Game 112, The King Arrives At Home
Dave · August 9, 2005 at 5:51 pm · Filed Under Game Threads
It’s Felix’s debut in Seattle. This is, by far, the most anticipated Mariner home game in years. I bought my parents tickets just to make sure they didn’t miss it.
All Hail the King. Long Live the King.
Edited to add: 8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K. Groundball machine. He’s awesome.
Comments
432 Responses to “Game 112, The King Arrives At Home”
All I have to say is God Bless TiVo
Thanks to the prolonged outing last night, not even Matt Thornton can ruin this game.
Got MLB TV for this night only. Game starts at 10 here, but I wouldn’t miss this.
Felix!
Let the King begin his domination of the kingdom we call the majors…
I’ll be in the stadium today. Anybody is heading there? Want to see how many of us are going.
Any pitch-count limit for the king?
I’ve heard something like 95-100, but that seems expected.
I’m even gathering the small Mariner contingent of McCall, ID and throwing a house party to celebrate. Rented an LCD Projector (w/ TV Tuner card) and everything.
King Felix it is.
Anyone listen/watch the post game last night?
Felix was referred to as…’King Felix’.
The trendsetting power of the USS Mariner.
Now, we’ll see if they begin referring to Doyle.
Too bad they no longer play in the dome…
I’d be stunned if Doyle ever caught on. King Felix, though is already mainstream. It was on ESPN.com last week, Niehaus has referred to it on the broadcasts, its written in the papers. That nickname isn’t going anywhere.
10pm start here… I need to be in the kitchen at 6:30 tomorrow morning… screw it! I’m watching the damned game. Homework’s already done, too.
jason
All we can hope for is a little run support for His Excellency.
3am start here, pass the coffee.
3am? Ouch. At least I can go to bed once he’s done… you’re already up. That’s dedication. Though I did once wake up to watch the Sonics when they opened their season in Japan. Can’t recall what time, but it was plenty early.
jason
DAG GUM! I AM FIRED UP!!!
All Hail The King!
Batting order:
RF Ichiro
2B The Ignitor
DH Ibanez
1B Sexson
3B Beltre
CF Reed
SS Betancourt
LF Doyle
C Gonzalez
Betancourt ahead of Doyle? Seriously? C’mon. That’s not even marginally defensible, and there’s a righty on the mound. Geesh.
jason
Ok, I’m not crazy about Willie batting second (or playing second), of course…
…but I do have to give credit to Hargrove for putting Doyle out there every day since he came back. That makes me happy. I’m sure there was some pressure from Ibanez to give him left field.
And nice to see Betancourt back at short.
All else pales, of course, to the exhilartion I feel for King Felix’s first home start. I hope it goes well. Much more for him than anything else.
Aaaaand I just switched from Marlins-Diamondbacks to the M’s on MLB.tv. Oooh, Seattle TV. Suh-weet.
jason
Re #15: It started at 5:00 on the East Coast, and was only on the radio, I think…and I remember doing the same thing.
Yeah, 2am sounds about right. I thought one of the two games was on TV, the other radio only.
jason
Hargrove says Felix won’t out there and throw the ball 190 miles per hour. That’s it, I’m turning the game off.
jason
I think I’m going to love watching baseball when it is projected on the side of the house.
ALL HAIL THE KING!
#2 Cmon Man, There are plenty of times when you can bash Thornton when he is blame-worthy, like when he pitches against Detroit, or New York, or in the month of May. But coming off a game where he pitched 2.1 innings and only walked one person and struck out three in a tie game? There have been plenty of times when you could yell at Thornton and there are going to be many more, but that is the type of outing that makes Thornton better then a Buddy Groom or an Alan Embree or Wilfredo Ledezma
thanks yankees…no way to watch the game on extra innings for a little bit because the NYY game is running long…
Mr Corcoran..Having your party is why you refused to come to game in person when a private jet was sent to bring you to King St Bar & Grill then view the game in a suite?
and MLB.TV is now on my computer but I still hate commercials although they are better than the Scoreboard during any commercial break.
Lets go King Felix
#25 – They don’t move it to another channel? That sucks.
they move it, but right now there is nowhere to move it as the only available channel took the phillies game. but after 2 outs in the braves game that channel should pick it up so ill get around 9.2 innings to watch haha.
8.2, my mistake.
6’3″, 170 lbs???
ugg gotta make that play Beltre good pitch tho
What the?
jason
Wow, was that a home call. I’d be peeved were I a Twins fan.
It it sad that I halfway did not want Wiki to throw him out, because that is one less strikeout Felix can get?
25, 29
I am in the same boat… I just ended up ordering MLB.TV until the yankee game is over.
26: A private jet was sent to get me? Wow. I feel so stupid for not even hearing about this.
But I am enjoying the party. Amazingly, about 20 people are here that actually care. Beltre is the suxxxx0r.
Anyway, I don’t like suites. Too fancy.
You have 20 people at your house and your still commenting on our blog? You suck as a host.
Also, can we tell Ron Fairly that its “King Felix”, not “Young Felix”? Thanks.
What was that, kids? An AUTOMATIC double.
jason
shwa are you talking about MLB Extra Innings or something else?? The game was shown from the beginning on DISH Network…
Way to go Bloomquist, all you had to do is get the ball to the right side… Way to blow it…
Well that wasn’t the best job of moving Ich to 3rd, now was it?
I got a feeling Sexson is going to hit a bomb…
Come on Marte, get the third out so we can see the King!!!!
Man, he’s getting some good hacks in there.
jason
Good execution Ms… Way to give Felix a quick lead…
NOT!!!
Bustre, one more time. Ugh.
39: Actually, I’m doing this at the request of the 20. Your posts are being projected between innings.
Hey DJC, you ever been to Grovers in Boise?
jason
Willie Boomstick!! Nooo!
Thank you Hermanson!
ohhhhh babybbbybyby tthat was good
Frozen pizza!
jason
WHAT A WICKED! CURVE.. WOW
I love that breaking stuff.
jason
At 19, clearly better mound demeanor than Freddy. Sorry, ex-chief.
