The Morning After
by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 14, 2010 11:02 AM PDT
in Seattle Mariners Game Recaps
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Print- I can't always be around to write. I know, it sucks. This week in particular is a bad one, what with traveling, and computer problems, and family in town. But it's a funny thing - I watched the end of last night's game from a restaurant, and I watched last Saturday's game beside an actively reformatting laptop, and the sensation is different when there's no keyboard or pad of paper at your fingertips. The sensation is...fanlike. Granted, those were two of the better Mariner wins I can remember, but sometimes it's nice to watch a baseball game freed from the shackles of expressing yourself with words. Sometimes a man just wants to clap and jump and make a scene at Deschutes. Baseball can actually be a fun and interesting game sometimes. Who knew?
- For me, that home run literally couldn't have been any better. It came at the perfect time, in the perfect place, by the perfect player. I'm sure 75% of fans would've rather it been Griffey, and 24% of fans would've rather it been Ichiro, and Jack Wilson would've rather it been Jack Wilson, but there's a small assortment of us ecstatic to see Milton Bradley be a hero just as a torrent of negativity was developing in the background. It's already been said in so many places, but few players have needed a big hit in the way that Bradley did, and boy did he ever deliver. That ought to win some people over, at least for a little while.
It was a good bit of hitting, too. Yeah, the count was 2-0, and yeah, Ziegler's a sidearming righty with an 84mph fastball, but we don't see Mariner hitters turn on inside fastballs like that very often. That pitch was tucked neatly into the corner, and Bradley whipped around on it, just as Jay Buhner predicted. Just awesome. I wouldn't have it any other way. The more good news that Bradley makes, the less bad stuff we have to hear about him.
There are a lot of fans of other teams out there who're just waiting until we turn on Bradley the same way they did. Sorry guys. It might be a while. -
- In case you didn't notice, the Funk Blast is back. Introducing the Funk Blast is one of the two good things Bill Bavasi ever did, so if this is a permanent thing, I'm supportive. And it doubles as a big ol' middle finger to the people who're convinced the Zduriencik administration wants to wipe away any traces of the previous regime. The Funk Blast is more weird than it is anything else, and the music that accompanies the trot is less energetic than most, but the Funk Blast is unique, and the more things there are that make your stadium unique, the better. I don't remember the first home run I saw at Safeco. I do remember the first Funk Blast. It was amazing, and strange.
- That was Doug Fister throwing like Doug Fister threw in AAA. He didn't throw a ton of first-pitch strikes, and he didn't get ahead of a ton of hitters, but do you know how many three-ball counts he got into? One. One three-ball count, against 14 two-strike counts. Fister just stayed around the zone and took full advantage of his surroundings, and when you do that, you turn in the kind of start the Mariners thought they'd get from Carlos Silva.
The interesting thing? Fister has command of four pitches, but against a lineup with five lefties, 78 of his 100 pitches were fastballs. His changeup is probably his best pitch, yet he only threw six. I don't know if he wasn't feeling good about his offspeed stuff, or if he just didn't care, but no matter the reason, last night goes to show that when you have command of your primary pitch, you don't really need a whole lot else.
Don't expect starts like that from Fister very often. But talk about timing. How badly did the rotation need something like that from the back?
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I was in college when the Funk Blast thing started
Can somebody explain it to me. As far as I understand it they put FUNK BLAST on the scoreboard in left and play (presumably) funk music as the player trots around the bases. Is there more to it? A story on how it started? We need a Mariners wiki or something.
That link has me wondering what Sexson is doing these days....
In my head, I picture him at a bar in Portland drinking with J.R. Rider.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
by Rich Langford on Apr 14, 2010 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
thanks for that
I always thought it had something to do with the old Funk ride that used to be at the Experience Music Project. It’s kind of too bad that it doesn’t.
I always wondered the same thing, that ride was awesome!
Milton Bradley apologist
by sanford_and_son on Apr 14, 2010 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions
It may have to do with the EMP ride
When they had the ride at the EMP, they also sold a double CD collection of Funk songs called “Funk Blast”. I have a copy of that CD, lots of great stuff on it. The article linked by Jeff mentions a CD called Funk Blast so chances are, that’s the one. What makes me doubt a little , though, is that the song by Parliament mentioned is not included on that CD.
by vj on Apr 14, 2010 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I always thought it was a weird reference to Rage Against The Machine's "Calm Like A Bomb."
Now I have no idea what to think about it.
by DrunkAmerican on Apr 14, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
On the whole fastball propensity thing, it feels like that's been a theme throughout the staff so far.
I will look at the actual numbers for some measure of evidence a little later, but this looks systemic.
There were 2 changeups that he threw that were filthy that I remember.
