8/10 Mariners - Rays a closer perspective

I got to perform duties today as a "guest groundskeeper" at Safeco field during the Tampa-Seattle game.

So I get there and get to help hose down the field, which was pretty cool, take out second base during the fourth and sixth innings and get to go and sit everywhere a groundskeeper gets to go. Which meant I got to hang out in Tampa's dugout most of the time.

A couple of observations:

1) Cliff Floyd and Eric Hinske are FUCKING huge.  Not just "wow, they are large men," but "HOLY SHIT youre a monster!" type of huge.  You almost wonder if Hinske is on the 'roids. (yes he is that big!)

2) I was very impressed by Shawn Riggans behind the plate, at bat and in the dugout.  Some jackass had a jersey with a bunch of Rays autographs on it and was begging Riggans to sign it...Riggans ignored him for almost 20 minutes.  Finally, he walked over...signed autographs for a bunch of kids and left the jackass in the dust.  He also gave some baseballs to a few kids after the game (Upton also gave some kids his batting gloves after his last at-bat)

3) Was shocked how young some of the players looked.  Sonnenstine and Riggans could have both passed as players on my Legion team (19-U).  Kazmir was pretty tiny as well.  I really want the Mariners to get younger.  This youth is really helping their success

4) I knew Dickey would have some problems because of the weather.  The air was thick and his ball didnt dance much.  However, I didnt think that it would go as bad as it did.

5) The Tampa dugout was ALIVE.  They were cheering one another, laughing, joking, having a grand time and that excitement was mirrored on the field.  There is a reason why they are in first place.  They have great chemistry.

All in all it was a great day.  Couldnt have asked for a better seat in the house!