WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 9:32 AM PST in Regular News Comment 70 comments

Just as Bedard will learn more about Seattle in the months ahead, Mariners fans are seeking any tidbit they can find on the team's potential playoff meal ticket. As a primer: Bedard admits to being media shy, didn't learn to speak English until junior college and favors the Ottawa Senators hockey team over the nearby Montreal Canadiens.

Erik Bedard: the greatest pitcher that ever did live. Never leave us.

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Alfredsson's back today

Yay!

by Graham on Feb 9, 2008 9:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

This could be a fun day

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 9:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Now all they need to do is go on strike again

I was watching SC top 10 about a week ago and 4 of the 10 were hockey highlights! 40% dedicated to hockey? I cant wait for spring training highlights.

Seriously...Who the FUCK steals another mans bobblehead?

by RED29 on Feb 9, 2008 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That day was the exception

it's usually 70% alley-oops, 20% blocked layups, and 10% hole-in-ones.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 11:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not true.

Hockey is consistently over-represented as corresponds to ratings.

by Patrick517 on Feb 9, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If there are hockey highlights

it's probably because hockey is awesome, and basketball is retarded.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 3:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Amen

by Graham on Feb 9, 2008 3:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Unbelievable!

I saw hockey in HD the other day and almost forgot how boring it is. After watching the puck get passed back and forth for about fifteen minutes with nothing happening, I finally remembered.

by Patrick517 on Feb 9, 2008 3:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That wasn't hockey

that was the Simpsons' parody of international soccer.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 3:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No

It was on channel 75.245. They're not allowed to show Simpsons re-runs. People actually watch those things.

by Patrick517 on Feb 9, 2008 4:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like WSU basketball

by Robert on Feb 9, 2008 3:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking as someone who's generally

disinterested in hockey. Hockey's a good game, it's fun to see in person. It just doesn't translate to tv very well, maybe that will change when everyone gets giant flat screen tvs.

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Feb 9, 2008 8:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This may be true...

Those 15 minutes were pretty riveting.

by Patrick517 on Feb 10, 2008 7:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

no offense, MarinerInTheDistrict.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 4:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I find basketball a lot less retarded in person

but on TV it verges on the unwatchable.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Feb 9, 2008 4:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And a new love affair begins.

by Sec 108 on Feb 9, 2008 9:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ad sense might need some tweaking

heh

by Robert on Feb 9, 2008 10:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

New mortal enemy: Google

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 10:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I, for one, welcome our new Google overlords

by Robert on Feb 9, 2008 10:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Senators suck!

LET'S GO REDWINGS!!!

"Kruger! My son tells me, your company shtinks!"-Frank Costanza.

by Coach Owens on Feb 9, 2008 10:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Now that this is all done...

...here's to having a pair of freakin' awesome pitchers heading our rotation for the forseeable future.

If they can somehow sign a big bat next offseason (Teixeira?) to go with the promotions of Balentien, Morrow, and Clement... man. This could end up looking pretty good very, very soon.

World Series or bust!!!

by KingCorran on Feb 9, 2008 10:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Teixeira would make me happy

But we still need to fix the OF defense.

by Graham on Feb 9, 2008 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Jeremy Reed!

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Feb 9, 2008 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ichiro-Balentien would be a start...

...get next year's Geoff Jenkins for left, or if Mike Morse's bat takes off then put him out there if he can play a league-average defense.

A Bedard-Felix-Morrow top-of-rotation with Teixeira's bat would give us the luxury of not worrying too much about LF offense. I'd like to assume we'd have an improved DH though... a Clement/Johjima platoon, Ibanez, Griffey (lol), whatever.

World Series or bust!!!

by KingCorran on Feb 9, 2008 10:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Morrow?

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 10:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Brandon Morrow should be trade bait.

Morrow has just three pitches in his repertoire, doesn't change speeds with much variation, is frequently lit up by left-handed hitters, and doesn't fare too well away from the friendly confines of Safeco Field. All things considered, Morrow's present and future is that of a short-inning reliever.

As far as I'm concerned, Bill Bavasi's decision to select Morrow over Andrew Miller and Tim Lincecum during the 2006 MLB Draft has been his most understated mistake. Financially, it's understandable that Bavasi passed on Miller -- since he was set to receieve a huge signing bonus -- however, there's no justification for having skipped over Lincecum.

by AK1984 on Feb 9, 2008 12:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if it would be possible

at this point in the off-season to deal Morrow for an everyday player who would make a difference.

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Feb 9, 2008 1:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

but Morrow is "untouchable".

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and the Bedard trade was dead

and Alex Rodriguez was through as a Yankee
and Randy Johnson was going to finish the 1998 season as a Seattle Mariner...

I choose to cling to irrational hope.

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Feb 9, 2008 1:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

For the most part I agree

but I think a lot of the Lincecum fear from the FO is that he won't be able to hold up. So I would imagine they would want to wait and see until more than one season plays out before passing judgement on this.

Of course, they also selected Morrow because they wanted someone to contribute right away and Lincecum was more valuable than Morrow in 2007, so yeah. whatever.

by jtopps on Feb 10, 2008 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Felix must be a sad Felix upon reading this :(

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 9, 2008 10:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Felix had a choice

Felix chose not to follow the Sens.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 10:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, he's not a loser.

