The Greatest News Of The Year

by Jeff Sullivan on Jul 10, 2007 2:11 PM PDT in Seattle Mariners News, Regular

I don't think I need to say anything more about this.

The club is on the verge of locking up Ichiro, their All-Star outfielder whose contract was set to expire after the season, to a five-year contract extension, the Seattle Times has learned. Indications are that the deal will approach $100 million and could be announced Friday.

I can't remember the last time this team made me so absolutely, thoroughly happy.

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AWESOME!!!

Blow me, Fry!

by JI on Jul 10, 2007 2:12 PM PDT reply actions

this gets a big FUCK YES

it must have been the rally fries.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING JOHNNY MAC?!?!

by MFAN on Jul 10, 2007 2:14 PM PDT reply actions

Not to be a Negative Ned.

But I won't be fully convinced until we get direct quotes from Bavasi and Ichiro.

Top 5 Greatest Players ever: 1. Josh Gibson 2. Cool Papa Bell 3. Babe Ruth 4. Matty 5. Ty Cobb

by Coach Owens on Jul 10, 2007 2:16 PM PDT reply actions

Quit being a Negitive Nancy.

IIICCCCCCCHHHHIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRROOOOOO!!!!1

by JI on Jul 10, 2007 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

... believe you me ...

by Graham MacAree on Jul 10, 2007 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I laughed.

Hard.

But then again, I'd probably laugh at anything right now. That's how giddy I am!!!

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Jul 10, 2007 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I think we all need to celebrate

with an ice cold draft beer tonight. Maybe two.

by Trent on Jul 10, 2007 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Already had 5 in prep for the game...

by seattlesundevil on Jul 10, 2007 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I was planning on staying sober tonight,

but I may raise a glass or two in celebration!

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

was planning...

on just relaxing at home to watch the game.

defs going to the bar now. or at the very least going to pick up a 12 pack.

I!!!

CHI!!!!!

RO!!!!!!!!!!!

by deacvision7 on Jul 10, 2007 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I won't even get home until 6:00, so

I'll miss a good portion of the ASG. But I'm sure I can find highlights later.

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions

sometimes

living out east is a huge bonus. this is one such time.

by deacvision7 on Jul 10, 2007 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm sure the schedule was based

on people veiwing it on the East Coast. You bastards! :)

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

5 years $100 million...

...whilst I am delighted Ichiro will be staying, is this going to be a good deal come 2012 with Ichiro's skillset? [Genuine question - how do players of Ichiro's quality and stature tend to age?]

by EnglishMariner on Jul 10, 2007 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

Well.

Especially with Ichiro's intense training and conditioning routines.

I will not make jokes in my sig. I will not make jokes in my sig. I will not...

by TIF @ Lookout Landing on Jul 10, 2007 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Usually Very Well

Look at Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson or Kenny Lofton.

IIICCCCCCCHHHHIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRROOOOOO!!!!1

by JI on Jul 10, 2007 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Pete Rose too

IICCCCHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRROOOOOOOOO!!!!1

by JI on Jul 10, 2007 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah

Players of that skillset and physical ability age well and basically quit when they want to, not because their body quits.

by Gomez on Jul 10, 2007 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I CON CUR WITH THE

"YES" AND THE "FUCKING"!

ALL STAR BREAK WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I will not make jokes in my sig. I will not make jokes in my sig. I will not...

by TIF @ Lookout Landing on Jul 10, 2007 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

It's really hard to be skeptical on this

because I think we all want it so bad, but I also feel like I have to be.

ICHIRO HURTS THIS TEAM BY NOT SIGNING BIG CONTRACTS.

by tworsandtwols on Jul 10, 2007 2:19 PM PDT reply actions

Not to be disgusting, but

I just blew a proverbial load all over my computer screen!!!

I-CHI-RO!!

I am also happy it's a 5 year deal, and not a 7 year deal. Not even Ichiro can keep his current pace as a 38 year old.

Seriously though, I don't care if it's for 25 million a year for 5 years. He deserves every penny.

I am so happy right now!!

by TheMarinator on Jul 10, 2007 2:21 PM PDT reply actions

I think he could.

IICCCCHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRROOOOOOOOO!!!!1

by JI on Jul 10, 2007 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

If he does, we re-sign him again!

By that time I doubt he's want to change teams.

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions

That would be my thinking on the subject

Unless the Mariners are completely tanking by that time, Ichiro will come back if he wants to play more.

by TheMarinator on Jul 10, 2007 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Wooooo-FREAKIN-hooooooooooooo!

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 2:21 PM PDT reply actions

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO

(does happy dance)

by eponymous coward on Jul 10, 2007 2:24 PM PDT reply actions

PUTZ, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Well, if you believe Hickey anyway...

:-)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

My son is going to be THRILLLED!!!!

Fry ME, Blow!!!

by PositivePaul on Jul 10, 2007 2:26 PM PDT reply actions

A big fat KUDOS to Bill Bavasi

For getting this thing done. I've given him a lot of shit, and rightly so, over the last few years but he deserves a big pat on the back for this one.

I'll lay off of him for awhile, until he makes his next bonehead move ;

by TheMarinator on Jul 10, 2007 2:32 PM PDT reply actions

Then he gets three weeks from today.

And thou said "Mix your pitches, thy holy Felix" and hallelujah we rejoice!

by Coach Owens on Jul 10, 2007 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions

If Adam Jones gets traded

For an overhyped starter, I'll jump right back on the lynch mob.

by TheMarinator on Jul 10, 2007 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Mr Bavasi,

Just when I thought you couldn't get any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh my god haha

I had that exact same thought when I was posting this.

Classic line

by TheMarinator on Jul 10, 2007 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Honestly?

I don't think Bavasi had much to do with this. I suppose indirectly you could say that Bavasi built the roster that the M's are winning with, and because they're winning, that's encouraged Ichiro to stay. But directly, I don't believe Bavasi did any more to retain Ichiro that any other generic GM could've done.

Let's face it, too -- with Ichiro locked up, I'm a little bit more scared about the trade deadline (even though I'm really not horribly frightened since everything I've heard says Bavasi has told everyone "no" when folks ask about AJ). I doubt they'll trade AJ, unless Santana or any other young stud SP suddenly becomes available. But, still, there's a huge part of me that doesn't trust Bavasi not to panic at the deadline and sell the rest of the farm for a crappy SP.

I'm legitimately concerned about that. I don't trust Bavasi at the trade deadline in buying mode. After the Soriano trade and the Snelling/Fruto trade, we still have a lot to be concerned about w/r/t Bavasi and his ability to be a buyer on the trade market.

Fry ME, Blow!!!

by PositivePaul on Jul 10, 2007 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Awesome.

Though I won't celebrate until it goes official, just in case.

by jtopps on Jul 10, 2007 2:46 PM PDT reply actions

A year longer than I would of preferred.

But awesome non the less.

These pretzels....are making me thirsty!

by Goose on Jul 10, 2007 2:49 PM PDT reply actions

YES! Ichiro shows no signs of his age...

he might pull a Julio Franco and play until he's fifty.

Fact: In 2000, Reds' GM Jim Bowden declared second baseman Pokie Reese as "Untouchable" in the Griffey trade negotiations.

by Hackman Leonard on Jul 10, 2007 2:56 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, but now

Franco can't hit. Let's hope he pulls a Jamie Moyer, where he stays just as effective as he ever was.

And thou said "Mix your pitches, thy holy Felix" and hallelujah we rejoice!

by Coach Owens on Jul 10, 2007 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

He hits OK

for a guy that's 73 years old.

Fact: In 2000, Reds' GM Jim Bowden declared second baseman Pokey Reese as "Untouchable" in the Griffey trade negotiations.

by Hackman Leonard on Jul 10, 2007 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks all to Ellison

Ichiro just needed to feel loved

by kentroyals5 on Jul 10, 2007 2:57 PM PDT reply actions

Ellison may have officially reached folk hero

status after this.

by ningwers on Jul 10, 2007 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions

He's like our Dave Roberts for Boston

by kentroyals5 on Jul 10, 2007 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions

'Jason,' says Kyle Farnsworth,

'there will come a time when you come in, and your teammate gets shoved by some asshole, and everyone in the stadium knows you will need to get in that asshole's grill. And you will get in that asshole's grill.'

by Gomez on Jul 10, 2007 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Completely OT, but jesus fucking christ it's hot.

These pretzels....are making me thirsty!

by Goose on Jul 10, 2007 3:10 PM PDT reply actions

You're telling me...

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Jul 10, 2007 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions

What are you complaining about?

It only FEELS like 96!

by tworsandtwols on Jul 10, 2007 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

It's 98, but it only feels like 90 apparently.

Bullshit.

These pretzels....are making me thirsty!

by Goose on Jul 10, 2007 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

92 in my neck of the woods

IICCCCHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRROOOOOOOOO!!!!1

by JI on Jul 10, 2007 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm in my office with A/C

but I'm about to go outside for a break. I'll give you the heat repor from Shoreline when I get back! LOL!

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

While you're at it...

Phone Corco and get a traffic report from McCall, eh?

;-)

Fry ME, Blow!!!

by PositivePaul on Jul 10, 2007 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

You know, I drove past the I-84 exit for McCall

on Saturday. Traffic looked pretty okay.

by Matthew on Jul 10, 2007 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

In Shoreline it's hot.

Africa hot. Tarzan couldn't take this kind of heat! (bonus points if you remember what movie that is from!)

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

oh come on

it's been like that for a couple weeks here in Spokanastan

by InSpokane on Jul 10, 2007 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Here in Houston...

it is 95 with a heat index of 107.

by ppl4life on Jul 10, 2007 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Meh.

That's normal for yous guys. This is newsworthy in the rainy PNW...

:-)

Fry ME, Blow!!!

by PositivePaul on Jul 10, 2007 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I think we have beat your rain

by tenfold this year. What a deluge last week and another a few weeks ago. I think just for the month of June, we had a little over 20" of rain.

by ppl4life on Jul 10, 2007 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh yeah.

I was going to ask if you've built your ark yet.

Fry ME, Blow!!!

by PositivePaul on Jul 11, 2007 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Mostly cloudy and 70

Never been happier to live in LA :)

by ningwers on Jul 10, 2007 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

mm-hmm

Last few days have been perfect.

My life is sunshine, lollipops and rainbows.

by sammy on Jul 10, 2007 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah its weird

yesterday it burned off and got hot. Today it didn't.

Free Adam Jones

by bluemax on Jul 10, 2007 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions

It's going to take a lot of beer

to rehydrate after my kickball game tonight.

by PetRock on Jul 10, 2007 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

It's hovering between 105 and 115 in Vegas

But we have A/C. I dread coming back to Seattle, where apparently it's supposed to be 96 the rest of the week. And there's hardly any A/C in Seattle. Apparently, Seattle never needs it.

...

by Gomez on Jul 10, 2007 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Back to the good ol' days?

So Jeff with the news of the Ichiro signing, is this big enough to bring back the old LL background (the one without the sinking ship)?

by Safeco Hobo on Jul 10, 2007 3:11 PM PDT reply actions

It's cursed!

Forgive me for forgetting who, but someone posted various W-L records recently for obscure things, one being the choice of logo and let's just say it wasn't exactly favourable for the old one.

P3 W1 L2 (.333)

by MarkE on Jul 10, 2007 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions

That was me

Give me a couple hours and I will recalculate everything.

by Robert on Jul 10, 2007 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

More Ichiro?

Yes please!

by ThundaPC on Jul 10, 2007 3:23 PM PDT reply actions

Ichiro!

Needs to be set for life. As a Mariner!! this is awesome news. I agree with twoL'sand2r's. we shouldnt look like a mickeymouse franchise!

by apalach007 on Jul 10, 2007 3:23 PM PDT reply actions

im just so....

happy.

by deacvision7 on Jul 10, 2007 3:50 PM PDT reply actions

score

Shop smart......Shop s-mart...... YOU GOT THAT!!!!

by Scruffy Lefty on Jul 10, 2007 3:54 PM PDT reply actions

Very Nice, but

Are there any good pitchers out there that the M's could get with out selling the farm, or are we stuck hoping

Washburn, does not go back to last year

Weaver, lays of the pot and starts pitching lake he did at the start of the season

and Ho-ram comes back.

by InSpokane on Jul 10, 2007 3:56 PM PDT reply actions

Party pooper alert!

by TheMarinator on Jul 10, 2007 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions

lake = like

i need to go for a swim

by InSpokane on Jul 10, 2007 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions

No

But who cares. This is an Ichiro celebration thread.

by ThundaPC on Jul 10, 2007 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I think you mean Thompson

by eponymous coward on Jul 10, 2007 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions

No

It may sound far fetched, but this team can probably win with the guys they got... given they're 12 games over despite the same guys being, at first, more horrible than they actually are.

That said, if they can deal for a marginally better SP without dealing away any key prospects, then huzzah, but it's not necessary.

by Gomez on Jul 10, 2007 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Awesome. Fucking awesome.

Best news that could be expected today. God dammit I love when this team does something smart.

Awesome

CALL UP ADAM JONES. NOW

by dbroncos31 on Jul 10, 2007 4:05 PM PDT reply actions

According to the Japanese fans

sitting next to me in Oakland on Saturday, the approved "Ichiro" chant in Japan is, upon coming to bat:

ICHIROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

And upon getting on base,

ICHIROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

by Paytheline on Jul 10, 2007 4:16 PM PDT reply actions

WOOHOOO!!!

i'm thrilled!

it's like a Putz wooooo that just keeps on giving.

finally, some great news out of the FO.

by eagle on Jul 10, 2007 4:24 PM PDT reply actions

Fellas....

The....

is on me!

by PLU Tim on Jul 10, 2007 4:26 PM PDT reply actions

I'm on my way!

Umm... Where exactly are you?

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

T-Town....

downing a brew right now.

by PLU Tim on Jul 10, 2007 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Damn. I'm about to head towards Everett.

"clink!" (cheers PLU Tim from Everett).

I should have known from the "PLU".

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions

hmmm...beer

you just killed any productivity i had left in me for the rest of the day.

beer...hmmmm

by eagle on Jul 10, 2007 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Churchill reporting that AJ might start

Thursday!! Prospectinsider.com (on the right top-corner

by kentroyals5 on Jul 10, 2007 4:43 PM PDT reply actions

Wow.

Grover quits, we take three out of four from the A's, the M's are taking the blogs' advise, Ellison becomes a man, now this. I... I... I think I'm actually feeling pride about being an M's fan! It tingles!

--Shrug
Field Gulls: SB Nation's Seattle Seahawks Blog

by Shrug @ Lookout Landing on Jul 10, 2007 4:47 PM PDT reply actions

I figured it out

Paul Allen and Tim Rusell kidnapped the M's front office.

by Robert on Jul 10, 2007 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Excellent news!

A side note:
I saw Adam Jones in Portland last week. He was playing RF. I wondered why, and now I know...
WARNING! Conspiracy theory follows! -
Is Jones getting called up to be "showcased" in RF? I hope not. But the timing is weird.

by KC @ Lookout Landing on Jul 10, 2007 4:48 PM PDT reply actions

I doubt they bench an expensive veteran ,

to "showcase" a prospect. Just doesn't seem like the M's style. Besides, they'd be better off to "showcase" him in CF if that was the plan.

This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint".

by Thingray on Jul 10, 2007 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope you are right.

Wow, the second half could be really fun to watch!

by KC @ Lookout Landing on Jul 10, 2007 4:51 PM PDT reply actions

Ichiro re-signed?

That would be awesome!

Screw Ibanez ICHIRO is the face of the Mariners

Burke for Starting Catcher!

by mariners11 on Jul 10, 2007 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

The Only Way This Day Could Get Better . . .

Is if the M's acquired Griffey, Homer Bailey, and Joey Votto for Jose Vidro and Julio Mateo.

