Bye-bye Brandon ~ Hello .... Brandon

Well, like any trade, it may take a year or more to tally up the winners and losers in the deal...

But, from what I've heard and read, i'm thinking that Jack Z (the talent evaluator) doesn't see Brandon Morrow as a starter, so if that is the given premise, he must have determined that "the other Brandon" is a better reliever - so Jack Z (the GM) made the deal and managed to get another prospect thrown in.

I've seen League's rather startling splits of opponents batting line for grass (.239/.307/.366/.673) vs. turf (.273/.354/.414/.768). Maybe "both Jacks" think Brandon League would greatly benefit from his home field being comprised of that which grows and has to be mowed :-)

Better yet, maybe both Brandons will benefit from the change of scenery in general, thrive and be successful in whatever role they take on with their respective new teams. As an added benefit, apparently, Brandon L has worked with Rick Adair previously...

G158 | Talk about ending on a high note!

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson


M's 7 | A's 0

Now THAT is the Brandon we all knew existed...
Gone was the self-doubt replaced by confidence in abundance!

To record ONE hit and NINE strikeouts through SEVEN innings against one of the hottest September lineups was truly fabulous! And, to do it with less than 80 pitches and NO walks was simply icing on the cake. Brandon did allow a couple walks in the 8th, but was able to work out of trouble without incurring any damage and turn it over to Shawn, who kept the shutout in tact.

I'm hopeful that Brandon's direction (from himself and from the team) is more definitely defined now. No more 'flip-floppin' ... If that is the case, seems that this type of performance may be more the norm than what we saw earlier in the season - when he wasn't truly physically ready and mentally/emotionally conflicted for whatever reason.

other notes...
~ Junior hit his 629th career home run (another 3-run shot)
~ Adam Moore (who was 4 years old when Jr hit his first) hit his first major league homer :-)

G152 | oh those base on balls....

M's 4 | Rays 5

Five Rays got a free pass.

Only three of them were issued by Brandon...
(which is pretty good for him) it's just that two of them came to the first two batters in the bottom of the 6th, just when it seemed like he might get over that "fifth inning hump".

The other two were issued by Mark...
(who I was surprised to hear come into the game - after the long flight yesterday and a 27 pitch save last night) along with a FC and a couple of singles and before you know it the Rays had a one-run lead in a game that the M's once had a 4-0 advantage.

Tomorrow is Felix Day...
so hopefully the bullpen will get a much needed rest from their long flight and two games of much too much work.



AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Nice to see "Condor" (Michael Saunders) in there...
3 for 3 (including a triple!) and a stolen base (double steal w/Ichiro)

G147 | They are having fun again...

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

M's 4 | White Sox 3 (14)

What is is about the M's and WS?
Today was the 2nd 14-inning game they played each other this season...
and the M's pulled it out both times :-)

Jose and Bill both going deep to tie the game in the 9th = great

Brandon's first start at home, including 6 walks and 3 runs in 5 innings = not so great

The bullpen's 8.2 innings of shutout ball = fantastic
Oh, and what a way for Adam Moore to make his big league debut (catching nearly every arm down in the 'pen ;-)

Ichiro's game winning hit and the celebration that ensued = priceless

G142 | Get a roof!

AP

M's 8 | Rangers 3

Brandon was far from sharp...
but then after sitting around all day yesterday, wondering and waiting in the rain, it is not too surprising. At least he kept it close and the bats were able to add on ... and on.... and on

15 hits in all, including 4 doubles...
and a homer from Ichiro (couple hits closer to 200 for nine in-a-row)

bullpen was their usual stellar self...
with the exception of Randy in the 9th, but since the game was called (FINALLY!) due to the weather, it mattered not.

Mariner Matters | 9.7

Brandon to take Luke's spot in the rotation and Sean appears down for the count...

Morrow, who started Sunday for Tacoma, will join the Mariners in Anaheim this week and slide into the rotation in French’s spot.

French, acquired in the deal that sent Jarrod Washburn to Detroit, has gone 3-3 with a 6.38 earned run average since joining Seattle. Opposing hitters are batting .331 against him.

In 22 games with Seattle this year, six of them starts, Morrow has an 0-4 record with six saves and a 5.28 ERA. In 10 starts for Tacoma, he went 5-3 with a 3.60 ERA. He pitched 55 innings, including a four-inning start Sunday, and struck out 40 with 23 walks. His one complete game was a four-hit shutout of Iowa on Aug. 14.

If he pitches every fifth game the rest of the way, Morrow would get four starts and the Mariners would get the chance to evaluate the right-hander.

White, who went from non-roster invitee to spring training to one of the team’s most reliable setup men, took his ailing right shoulder back to Seattle on Sunday and will see team doctors today. He is almost certainly done for the season, and if he needs surgery, he may be unavailable for the start of next season.

:::

White, 28, made spring adjustments to his delivery at the suggestion of pitching coach Rick Adair, and enjoyed the best season of his professional career.

“If you could promise me the same season next year he’s given us this year, I’d take it in a heartbeat,” Wakamatsu said. “That’s how special his year has been.”

Wak on Ichiro's milestone...

"It's such a feat," Wakamatsu said of the 2,000-hit milestone and others within sight. "And just his ability to play every day over the years and make the adjustment from Japanese baseball to here as well as anybody is maybe going to. He's just a special player and I know many guys in that dugout feel the same way."

For Wakamatsu, what stands out is Ichiro's ability to keep collecting hits even without drawing walks. Back in 2001, a big concern mentioned often by present and former players, managers and, yes, the media, was that Ichiro would never maintain the hits needed to keep his on-base percentage where a good leadoff hitter should.

And yet, nine seasons later, his lifetime OBP of .378 would put him near the upper echelon of this year's best AL leadoff men — where five players, Ichiro included, are positioned between .380 and .401 (Ichiro is at .392).

Maintaining numbers like those over a prolonged period is something few hitters, power or otherwise, have done. And while the debate rages about Hall of Fame guideposts like 500 career home runs, in light of steroids revelations, the sanctity of a 3,000-hit career remains intact.

Ichiro will reach his 3,000th hit by the 2014 season at age 40 if he continues on this current pace.

"It's just his versatility," Wakamatsu said. "Like I said, he can hit home runs now and then, he can go to all fields and he can get a lot of infield hits. He puts a lot of pressure on an opposing team."

And that pressure has continued this year, with his 54 infield singles being Ichiro's second-highest total since 63 in 2001. And that's come at a time when his slugging percentage of .463 is the highest he has ever posted.

G81 | No sweeping in Beantown today...

M's 4 | Red Sox 8
At the start of play today, the M's had never swept the Red Sox in Fenway - at the end of play today, the stat still stands.

Doesn't it just figure....
Brandon is finally able to put together a quality performance - allowing only 3 runs (all solo shots) and 2 walks (which for him, is great) in 6 full innings - with his last pitch clocked at 98mph (a strikeout of Varitek). And then, the thus far stellar pen implodes. Hopefully, it was just a bad day and not a sign that they are starting to wear down. A bit worried about Sean though - he's struggled mightily in his last 3 outings.

The bottom of the order...
Continues to produce. Only one extra-base hit today, from none than Ronnie - a bases loaded, bases clearing triple to take the lead.

Nice defense today...
one DP and some really nice catches in the outfield. Franklin continues to impress and Ryan seems to be handling LF well. Will be interesting to see how he does in his Safeco Field debut.

AP Photo/Winslow Townson

5-4 on what many thought would be the "road trip from hell" ~ 9 games against the 3 best teams in baseball ~ I'll take it!!!

Home to take on the O's for three and the Rangers for four before the break.
I don't attend many weekday games, but I might try to go tomorrow (providing I make some serious progress on stripping wallpaper in my den ;-)

Brandon needs to work ... on the farm

I've been of this mind since the beginning....

• At the start of the season, when he hadn't pitched enough in ST, he should have spent some time on the farm.

• After he came back from the DL, he should have had some rehab appearances on the farm - but instead he pitches in ~of all places~ ARLINGTON

• After it was decided he would be part of the rotation, he should have gotten stretched out down on the farm - but instead he makes his first start in ~ of all places, COLORADO

Brandon's stuff is there and, to his credit he doesn't get rattled. But, it just seems that the farm is the more appropriate, safer place for Brandon to work on whatever it is he needs to work (control, command, etc., etc., etc.,)

One broom, one duster | Home Highlights

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3-3 from the Snakes
2-3 from the Pads



Bright Sights...

~ Junior's flair for the dramatic
a 3-run shot that tied a game vs. the D-Backs in the 8th inning - a game the M's would eventually win) and a solo shot (in a losing cause) vs. the Padres that was the 5000th in M's franchise history
~ Ichiro = hot, hot, hot
he continues to lead the majors in BA on his way to another 200+ hit season. He also recorded the 1900th hit in his major league career
~ Russell continues to muscle
picked up right where he left off after returning from his grandfather's funeral
~ So far so good, with the bat AND the glove for Wladdy filling in for Endy
~ Starters, for the most part were bright - Jarrod had two QS (and actually got one win!), Felix was Felix, Jason was good again and Brandon's making baby steps in improvement
~ Bullpen was sure and steady as per usual

And look, ma! An 11+ run differential for the home stand ;-)



Bleak peeks...

~ losing Endy (due to the outfield collision) for the season
~ losing Yuni (just when he was improving a few things) for a couple of weeks to hamstring strain

Closer than it seemed | Road Reflections

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4-5 in Baltimore, Colorado, San Diego
oh so close to at least 6-3 ;-(


ROAD RUBBISH

Very bad things tend to happen when walk after walk is issued and when pitchers throw toward something other than home plate. Unfortunately, the M's proved this time and again in the middle of their road trip in Colorado. While the third game was a bit of a blow-out (Jason was due for a bad game) the first two could have been pretty easily won if the pitchers had not committed the a fore mentioned sins. And, the other two losses (one to the O's and one to the Pads) were each by one run.



ROAD RHYTHM

The trip started and ended well at least, with the M's taking 2 of 3 from the O's and the Pads. With the exception of Brandon (who's still finding his way) the pitching in Baltimore and SanDiego was solid even in the losses and quite stellar in wins ~ especially Felix's 2-hit complete game shutout of the Padres! The bats seem a tad bit more patient (20 walks) and powerful (21 XBH) in the 9 games.

SeeSaw on a roller-coster with a yo-yo!

So much for Brandon's first start of 2009 coming in the comfy confines of Cheeney Stadium as a Tacoma Rainier....

Instead it will be as a Seattle Mariner at Coors Field in Colorado.

Morrow was called into the manager's office and asked if he would like to start tomorrow. I am told he said sure, and thought it would be for the Rainiers. "How about here in Colorado?" Wak then asked him. Even better. Shortly after I saw Brandon with a bat heading to the cages. Got to be ready to hit in the NL parks...
Wak made a curious statement when telling us the news today. "It's a situation where we can take him to 60 (pitches) and maybe build him here," he said. "He has been getting work up here. We feel that's the direction we're heading right now with him.''

Apparently, Erik has come up with a shoulder problem...

.....the shoulder problem cropped up in Bedard's last start, June 7 (last Sunday) against the Twins. The Mariners won 4-2, and Bedard got the victory, but he lasted just five innings (101 pitches). He gave up four hits, two runs, walked four and struck out four.
Wakamatsu said the decision to scratch Bedard tomorrow was "precautionary." He said, "It was a matter of how close he was to being where he felt it wasn't going to jeopardize anything. He could probably pitch, but we felt it safest not to.''
Bedard didn't pitch after July 4 of last year because of shoulder problems, and underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery on Sept. 26. Dr. Lewis Yocum removed a cyst and performed a minor labral debridement (which is removal of non-healthy tissue). The point is, he has a history with that shoulder, so, yes, this is something to worry about. But if he's back out there on Friday against the Diamondbacks, as the Mariners plan, that would be obviously encouraging. No doubt teams thinking about trading for Bedard will be watching him even more closely.
As for Brandon Morrow, he gets to stay in the majors a bit longer -- maybe more than a bit -- as he transitions to the rotation.

Never a dull moment :-)

Yo! (Yo) Brandon...

So, the saga of Brandon continues....

• First - injury in Spring Training prevents him from getting his innings in (he logs all of 5 in ST)
• Then he proclaims, due to various reasons, the bullpen is the place for him
• He starts the season on a shaky note (likely due to still being in ST mode) settles in a bit but is eventually placed on the DL
• He comes back too soon, without rehab in the minors, and promptly implodes (blowing back-to-back saves in Texas)
• The closer role is revoked and he begins working on things here and there on the rare occasions there is somewhat of a mop-up role
• And now that the M's have found their closer (Ardsma) and other bullpen roles have been assigned, accepted and acheived, Geoff Baker reports ...

Mariners pitcher Brandon Morrow: "I think I can be a good starter."