This has been a useless post just to show I’m paying attention. I considered inviting friends over to watch, then realized that none of my real-life friends give a toss for baseball. Losers.
68!?
Gotta give Ford credit for making contact there.
51: If you mean the bar, I don’t think there is one. If you mean the plumbing place, no.
Hands up if you like this guy! That little slider/curve whatever you want to call it is just unhittable. Looks like a fastball and then a foot drops out of it?
All Hail El Cartuela!
Thats right, Lauren. They’re all losers. The winners? We’re at home, posting on a blog, watching on our computers. By ourselves.
The Ti-Gar is the worst. idea. ever.
Yes, I suck for having a job.
Amen Dave on the Ti-Gar… Let the man retire in peace already!
65 — Did you forget the duck?
No, the Ti-Gar rocks. How many more stuffed animals can we turn into soulless-eyed creepy Gar dolls??
I don’t know, but I want to find out. Por-Gar-pine, here I come.
Ti-gar. {shudder} What, did they have a whole slew of leftover faces from Edgar Bear night last year? Or did they run out of train car ideas? I swear, the M’s marketing guys must be Sid and Marty Krofft.
68: Or the bear?
#69 –
Don’t forget the Gar-madillo.
How about the Li-Gar?
Or Gaar-dvark.
Gar-bary Ape
Gar-madillo, Por-gar-pine… good stuff all around.
Yeah, the plumbing place. I only asked because the ad was on FSN.
jason
Noooo — he allowed a fly ball!
jason
I am gonna go out on a limb here and say that Felix is kinda a good pitcher
#73 – bahaha, I would totaly buy that!
I’m going to go out on the limb and proclaim him God
#78 – Yeah, he’s alright.
I refuse to accept that I’m a loser for rushing home to watch Felix. Bah!
Gaardvark: excellent. For sheer horror: imagine the character from Star Wars I…. Gar-Gar.
what a stud, I am glad I picked him up in FBL.
What are you drawing?
A li-Gar.
What’s a li-Gar?
It’s pretty much my favorite animal. It’s like a lion and and Edgar Martinez mixed. Bred for its skills in batting.
jason
82: I’ll tell you this much. A girl hotter than Jessica Alba could’ve asked me out tonight and I’d've had to decline, and simply invite her to this party.
83, I did the EXACT same thing the day after his first start. Definitely a good pickup haha
If I missed this somewhere, I apologize in advance. Just got out of my car and KJR was reporting on one of its updates that Mike Hargrove has decided to give Morse a shot in the OF over the next few weeks. So who loses playing time? Snelling? Reed? Certainly not Ichiro!
Gaardvark, I like that.
How about alli-GAR-tor?
# 70 No, after Ichiro tha marketing office ran out viable options from this years team. So poor Gar has to be exploited to the max.
Acceptance is the first step to recovery, Lauren.
But yea, Felix rocks the casbah.
Where’s the love for Lohse? He’s matching the King pitch for pitch.
Seriously, I’m starting to get goosebumps watching that curve over at -15mph from his fastball. I’m thinking about his future hitless innings streak running to the 30′s, perfect games ‘cuz he’s not missing much today, etc…It’s almost like a new girlfriend!
So why not use Ichiro? The I-chee-tah. The Fishiro. And the Ichiroadrunner.
Wow!
That said, this is the year for King Felix to get lit up at least once. Not in a Rick Ankiel, wheels fall off, transmission seizes, pistons go flying through the hood, can’t be fixed sort of way. Rather, in a learn the league, I’ve been scouted, I must pitch smart sort of way. In a ‘Mr. Moyer, may I borrow your note books?’ sort of way. Then… then…
Or Bitchiro.
Mr Corcoran..No dress code in suite just you and a bevy of bikini clad Mariner’s wives (for charity of course). Of course we know which one you prefer.
Where’s the love for Lohse? He’s matching the King pitch for pitch.
We have a third MarinerDan theory to add to “Ichiro-average player” and “Adrian Beltre-awful signing”. Now we have “Kyle Lohse-Felix’s equal.”
Why not just rename yourself WetBlanketDan?
http://home.comcast.net/~q24/li-gar.jpg
Should we send it to the Mariners promotion team?
#97 hahahahahah hahahah
Right idea punto — better try the bunt
I’ve stopped playing Madden 2006 for a few hours to watch Felix.
It’s the least I can do.
Hold on, here. I accept the Bustre criticism. But I have NEVER argued that Ichiro is an average player. I defy you to find any such post.
And the Lohse-Felix comment was just a joke. Jeez.
careful lauren, I can seriously see them doing the Ichroadrunner.
Oh, and just to clarify, I have so far at least been vindicated in the “Beltre was a bad signing” debate. So there.
These guys have no idea whats coming… Keep it up Felix… When hes done I am back to Madden 2006 like that one dude said…
Okay, the K-I-N-G sign to rack up the strikeouts is the greatest idea ever. You people rule, whoever you are.
101: How is Madden ’06? I picked it up this morning, but I won’t be home for a few hours yet to play it any.
Lucky 13…
jason
Dave, sure they aren’t spelling K-I-N-D? Maybe they are nice people?
…what?
Sorry Dan, I think I confused you with Daaaaaaan, the annoying anti-Ichiro guy. My bad.
Okay, Dave, you just said 13 in a row shut down by Felix. Seeing as how this is the 4th inning, how is that feasible?
13 in 4 innings is just unbelievable!!!! I don’t think that’s ever been done before!!
Madden is PHENOMENAL! I had to turn it off to keep myself from playing between innings and missing more felix
Jeez, I haven’t been this excited about the Ms since ’95. I actually mean that. Felix is filthy.
95: Not entirely sure. Those girls are all married. I’m searching the singles scene right now. I think I’ll have a homely Idaho baseballview party with LCD projectors on the side of the next door neighbors house (they’re out of town), and only 3 girls, all wearing sweatshirts, because it’s pretty cold.
#107 Tikistone,
Out of respect for the goodship USSM, I’ll keep the Madden discussion short. So far, I like this game. EA Sports always brings it. That’s all I’ll say here, heh.
No problem, Dave.
Come on Beltre, prove me wrong!
108 madden is dirty I played it all day today only sleeping when a T-storm took out my power for a little while. I was in line at midnite btw but Was quite angry to be drafted by the Dolphins
Uh oh, Dave just said it on the TV broadcast.
jason
you guys need to get jobs.
Adrian’s trying to pull everything again. Argh.
I listened to the Cubs/Reds game today. I LOVE the Cubbies announcers. They use terms like “awful”, and “diappointing” to describe how the Cubs played. In the post game the first thing the guy said was that “the team has the talent but they aren’t putting forth the effort, and some people need to see the bench.”
No idea if it was true or not, but the announcers clearly were passionate about the game, knew the game, and weren’t afraid to call people out by name.
Why does he keep stealing? WHY!?
Is he the King of No Run Support?
121: Don’t remind me. I lost my job recently. However, this really intrigues me as a potential new career path.
123 — Isn’t that what got Skip Caray canned last year?
He is faster then Willie, maybe Willie needs to teach him how to be more agresive and scrappy when he runs or something. Very disapointing Reed.
What is the scouting report on YuBet’s basestealing ability? It seems like he has the speed, but I don’t recall seeing him steal a base yet.
Now would be a good time for Fox to come back with an analysis of why he was caught (bad jump, bad speed, or a good Mauer throw.)
I guess that 3-week stretch in June was all the good we’re gonna see out of Beltre in 2005. Crap.
Do ya think that Ron Fairly knows “Young Hernandez”‘s first name? I have yet to hear him call him Felix haha
Who replaced King Felix with Gil Meche?
OK, let’s see how he responds to this.
jason
Wow, those are some GREAT baseball instincts for a 19 year old… quite a way to respond eh haha
good play Felix.
they better subtract one from his allowed pitch count after that throw to beltre.
they better subtract one from his allowed pitch count after that throw to beltre.
Like a cat off the mound there…OK that was bad
Not only can Felix pitch he has his head in the game and has situational awareness! Great play getting the lead runner.
I really wish they would stop comparing him to Freddy.
Wow.. he was WAY behind that one
WOOO!
Beltre’s August OPS is .757.
Sexson’s August OPS is .551.
Beltre is not great right now… but every bad swing or out he makes is magnifies out of proportion. Just like every single Bloomquist gets makes it seem like he’s doing well this year.
“Bustre” is just lame.
And if you want to get on somebody in a slump. Look at Ichiro or Sexson.
doh!
If I was Felix right now I’d punch Adrian Beltre
Good throw Beltre…..chump…… =]
But that wasn’t good…
Beltre owes Felix a
beercoke.Yeesh.
Just make the throw, Adrian.
jason
Beltre’s just testing Felix…and us.
You’ll have to admit, though, that many of Felix’s on-mound mannerisms do recall the Chief. The way he tugs at his shirt, walks around the mound, etc.
OK… that was awesome. Felix’s lack of reaction on Beltre’s error and then snagging the comebacker. Jesus kee-rist.
Is the crowd really booing Beltre, or just the call? Only have the radio at work, which sucks.
Gold GLove for Felix in 05
WOW
#144 – word.
That was darn impressive.
So not only can Beltre not hit for us, he screws up Felix’s attempt to get out of the inning. I’m glad Felix picked himself up, though. This is a frickin’ clinic.
I don’t even know what to say after an inning like that, the poise that a 19 year old making his home debut has is crazy
That was me booing from my house in Green Lake. That sucked Beltre.
FELIX=WOW!
Alright, got out of that safe and sound, now whatdya say to a little RUN SUPPORT
Man. I was in the middle of posting how I thought it was so cool that Felix didn’t show any disappointment (at least from what we saw from the camera angle) with the Beltre throw… and then he does that. Neato.
I think this Hernandez kid might be good
Apparently nothing gets to him.
jason
In my opinion, the biggest mistake Felix has made is that goofy grin he has on his face on Gameday. Needs a more menacing picture to further his opponents inevitable fear.
5 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts. 48 of 67 pitches for strikes. 7 groundballs, 3 flyballs.
His major league ERA is now 0.90.
C’mon boys. Lets get the King a run.
Dave said:”Okay, the K-I-N-G sign to rack up the strikeouts is the greatest idea ever. You people rule, whoever you are.”
Drayer was talking to them on the pre-game– it was several women, who had the sign, a bunch of extra k’s, and a question for Blowers about what he recalled about other heralded debuts for the M’s…
it’s like the team is trying too hard for Felix– swinging at slop they should be ignoring, rushing throws….
so…Rookie of the Year in 05? Or do we have to wait until 06 for that one?
These new look mariners are exciting. I’d predict a tear of wins if we actually got a free agent pitcher. And piling on Beltre already is really bad form. Yea doyle.
OK–Beltre now owes abit of run support.
Dave is DMZ hunting down those fans with the KING K sign and insisting YOU get due credit for the anoiting? Or USSM.com on bottom of posters?
C’mon, that’s gotta be ruled a hit!
And you have to love the 1-0 pitch out.
Why do they keep running?
jason
That Mauer kid is fab.
Dumb to send Doyle there. Dumb. Right after the pitch out? You know Mauer was on alert.
Hey Mike, FYI – Wiki is not a good hit and run guy. He is a good swing and miss guy. Thanks.
Yea Hargrove! Because obviously stealing is really working for us
/sarcasm.
DMZ? No show at Kings? They didn’t see you or find you in the Doyle shirt. A guy can’t even give away a beer around here…
Good news about the inept Ms offense: small caps of time between the King’s pitching
We don’t care about credit, tentwo. I just think its cool that the nickname stuck.
TGF said: “In my opinion, the biggest mistake Felix has made is that goofy grin he has on his face on Gameday. Needs a more menacing picture to further his opponents inevitable fear.”
in fact, one of my major objections to the attempt by some to christen him Felix the Cat (leaving aside all the irritating cuteness hat name engenders) is for that very reason — just how fearsome can you be if when your name is mentioned everyone starts singing a perky little theme song?
Maybe we need an old-school American League style manager, paging Lou…
If you don’t like cat, maybe Felix the Ligar would be better
Sit down, sir.
jason
Uh, the last manager I want anywhere near Felix is Lou!
Who is this kid?
What can he do?
Is he as good as the press clippings?
Where are my pants?
Where the hell are my pants?
jason
Uh, Willie? WTF?
jason
Alright, top of the order. Lets do something
180, I was talkin to my roommate about that one… “Is it wrong that I kinda want us to get out on 3 pitches so we can see felix pitch more”
Seriously, what the heck was Willie doing with that throw.
I noticed Reed is now 4-12 stealing. Even if his SB/CS were reversed (8-12), it wouldn’t be worth it. I don’t understand Hargrove…
Bloomquist almost lollygagged that inning-ending play. Jackass. It looks to me like the rest of the M’s are more nervous than the King.
Mauer is having some good ABs against Felix.
But Willie is the 2nd coming of Pete Rose and just needs playing time!
Jackass.
LOL.
jason
RE: 192 — It seems like every time I see Reed on base (admittedly not that often), he’s going and getting thrown out by a wide margin.
I don’t even remember the last time we held a team scoreless through six.
Thank you, King.
Perhaps I shouldn’t even mention this. But Ichiro is hitting about .305. Bloomquist is hitting about .275. If their averages cross is that like “crossing the streams” in Ghostbusters? Just something to keep you up nights.
jesus christ can we get something going here, puh-lease
#197 – Tue. Aug. 2nd, 2005
sorry, I couldn’t help it.
“Tonight’s Southwest destination of the game: Crapramento!” What happened to the Banner Bank building to the future?
199- BP, are you praying?
200 THe Jeff Harris Experience but twice in one week whats wrong here
Who is this kid?
What can he do?
Is he as good as the press clippings?
Where are my pants?
Where the hell are my pants?
And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!
I figured that the song title was appropriate for the game tonight also.
Wow! I’m not watching because I’m at work, but I’m excited anyway.
Gameday says he’s thrown 76 pitches so far, so I suppose they’ll probably play it safe? Or could he go another inning?
Too bad the M’s can’t score a run either. I think he deserves a victory.
J.R. – wow, totally blocked that out.
This is even MORE scoreless through six, though. And I’ll stand by that.
Tim — he’s out there for the 7th. Pitch count is 85-95.
jason
What speed are the King’s pitches now?
Reminiscing about Fats Nunez??? Pretty wack flashback.
Anybody know what the fastball has topped out at tonight?
A GRIMACE? I think my heart just stopped.
Noo it better not be serious no injuries no inuries
I’m calling on one of our sluggers to at least hit a solo shot this inning to give Felix a chance for the win.
Richie, Adrian… you know what you have to do.
John in LA, I am picking up what you are laying down. I just had to answer that, I was being a butt.
Fox gun has topped out at 97.
jason
GO GET HIM SOME RUNS!
No way does he deserve to still be at 0-1 after
this game.
Still throwing 96. I think he is done for the night regardless. Wow. I like.
What’s the over/under on how many games the King will need to pitch allowing 2 runs or less to get a win?
bp I heard someone in the background yell out 98 after one of his pitches. Although the gun could always be a little fast.
#215 thought i saw 98
210: He hit 98 once or twice.
Um…how to put this delicately… I think that ground ball might have deflected off of his cup. Hence the grimace.
Felix’s fastball has been 95-98, but usually 97. His curve is 83-84. The change is 82-84. Despite what Niehaus says, no sliders. All on the Fox/Safeco gun, though, which is notoriously fast.
86 pitches through 7? I’d send him out there for the 8th.
Jesus boys, this isn’t rocket science. It’s Kyle Frikkin’ Lohse for Christ’s sake! Give Felix some support.
Yes! Seven scoreless and 86 pitches, and I guess that means he’s probably done.
Beautiful line: 7IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 5K
Felix has faced two over the minimum through seven.
(I’ll stand by that until J.R. proves me wrong… which I appreciate by the way, you’re not being a butt at all)
So does Felix come back out for the 8th? What is his allowed pitch count for the night? As much as I’m enjoying this, I’d feel really good with him having a seat for the night.
Long live the King!
Aw, c’mon Sexson.
jason
christ they are making Lohse out to be much better than he is
Could you emagine what Felix could do against our hitters, thats just sick.
So, I ask all of you again: What’s my headline to lead tomorrow’s sports page?
REED!
REED!!!!
King Felix is the story tonite. It is also comforting to actually see how naturally Bentacourt and Doyal field their positions. Refreshing and fun.
Just get a damn single guys. You’re killing me here.
Yes, REED! Thats the doubles machine I have come to expect
I just watched the play again through the magic of Tivo…and in slow motion. The ball definately hit the heel of his glove and got him wher no guy likes to be got. He was grimacing before he even threw the ball, so definately not an arm issue.
Betencourt!!!
REED!!!!!!!!
Woohoo!
BETANCOURT!!!!!!!!!!
BETANCOURT I LOVE YOU
booya!
Nice Reed! I wish Doyle was batting now.
FINALLY!!
Felix got his run!
w00T!
YESSIR…look at the 2 rooks coming through
231: King Felix Dominates Safeco Debut
YU-GO!
Ok, I take it back. NICE JOB, BETANCOURT!!!!
woooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Dizzamn!
BETTY!!
Yunieskyyyyy!!!!
Betancourt, you are so clutch right now.
YEEAAAH! The King is now eligible for the W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woo-hoo! Man, I don’t think I’ve ever Rizzz get so excited over a single run. He’s making it sound like we just won the pennant. I guess he must have been as frustrated as everyone else.
It was important to swing at the first pitch to keep Reed from getting thrown out trying to steal 3rd.
Betancourt could outrace Felix’s fastball!
Headline = “King”
I really like some of these young guys…
Let’ go DOYLE … let’s get that insurance run!
Let’s see if Grover’s clever strategy of batting Doyle 8th pays off.
I say send King back out there…he’s at 86 right now, plus they have 7-8-9 coming up
see, all they needed was to be reminded that it was Kyle Lohse…
Headline:
The King and his ‘Court
no, shut him down
He’s going back out there!
#267-very nice
nice one 267
See … I might send the King out to warm up …then bring him out before the inning starts to give him the ovation he deserves (hey … the fans want to cheer something!)
I was pretty sure he was out as soon as the run scored…I don’t think I would send him back out.
Felix needs to learn how to deal with the bullpen giving away a win. It will be good for him in the long run.
I just got a sweet vision of going into a short playoff series next year with Felix throwing games one and five.
(I know the playoffs are unlikely next year… but if we can can scrape a run together, the playoffs would be sweet with the King.)
Headline:
Hail to the King, Baby
Wow that Bentancourt kid is fast as well as quick two tangibles Morse does not appear to posess.
Weird stat of the night:
Doubles, season: Reed 21. Ichiro 12.
jason
I say send the King back out there if for no other reason than to get him a standing ovation when relief comes in.
Is this wise? Why does he need to pitch the eighth?
see, should have sat him
Put me in the Betancourt supporters camp from here on out. I was pretty skeptical with the signing originally, and I really didn’t see anything in his stats to adore. But this kid is a player. Some of the softest hands I’ve seen in a long while, and that speed is fun to watch as it looks like he’s got a little bit of pop, too.
ok little dp here
Hey Jim, how about something like “Home Town Coronation”?
Or maybe “King Shines in Home-Town Coronation”
stop hesistating bloomquist!
Whatever king headline you want, and then you can start out “Shakespeare would tell us that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, but…”
His Pitch count was 100 coming in. He had 86 and had gotten through like 5 of the 7 innings in around 10-15 pitches. Why not see if he can get it to Everyday Eddie?
Nah, that ball wasn’t hit all that hard. Tough DP.
jason
Come on, dp!
This is Felix’s night, of course, but I love watching Betancourt play. He really looks like the real deal.
I was under the impression that his pitch count was 85-95.
that was SICK!
As much as I’m a homer, the ump has given some very generous called strikes.
Thomsen, how about “All Hail The King”?
One more out, kid, come on…get it to eddie
292: pre-game radio show Hargrove said 100.
doh!
Man, I don’t want to leave to go play hockey.
Would “K-K-K-K-K-King Felix” be too much like KKK for a headline?
get this little shit out, please
KING!!!!!!!
put Eddie in now, he can get 4 outs, it won’t kill him.
FELIX! hell of a game kid!
he’s getting the standing O — I think everyone knows Eddie G. is coming in
oh yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah
Now’s the big question. He’s not yet to 100, do you send him out for #9 and let him go for the Complete game?
WOW… SAFECO IS LOUD RIGHT NOW!
I’m a dork… I just gave Felix a standing ovation in my living room.
The King’s might is greater than human, and his arm is very long.
(Quote by Herodotus)
And he’s a good fielder! Beautiful!!!
OK, I am suddenly happy they didn’t trade Guardado.
http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2004/08/flow-my-tears-king-felix.html
Hmmm.
Effing awesome. Just effing awesome.
Nah, he’s done now. Definitely done.
jason
It doesn’t get any better than that. All hail the King!
Pull him now, 8 innings, a handful of hits, no runs. Let Eddie do his thang.
I love this stuff. We haven’t had this kind of pitcher that brings such a grin to my face in years. I love it. I LOVE,/b> IT!
Damn, the kid is amazing.
They better not send him back out though, there will be plenty of games to get the complete game in in the futer.
As cool as it would be to see him go out for the ninth to get the ovation he so rightly deserves.. If Hargrove risks that arm by doing that, I will never forgive him.
8 shutout innings in his home debut. No extra base hits. Only two or three balls even hit hard the whole night.
Fantastic. Great job. Let Eddie shut down the lefties in the 9th.
.. and you have to think that Eddie, being naturally Mr. 100% adrenalin will be extra motivated. I expect to see him foaming at the mouth as he steps out there in the 9th.
Hargrove quote on Bloomquist today, per The Herald of Everett:
“He’s opened a lot of people’s eyes and he has impressed me,†Hargrove said. “Has he changed my mind about him being a utility player? Not necessarily yet. But he’s gone down that road quite a ways.â€Â
My name is Felix, King of Kings
Look on my fastball, ye mighty, and despair!
He was still throwing at 96, and it looked like he was playing catch. I can’t wait to watch Baseball Tonight.
Although Eddie is automatic, I would like an insurance run here just to secure the W for King in the event of a solo shot or something
Lets have Felix pitch the 9th and then move up
his next start to Friday.
Sincerely,
Billy Martin
don’t they need to send him out to start the ninth and then pull him for eddie immediately, so the king can be hailed once more by his subjects?
that’s what lou would have done.
94 pitches, 69 strikes. One of the many reasons I’m not a major league manager is because I’d send him back out there.
If I was gay or a girl, I’d kiss Felix right now
OK, it is game 112, the M’s are 48-63 and I feel like a 6 yr old at Christmas! What an amazing performance by the King. ALL HAIL THE KING!
The King has left the building.
jason
#330, Amen
No, he shouldn’t even go out there. He is 19 and he must stay humble. He needs to know his roll on the team. He is definitely the future, but he is just a rookie. His time will come.
If I was gay or a girl, I’d kiss Felix right now
[smartaleck]
So what’s stopping you?
[/smartaleck]
Long Live the King!
The fact I am around Vancouver Washington makes it hard for me to kiss him
“Not walking a man!”
Thomsen, stop making up stuff like in that 322 post! You’re scaring us!
322# Uh oh, that comment sounds vaguely familiar of Jim Tracy down with the dodgers. COaches are suppose to answer questions they ask, it is the first sign that they are slipping in senility http://www.dodgerblues.com/content/features_quotes-05.html
Yes, he pitched a great game, but I would rather not see a close up of him chewing tobacco.
whew … Willie did something right.
Nice catch by WillieB.
am i nuts or does willy seem slow on these plays?
I have this silly grin on my face. It is so hard not to imagine a GREAT future for the King. Can we start a pool as to when Felix makes his first appearance on the cover of SI?
He is only 19. That’s one of those facts, like the fact that lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun, that one knows to be true but just can’t quite grasp.
That was one sweet pitch by Eddie.
and 339 has many spelling and grammar errors. COaches is suppose to be coaches; are is suppose to be aren’t; amd in is suppose to be into.
