SB Nation User Blog: Trev

Brandon Morrow's entrance music

Trev — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:39:54 -0000

For those at the game today:

Did Brandon Morrow really enter to Katy Perry? [My friend tells me it was "Hot N Cold".]

"That was a major thing, once you get a taste of that it is really hard to go back. The adrenaline, the excitement in the last frames is different and I hope to get there again."

--Morrow, 3/29/09

For the record, Safeco on Opening Day in the ninth innning of a tie game with the closer coming in -- not loud or exciting.

Again, Katy Perry.

Our other draft pick

Trev — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:42:57 -0000

With the 25th pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball Special Negro Leagues Draft, the Seattle Mariners select a 3B/OF from the Chicago American Giants, John "Mule" Miles.

John "Mule" Miles was an aircraft mechanic out of high school in Texas. The planes he worked on would later be used by the Tuskegee Airmen. After being discovered playing sandlot baseball, he signed with the Chicago American Giants in 1946.

The Giants' legendary manager "Candy" Jim Taylor gave Miles his nickname because he "hit as hard as a mule kicks". Miles was an outfielder with good range and a strong arm, and also played a little at third and first.

At the plate, "Mule" usually hit around his own weight - 250~270. "I didn't hit for percentage, I hit for distance," Miles said. "Boy when you bust it over the fence, they liked that."

Miles is most famous for hitting a HR in 11 straight games (the MLB record is 8 games held by Dale Long, Don Mattingly, and Ken Griffey Jr.) in his second year with the Giants. He finished 1947 with a .250 average and 27 homers, a career high.

After his Negro League career ended in 1949, Miles would be the first black player in the South Texas League.

After his playing days were over, Miles ran several semi-pro teams in the San Antonio area. He is a member of both the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame.

[For the record, we did kind of get the shaft since the draft order was done by alphabetical order. At #1, the D-Backs selected Bob "Peach head" Mitchell, a pitcher from the Kansas City Monarchs who played with Satchel Paige and has been very influential in getting pension benefits extended to more Negro League players.]

Willie Bloomquist and the Silver Lining

Trev — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:46:00 -0000

Things that make me happy about the 2008 Mariners, No. 4:

Willie Bloomquist will not be returning next year.

Ok, I don't have any justification or inside information to back that up, but look at this.

WFB vs. Cairo 2008 Playing Time

	Games	GS	PA	Def. Sub	PH	PR
Cairo, April	9	1	6	3	1	4
Cairo, May	17	10	50	2	3	2

WFB, April	13	7	30	1	4	1
WFB, May	12	3	16	2	4	3

Def. Sub is defensive substitutions. PH/PR are appearances as such, but include that one time WFB batted for Jeff Clement in the bottom of the 9th.

Applying a little linear regression to Willie's playing time reveals that on Saturday, June 21, versus the Atlanta Braves, Willie F. Bloomquist will cease to exist. [His estimated PA/tmG will reach zero.]

Poll

Is Willie Bloomquist a member of the 2009 Mariners?

Yes, the M's just can't quit WFB

61 votes

No, not even his hot wife can save him now

15 votes

76 votes | Poll has closed

SI's Stadium Survey

Trev — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:57:44 -0000

We're #6! With top 10 ratings in food, "atmosphere" ("How would you rate the level of personal comfort when you are sitting in your seat?"), hospitality, and promotions.

Of course, the best part is the "Team Quality" ranking. (We're #15, Detroit is #1). They also ask which player on the team is most worth paying to watch.

Interesting:
3. Yankees (A-Rod over Jeter)
5. Angels (Garret Anderson #3, Reggie Willits #5, all far after Vlad, but no Hunter?)
9. Phillies (Utley, Howard, Rollins -- at least someone knows their correct order)
10. D-Backs (Byrnes 31.4%, Webb 29.2%)
13. Dodgers (Andruw Jones 6.8%, Brad Penny 5.1%)
14. Padres (#5 Maddux 1.8%, not in top 5: Chris Young)
15. Mariners (Ichiro! 63.9%, Felix 19.9%, Putz 5.9%, Bedard 3.5%, Beltre 2.9%)
18. Astros (Brad Ausmus is in the top 5, w/ 0.5%)
21. Cardinals (Pujols has 90.5% of vote, highest for any one player)
22. Rays (apparently no one answered this question...there are no results listed at all)

And somehow, the Pirates rank #3 in this poll, despite a last-place ranking in team quality.

