4/8: Open Game Thread

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 10:22 AM PDT in Regular News

First Pitch: 6:05pm PDT

Kotsay CF Ichiro RF Scutaro 2B Lopez 2B Crosby SS Ibanez LF Chavez 3B Sexson 1B Thomas DH Beltre 3B Bradley RF Everett DH Payton LF Johjima C Kendall C Ballgame CF Johnson 1B Betancourt SS ---------- ----------

Zito (0-1, 47.25??) Moyer (0-0, 4.05)

Welcome to Dan Wilson Night. Ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 5:15, which leads one to wonder just how they could possibly fill a 50-minute block of time with highlights from Wilson's baseball career. Expect a 37-minute speech from his wife talking about how great Dan is at home and with the kids, a six-minute speech from Dan himself thanking everyone ("especially the city of Seattle") for all they did for him, and another five minutes of Dan crying as he steps down from the podium.

If you enjoyed last night's offense, I have good news for you:

It won't be a quick one day in the lineup and then out for Willie Bloomquist. The utility specialist started at second base Friday. Today Jose Lopez is scheduled to return to second, but Bloomquist will get a second consecutive start, this one probably in center field.

On the plus side, at least this time Hargrove's remarkable lack of imagination will result in Willie batting eighth instead of second. Apparently the solution to figuring out which of Petagine and Borchard deserves to stay after Lawton comes back is to play neither and hope that one of them rapidly contracts some terrifying communicable illness worthy of a stint on the 60-day DL. You have to admire that kind of outside-the-box roster management.

Today's game: predict which Mariner has the best day at the plate, and spell out his line score. I'll take Ichiro to go 3-5 with three singles and a stolen base.

LET'S GO MARINERS!

1 recs | Comment 314 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

seriously

how dumb is starting Willie in the OF when you need to make a decision on Borchard? Unless, in typical Ms fashion, they had already decided what they were doing when Lawtom returns and it makes no difference what the players did.

by Matthew on Apr 8, 2006 10:31 AM PDT 0 recs

and....

Rich Aurillia hits another home run in the 4 spot. God I love the beginning of the season.

I'd really love a win today so we can stay at least chop the series.

by Matthew on Apr 8, 2006 10:42 AM PDT 0 recs

Doesn't surprise me

that Boom boom is getting a second start.... does surprise me that it may be in CF... I was thinking it would be to give Betancourt a day off. With Borchard playing for Reed.... that at least would put Willie in the 9 spot in the lineup.

by MfaninAlaska on Apr 8, 2006 10:51 AM PDT 0 recs

Yeah.

If Willie had to play, that's what I would've done. Moyer's a flyball pitcher anyway, so Betancourt's D won't be as handy tonight as it would be other days.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 11:06 AM PDT up 0 recs

It wouldn't surprise me

with Beltre getting hit in the hand yesterday by the ball on the DP, that Wee Willie goes to third to rest Beltre's hand another day... since there isn't anyone else that can play third.

by MfaninAlaska on Apr 8, 2006 11:52 AM PDT up 0 recs

I agree...

totally

by elsid on Apr 8, 2006 3:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm gonna take a hack at the box score...

Sexson 4 3 2 5 with 2 HR's and a walk off Zito.

by basebliman on Apr 8, 2006 10:57 AM PDT 0 recs

Willie in CF?

Reminds me to pick up some liquor for tonight's game.

by manyoso on Apr 8, 2006 11:02 AM PDT 0 recs

Willie hit so well last night

that he deserves another night in the line up. Give me a f-ing break. Not that anyone hit anything with authority at all, but come on. Willie doesn't need hustle, he has Hargrove. I gave Hargrove the benefit of the doubt last year considering he had virtually no tools to choose from. Four games in and I cant stand him. Good times, Good times.

by anotherjeff on Apr 8, 2006 11:23 AM PDT 0 recs

Wait a minute...

Has it been confirmed that Beltre will be playing? Is it not possible that we will see Willie at 3rd instead? Just throwing that out there.

by anotherjeff on Apr 8, 2006 11:27 AM PDT 0 recs

Nah

they're keeping Reed out of the lineup against LHP. Why Willie instead is where the semblence of logic breaks down.

by Matthew on Apr 8, 2006 11:29 AM PDT up 0 recs

Hey the Mariners jump 10 spots

in the espn power ranking all the way to number #16 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/powerranking?season=2006&week=2&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos 1

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 8, 2006 12:05 PM PDT 0 recs

wow and I am retarded at formating

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 8, 2006 12:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

Kenji will be pissed about Friday night

3-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI for Joe Mama.

And I had a few things to say about last night. I'm only half serious, so don't get too upset.

by Gomez on Apr 8, 2006 12:24 PM PDT 0 recs

Isn't it fitting...

