From King to bench warmer
What a waste of a four day vacation for King Felix Hernandez.
Sure he got to take in some home run derby watching with the prince (not Fielder), and got to hang with some pretty good ball players at the same time, but isn’t the point of going to the All-Star game to play in it?
Maybe Danny Ferguson was right after all, Felix was just a pity vote since the Mariners are just so dang bad.
Whatever the case may be, Felix Hernandez got to finally show what he was made of in Kansas City, just a week late.
But more on that next week.
This week was business as usual for the Mariners, and since it was only a three game set for the week, my top 10 will only be a top 5.
So here goes!
#5: Guti getting close. Again.
With the most current set back for M’s oft, er, always injured star center fielder Franklin Gutierrez all but done, the Mariners hope to get their former gold glover back soon.
This should help the M’s defensively, but now what to do with the hot bat of Casper Wells?
I’ve heard some rumors that Justin Smoak may be next in line for a trip to Tacoma, and that would move Mike Carp to first base, and clear up an everyday spot for Wells in left.
Sounds like the best set of circumstances so far.
Dustin Ackley has shown some promise since going to the lead off spot
#4: Felix shuts down Washington
In a little bit of a pay back start for Felix against the man who kept him out of the All-Star game, Hernandez struck out 12 Rangers batters en route to a three hit shut out.
This man continues to be lights out for the Mariners.
He says he wants to remain in Seattle, but the last month has looked an awful lot like an updated resume to me, especially with the trade deadline looming.
#3: Speaking of trade deadline
I wonder what kind of magic Jack Z can pull out of his you know what this time around.
Can he find any takers for the perennial loser Chone Figgins?
How about Ichiro?
I bet we could get an entire AAA team for his talents.
Go get us a winner Jack, we need to start seeing results a lot quicker than we have been!
#2: Ackley showing some promise
With the sudden move to the leadoff position, and with Ichiro dropping to second, it seams Dustin Ackley has been more relaxed, almost like there is no pressure on him to drive in runs, or sustain rallies.
Maybe it was the four days off at the break, or maybe just a little confidence knowing that Eric Wedge hasn’t given up on him yet, but whatever it really is, it’s working, and this can only help the Mariners going forward.
#1: Happy birthday to Safeco!
Sunday marked the 13th anniversary of the beautiful Safeco Field opening up for the Mariners.
What a remarkable upgrade from the Kingdome, and it still looks as beautiful today as it did July 15th, 1999.
Here’s to another championship banner to hang in the rafters in right field!
Well there you have it folks, a short week with little going on in Mariner world.
Next week will be a good one for sure, with Felix going back to Kansas City.
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