Oh, man...this team is going to be like the Cubs...except less loveable. I swear, for some reason, this team seems cursed. The one year they look like they should win it all, 2001...the don't even get to the World Series.
So 2009, they basically played well above their abilities and predicitions. GM makes what appears to be very astute moves in the offseason. Chone Figgins signing? Sure, good defense, good speed, .291 hitter. Couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat now.
Cliff Lee? Misses the first month after a Spring Training injury. Besides, the rest of the team is so bad now that he's trade bait.
Griffey? Gets a heroic send-off last year. Should have retired, but I understand, team looks promising, he'd like to play in a World Series. Instead, he becomes a symbol for a team filled mostly with hitters who can't bat their own damned weight, leaves town amid napping during a game allegations.
Promising young pitcher, Doug Fister, plays his way into the rotation in Spring Training. Last week, had third lowest ERA in the AL. Now has the best ERA on the DL.
Mike Sweeney, in basically for other teams to watch and possibly sign during Spring Training...mostly a favor to a good man and formerly good player...hits friggin' .500 during ST. Wallows in mediocrity most of the season, then starts to really swat the ball around...now also on the DL.
King Felix? Not so much so far in 2010. Half the time looks bored.
Milton Bradley? Finally becomes unhinged, although thankfully sought help before killing anyone. BTW, also hitting about two bucks.
Last or nearly last in most major offensive categories. One regular (Ichiro) hitting over .300. Too many to mention under the Mendoza line.
Killer defense? Again...not so much.
So yeah, OK...Lee appears to be onto his way to a CG shutout. That's if the previously vaunted bullpen doesn't come in and blow yet another game. The one category Seattle seems to be leading in? Giving up game-wining runs in the bottom half of the last inning of games.
Jeebus. I love baseball...I just don't know what the hell these guys are playing. It's not the manager or GM, either. Some of these guys are having epic, career-worst seasons. I'm 46, with two bad knees and a bad back, and I think if they gave me a tryout, I'd at least have a chance to play DH for this team. Yeah...they are THAT bad.
*sigh* Just needed to vent.
BTW, on Tuesday, June 1, I'm listening to the tail end of the game while driving home. Rick Rizzs, the rosy-eyed optimist announcer for the team (he's second banana to Niehaus), starts gushing about how well things are going for the Mariners in June. On the first friggin' day of the month. I am not even kidding.
I had to pull over by the side of the road and throw up at that point.
