Good Morning. Big news today as Hiroshi Yamauchi, majority owner of the Mariners, has died at 85. You'll see a lot of wild speculation now about what this means for the franchise going forward. People will come up with scenarios where (rich, impulsive person) buys the team and turns the Mariners into a sort of northwest Dodgers. Our desperation for better baseball will fuel dreams based on heresy and half truths. It's what we do.
But as frustrating as the Mariners' losses are and as maddening at times as it was to feel like Yamauchi didn't care he is a major influence in the team not leaving for Florida in 1992. It was his money that kept the Mariners in town and allowed for Griffey, A-Rod, Randy, Edgar, Ichiro, Felix, 1995, 2001, 2009, Safeco and every other positive memory we have as fans to happen. I've had an impossibly difficult time trying to stay attached and engaged to this team the last month. But I've always known that I love them, and that next year could be better. Hiroshi Yamauchi is why I can hope in next year. I'm very thankful for that.
Lineups
Dustin Ackley - CF
Michael Saunders - RF
Kyle Seager - 3B
Kendrys Morales - DH
Raul Ibanez - LF
Justin Smoak - 1B
Nick Franklin - 2B
Mike Zunino - C
Carlos Triunfel - SS
James Paxton - P
Austin Jackson - CF
Torii Hunter - RF
Miguel Cabrera - DH
Prince Fielder - 1B
Victor Martinez - C
Omar Infante - 2B
Matt Tuiasosopo - LF
Ramon Santiago - 3B
Jose Iglesias - SS
Doug Fister - P