Just got done talking with Brandon Morrow, who confirmed what's been known internally within the team for some time. He's off to Class AAA Tacoma to work on becoming a starting pitcher again as soon as the Mariners can call up pitcher Roy Corcoran from his injury rehab assignment. Might happen this week.
"It's going to be the long road this time,'' he said. "Last year, it was the month in AAA and everybody knew I was coming back.''
Not this time. This time, there is no timetable. Morrow wants it that way. Wants to work on the mechanical changes he's already sought to improve up here. He feels he's been selling himself short. I asked him that very question, whether he felt he was cheating himself out of becoming the best he can be.
"Yeah, definitely, that was another thing,'' he said. "I think it limits me in the bullpen and I definitely had the wrong mindset, I guess, when I was going out there early in the year. I wasn't fully ready, I guess. Yeah, selling myself short. I think I can be a good starter. I think I have the pitches for it. I think I can mix my pitches well. I've been working on my location with all of them. I know I have the stamina to do it. I've always been able to keep my velocity and stuff late in the game, even when I didn't havce great control. I mean, that's always been my biggest problem.''
In the same clip, Morrow adds that his concerns about his diabetes were just something he used as an excuse to convince himself he was doing the right thing. He says now that he was never really certain.
"It was a hasty decision to go to the bullpen,'' he said. "The short forearm tightness injury (in spring training). that kind of started the doubts in my mind.''
And when that happened, he reverted to the one thing he knew and felt comfortable doing -- the bullpen. It was only later on, when he began struggling there, too, that he realized he may have made a mistake.
Now, he's about to find out whether that's the case. And whether starting is what he's truly meant to do.

And a "tweet" from Shannon Drayer (M's beat reporter) earlier today...

Talked to Morrow. He's a starter. However long he needs in the minors, he is ready for it and wants to do it right.

Stay tuned as we follow Brandon in T-Town....

G4 | a shutDOWN shutOUT

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AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

M's 2 | Twins 0

jarrod ~ what a nice sinker you have!
Apparently, Rick Adair gave Wash a few pointers about the pitch ~ certainly seemed to work. Eight innings of shut-out baseball in the Metrodome ain't too shabby!
He only surrendered 5 hits and one walk, while striking out four.

offense just enough...
Gotta tip your cap to the opposing pitcher whose line matched Jarrod's almost exactly, except in the run column. But, the offense was able to do just enough and then add some insurance in the ninth.

get back up on that horse!
No doubt there was some serious acid churning on the field and in the dugout as Brandon pitched to the first batter of the ninth inning ~ a walk on four straight pitches. But, then came two strikeouts and a flyout ~ works better than Malox, Tums and Rolaids combined!
defense just continues to impress
Yowsa - can that Franklin play center field! And Cedeno made a great play at third (Adrian DH'ing today) to Sweeney at first (who did some pretty impressive splits to stay on the bag). The web gems just keep piling up - I LOVE it!

split the four-gamer
Gotta love that - .500 on the road, in the Metrodome? I'll take it!

G2 | all was rosy ~ until that elusive 3rd out in the 9th

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AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid

M's 5 | Twins 6

There were SO many great things in this ballgame ~ it's hard to believe they lost :-(

EriKKKKKKKK
He appeared to be the pitcher everyone thought he was. He was absolutely dominant, allowing only two singles through four (and at one point, retiring 10 -in-row) and recording five strikeouts. It was looking like Erik would cruise to his first ever win against the Twins (the only AL club he has beat) but then came the 5th. Despite eventually striking out the side, a lead-off triple, a hit batsman, a steal and a couple singles were enough to get three Twins runs on the board.

manufacturing plant
~single, double, sac-fly (1)
~single, steal, walk, single (1)
~single, single, single (2)
~single, sac, single (1)
Endy is certainly filling in well for Ichiro ... 3 more hits and 2rbi tonight. Joh, Jr and Jose the were the only batters w/o hits, althought they did combine for 3 BB

no dp's
But the defense was solid including an awesome snare by Yuni ~ definite WebGem!

bullpen
Roy and David combined for 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings with 3 strikeouts and all was looking splendid ... then came the ninth. Brandon recorded 2 fairly quick outs (and was hitting 97 on the gun) and then walked the bases loaded. Miggy came in after Brandon was gassed from throwing so many pitches and promptly gave up two singles, the lead and the game.

I hope Brandon is ready...