By the way, M’s win.
Eddie – you ‘da MAN!
1 down, 299 to go
YEAH
I love Eddie’s reaction after a win.
Wow, it suddenly got a little dusty here in my computer room.
Eddie — I LOVE YOU!
Oh man … I think I’m going to cry
First of many, first of many.
And King? Thanks a ton for making this a quick game. You the man.
jason
What a great fucking ballgame…goodnight all
This was the best night of Mariner Baseball alllll season long. And now….sigh….back to reality.
Two wonderful hours.
Is his arm insured yet? Have they bought a giant hamster ball to keep him from running into things?
We’re going with: “Glory to the New Mound King” ….
Wow 1 – 0!
And do we at all have to worry about him getting 50 innings?
Long Live The King. I haven’t been this excited watching a Mariners game this season.
#344 – I would guess SI will run a feature sometime next season, not sure about a cover. If he keeps pitching like this, though…
Was this the shortest game this year? I can’t believe it was only two hours long.
For one night: . . .. .
HOPE!
reason 1001 of why I love my wife:
“wow, Felix is the pitching equivalent of Griffey, Jr.!”
Paul Molitor Cocktail said it before but, as the White Stripes said, “it bears repeating”:
Hail to the king, baby.
No walks. Zero.
344 hopefully never so that he never catches the cover jinx
One down, 299 to go. Let’s all meet at Safeco in 2025 for the grand event.
Shortest homegame at Safeco ever!
Behold the future: Felix on the mound exulting after pitching the Mariners to a World Championship. This was the equivalent of Junior’s debut. Just like in 1989, the immediate future of this franchise all of a sudden doesn’t seem bleak at all.
This is truly amazing. It’s like watching Michael Jordan when he was the only good player on the Bulls.
More from Hargrove for tomorrow’s paper: Mike Morse is going to start work on a possible conversion to the outfield.
More from Hargrove for tomorrow’s paper: Mike Morse is going to start work on a possible conversion to the outfield.
Snelling is great in left.
The only way I can see this working is Ichiro moving to center and Morse to right.
Jim, as long as he learns the outfield in Tacoma, I’m cool. If he tries to reduce Snelling’s playing time, I will personally untie his bellybutton and let all his air out.
Thank GOD I didn’t mention that I was starting the King tonight on my fantasy baseball team before the game started. I didn’t want to jinx him.
Now that the game’s over though… w00t w00t!! Shoot yeah!
Jimmie
Um, does Morse have enough of a cannon to play right? Where does this put Jones?
Also:
Michael Garciaparra of the Mariners’ Class A Inland Empire team was named the California League player of the week after he batted .471 with three home runs, four doubles and 10 RBI last week.
Ah, it’s time for “The King” (.69 ERA) to take over where “The Chief” had left off, so lower the drinkin’ age & make sure that the laides have been warned!
In all seriousness, thou’, Hernandez is goin’ to be flooded w/ suitors of the female persuasion — so long as he keeps up this pace — which, for him, is nothin’ but good times.
The Morse to the OF conversion has been obvious to me for several years. He’s not a middle infielder, and with Beltre at third, the only way he contributes in Seattle is in the outfield. All of the M’s outfielders are lefties, so having a right-hander who can play the outfield can’t hurt.
OK, now I at least know to watch every 5 days.
Now, my only thing is, I’m going to be in Oregon next week, but I’m going to try to sneak up on Wednesday the 17th to watch the M’s. So….I’ve got to figure out how to schedule this so I get up there on Monday (Felix’s next start) instead of Wednesday, because I’ll be in Eugene on Monday, Newport on Tuesday, Portland on Wed, and Newport again Thurs-Sat. Somehow I have to reverse the Eugene and Portland days so I can sneak up to Seattle. That’s all there is to it.
Mateo just NAILED Guardado with the old pie in the face during an interview routine….Kewl.
So, Dave … how do you put tonight into perspective?
Winning games are simple, so long as the pitchers throw a shutout.
Ernie
I’ll probably do a post on that tomorrow, Jim. But, well, without being a total wet blanket, we should remember that the Twins offense stinks, and the strike zone was fairly generous, I thought. This was basically the perfect spot for him to debut as all the circumstances were in his favor.
But he was still freaking awesome. There’s no way to downplay how dominating he was. There were four balls hit “well” the whole night, and all four were for singles. His groundball/flyball ratio was something like 24/6. His change to Michael Ryan was just about the sickest pitch I’ve seen all year. The fastball was moving, and he kept it in the strike zone, which he doesn’t always do.
Felix was great in a situation that lent itself to him being great. When he goes into Yankee Stadium or Fenway and blows through those lineups, well, that’s going to be fun to watch.
Why Mike Morse, though?
As it is, Justin Leone has been getting playing time at Tacoma in both right fielder and left field, and he’s a better all-around offensive and defensive player than Morse. Okay, fine, if speed is what the Mariners are looking for in a fourth outfielder, then Jamal Strong would be a decent option. Another unlikely possibility for a fourth outfielder is T.J. Bohn, 25, who’s a solid hitting (.310, .368, .410) right-handed outfielder in San Antonio; he can play all three positions and has decent speed (26 SB, 9 CS). I guess, ultimately, it just seems as if Morse isn’t the right choice for the job.
Aaand….USSM gets a mention on the post-game show as the initiator of the King’s nickname.
Seriously? Sweet.
Regarding my last post, T.J. Bohn’s line should have instead read .310/.368/.476, which is his correct batting statistics.
Corco,
They said on the broadcast that Felix would be starting on Sunday (5 days, but only 4 games from now). Makes sense – in between will be Moyer, Piniero, Meche, and then they eliminate Harris. After that, Franklin returns to the rotation
Leone, and Jamal Strong, are classic examples of players who need a fresh start with another organization. Under different circumstances, if certain players hadn’t been acquired, both could have had some value in Seattle. Morse, I’ll bet, will be in the same boat in 1-2 years  he may keep on hitting, but there just likely won’t be a steady spot in the lineup for him or a role in which can settle into. I mean, really … what do you do with him?
Thanks, Dave, by the way.
yeah, the first caller called him the King, mentioning that he’s been known as such to USSM readers since his Everett days.
Corco, where are your seats on the 17th? I’m taking my dad to the game. Got him tickets for Father’s Day.
Now I’m stoked. Supposed to go to a game over the weekend with a couple of friends. I was leaning towards Sunday. It’s not just a lean anymore.
Sunday isn’t official, by the way. Don’t buy tickets based on Felix starting Sunday just yet.
That was fun!
Somewhere, Franklin is complaining that the King got run support and he doesn’t.
I love Gardenhire’s comment on Felix’s “poise”
Yea, the “curveball from hell.” ahaha
I’ve got Diamond Club seats for Monday. I’ll be hoping they give him an extra day’s rest.
Assuming a Sunday start, and all other things being equal, the King gets the Yanks on Tuesday the 30th. I think I’ll find the time to go.
Dave, I was gonna take in a game over the weekend anyway. Got a wine tasting on Saturday @ 5:00 in Ballard, so would have had trouble getting to Safeco in time so… might as well be Sunday. A boy can dream, can’t he? I’m keeping all my appendages crossed in the hopes that Sunday is my first chance to see KF outside of Tacoma.
#389
You’re kidding me! He’s starting on SUNDAY? God! I just bought tickets for Monday. UGH! Any suggestions?
402 – Um… two games in two days? I guess I don’t see the problem.
Any idea when they will announce the pitching match ups for the rest of the week?
Just got back from the game. Friggin’ awesome.
1-0. 2 hours, shortest Safeco game ever. Three fly ball outs. No walks. YuBet triple (I couldn’t believe it, when I looked down after watching the ball I expected to see him coming into second, but he was already nearly to third). 3-1 K-B ratio. Long Live The King.
A reason to get excited again.
Man.
I’m spent after being there for that game.
My random and somewhat un-educated thoughts:
A few of us watched The King warm up in the bullpen before the game. He looked calm, collected, and prepared. No hint of nervousness that I could see, he had a huge grin on his face most of the time before he started throwing.
Beltre really should’ve been charged with two errors, in my opinion. His “where do I go with the ball” moment in the first was unfortunate, and scoring it a hit against the King was even more unfortunate. Beltre didn’t look very comfortable at the plate either, I don’t think.
I had a pretty good view of Doyle in the outfield, but there wasn’t that much to watch. I got a funny look from the guys sitting next to me when I said “C’mon Doyle!” when he was up to the plate.
The atmosphere in the Safe was pretty electric. Even the people who didn’t really know who King Felix was, seemed to feel that they were part of something special.
I’m going to rub my boss’s nose in all of this tomorrow, since he punked out and didn’t go to the game with me.
Those of you USSM folks I didn’t get a chance to meet, I’ll be more social next time when I’m not standing in the middle of waitresses trying to knock me over, and those I did, it was nice to meet you all!
Oh, and the best thing was watching the five or six batters in the first three innings who fouled their best efforts straight back. The bottom really falls out of Felix’s secret off-speed pitch. After that, they usually just waved at the next one, or drove it into the infield.
They’ve just said on the post-game show that Felix will start on Monday. Don’t know how official that is, but they did announce it as a correction to their original statement saying he’d pitch on Sunday.
A late post here as I was watching the game on FSN and attending to some personal business. Felix got the benefit of some calls, but so did Lohse. Jim Wolf, the HP umpire tonight, strikes me as a pitchers’ umpire. Having a brother who pitches for the Phillies may have something to do with that.
Overall, love Felix’ composure, especially after the botched play by Beltre that loaded the bases in the 5th, and I think we could be looking at a future Gold Glover if tonight was any indication.
Excellent pieces of hitting by Reed and Betancourt in the 7th. If Betancourt can learn to go with the outside pitch more often instead of pulling it, I think I will really start to like him.
By the way, did Rizzs really say in the 7th inning, “Youth was served”? Is Rick trying to be hip all of a sudden?
The only weird looks I got for shouting “Doy-ull” in my worst Bronx accent were from my sweetie. She also doesn’t like it when I take my shoes off, or make the really loud wood-block noise with my mouth. Ah well.
Rusty responding to Russ in #179…
DMZ was there at the King Street Oven Tavern thingie. I did notice he was a little later than 5:30, but I did say “hi” on my way out. And Jonah Keri does seem like a cool dude. Didn’t get to meet everyone but it was cool slurping happy hour Microbrews for $2.75.
Steve Thornton is spot on about how relaxed Felix was warming up. I might also add that he was pretty disciplined about stretching out. Probably not obsessive compulsive about it like Ichiro, but it was good to see. And he seems to have a good rapport with Wiki but hopefully he also pitches well with Torrealba.
Electric atmosphere. Wasn’t sure if my memory was short or not, but I kept thinking I hadn’t seen Seattle that charged about a pitching performance since the Unit. On the way out, on the loudspeaker, I heard Dave Neihaus make the same comment.
408. I hope the KOMO guys are wrong. If so, I will be at Safeco this Sunday. Imagine the atmosphere in the park when Felix the King pitches to Vlad the Impaler. If his next start is indeed on Monday, I will have to pass on what should be a sure win because it’s my Dad’s 60th birthday.
Speaking of the Royals, did anybody see Cleveland scored 11 runs in the 9th tonight to win 13-7? Guess it’s good to know that as bad as things have been this year, it can always be worse.
Re: the home plate umpire. I was sitting in CF on a line directly behind the mound. Saw every pitch. The ump’s strike zone was low and wide for both pitchers. And both pitchers were smart enough to know they were getting the calls and kept pounding the ball low and wide.
I just got back from Safeco and I’m absolutely giddy.
The professional baseball game my dad ever took me to was when I was 10 years old (sad, I know) and I got to see a kid named Griffey play at the Kingdome for the first time and hit a homerun; and I don’t think that I’ve been this excited since then.
Felix was just incredible, and with every reason in the world to be nervous. He pitched out of tough situations, he fielded his position incredibly well (who knew?!?) and his stuff is ridiculous. It’s just not conceivable that he’s only 19. Everyone went nuts when Josh Beckett, just 23 years old at the time, put together a great stretch and pitched an incredible game 6 against the Yankees…. for King Felix to do the same thing at the same age he has until October of 2009…
Some other dude in 346 knew the name Doyle when shouted. If you are here, I commend you.
