I'm baack...to bad the Mariners aren't!
Sigh, finally back home after spending three weeks in DC for work. I was stuck at a hotel without internet access (how weird is that?) so I'd duck into work early to make the rounds of the blogs and papers in order to keep up with the Mariners news. It was great to have the updates from everyone, the snarky and witty additions to the rather bland information the papers put out. Getting into town on Friday was the worse, I spent almost three hours stuck on the runway while a thunderstorm passed and the resulting airplane traffic cleared until we could take off. Then once I got back to my apartment I found out my friend accidentally locked my keys in the apartment. Sooo...I sat and waited for my apartment managers to come back, about midnight I gave up waiting for them and went to hang out with my friend who works nights at Nordstrom. Stayed up all night, grabbed breakfast at Mays (cinnamon rolls to die for), then came home to wait for a locksmith. Took him about ten minutes to get the door open. Then went to see the PNW Ballet (Serenade and Carmina Burana) which was a different experience seeing as I had not slept in over 36 hours. Then went home planning on taking a hour nap while watching the Mariners game. When I woke up it was after midnight! Ah well, didn't miss much although I did end up with a cramp in my neck from sleeping on the couch.

So in the first month I managed to only see a couple of games. I have a new appreciation of the dedication shown by those on the east coast who follow the Mariners. The few times they were on ESPN I watched for most of the game, but when its after midnight, work is looming in 7 hours, its the 7th inning and Melvin calls in Jarvis I just turned off the TV and went to bed. Its been a rough start...all the pitchers are getting knocked around and the defense has been remarkably bad (although it appears the infield defense is getting better). I'm only in Seattle for two weeks, then back to DC for two weeks. Its a goal to see at least one game at Safeco while I'm in town.

Couple of thoughts on the season so far...
Can hardly wait for Soriano to finish rehab and make it back up, if Melvin is smart he'll replace Meche as starter for any and all Texas games.
Poor Edgar must be wondering if it was worth it coming back for the year, but with his stats and being the backbone of the Mariners this year should help solidify his HOF campaign.
Yes, Jarvis is as bad as we feared...the Texas game today was laughable in how easily he gave up the long ball...Sports & B's have the right idea with Jarvis = towel.
The new Melvin still has the old Melvin's horrid inability to use the bullpen effectively...I'm thinking its a structural defect and we should ask for a refund.
Scott Spiezio is better than I expected, happy to be pleasantly surprised!
If you are at the Twins game and a blonde is begging Torii Hunter to stay behind in Seattle, just ignore me. In the off-season I swore over and over to Kris that the ONLY way I would be happy if the Mariners let Cammy get away was if they brought in Torii Hunter. Well, we know how that ended up. The only way I get Torii Hunter in Safeco is when he is on the opposing team. Damn.
Instead I have Randy "Limp Noodle Arm" Winn in center. Double damn.
Could Seattle love Edgar any more? Double 499 over with, waiting on 500!
With fans running from the sinking ship, will the owners still raise ticket prices next year?
It may be to soon to say anything, but Freddy is looking good and working with his catcher. Good thing since I convinced Don to pick him for his fantasy league.
Despite the big flaws (Jarvis, Melvin being unsure in his managerial style) and minor flaws (Winn needs to be moved back to left field), there is still good (Soriano, Piniero, Ichiro) and great (the Edgar!, Boone, garlic fries) left in the Mariners.

If baseball news has got ya down then some happy news from Spokane, the Zags just signed up JC big-boy Batista (originally from Brazil). Sounds like a real find, one of the best JC guys in the country and he should pick up the role played by Cory (hitting the boards, knocking down opposition players). Gonzaga still has one scholarship left, but coach Few says they plan on being very selective. Its gonna be an interesting time next year, a young but athletic team...check out the ZagHoops forum as they post reviews of the pick-up games that take place all summer. Gives you an idea of the incoming players and provides some form of relief until the season starts again!
- posted by whitequeen @ 4/25/2004 07:23:00 PM