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I must admit, I'm more than a little nervous about Brandon...
As posted earlier, he's been named CLOSER starting on day one ~ despite being very behind in ST because of the early forearm stiffness (and as a result only throwing 5 innings).

Here's hoping that between his mental relief of 'going back to relief' and the fact that oodles of adrenaline is likely to kick in upon his first 9th inning visit to the mound, all will be well and right.

I guess the bigger worry is ...
will he have many games to close?

Now, that wasn't very "rosy" of me, was it?

IN the PEN

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courtesy Kirby Arnold | HeraldNet


DAVIDaardsma
RIGHT-HANDER
4-2 | 5.55*
The Mariners saw an opportunity to add a potent arm to their bullpen and acquired the 27-year-old Aardsma in the offs eason from the Red Sox for minor league pitcher Fabian Williamson. His fastball tops out in the upper 90 mph range and he has been working on a better breaking pitch. Aardsma, the first player listed in the baseball registry, averaged 9.06 strikeouts per nine innings last year. He also tends to give up a lot of fly balls, which could work well at Safeco Field if he keeps them in the middle of the big ballpark.
*2008 statistics with the Boston Red Sox



MIGUELbatista
RIGHT-HANDER
4-14 | 6.26
Others who didn't make the team pitched better than Batista at spring training, but the Mariners weren't about to eat the $9 million he will make this year. If the Mariners could find a taker, they'd move Batista in a heartbeat. Otherwise, he'll pitch primarily in long relief. He had a chance to compete for the closer job but struggled at spring training and didn't show he could pitch in back-to-back games.



ROYcorcoran
RIGHT-HANDER
6-2 | 3.22
Besides being one of the most popular players in the clubhouse, "We asked each guy who their favorite teammate was, and about 15 of them said Corky," Wakamatsu said Corcoran was a rock in the bullpen in his first full big-league season. Corcoran doesn't have overpowering stuff but he's fearless, and when he gets late movement on his fastball he can be tough to hit. Corcoran went to spring training hoping to compete for the closer job but suffered a minor arm problem, then struggled to rediscover his stuff.



CHRISjakubauskas
RIGHT-HANDER
5-1 | 2.59*
A non-roster player like Kelley, Jakubauskas performed so well at spring training he forced his way onto the opening-day roster. He is one of the great stories on the team, a former power-hitting first baseman and outfielder at the University of Oklahoma whose bat disappeared. He converted to pitcher and played four years of independent ball before the Mariners signed him in 2007. Jakubauskas throws to all corners of the strike zone and isn't afraid to pitch inside, and he was especially good against left-handed hitters at spring training.
* 20008 statistics at Class AAA Tacoma



SHAWNkelley
Right-hander
3-1 | 2.11*
The 24-year-old Kelley was one of the success stories of spring training, making the team as a non-roster invitee. Kelley, who pitched three games for the Everett AquaSox in 2007, has moved quickly through the Mariners' system since they drafted him in the 13th round in 2007. He pitched at three levels last year and led all Mariners minor leaguers with 15 saves. At one point, he pitched 26 straight scoreless innings, including 14 straight at Class AA West Tennessee.
*2008 statistics in 29 relief appearances at Class AA West Tennessee



MARKlowe
RIGHT-HANDER
1-5 | 5.37
Last year was all about staying healthy for a complete season for Lowe, who pitched his first full year after major elbow surgery in 2006. He throws a mid-to-upper 90 mph fastball with a slider and sinker, and when he controls those pitches he's tough to hit. Lowe could even see some time at closer when Brandon Morrow isn't available. Lowe, diagnosed last year as a Type 2 diabetic, began taking insulin late last month in order to keep his blood sugar in check. He had lost 15 pounds during the off season.



BRANDONmorrow
RIGHT-HANDER ~ CLOSER
3-4 | 3.34
No pitcher has gone through a swing of emotions or roles than Morrow in the past year. He began spring training figuring to have a prominent place in the starting rotation, having been converted into a starter midway through last season. A tight forearm set Morrow back early in camp, and he struggled to regain the arm strength and command needed to be ready for the season-opening rotation.

Still, the Mariners prepared the hard-throwing right-hander as a starter not knowing the debate Morrow was having in his own mind. Besides concerns over his durability as a starter, Morrow is a diabetic who knew that keeping his blood sugar in balance would be more difficult than if he were a reliever.

He approached Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair about two weeks ago, telling him he believed he would be more effective pitching in relief. "Diabetes is a little bit of a factor, but the major thing is the excitement from coming in at the end of the game," Morrow said. "I think I can help the team more in the bullpen. I think I'm better built for the bullpen."

Morrow moves to the pen at a time when the Mariners are desperate for a closer. The trade of J.J. Putz created a wide-open competition at spring training, and none of the pitchers considered for the job pitched well.

Now there's Morrow, who has a record of success as a closer. He saved 10 games last year when Putz served two stints on the disabled list, including his first career save on June 11 at Toronto after Putz had to leave the game.

As the Mariners' losses mounted and they began to look ahead to this year, they decided to convert Morrow into a starter. He went to Class AAA Tacoma to build his arm strength, then made his starting debut in spectacular fashion. He held the Yankees without a hit for 72/3 innings in one of the brightest moments of a dismal season for the Mariners.

Things have changed since then, and Morrow is back in the bullpen and eager for the chance to pitch in the ninth inning again. "Once you get a taste of closing, I don't think many people would want to go back to anything else," Morrow said.

Mariner Matters | 3.29

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Pretty big news day today!

As some had speculated...

Jeff Clement was sent down to minor leagues. He's just not ready for prime time behind the dish (even his hitting hasn't be any great shakes this spring) and with the new emphasis on defense, he didn't really have a chance.

I've always had special respect for those who don the tools of ignorance and are able to do them justice. I guess that's because catching is, by far, the most physically demanding and mentally challenging position on the field. In other words, it ain't easy.

Best of luck figuring it all out, Jeff.


Then there was the rather unexpected news...

Brandon Morrow will not only start the season in the pen, it will be his permanent home. Apparently, after much soul-searching, research and basically gauging what his own body could handle (he is diabetic) he went to the M's to let them know that he feels he is much better suited to the bullpen. Brandon says it is much easier to regulate his blood sugar on a daily basis, for short stints than to try to get it just right every five days and sustain it for 100+ pitches.

While it is a big disappointment for most (who were looking forward to Brandon in the starting rotation) the logic of the decision can hardly be argued with. He knows his body better than anyone and the organization has his health and his ability to contribute his best effort to the team as top priorities. So, we go with it.

I, for one, thought it was pretty darned exciting last season when Brandon came out of the pen in the 8th or 9th inning and blew batters away. And, with a solid, designated role, who's to say that he won't get even better this season? There seems to be something about those bullpen guys, they just seem to perform better when the roles are set. I seem to remember that JJ only started to excel once he was actually named the replacement to Eddie (as opposed to just the 'fill-in closer').

Good on ya, Brandon ~ for being honest with yourself and the team as to your capabilities.

Here's some rather lively discussion on the topic over at Mariner Central (my favorite hangout :-)


Apparently, Brandon isn't the only diabetic in the pen..

Mark Lowe was diagnosed last season with type-2 diabetes and his "co-worker" was an invaluable resource and support for him.

"It was not fun knowing it's something you'll have to do the rest of your life, poking yourself with a needle forever," he said. "But you get over it and know it could be way, way worse. In the longrun, it's something that will help you -- staying in shape, eating right. You have to look at it in the big picture, and I think it's going to be a very positive thing."

That's the mindset both Lowe and Morrow hope all diabetics take in treating their conditions.

"Take it serious. It's a big deal and it's your livelihood," Lowe said. "As you get older, a lot of things can change and you've got to take care of it for the longrun."

"But," added Morrow. "Don' t let it hold you back. It's a serious condition but if you take care of yourself and monitor it, you can be as healthy as anybody else."

New Skipper asserting his power...

Some new rules in town ~ you will wear ties on the plane.

“The big issue in camp the last few days has been ties,” Wakamatsu said. “We’re going to wear them on team flights. Some guys have never worn them before, and they’re not happy. I’m not trying to be a hard-ass – I’d rather wear a sweat suit when we fly.
“Players used to have to wear suits. I’m just going with ties, and I’ve told the guys who’ve asked about it, ‘I’ll have a few extra ties on the plane in case you forget yours.’ ”
:::
“It’s discipline. We’re trying to establish something here. In some organizations, like the Yankees, there’s no facial hair allowed. When I was a player in the Reds organization, everyone had to wear their uniform a certain way. Those teams establish something throughout their system.
“In our clubhouse, there aren’t many players who have come up through the Seattle system. We’re starting something this spring, from how we play the game to how we represent the team.”

I think I like it.