Special night.
Re: #414
I was very impressed by how well Felix fielded his position.
Especially after watching what could generously be called “shaky” defense by Beltre, I think the King just decided that he’d play defense himself if the guys behind him couldn’t get it done.
But then again, WFB had a pretty nifty play also. So don’t read too much into it.
I wish I had the words. So, I quote Carl from ATHF instead.
FRIKKIN’ AWESOME!!!!
And DMZ was at the King when I left at 6:30. I saw two things I never thought I’d see: A lights-out 19 year old MLB pitcher, and a highly social Derek. Though the latter apparently requires a significant quantity of alcohol.
Back up to Dave’s comment:
…the strike zone was fairly generous, I thought.
Really? From my vantage point it seemed like he was getting squeezed a lot on the outside. Not that it frustrated him all that much.
Oh, and I should mention (unrelated): There were about 15 people watching Lohse warm up in the BP. There were at least 10 times that many watching the King warm up. Heck, they were five deep when he was warming up IN THE OUTFIELD.
Here’s to a healthy labrum and hoping that the King never meets Drs. Jobe or Andrews.
Heh, nobody else in section 334 got “GO DOYLE!”, but we yelled it anyway. It didn’t work as well today, though maybe we managed to jinx Morneau in the 5th inning?
Sadly, though, it was kind of tough to *really* see Felix’s pitches from that high up, to really get the effect… much better angle for watching Reed and Betancourt’s heroics in the 7th inning instead. Still, it was an enjoyable game, and everyone seemed appropriately excited about it, which was cool.
It was nice to meet some of you at the King (heh heh, I just realized the name) Street Bar & Oven before the game. I get points for being more antisocial than Derek, right? I’m happy people were amused by my Nippon Ham Fighters jersey; unfortunately I missed all of the pre-game Pacific Rim festivities while trying to get pictures of Felix in the bullpen, which I’m going to dump off my camera now, and hopefully will post in a little while, if they didn’t all suck due to the lighting.
No, that was Jeff Nye, not me.
Felix did handle a ton of chances (five?), that was awesome to see. There’s something about the two-strike count, everybody’s hoping for the K, but it’s a ground ball instead, and “dammit, I’m GOING to get you out, dude, don’t even bother swinging; what’s the point?” Surprising but fun There was even one where Sexson could have run it out but tossed it off to Felix, who sped it to the bag.
I can’t think of a damn thing not to like, frankly. The only thing lacking with Felix’s outing is that it wasn’t Roger’s 20 K game, or something. The kid’s nineteen. One of the best games of all time? No. One of the best by a teenager? Yes, absolutely.
BTW, the infield single in the first wasn’t an error by Beltre; he let it go on purpose, hoping it would bounce foul.
For the longest time I thought “Nippon Ham Fighters” was like “Ham Fighters” from Nippon, which is the coolest image. Then I found out it was just the Fighters, from Nippon Ham. Still cool, but not crazy cool.
But I still love the Ham Fighters.
Ham Fighters have the nicest uniforms this year, along with the Seibu Lions.
I have a Fighters cap too.
Hanshin went to those stupid three-button types and the Giants are just like the SF ones, so…
106: “Okay, the K-I-N-G sign to rack up the strikeouts is the greatest idea ever. You people rule, whoever you are.”
Thanks for the glowing endorsement.
I’m just glad they got such a successful result!
That was the most amazing game I’ve been to at Safeco in the past two seasons. It’s been said a dozen times already in this thread, but the atmosphere was electric. The stands were still full 5 minutes after the game ended and people were spontaneously cheering on the sidewalks outside as they walked to their cars. I guess we have to take advantage of any opportunity to be esctatic about this team.
What a crappy day (for me)… had to work tonight, but no prob, set the DVR to record King Felix on Extra Innings down here in Oaktown. I get home, fire it up, and what do I have? 4 hours of the Dish Network logo, wtf! I guess god doesn’t want me to see Felix pitch. After two glasses of Pezzi King Old Vines Zin and reading this thread, I don’t feel quite as disappointed. So thanks to all here at USSM, reading this thread is the next best thing to actually getting to see this game (even if in this case the next best thing is significantly crappier than the best thing.)
The Fighters depress me. I wish their pitching hadn’t imploded this year. To think, they made it to First Stage last year, and are only escaping the cellar this year due to the inept Rakuten newcomers…
But yeah, the new uniforms are MUCH nicer than the old ones (I have both, but wore the new one today).
Anne — those signs were awesome! I kind of got a picture, but it’s from extremely far away. How many K’s did you guys prepare?
Thanks, Deanna. We had 8 Ks total, and figured after that we’d either start putting blue tape directly on the railing or tape Ks on our shirts! Between the radio, tv, photographers, jumbotron, and our own cameras, we had pretty good coverage.
I was working on getting some popular support for Doyle as well, but I think most people around me were utterly confused.
The strike zone was pitcher friendly. No Doubt.
Lohse also took advantage.
The only thing lacking with Felix’s outing is that it wasn’t Roger’s 20 K game.
Future Game Headline: The King K’s more than Years Lived.
419:
I get points for being more antisocial than Derek, right?
You just didn’t drink enough.
Forgot to tell you: I like your blog. You’re becoming the Mariner Bat Girl.
Deanna – Second the props on the web site. Read the latest entry about an hour ago. Two thumbs up. Better than Batgirl. I mean, she’s cool and everything, but a little too precious for me. Okay, I know who Sweetcheeks is, but so many cutesy little nicknames makes it hard for the casual reader to figure out what the heck’s going on. I did buy the big Batgirl mug though. When will your mug be available?
Re. #421 on the Nippon Ham Fighters: It would be interested to see what would happen if Boone signed in Japan and did his bat-flipping trick against them….
392: I haven’t actually bought them yet, but I’ll let you know when/if I do.
#412
I have to hope against you. I’m going on Monday. That ticket cost me a pretty penny. But if he pitches on Sunday, I hope you have fun