...that the M's lose a ballgame with Willie Bloomquist in the starting lineup. Doesn't that happen, like, a lot? I recall someone mentioning on USSM the M's record with Bloomquist in the starting lineup. I can't find it, but I recall it being baaaaaad. Maybe those of you going to Deanna's book club meeting tonight can coerce her to start the meeting by ceremoneously burning the Willie Bloomquist Training Ball she got last night.

Go M's! Mariners Morsels (aka Free George Sherrill).

by PositivePaul on Apr 8, 2006 12:31 PM PDT 0 recs

You know...

There's an argument that Dan Wilson's one of the 100 best C's to play the game.

Seriously, go look up the guys Bill James has in his Historical Baseball Abstract in positions 80-100. They aren't really more impressive than Dan.

by eponymous coward on Apr 8, 2006 1:05 PM PDT 0 recs

I don't doubt it

Catcher is a tough position to excel in, due to its requirements (calling a game, setting the defense and monitoring baserunners, throwing them out when necessary, as well as being involved with every single pitch AND batting like every other fielder).

I'd easily put Dan in the Top 100. Top 50, I dunno: there may be enough great names at the top to bump him, but definitely Top 100.

by Gomez on Apr 8, 2006 1:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

Re: You know...

For one example...

#100: Earl Smith. Adjusted EqA: .271

Dan Wilson. Adjusted EqA: .246

Granted, Dan played more, he was probably a better defensive catcher, and their careers were so far apart that trying to compare the two is almost futile, but that's a big gap in productivity at the plate.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 1:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

RALLY DINO!!!!!!!

3/4 1 2B 3 RBI

by Mariner John on Apr 8, 2006 1:14 PM PDT 0 recs

Are we sure Beltre is playing today ...

because if so,
Beltre: 3-4, HR, 2B, and a walk

yes, I said it.

by Tony on Apr 8, 2006 1:17 PM PDT 0 recs

HAHAHA

That's hilarious.

by manyoso on Apr 8, 2006 1:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

AHHHHHHH

I just tuned into the White Sox/Royals tilt in time to see Jim Thome hit a game-tying double. Quote Hawk Harrelson and Darrin Jackson:

"And this game is tied at two, (together) yyyyyyyyyyes!!"

That's right, it no longer only applies to home runs...

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 1:24 PM PDT 0 recs

Just reading that

makes me ill to my stomach.

by bluemax on Apr 8, 2006 1:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

Sweeney!

There's nothing I enjoy more than Hawk Harrelson announcing an opponent's home run.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 1:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

If they really wanted to say goodbye to Dan right

They'd retire his #6 at the game tonight.

by Gomez on Apr 8, 2006 1:40 PM PDT 0 recs

massive

I'm getting the vibe that they're waiting for all the guys from the '95 run to retire, and then their numbers will all be retired at one gigantic ceremony. 6, 11, 19, 24, 51, and so forth. Add 50 since Moyer came after the run. Depending on how integral you think he was to post-1995 success, there could be an Alex Rodriguez discussion, though I kinda doubt it, especially if Lincoln is still running the team when this happens.

...I forgot number 1 for Greg Briley.

Sports and Bremertonians. Because we can.

by wackomann on Apr 8, 2006 6:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

also...

...if the New Jersey Devils can retire Ken Daneyko's number, the Mariners can retire Dan Wilson's number.

Sports and Bremertonians. Because we can.

by wackomann on Apr 8, 2006 6:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

I win either way...

Who cares if Bloomquist is starting in center. Who cares if Carl Everett continues to start over a player who would get on base 25% more than he would. Who cares if the bullpen would rather walk marginal hitters with no power. If the M's win a game...hooray. If they lose...we're one step closer to the end of Bill Bavasi's run as GM.

With my luck, the M's would fire Bavasi and high Marge Schott's great grandson. Nepotism runs wild!

by Geeves72 on Apr 8, 2006 1:54 PM PDT 0 recs

Bavasi is not bad

He has issues. Yes. Certainly the Everett signing. But the real problem is Hargrove.

by phil333 on Apr 8, 2006 3:51 PM PDT up 0 recs

Bavasi is not bad?

Are you being serious? He has been horrible. The beltre signing was a horrible mistake...the offensive version of the Chan Ho Park deal. Carl Everett is no better than 20 free agent veteran minor leaguers who would have cost us a lot less than he is making. Not trading Guardado while he actually still had value?

Don't tell me he hasn't done a bad job. I agree Hargrove has also been well below average, but Bavasi has his part in this mess.

Fire them both. Make me the Manager and GM. I guarantee we'd win more games.

by Geeves72 on Apr 8, 2006 5:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

Haven't we rehashed this conversation

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

Re: Bavasi is not bad?