One of them was on the outside corner that fooled Eric Chavez very badly which he followed up with a fastball on the inside corner to strike out Chavez, if I remember correctly. It was a great pitch sequence.
by seattle_since_81 on Apr 14, 2010 11:13 AM PDT reply actions
It sure seemed like that homer had a ton of hangtime.
From where I was sitting it was kind of hard to judge how far it was hit and Sweeney seemed like he was tracking it all the way. That said, when it sailed into the bleachers everyone in my section went batshit crazy. Might have been the most fun I’ve ever had at a game.
The few times he threw it his change seemed to be floating up in the zone
Might explain why he laid off of it a bit.
I would have liked to see Fister go for the complete game
But with it being soo early in the season, and the fact I only saw about an inning and half of him, I don’t blame Wak for going to the ‘pen to finish it out. Fister looked good from what I saw though and it’s really encouraging to see him pitch well
Wait!
Wak calls the game from the bullpen! Crazy.
No he doesn't. They mentioned that during the broadcast. He just calls for pitch outs, throw overs, etc.
He lets Rob call the pitches.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Apr 14, 2010 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't buy that.
Milton Bradley apologist
by sanford_and_son on Apr 14, 2010 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Heh.
I refuse to believe Rob did something right.
THIS MUST BE PROVEN.
Everything is Rob Johnson's fault.
by the other side on Apr 14, 2010 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Rob Johnson is like the ultimate case in examing weird fandom
he is literally not good at anything measurable and even looks retarded out there doing it. Same for Willie, except Bloomquist did have one legitimate skill – he was versatile enough to sub at multiple positions and not completely embarrass himself. I will never understand why people love Rob Johnson so much
by seattlebruin on Apr 14, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Even Buhner was going about him last night. What a gamer he was, etc.
by TrustBaseball on Apr 14, 2010 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
He also called the Bradley Blast so he gets a pass from me.
Everything is Rob Johnson's fault.
by the other side on Apr 14, 2010 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't think Buhner actually called the HR.
Dave asked him what he would call there. I assume he meant a bunt or swing away and Buhner said “I’d call a 3 run HR.”
After the game everyone was saying Bones called it and even he was going along with it, but I really don’t think he meant it that way. Either way, that moment kicked booty.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
by Rich Langford on Apr 14, 2010 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah but who cares.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Apr 14, 2010 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I meant who cares about whether Bone called it.
For the reason you give. It was just a lot of fun.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Apr 14, 2010 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Sims was screaming, it was awesome.
Milton Bradley apologist
by sanford_and_son on Apr 14, 2010 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Buhner has a better skill than predicting the future
Whatever he wants to happen, happens. I need him to say “I’d like the Mariners to win the 2010 World Series.” It might just work.
Could it be the odd little turtle necks?
I for one find those annoying as hell.
Everything is Rob Johnson's fault.
by the other side on Apr 14, 2010 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
So what, he's not a toddler
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 14, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He's great with the media
he gives them access, talks to them for a long time, presents a good story for them. I think that’s a huge part of it. The media’s love of him filters through.
by Snuffleupagus on Apr 14, 2010 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Exactly
He’s not all foreign-toungued like Johjima, so when (mostly white) writers were hanging around the clubhouse, good ol’ RJ was always happy to talk.
by lemonverbena on Apr 14, 2010 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
They displayed his 2009 CERA on the jumbotron
in his final AB. Apparently it’s a team record.
by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 14, 2010 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Wasn't it also a team record ERA?
I mean… yeah whatever.
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 14, 2010 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I think there are a good number of us...
Who really wanted it to be Bradley coming through. Much of the season hangs on him, a Griffey homer is great for him but doesn’t mean all that much for the team (other than the runs). Signs of Bradley being the good, and happy, version of himself are much bigger for overall success.
I wish I could have caught more of the game last night, but I managed to catch enough of the good to make me happy.
Griffey hitting a homerun is huge for many people.
I would be very happy if Mr. Griffey would hit a dinger.
Ok, and it means a lot to many fans...
But we have a known quantity with him. He’ll play out the season, kinda suck, and have a huge final farewell. His impact is pretty much certain, so his homers will have a lot of sentimental value but don’t really do as much to change the outlook of the season.
But I will admit my emotional attachment to Griffey’s homers has been reduced by him coming back for another season.
Anyone not pulling for Griffey's first HR, with all of their bodily essence, can go suck on a cactus!
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
by Rich Langford on Apr 14, 2010 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions
That's kind of harsh, now I have to go look up what you've got riding on that.
by TrustBaseball on Apr 14, 2010 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
It was probably overly harsh...
but I have not had a delicous refined sugary or artificially sweetened treat or drink since the season started. I haven’t even had ketchup, mustard or any other condiment.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
by Rich Langford on Apr 14, 2010 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I have a cheese cake in fridge waiting for the dinger.
