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At the onset of his initial return, I dubbed it Real and Right as Rain. That is exactly how it ended up.
Okay, the true story book ending would have been World Series rings all around for the navy and teal. But, hey, you can't have everything ~ not in just one year anyway.
It really turned out better than anyone could have imagined. Sure, it would have been nice if Junior had been totally healthy and capable of playing like he did in his first ten years instead of the second ten. But, despite his limited playing time and declining ability, he was able to make a HUGE impact on what had previously been such a dysfunctional clubhouse. His mere presence - that smile and his unadulterated joy for game - acted as an elixir for all that ailed the young and scared, the old and injured and the just plain burnt out.
Elaine Thompson, File AP Photo
From all accounts it was, and is, all genuine. Junior truly cares about this entire organization, all his teammates and each and every person in it, from the clubhouse guy, to the PR people.Junior, by word and deed, made the game what it is supposed to be, for the players one through twenty-five and for the fans. He made if fun again.
There are those who think, from a baseball standpoint, this is not a move that should have been made. I can understand that view, I just don't happen to agree. Early indications, from reporters and even from his own agent, are that Junior is willing to play whatever role is best for the team - likely one more limited than even last season. This gives the M's flexibility from a financial and personnel standpoint and is only going to serve to further strengthen what was started last season. In other words, this move is not going to hinder other moves - Jack Z is just getting started!
I, for one, am so very glad that the fans will be able to give Junior a season long send off. He deserves it. So do they.
And so we have one more year...
One more year to bask in that contagious smile.
One more year to savor that presence at the plate.
One more year to admire that sweet, sweet swing.
One more year to revel in that unadulterated joy of the game.
One more year to say goodbye.
btw ~ the Seattle Mariners won 24 more games last season than the year before. Some may deem it a coincidence. I think not.
:-)
First...9 straight 200-hit seasons... a Major League recordThen...9 straight Gold Gloves ... first player to win the award in his first nine seasonsCongratulations, Ichiro!and, oh btw...M's Gold Glove winners for 23 consecutive seasons is the longest streak in the majors.
Seems to me, it's down to two...feliX
cY
Zack
The basics?felix19 w.791 wp2.49 era217 kzack16 w.666 wp2.16era242 keven up there - two gold stars each...No decisions?- Felix - 10 w/ an era of 2.15
- Zack - 9 w/ an era of 2.35
Advantage Felix...Run support?- 4.37 per game for Felix
- 3.78 per game for Zack
back to even (Zack getting it done despite the Royals ineptitude)...Complete games?Zack takes the lead...Team winning percentage?- M's won 25 of the 34 games Felix pitched
- Royals only won 17 of the 33 Zack pitched (only one more than his personal win total
Again, speaks more to the Royals offense (or lack thereof) so I'll give this one to Feilx
back to even....Strength of schedule?- 18 of Felix's starts were vs. the top six teams in the AL, compared to 12 for Zack
- 10 of Felix's starts were vs. eventual playoff teams, compared to only 5 for Zack
advantage: FelixOf course I'm biased, but that's my case and I'm sticking to it!
If Zack wins, I really won't be too disappointed - he's certainly deserving. It was great that there was a legitimate race between two such strong and exciting arms - knowing that, because of their youth, it may be the first of many to come.But, CY or no CY, Jackie Z needs to draw from a nearly bottomless inkwell when it comes to putting pen to paper in order to keep Mr. Hernandez in a Mariner uniform. Then, Felix will have many, many, many years to prove his CYness in Seattle :-)
What a day...Ever seen a team so happy to finish third?
I haven't, but boy, am I sure glad I was there to witness the joy in person as no player went "un-hugged" :-)What a series...A series win to end the season and two more one-run victoriesWhat a season...Obviously, successful teams must have talent and depth to produce the numbers that make a difference. But, when a team has had 5 managers in 6 years, loses WAY more than they win in that stretch (including 101 games in the previous year) and has a seriously fractured clubhouse - the road to recovery is neither quick nor easy. The intangibles of cultivating confidence, adjusting attitudes and, as Wak would say, establishing a "belief system" are all "vital signs" along the way.What a career...Whether he's going to call it a career or come back for more, Griffey's contribution to this team this season goes WAY beyond what he did (or didn't do) on the field and won't soon be forgottten. Above all, Junior reminded everyone, to a man, in that clubhouse, how to have fun again. This was VERY evident in their post-game celebration on that last day of 2009.
To put into words the experience of the last day of the 2009 season...M's 4 | Rangers 3I'll be back later to try...
M's 2 | Rangers 1
Typical Mariner win in 2009...~ SOLID starting~ SHUT DOWN relief~ JUST ENOUGH offense~ GREAT defenseFun to see Junior's 630th in person :-)Ryan has grown SO much as a pitcher this season...
I'm starting to think that his injury early in the season was a blessing in disguise. Can't wait to see what he can accomplish next season (and beyond) if/when he is healthy and with the big club from day 1
AP Photo/John Froschauer
M's 4 | Rangers 7Tonight..the Rangers did what they have long been known for
- not so much what they have been know for this season -
hit and hit with authority.Tonight..Ian showed his tendencies for rough starts and so-so finishes.
Mark and David showed rare glimpses of their mere mortality.Tonight...the M's lost their chance to go from last place with 101 losses to a possible tie for second place.Tonight...I was a bit melancholy as I left the stadium. Not so much about disappointment for this specific loss, more so about afternoons and evenings at my "summer home" coming all too soon.Tonight...There is also hope and excitement for the future where there once was despair and dread.AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
