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
M's 4 | A's 2Good to see Mr. Fister back on track...
Should be an interesting battle for the rotation come spring.Congrats to Adrian...going out on a good note with a home run
(man alive, will I miss that D at the hot corner!)AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