Point #1) Pretty much every Mariners fan on the planet - everyone here included - was a fan of the Beltre contract at the time. In hindsight, it's beginning to look like a total bust, but I don't think it's fair to blame Bavasi for something tons of people agreed with at the time.

Point #2) While you're right about Everett's performance, that wasn't the main reason he was brought in. Bavasi and Hargrove love him for his attitude, and while we may not agree with them, attacking Everett's productivity at the plate isn't addressing the big issue.

Point #3) Bavasi had a Guardado trade lined up last July, but it wound up getting nixed by the GM on the other side.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 5:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Borchard v Petagine

The club already knows which one they are keeping. They don't need to play them to figure it out.

by JasonAChurchill on Apr 8, 2006 2:01 PM PDT 0 recs

Hey Jason!

Which one do you think they are keeping?

by manyoso on Apr 8, 2006 3:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

Willie Bloomquist in the lineup again?

Horray!

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 2:44 PM PDT 0 recs

Crosby...

...is back in the lineup for A's.

by Tony on Apr 8, 2006 3:37 PM PDT 0 recs

or...

...THE A's, if I would proofread before posting.

by Tony on Apr 8, 2006 3:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

Crosby I can deal with.

Scutaro, on the other hand...

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 3:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

Gammons thinks Crosby

will be MVP!

I just want him healthy for my fantasy team.

by bluemax on Apr 8, 2006 4:56 PM PDT up 0 recs

Is anybody else getting tired of seeing

Dan Wilson's inside the park grand slam?

They've showed it a dozen times the last week or so.

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:10 PM PDT 0 recs

Fun with numbers

For Julio Mateo's career, he's issued 54 unintentional walks over 1040 batters (5.19%).

Last night, he issued four unintentional walks over 12 batters.

The odds of a guy who walks 5.19% of the batters he faces walking four or more over 12 are 0.26%.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 5:15 PM PDT 0 recs

The Superman theme?

hahahahaha!

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:23 PM PDT 0 recs

Something doesn't make sense here

Wilson's 9-year-old daughter, Josephine, will read a poem she wrote for the occasion and Wilson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 5:33 PM PDT 0 recs

Woa did not know that

Dan ranks in the top 25 for catchers in doubles, runs, rbi's and games played....and he has the best fielding % ever of any catcher in the AL.

LOU!!!!

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:40 PM PDT 0 recs

Lou!

by I'm NOT Corco on Apr 8, 2006 5:40 PM PDT 0 recs

we miss you too, lou

by I'm NOT Corco on Apr 8, 2006 5:41 PM PDT 0 recs

Quick Lou!!

Go over and kick Hargrove's ass!! Take his spot!!!

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:41 PM PDT 0 recs

Man.

Dan is huge.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 5:42 PM PDT 0 recs

Thanking Melvin and Hargrove?

Why? They don't deserve anything.

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:52 PM PDT 0 recs

I'm halfway tempted...

...To call Deanna and have her stand up and cheer: "BRING BACK LOU BRING BACK LOU!!!"

Go M's! Mariners Morsels (aka Free George Sherrill).

by PositivePaul on Apr 8, 2006 5:53 PM PDT 0 recs

I'd Bet this Team

Would win 100 games, were Lou the manager instead of Hargrove.

Go M's! Mariners Morsels (aka Free George Sherrill).

by PositivePaul on Apr 8, 2006 5:53 PM PDT 0 recs

We'd sure be doing better than with Hargrove

thats for sure.

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

Do not thank Bob Wells.

I do not like Bob Wells, and he does not deserve gratitude.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 5:56 PM PDT 0 recs

I figured Bobby Ayala was next

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:57 PM PDT up 0 recs

Is he gonna thank every person ever to

be involved with organization?

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 5:58 PM PDT 0 recs

I think

Dan Wilson thanked me at one point for buying tickets. I'm not sure.

I actually skipped most of Dan's speech to watch Jamie warm up. He was grunting through some of those warm-up pitches. Not encouraging. Zito looked so casual it was like he was mowing the lawn.

For the second straight night, our offense was an abortion. "What offense?" you ask? Exactly.

by Gomez on Apr 8, 2006 10:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Peter Shmock.

Heh.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 6:02 PM PDT 0 recs

Nothing says "classy pregame ceremony"

like a little Tina Turner.

Dan stayed pretty composed the whole time. I'm impressed.

by Jeff on Apr 8, 2006 6:05 PM PDT 0 recs

FYI

I'm completely plastered.

I have nothing to contibute to the game today ecept for the fact that its spinrg fling here and i drank a bottle and half of champaign aong other things and am wasted.

wooooot
goo Ms.

by Matthew on Apr 8, 2006 6:05 PM PDT 0 recs