Fuck the Angels
My first Safeco dinger was a Cirillo blast off of Scott Schoeneweis.
Then I saw my second, third, fourth, and fifth home runs in the subsequent innings by Boonie, a grand slam by Mark McLemore, Ruben Sierra, and then another (!?!?) Cirillo shot. That was an awesome and strange game.
Wow! You saw both of Cirillo's Mariner HRs.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
by Rich Langford on Apr 14, 2010 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Rob Johnson.
I'd sleep at the Internet, but I've found servers don't make for good pillows.
by thehemogoblin on Apr 14, 2010 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Mike Cameron was mine
It was during this game, the game in which Torii Hunter hit the first of his three grand slams he’s had at Safeco.
My first M's game was in Yankees Stadium
I saw Ben Broussard go yard to break up Wang’s perfect game
My first M's home run would have been an Alvin Davis shot at old Comiskey
on September 29, 1990. I was just a wee pup and was a White Sox fan at the time anyway, so I don’t remember it, but I was definitely at that game- I still have the ticket stub. That was also my first ballgame ever
Determined, Jonesing Commentor
Speaking of sinkerballers in the Bronx... shit
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 14, 2010 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Russ Davis for me
7/17/99 off Woody Williams (first homer and M’s win at Safeco). A-Rod and Raul also homered that game.
by lemonverbena on Apr 14, 2010 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice snag man!
That half season in the new ballpark was great despite the team not doing so well and Mesa choking the inaugural game away. I still hate Joe Table.
by lemonverbena on Apr 14, 2010 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Gorman Thomas anyone?
Long time back, when we really sucked!
by oldmandaniels on Apr 14, 2010 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Good point, my bad.
Still my first viceral Pro Baseball memory, but true, not Safeco. Still have more games logged at Kingdome, than the Safe. Gotta get out more.
by oldmandaniels on Apr 14, 2010 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't even remember mine
And it may be impossible to find out. I went to one game in ‘01 and two games in ’05 (didn’t save the stubs, don’t remember when) and then a bunch every season starting in ’06. I feel like a bad fan now.
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
by appleshampoo on Apr 14, 2010 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I could be wrong on this
but it seems like the ONLY pitch the M’s are hitting hard lately is the inside fastball. At least, both Figgins’ doubles yesterday were inside heat (albeit at the belt or so, not the knees) and Guti’s one off Duschchsh…uh, two days ago. And Bradley’s double earlier, I think.
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 14, 2010 11:52 AM PDT reply actions
That's not unusual.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on Apr 14, 2010 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
At my partner's first M's game, she thought Funk Blasts were a stat.
Who knows, maybe Funk Blasts are an in-house sabermetric of the M’s front office.
I'm mystified how a guy with such legs has such a hard time generting velocity
also, yes, that’s a filthy change
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 14, 2010 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions
That is basically a perfect pitch
I don’t know that anyone would ever hit that. Just unfair.
by davidcameron on Apr 14, 2010 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions
This is the pitch I was remembering above.
Chavez was fooled badly by it.
by seattle_since_81 on Apr 14, 2010 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Behind home plate in the 300 level
I thought this swing was going to detach his arms from his body. I remember seeing and knowing it is a change, but seeing the movement on that pitch is amazing.
by Ballard Erik on Apr 14, 2010 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
What are you talking about?
It was perfectly located. Went right into the glove.
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 14, 2010 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Perfectly located, changes nothing with Rob.
Everything is Rob Johnson's fault.
by the other side on Apr 14, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Neither does random commas.
Everything is Rob Johnson's fault.
by the other side on Apr 14, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I was anxiously awaiting the first Mariner home run at Safeco to find out what the music would be this year
Was very excited when I found out they had brought back the Funk Blast.
My Mariners blog SodoMojo, My Twitter Feed
Are you serious?
It seemed to take 5 minutes to me. A real moon shot.
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
by appleshampoo on Apr 14, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
The hangtime was excruciating.
Sweeney was tracking it the entire way and from my seats I was convinced it was a warning track flyout based on how long it was up in the air.
It did hang a long time
but on TV it was apparent that Sweeney was only tracking it because he’s a hustling white boy. He knew it was gone, and you could tell by how lazily he was going back on it.
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 14, 2010 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions
On the video replay I saw when I got home it was clear the ball was gone off the bat.
It was just hard to gauge the depth from my section. Everyone around me didn’t realize it was gone until Sweeney just kind of looked up at the end.
When I was watching, the swing and sound off the bat made me jump in the air, but Sweeny settling onto the warning track definitely made me nervous.
Once the ball appeared on the screen, I started freaking out, but Sweeny’s movements made me nervous.
50!
Bradley
The whole game my friend and I would give Milton a standing ovation every time he was at bat, thank god he hit that homer. The game was a crazy game, probably one of the most fun games I’ve been too.
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