Only losers follow the Sens. :p

"Kruger! My son tells me, your company shtinks!"-Frank Costanza.

by Coach Owens on Feb 9, 2008 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Which is worse

the loser, or the guy who hangs out on a website written by a loser?

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't know you had such a low opinion of me :(

by Graham on Feb 9, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I never knew Jeff was your mother.

by Robert on Feb 9, 2008 11:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a low opinion of everyone.

Except Erik Bedard. Erik Bedard is awesome.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I wonder what you'd say if Jeff like the Avalanche.

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Feb 9, 2008 7:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He would say

Jeff is greatness wrapped in mink.

Because the Avs fucking rock.

by Slica on Feb 9, 2008 9:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Awww are the Sabres not working out? :(

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 9:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

:| Well

No...neither the Lightning, my 3rd team.

Arrogance is unwarranted until you win the big one...you know that. SO close last year... ;)

by Slica on Feb 9, 2008 9:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bringing up last year will be funny never

>:(

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 9:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

:D

by ningwers on Feb 9, 2008 11:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Argh. So many emoticons!

Like daggers in my hungover brain.

You can ching ching ching cash in on this tragedy.

by John Morgan on Feb 9, 2008 11:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

IOU 1 drunk FG diary

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 11:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm holding you to that.

You can ching ching ching cash in on this tragedy.

by John Morgan on Feb 9, 2008 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry about that John

I just didn't have words to follow up this one little shred of joy in what's otherwise been a rancid cesspool of a trade.

by ningwers on Feb 9, 2008 11:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't mind me.

Hangover + OPB Membership Drive = Me surly.

You can ching ching ching cash in on this tragedy.

by John Morgan on Feb 9, 2008 12:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

So

Did you hear its pronounced "Hyoo-Ett" now, and not "Hyoo-Ay"?

like what the fuck is that.

How bout that Steve Valiquette?

Someone needs to by Rayzor a new alarm clock, too.

by PShwa on Feb 9, 2008 10:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering about that pronunciation

seems like it came out of nowhere.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 11:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

like you'd think SOMEONE would have pointed it out before two weeks ago.

He seems to be a horrendous goalie with the new pronunciation. Change it back, it sounded much cooler as "Hyoo-ay."

by PShwa on Feb 9, 2008 11:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So

The best news Bedard got this week was Heatley and Alfredsson coming back.

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Feb 9, 2008 7:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That's good news for everyone!

Except the rest of the NHL I guess.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 7:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the nearby montreal canadiens???

i don't think so. navan, where bedard lives in the off-season, is about 30 miles from scotiabank place, the home of the sens. but it's about 130 miles from the old forum. so i think the 'nearby' team is the sens.

my guess is that he's used to the u.s. media not knowing where the hell ottawa is... like most people.

cheers,
nocurling

by nocurling on Feb 9, 2008 8:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Geoff Baker wrote for the Toronto Star for years

he probably knows a thing or two about the area. And I think ~130 miles probably counts as being "nearby" when you consider that there are only 30 teams in the league.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 8:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Then Baker probably

knows that the Leafs are the laughingstock of the league. But anyways, Hockey is so much better than any other sport that I'm basically on this site to read about the mariners and write about the NHL. I just went to the sharks-preds game tonight. When Cheechoo is on, man, put him with Thornton and you can't stop 'em. 3 goals tonight.

Willie Bloomquist > Gary Bettman

by Jake In Palo Alto on Feb 9, 2008 11:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

With all due respect

if you're going to talk about a game today that featured an unstoppable line...

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 9, 2008 11:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This reminds me

I've started to follow hockey more closely. I think I need to decide on a team to root for. I already dislike the Red Wings, Stars, Hurricanes, Rangers, Ducks and Avalanche. My unofficial favorite is the Canucks because they're the closest. They seem kind of boring to me though. They're a consistent playoff team but don't really do much in the playoffs. I follow enough teams like this.

Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards the Flames (don't know why), Kings (partially for Jeff's Senators conclusion and the fact that they have a couple of prospects on the T-Birds), Sharks (don't know why) or Penguins (Crosby/Malkin). Is it better to not have a rooting interest and just follow the sport relatively impartially or does being a fan of a certain team make it more enjoyable?

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Feb 10, 2008 12:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think you definitely need a rooting interest

that makes any game in any sport far more gripping. But what you might want to do is just watch what you can until you find that you really like a particular team, and how they play.

Check out the daily highlights on NHL.com from time to time. That's not a bad place to start.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 10, 2008 1:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I watch the NHL Network's daily highlight show

That's helped. Hockey has a lot of parity.

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Feb 10, 2008 1:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get the NHL Network

so I don't know what their show is like, but what I enjoy about the highlights on NHL.com is that you get a good feel for the team announcers and the crowd environment. The noise is one of my favorite things about the sport.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 10, 2008 1:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Basically

It's highlights of good SOG, goals, fights, big hits, other important plays from one of the team's broadcasts followed by commentary on the game by the in studio hosts.

I agree with you on Jim Hughson BTW. I remembered him from EA's old NHL and Triple Play games and he's even better without the canned audio in those games.

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Feb 10, 2008 1:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs