheer for a home run. Mariners fans show up late, drink a few microbrews, eat some $8 strawberries on a stick, talk about their portfolios and their kids' soccer teams and leave in the 8th inning of a tie ballgame.

It just pisses me off that Mariners fans are so boring. If they were more passionate, there would be more pressure on the front office and we'd presumably have a better product on the field. Instead, we're stuck with Raul Ibanez: Mariner For Life. Do you think Red Sox fans would put up with a DH that has a .716 OPS? How about a $13 million 1B hitting .209? Of course they wouldn't - they'd be screaming bloody muder because they wouldn't put up with that crap. But, if you go to Safeco Field, it's obvious that 80% of the people there just don't care. They're there for a fun night out with the family or to impress some clients.It's not a library, folks. You don't have to use your 12" voices at the ballpark. Get rowdy! Show some pride in your team and in this city! Please - the next time you go to Safeco Field, make a point to do something you don't normally do. Buy a jersey and wear it to the ballgame. Cheer for your favorite Mariner - even if the big screen isn't flashing "Make Some Noise!" and your section has the vibe of a funeral parlor. Make a sign. Paint your face. Let's get behind this team, so it doesn't feel like Fenway Park everytime the Red Sox come to town!

That's all just a long rant, when all I really needed to say was that I wish every Mariners fan was a little bit more like Red.

I went to the game tonight and it was easily the best 16-1 loss I've ever attended. All jokes aside, it really was magical. Their were positive vibes around Safeco all day - people sharing their favorite memories of Griffey, dads telling their young sons about how special it was to watch Junior in his prime, it was electric down there and it was a great day to be a Mariners fan. I was interviewed by Kiro TV (I'm at the very end of the video, which you can see here) about my favorite Griffey moment. I said my favorite moment was when he hit back-to-back shots with his dad, because that was the first thing that popped into my head. While that was a great moment, and I remember watching it with my dad, I kept thinking of other Griffey memories throughout the day and thinking, "Ahh...I should have said that!" I'll always remember his sweet swing and when he hit homeruns in eight consecutive games. The catches he made were legendary and I love how he was always having fun out there. But, there are some special memories for me - like the time Griffey played in a charity basketball game against teachers from my elementary school. Or, when dad and I had first row tickets at the Kingdome, right over the M's dugout and Griffey tossed me a ball as he was running into the dugout. Griffey was my favorite player as a kid and there will always be a place in my heart for him, and that's why I had to get a ticket for tonight's game.

My day at work felt like it was 17 hours long. The clock laughed in my face and I continuously checked every couple minutes to see how long until I could get out of there and join the party happening outside the store. 6:30 finally came and I dashed out of the store, chugged a Red Bull and went in through the team store entrance (no line!). I found my seat and sat down, anxiously awaiting the pre-game festivities. I don't remember at time in my life when I've been that excited for a baseball game. The ceremony started and it was truly magical. As they showed Griffey highlights on the big screen, I got goosebums. Everyone was cheering like we just won the World Series, chanting, "GRI-FFEY! GRI-FFEY!" and "JU-NIOR! JU-NIOR!" I know Griffey said he was afraid we were going to boo him, like we boo A-Rod, and I think he was astonished at the overwhelmingly genuine love flowing from the stands. As they called The Kid up to the microphone, I got goosebumps on top of my goosebumps, my hands hurt from clapping so much and I was beginning to lose my voice. I even shed a few tears throughout the ceremony - it was just awesome. I'm so glad I bought a ticket. What a great night. I was hoping they would retire his number, but they didn't. As the game spiraled out of control, I was hoping to see a position player pitch, but that didn't happen either. It didn't matter though - nothing after about 7:15. Yeah, the M's lost 16-1, but the pre-game cermony was worth twice the price of admission.

Thanks, Griffey. See ya in Cooperstown!

Bold: Oregon State will win the College World Series.
Bolder: J.J. Putz will be snubbed from the All-Star team.
Boldest: The Mariners will retire #24 this weekend.

Attention stupid YouTube whores: stop putting “baseball” as one of your keywords. If people want to find porn on the Internet, there are a million better ways than by searching for baseball videos on YouTube…

This is why they make first base coaches wear helmets in Little League…


I hope Masaru Uno could hit, because he was apparently a horrible defender.


Ichiro’s amazing throw. This never gets old…


A Japanese news piece on Matsuzaka’s mythical gyroball


David Eckstein, Braden Looper & Alex Gordon talk about playing in the College World Series. That reminds me…GO BEAVERS!

What do Roger Clemens, Geoff Jenkins, Jason Varitek, Huston Street, Eric Wedge, Brad Hawpe, Terry Francona, Willie Bloomquist, Jacque Jones, Nomar Garciaparra, Andrew Miller, Mark Kotsay, Paul Byrd & Morgan Ensberg all have in common?

Highlight below this sentence for the answer (white text)...

They all played for the championship in the College World Series.

First off, no this post isn't about Beavis & Butthead. Short-season ball in the Northwest League is right around the corner and I can’t wait to head up to Everett and catch some Aquasox games. I’m excited to see who will make the Aquasox squad – hopefully I’ll get to see Phillippe Aumont, Matt Mangini, Denny Almonte, Joe Dunnigan, Nick Hill, Kris Sanchez and maybe even Juan Carlos Ramirez.
 

The NWL rosters haven’t been completely set yet, but here are some of the players in other organizations that I’m hoping to see…



Yakima Bears (Diamondbacks)
I really hope some of these guys sign quickly, because the Bears open the season in Everett, June 19-23rd. The Diamondbacks took Jarrod Parker, a high school pitcher from Indiana that has been described as a “Scott Kazmir from the right side.” After that, they went with a lot of interesting college guys like Wes Roemer, Ed Easley, Barry Enright, Sean Morgan, Scott Maine and Josh Collmenter. Now, I don’t know if any of them will start out in the Northwest League, but if they sign late and are added to the Bears’ roster after they play in Everett, I might just have to spend a weekend in “The Palm Springs of Washington”




Eugene Emeralds (Padres)
The Emeralds visit Everett next (June 29th – July 1st and August 28-30) and they could have a lot of guys I’m excited to see, as well. Another college-heavy draft started out with Nick Schmidt, and they also have Kellen Kulbacki, Mitch Canham, Danny Payne, Eric Sogard and Jeremy Hefner. Schmidt doesn’t really excite me too much – other than the fact that he was a first rounder. I interviewed Kulbacki, so I’m excited to possibly see him play, Canham is the rapping catcher out of Oregon State, and Payne (an OF from Georgia Tech) and Sogard (ASU-2B) have both been described as Dustin Pedroia clones. Hefner was on the list of pitchers I liked prior to the draft. I might have to head up to Everett for both of the series against the Emeralds. Geez…by the time this post is over, I’ll be buying season tickets!




Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Giants)
The Giants had a lot of early picks in the draft, and I’m hoping to see some of the in the Northwest League this year. I’m most excited about Madison Bumgarner, but I’d also like to see Tim Alderson and Nick Noonan. Also, if Angel Villalona is tearing up the Arizona League, I’m really hoping to see him this summer in Everett. According to Kevin Goldstein at BP, Villalona was the top talent in the Dominican last summer and the Giants signed him for $2.1 million. He’s only 16 right now, so it would be very surprising to see him in the Northwest League, competing with guys coming out of college. My fingers are crossed – probably next year, though. The Volcanoes are in Everett from July 7-9 and from August 13-15.




Boise Hawks (Cubs)

There aren’t a lot of guys I’m itching to see that will be on the Hawks’ roster. Obviously, if Josh Vitters starts in Boise, I would love to see him – but that’s about it. Another guy that could be interesting is Chris Huseby, a 6’7” pitcher that was drafted in the 11th round, dropping because of Tommy John surgery in 2005. The Hawks fly through Everett July 17-21.


Vancouver Canadians (A’s)
The A’s Northwest League affiliate will make two trips south of the border this season. First, from July 22-24, then again from August 31 – September 2 and they could be smuggling a lot of talent. Not surprisingly, the A’s went with a lot of college guys in the draft and I’m hoping to see Sean Doolittle, Corey Brown, Grant Desme, Josh Horton, Sam Demel and Travis Banwart.




Spokane Indians (Rangers)
 The Spokane Indians come to town August 20-24 and they could have a killer rotation with Blake Beavan, Michael Main, Neil Ramirez and, one of the guys I’m most excited to see…Fabio Castillo. Castillo is an 18-year-old righty that’s a big 6’3”, 220 lbs. He has a fastball that’s in the upper 90s and probably has the highest ceiling of any player in the Rangers system.

Tri-City Dust Devils (Rockies)
The Dust Devils will be in Everett from August 3-7, but they don’t have a lot of guys that I’m dying to see. Vanderbilt’s closer, Casey Weathers, was their first-round pick, but how excited can you get about a minor league reliever? Brian Rike is a hard-hitting OF from LSU that could be fun to watch, but I’m hoping for some diamonds in the rough…

I highly encourage you to get up to Everett this summer. It’s cheap, it’s a whole lot of fun and it’s good baseball. I’m going to try and get up there as much as possible this summer, and I’ll be sure to post some pictures and maybe even some videos and scouting reports. See you there! Go Frogs! 

Here's how I predict the AL West standings will look like at the All-Star break...

Angels 54-34 .614

Mariners 50-35 .588

A's 43-45 .489

Rangers 32-57 .359