Poll

Which player on the Mariners is the most worth paying to watch?

Ichiro Suzuki

35 votes

Felix Hernandez

194 votes

J.J. Putz

7 votes

Erik Bedard

2 votes

Adrian Beltre

17 votes

Other (do not specify below, just get the hell out)

3 votes

258 votes | Poll has closed

Free Talent - Dan Johnson

Trev — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:24:14 -0000

mlb.com Story

Your typical Quad.5-A player, Dan Johnson (bbref)has just been designated for assignment by the A's. Call him Ben Broussard w/o the guitar. Must pass through waivers to be assigned to minors.

[rosterbation]...better than Richie Sexson...release Cairo...Johnson/Sexson platoon = what should've happened last year...no way Bavasi does this so why bother...probably ends up on Giants...[/rosterbation]

Choice quote about Johnson's roster replacement:

Ask anyone in Oakland's clubhouse about the 24-year-old Smith, and they all rave about his high baseball IQ.

Rookie Dana Eveland, Smith's teammate at Triple-A Tucson last season, calls the Louisiana native "a genius" and a classic lefty who is "very crafty."

"He's the guy you look at and wonder how he gets guys out," Eveland said. "He puts a lot of effort into looking at the hitters and seeing who can do what, what to throw to whoever."

I'm sorry, but 24 is too young to be "crafty".

Happy Mother's Day from the Dugout

Trev — Sun, 13 May 2007 23:15:49 -0000

The Dugout celebrates Mother's Day with Yuni

I know certain people here hate the Red Sox, but if Schilling is the most loathsome Sox, than Manny and Big Papi are the least.

300 character rambling:
It could have happened in the first inning on May 3rd when Ortiz doubled.
Or the 1st inning on April 10 when Ortiz and Manny singled back-to-back.
Or the 5th inning on that same date after Ortiz and Eric Hinske each walked.

Tim Lincecum vs. Cole Hamels

Trev — Mon, 07 May 2007 00:03:44 -0000

Sunday Night Baseball. 8:05pm ET.

Tim Lincecum is making his major league debut tomorrow on Sunday night baseball. He's facing Cole Hamels.

Grab the popcorn and the earplugs (for when Joe Morgan is talking), it's going to be a fun night.

300 Character factoid:
There is debate about Lincecum's nickname. I've heard "Tim the Enchanter" before, but that was erased off of his wikipedia page. At UW his teammates would only chant "Timmy!"

25 Years, 25 M's

Trev — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:56:26 -0000

Thanks to this post on Viva El Birdos, and a disinclination to study for my poli sci exam, I decided to make the 25 year M's team.

The Rules:

I went through the last 25 years of Mets history - 1983 through 2006, inclusive -- and put together a team. A starter at each position. A backup catcher, middle infielder, and outfielder. An extra bat off the bench. A defensive replacement-type. Five starters, 1 closer, and five relievers.

Easy? Sure, except:

* I took only one player per year.
* Once I used a player, he couldn't be used again (e.g. only one Dwight Gooden)
* The player really needed to have the position he's in -- so I couldn't put Todd Hundley as a backup catcher or use John Olerud off the bench.

I went with 9 starters, a 4 man bench (C, IF, OF, Util), 5 SP, and 7 RP (Lou would've wanted it that way). The 25 years cover 1982-2006.

Leading off for the 1982-2006 M's:

1. RF Ichiro!, 2004 .372/.414/.455 262 hits. Best thing about an Mariners team that lost the most games of any M's since 1983 ridiculously. Edgar deserved better than Rich Aurilia and Scot Spiezio.

Batting second...

2. 3B Edgar Martinez, 1992 .343/.404/.544 Why is Edgar at 3B? Because otherwise it's Mike Blowers or Jim Presley. Edgar's first batting title.

Batting third...

3. SS Alex Rodriguez, 2000 .316/.420/.606 I've made my peace with the best player any of us will ever see. This was his best season at SS (park adjusted), and best overall until 2005.

In the cleanup spot...

4. CF Ken Griffey Jr., 1994 .323/.402/.674 Highest OPS of his career. Junior was on pace for 136 R, 203 H, 35 2B, 6 3B, 58 HR, 130 RBI, 16 SB, 81 BB. Stupid strike.

Batting 5-6-7...

2B Bret Boone, 2001 .331/.372/.578
DH Ken Phelps, 1986 .247/.406/.526
1B Alvin Davis, 1989 .305/.424/.496

By OPS+, these are the best years by an M's player at each position (except for Edgar). Boone, whose career line before 2001 was .255/.312/.413, gets to represent the magical M's. (How he improved let's not go there.) Phelps is a pop culture reference and the best non-Edgar DH. 1989 is Mr. Mariner's best season (by OPS+).

Batting eighth...

8. C Kenji Johjima, 2006 .291/.332/.451 I'm sorry I didn't get Dan Wilson in. I never actually was that big a fan. Joh's rookie year is the best hitting season for a catcher for this 25 year period. Putting him in did cost me Putz's 2006, though. (See poll below)

Batting ninth...

9. LF Phil Bradley, 1985 .300/.365/.498 For those who don't know, Phil Bradley is the M's leader in LF games played. (Raul is 68 games behind him.) He is the only Mariner to start in LF three consecutive seasons. This was his only All-Star season.

Bench:

C Dave Valle, 1987 .256/.292/.435
OF Darren Bragg, 1996 .272/.376/.451
OF Ken Griffey, Sr., 1990 .377/.443/.519

Valle would hit 12 HR as a backup catcher. Bragg would be traded mid-season for Jamie Moyer and never hit as well again. The senior Griffey only had 77 AB for Seattle that season, but one of his three HR occur right before his son hit a home run. The only time a father-and-son have gone back-to-back came off California Angels starter Kirk McCaskill on Sept. 14, 1990. Field of Dreams came out the year before that. No, I don't cry when I watch that movie. Not at all.

Starting Rotation:

1. LHP Randy Johnson, 1997 20-4, 2.28 ERA, 213 IP, 77 BB, 291 K Lowest ERA in team history until Felix decides that's a record he'd like to have. In the AL, 2nd in Wins, 2nd in ERA, 2nd in K's, 2nd in Cy Young voting, all to Roger Clemens.

2. LHP Jamie Moyer, 1998 15-9, 3.53 ERA, 234.3 IP, 42 BB, 158 K First of Moyer's five great seasons with the M's (1998-1999, 2001-2003). 1998 may have fewer wins than 2001 or 2003, but it's Moyer's Seattle bests in IP, Ks, K/BB, and shutouts and it's all done in the Kingdome.

3. RHP Freddy Garcia, 1999 17-8, 4.07 ERA, 201.3 IP, 90 BB, 170 K The Chief's second best year in Seattle (after his 18-6, 3.05 ERA 2001 campaign). This year he finished second to Carlos Beltran in the Rookie of the Year voting. Imagine how good he'd have been if he lived during Prohibition...err...never mind that thought.

4. LHP Mark Langston, 1988 15-11, 3.34 ERA, 261.3 IP, 110 BB, By ERA this is Langston's best year as Mariner. You could take his 1987 campaign (19-13, 3.84 ERA) if you're picky and swap it with Valle's 1988 campaign. Langston would go on to be traded to Montreal for Randy Johnson and would later lose the 1995 playoff game to...Randy Johnson.