I miss Jim Bowden. :-(

by JoeyJoJoJuniorShabadoo on Jul 10, 2007 5:32 PM PDT reply actions

It might be best if we leave Bowden alone

Look at who was the GM that traded us Vidro...

by Robert on Jul 10, 2007 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

True dat

Rumors say that he's demanding the moon for guys like Cordero and Young, too.

by Katal LM on Jul 10, 2007 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Plus Krivsky is worse

No, sir, they're saying Boo-vasi.

by Mariner John on Jul 10, 2007 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I got into an argument with a middle aged

woman in class today, when she scolded me for drinking. The incident probably made me look pretty bad.

This entirely makes up for it.

Churchill's news about Jones (starting on Thursday in RF; Ibanez to DH, Vidro to the bench) is the epitome of gravy.

by Katal LM on Jul 10, 2007 6:15 PM PDT reply actions

anyone noticed...

Lookout Landing has joined U.S.S Mariner on Geoff Baker's blogroll links?

by mobvok on Jul 10, 2007 7:31 PM PDT reply actions

HERESY

by Katal LM on Jul 10, 2007 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

So AWESOME

I just soiled myself in utter joy.

A perennial all-star, MVP, face of the franchise type player actually RE-SIGNING with the Mariners? It's un-heard of. Your Seattle Mariners, A.L. annual powerhouse. Thanks Ichiro.

"Players have two things to do. Play and keep their mouths shut." - Sparky Anderson

by Omerta on Jul 10, 2007 8:39 PM PDT reply actions

One of our great worries has been averted

This, dare I say, is fucking AWESOME.

by Gomez on Jul 10, 2007 8:42 PM PDT reply actions

It's hella awesome if you may

by Robert on Jul 11, 2007 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions

You may not.

by Faux on Jul 11, 2007 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions

FUCK YES!!!!!!!

woo hoo!

--Dave

Addicted to Quack SBN's Oregon Ducks Blog

by David Piper on Jul 10, 2007 9:40 PM PDT reply actions

Ichiro

This has simply raised my already out of the park admiration for this man to a new level. By taking care of this now, and in this fashion, he is allowing the focus to be where it should be, winning games to get to the playoffs.

by gblady on Jul 11, 2007 8:48 AM PDT reply actions

Not Surprisingly,

The black guy, whom I have no idea who he is, and Skip Clueless on First and Ten or whatever it's called now were all against the Ichiro signing.

The Douche Who Shall Remain Unknown's comments (paraphrased): I don't know why you would pay $100 million for a slap hitter [note: consistently referred to Ichiro as a slap-hitter]. I don't understand why they wouldn't shell out $20 million for Junior [note: it's not like he demanded to be traded to Cincinnati], A-Rod [note: who signed one of the most lucrative contracts of all time], or Randy Johnson. Seattle has been a bad team for the last couple of years, and they will continue to be a bad team.

Obviously, Mr. Irrelevant doesn't watch baseball.

Does anyone else agree with me that if it were the Red Sox or the Yankmees giving the same deal to Ichiro, the talking pundits would be extolling either Epstein's or Cashman's greatness till they turned blue in their faces?

by JoeyJoJoJuniorShabadoo on Jul 11, 2007 12:30 PM PDT reply actions

I've given up caring what the TV heads say

I get more upset by the hardcore Mariner fans that still can't see how valuable Ichiro is, how much Vidro sucks, and Ibanez needs a segway in the field and a baseball magnet in his glove.

by hcoguy on Jul 11, 2007 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Why in the blue hell

does Skip Ba...(oh right...he's nameless)...why does this man hate Seattle sports teams so much. He was the one guy ripping on the Seahawks all the way up to and through the Super Bowl and he still gives them no credit to this day. And now it's the Mariners.

I think he got "manhandled" at some seedy Pioneer Square locale and now bile rises in his throat every time anybody mentions the Emerald city...

"Players have two things to do. Play and keep their mouths shut." - Sparky Anderson

by Omerta on Jul 11, 2007 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions