If they don’t win it’s the saaaaaaaaaaame…
Random notes from the first game of the year:
– Pre-game intros: among the non-starteres, huge pops for Bloomquist (expected), Felix, and Joel Pineiro. I understand Bloomquist even, but Joel? What for? As much as Felix? Really?
– Overheard at the ballpark, 4/2/2006: “Johnny Damon can eat those nuts.” — Fan on the presentation of the Gold Glove to Ichiro
– Seeing Johjima crank that home run was worth the ticket.
– Jeff and I are tossing ideas around for how we’d do a USSM podcast, since there appears to be some reader interest in this.
– Centerfield bleachers are back in Section 101. Hopefully they’ll actually be temporary this year.
– Announced attendance was 45,515. The Mariners didn’t sell out. I can’t remember the last time that happened.
– Petagine’s name was wrong when he came up (chock full of ‘i’s)
– Would someone please explain to Hargrove that if the game’s tied going into the ninth at home, there cannot be a save situation for your closer, and you might as well use him when it’s tied? A year of this is going to drive me crazy.
Game One, Angels at Mariners
RHP Bartolo Colon vs LHP Jamie Moyer. 2:05 PM, FSN.
I’m excited.
To the Everett issue — what’s appropriate? Do you boo him starting with the first game and then keep booing until he’s released? Or is polite support for someone who wears the team uniform appropriate? If you don’t like the move, or if you don’t like Everett, I’d say the baseline is don’t applaud anything except the scoreboard announcement that he’s been traded to Tampa for a PTBNL. Waving inflatable dinosaurs… hmm. Where would you get one?
Monday, Opening Day
“Two-seam fastball could be a boon for M’s pitchers” [Times]
“As April goes, so goes the M’s season” [PI]
“M’s no longer darlings” [Thiel, in the PI]
And the return of the Answer Guy in the PI.
Q: What new eats will be encountered this year at Safeco Field?
AG: The ever-popular Ivar’s will offer “Fresh Catch of the Day” items on a rotating basis, while also taking over the pregame festivities at the fenced asphalt enclosure outside Safeco’s Home Plate Gate. What was originally the Outback Outpost and then the Azteca Caliente Corner is now renamed Ivar’s Clam Bake. Kau Kau BBQ from the International District will offer traditional Chinese eats (Section 136). But Club Level denizens may have the best new Safeco grub — various burgers made with that high-end Kobe beef.
I love that note about the ambiance… “fenced asphalt enclosure”. Mmm, I’ve always wished for a local fenced asphalt enclosure eatery I could enjoy before games.
And Reed’s playing today. [PI]
Feed Post-Mortem
Not since my college debate coach took a header into a mud puddle after rounding third base have I laughed so heartily at a game-of-ball-and-stick related event.
Thanks are in order to all of the 150-some folks who showed up to the feed for taking the time, for indulging my digressions, and for chortling along with us as Derek and I tried to one-up each other with esoteric analogies. We’re obliged also to Bill Bavasi for graciously answering our questions and to Dave and his family for organizing work above and beyond the call of duty.
With a little luck, Friend of USSM Jim Thomsen will grace us with some of the many photos I saw him snapping. Speaking of snapping, it’s a miracle that no one lost a finger during the locust plague around the dessert tray. But man, were those little brownie concoctions good.
If you’re inclined, use this thread to share feed memories and suggestions for next year. Opening Day is almost here: I’ll see many of you at the game tomorrow, and have a fresh post in the morning, when the M’s will definitely possess an unblemished record.
Sunday, chock-full of content
The Times ran their huge pre-season preview, “the Future is Now” (rejected tagline: “Now, more than ever”)
– Putting the pieces together. The problem? “there was little character or chemistry or whatever it is that makes a team meld.” Yup.
– M’s are watching Felix closely. Also, in case you were worried, they also run a list of “Can’t-misses who did”
– Johjima’s doing fine
O’er in the TNT:
Nageotte looks like the Rainiers #1 starter.
The Rainiers won the exhibition at Cheney, which was cool for Tacoma fans. And no one got injured.
Projected standings ahoy!
Diamond Mind Baseball ran their load o’ simulated seasons, and presented for you the results.
Mariners went 80-82, won the division 4% of the time and the wild card 5% of the time. They beat the Angels, who fall to last place. It likes Minnesota in the AL Central, too, and Cleveland comes in second.
Clay Davenport used a much different methodology in an article at Prospectus (subscription), and the Mariners on average were a 77-85 taem, but they made the playoffs 15% of the time. This follows an earlier PECOTA-based article by Nate Silver, which put them at 77-85 as well.
Final Moves Made
As expected, C Rene Rivera was optioned to Tacoma. Joining him is RHP Emiliano Fruto, leaving LHP Jake Woods and RHP Jeff Harris as the two winners of “Who Wants a Spot in the Bullpen?” 1B/DH Roberto Petagine had his contract purchased from Tacoma. To make room for Petagine on the 40-man roster, RHP Marcos Carvajal was designated for assignment. Additionally, OF Chris Snelling was placed on the 15-day disabled list. In case you’re wondering, yes, Harris needs to be added to the 40-man roster as well. He’ll take, at least temporarily, OF Matt Lawton’s spot while Lawton serves his suspension. Ten days into the season, they’ll need to make another move or two.
In other news, we’re really close to having the first updated Big Board of the 2006 season. Once minor league rosters are finalized, which shouldn’t be too far off, I’ll get rolling — I’d rather wait until rosters are announced rather than guess where players might start the season, only to update things a few days later. Stay tuned.
Hope to see you all in 12+ hours at Safeco! Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour today, or you’ll be late for the event.
M’s claim Guillermo Quiroz to backup
Confirmation links to follow.
Guillermo Quiroz got pushed out in the Blue Jays catcher battle, and the M’s picked him up, presumably to back up while Rivera seasons in the minors. Quiroz is 24, right-handed, and hasn’t hit well since 2003, when he put up a stellar season in AA. Since then he’s bounced between levels and hasn’t gotten consistent playing time.
Quiroz, despite having a couple poor seasons, is a much better bet to hit a little than Rivera, and has a lot more potential to turn into something really interesting — though with Johjima and Clement, the M’s don’t have a lot of playing time to offer.
Nice little move.
Last Call: USSMariner Feed
Two days left until the big event at Safeco Field, and we still have some spots available. If you’re interested in attending, the information is below. The only difference for late registrars is that we cannot guarantee you that we’ll have snacks for you, since I already placed the food quantity order. But you’re still welcome to come.
Sunday, April 2nd, from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Safeco Field
We’ve got space for 200 people to come join Derek, Jeff, Jason, and myself for four hours inside Safeco on the eve of opening day. 24 hours before the season kicks off, you get to come hang out with us as we spend a few hours talking baseball and having a good ol time.
Of course, we won’t be the only people talking. Once again, Mariners General Manager Bill Bavasi has graciously agreed to give up a good portion of his free time and participate in a question and answer session. Quite simply, this is a unique opportunity for Mariner fans to get together and pick the brain of the guy who makes the decisions.
Four hours of baseball talk, including time with the number one guy in the front office the day before the season starts? Hard to beat that, honestly.
We’ve done our best to keep the costs as low as possible, and we’re really happy we can offer this get together for $15 per person. That will include snacks and drinks, so while it’s not a feed, you will be able to get fatter while attending, which is a nice plus.
If you’re interested in attending, here’s what you need to do: send an email to ussmarinerfeed@gmail.com with the number of people you’re requesting spots for in the subject. In the body of the message, I need full names of those who will be coming under your reservation.
Due to the event being just nine days away, we’re going to have you pay-as-you-enter to avoid problems with the postal service and getting checks around in time. We’re counting on your good faith to attend the event if you sign up; we’re paying for your spot whether you come or not, so if you don’t come and don’t pay, that’s money out of our pockets.
One last note; we’re making one minor change to how we handled the event last summer. Instead of a free-for-all where everyone gets the mic and we pray that they ask a question that isn’t insulting and makes sense, this time around, the Q&A will be moderated. If you have a question you’d like to hear Bavasi answer, leave it in the comments of this thread, and we’ll cull the best ones and make sure they get asked.
Also, any general questions that you think may be of interest to others, feel free and ask in the comments.
Sweet, sweet Friday
Unnoticed as the televised match featured the M’s beating the Dodgers in Las Vegas (booth interview with some guy from the Chamber of Commerce or something, presumably hired goons had producer/engineer Kevin Cremin in the desert somewhere, with a gun on him) was the ugly performance of Pineiro, who went six innings, gave up ten hits, two walks, and got one strike out. Throw in a home run, and you’ve got yourself Ryan Franlin. Teams, btw, are required to have at least two starters in any split-squad game (so paying fans see someone they know). The Seattle @ San Diego game featured Ibanez and Sexson, and maybe you can excuse Bloomquist. Other than that:
C: Gregorio
2b: Bourgeois
3B: Brown
CF: Gary
RF: Wilson
DH: Sears
Even the serious Mariner fan would have difficulty recognizing these guys on the street. And the three — Sexson, Ibanez, and Bloomquist — came out after one plate appearance, presumably to catch a limo to the airport for their flight to Vegas, where they all played. The replacements for that talent-light lineup? Bunch of guys named Monzon, Rogelstad, Bubela, LaHair, Guzman, Schweiger, and Heid. At some point, it’s only the family members who can still pick them out.
The Padres treated the game only slightly more seriously, for the benefit of the 6,689 fans that came out: they played more starters (Mike Cameron!) and for a little longer.
Anyway, to the news!
Chaves is optimistic, and you should be too. [PI]
While the back of the bullpen may still be open to flux, the bench looks like
C: Rivera
Scrappy Doo: Willy Bloomquist
1B/DH/PH: Roberto Petagine
OF: Borchard
More stories as they’re posted.
Update! Portland M’s fans have a meetup going on down there before their exhibition game today, if you’re in that area.
Hope for rain Saturday: means free game at Safeco
The Rainiers v Mariners exhibition game Saturday would be played at Safeco and would be free! free! free! to all fans if it’s rained out in Tacoma.
“Hopefully, the game between Mariners and Rainiers will be played as scheduled at Cheney Stadium on Saturday, and every attempt will be made do so. We appreciate the interest of the fans in the Tacoma area who are planning to attend. However, just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate, we have a backup plan to play the game at Safeco Field. If the game is moved to Seattle, all fans will be welcome to come to the game free of charge,” said Mariners president Chuck Armstrong.
That’d be kinda cool. Further updates as events warrant.