5. LHP Matt Young, 1983 11-15, 3.27 ERA, 203.7 IP, 79 BB, 130 K 24 year-old rookie pitcher was the best thing on the 60-102 Seattle Mariners. ERA+ of 131 is 8th best in team history. Young never had another All-Star season and only topped 200 IP two more times. In 1987, he was involved with a trade for Jesse Orosco. Orosco was 30 at the time. Orosco would pitch 16 more years. Young had just 6 years left.

Bullpen:

RHP Rafael Soriano, 2003 3-0, 1.53 ERA, 53 IP, 12 BB, 68 K
LHP Arthur Rhodes, 2002 10-4, 2.33 ERA, 69.7 IP, 13 BB, 81 K
RHP Jeff Nelson, 1995 7-3, 2.17 ERA, 78.7 IP, 27 BB, 96 K
RHP Mike Jackson, 1991 7-7, 3.25 ERA, 88.7 IP, 34 BB, 74 K
RHP Edwin Nunez, 1984 2-2, 3.09 ERA, 67.7 IP, 21 BB, 57 K
LHP Dennis Powell, 1993 0-0, 4.15 ERA, 47.7 IP, 24 BB, 32 K If you're wondering why Dennis Powell is on this list, see below.

UPDATE: Original list left off Mike Jackson 1991 and Edwin Nunez 1984. My bad.

Closer:

RHP Bill Caudill, 1982 12-9, 26 SV, 2.35 ERA, 95.7 IP, 35 BB, 111 K

Only two relief pitchers in Mariners history have struck out 100 batters, Caudill in 1982 and Putz in 2006. After a disappointing 1983 (4.71 ERA, but 73 K/35BB in 72.7 IP), he was trade to Oakland for Dave Beard and Bob Kearney. Beard had an ERA of 5.80 in his one year in relief for the M's. Kearney caught 346 games for Seattle over the next four years hitting .231/.265/.348, good for an OPS+ of 67. Caudill would make an All-Star game with Oakland. Bill Bavasi, Billy Beane would like a word with you.

Alternative lineups:
Originally I had Goose Gossage, 1994 as one of the relievers just so you could tell everyone that the M's have had two deserving Hall-of-Famers be denied Cooperstown in case Edgar doesn't make it. This used Griffey's 1993 season, which has the highest OPS+ of any Mariner. Since OPS+ uses only seasonal park factors, and the park didn't change, I assume it's just a fluke. (Griffey 1993: 172 OPS+, Griffey 1994: 170 OPS+).

You may have noticed that there are only 24 players listed. The 25th Man needs no introduction:

IF Willie Bloomquist, 2005 .257/.283/.330 This team was built for WFB.

Go Mariners!

Poll

Most Egregious Omission?

J.J. Putz, 2006

12 votes

Randy Johnson, 1995 or 1996

6 votes

Jay Buhner

23 votes

Any other Griffey year

4 votes

Dan Wilson

0 votes

Norm Charlton

3 votes

Joey Cora

0 votes

48 votes | Poll has closed

Who are these guys?

Trev — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:13:37 -0000

I have to admit that as an M's fan, I have no idea who Sean White, Sean Green, and Jake Woods are.

I know that they're all back of the bullpen arms, they didn't come through the M's system, and they're all white.

I think Woods is left handed, his first name is Jake, and he has enough endurance to be a starter.

All I know about the other two is that one was a waiver claim from the Braves.

So here's my challenge, in less than 50 words per player, make these guys distinguishable.

P.S. If I have the names wrong and it's Sean Woods, Jake Green, and Shaun White, my bad.

We can still have Thomson

Trev — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:08:00 -0000

MLB.com article

He didn't make the Blue Jays rotation, and they don't want him in the pen.

Of course, we probably don't want him. He's likely to not be better than Weaver, just cheaper.

300 Character fact:
Felix pitched 205 innings (spring training+regular season) last year @ age 20. He pitched 20 innings this spring (up from 14.1 last year). Going by Bavasi's "Max IP = Age x 10" rule, Felix is only supposed to get 190 IP in the regular season. Color me concerned.