Spring is coming, and to me that means baseball season is fast approaching. And I am ... well, I'd like to say I'm more excited than ever about the upcoming season for the Mariners, but really my excitement is probably comparable to other years. What can I say? I maintain a lofty level of passion about Mariners baseball. But my anticipation is, I think, fed by the fact that I got an early birthday present from my wife last week: a 16-game plan to ... well ... 16 home games for the Mariners.
I do, however, have no small amount of trepidation. Last season I had very high hopes for this year's outfield. With Ichiro in center, Jose Guillen in right and maybe Adam Jones in left, (with Raul Ibanez DH'ing) it would have been a fantastic trifecta of blazingly powerful arms in the outfield. Now with the departure of both Adam and Jose, our outfield looks rather bleak. I am not at all impressed with the addition of Brad Wilkerson, and would far rather see Mike Morse (who's having a very hot spring, for whatever that's worth) playing right than Wilkerson. Morse has paid his dues, I think, and am sure he's every bit as good, if not far better, than Mr. Wilkerson.
That being said, I'm very excited about their starting lineup. Last year it was dismal; this year it looks to be amazing. And, thanks to my loving wife who got me the best birthday present ever, I'll have a chance to see the two A-listers pitching back-to-back on March 31st and April 1st - the two first games of the season. Erik Bedard and Felix Hernandez. The ol' one-two combo. Lights out. Shut 'er down. Etc. I'm pumped.
And you heard it here first (or maybe not, who knows): Richie Sexson - .265, 45, 130. That's right.
And Beltre (who, by the way, has quickly become my favorite player who currently wears the blue-and-teal) will get the Gold Glove again this year.
And we'll win the West, and get to the AL Championship Series.
(And I'm more than willing to eat my words. I do every year, and I'm starting to enjoy the taste. Eternal optimism tastes a lot like chicken, actually.)
I do, however, have no small amount of trepidation. Last season I had very high hopes for this year's outfield. With Ichiro in center, Jose Guillen in right and maybe Adam Jones in left, (with Raul Ibanez DH'ing) it would have been a fantastic trifecta of blazingly powerful arms in the outfield. Now with the departure of both Adam and Jose, our outfield looks rather bleak. I am not at all impressed with the addition of Brad Wilkerson, and would far rather see Mike Morse (who's having a very hot spring, for whatever that's worth) playing right than Wilkerson. Morse has paid his dues, I think, and am sure he's every bit as good, if not far better, than Mr. Wilkerson.
That being said, I'm very excited about their starting lineup. Last year it was dismal; this year it looks to be amazing. And, thanks to my loving wife who got me the best birthday present ever, I'll have a chance to see the two A-listers pitching back-to-back on March 31st and April 1st - the two first games of the season. Erik Bedard and Felix Hernandez. The ol' one-two combo. Lights out. Shut 'er down. Etc. I'm pumped.
And you heard it here first (or maybe not, who knows): Richie Sexson - .265, 45, 130. That's right.
And Beltre (who, by the way, has quickly become my favorite player who currently wears the blue-and-teal) will get the Gold Glove again this year.
And we'll win the West, and get to the AL Championship Series.
(And I'm more than willing to eat my words. I do every year, and I'm starting to enjoy the taste. Eternal optimism tastes a lot like chicken, actually.)
Dude, that's pretty much the best present ever. Mad props to your wife. I'm pretty jealous...While you're at the game I'll be watching on my computer - hoping my internet connection doesn't freeze up. I'll look for you. While I share your eternal optimism, I also share your trepidation - esp. regarding our offense and outfield. I'm so sick of the idiots running this team!!! If they let players like Morse and Baek go (no more option years) while their roster is crowded with guys like Cairo and Vidro...i'm gonna be major pissed. Morse isn't the best player in the world, but he could hold down LF better then Raul, and Raul would make an ideal DH over Vidro, and Vidro could be a useful bat off the bench. And Cairo...well, he's just not useful anywhere. Frickin Bavasi. I already miss Adam Jones. I figure at the very least Sexson has to have a dead cat bounce, and while Scott Rolen's return to the AL could make another Gold Glove for Beltre difficult, he definitely deserves one. Ah well, here's to the season. (And the poultry tinged flavor of optimism.)
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