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Good morning, everyone! I know what your’e thinking: Despite the blond hair, that’s not Anders! Well, he’s taking a few days off to move to North Carolina, and in the meantime we’re all pitching in to cover the LLinks. Hopefully this is up to your standards. Let’s get to it.
In Mariners news...
- It’s no surprise that baseball players are superstitious. It might be a surprise, however, to learn that this fear of upsetting ritual extends even to haircuts — especially for a certain regal Mariner.
- This is poignant, beautiful, and sad, all in one:
Adrian Beltre and Felix Hernandez were squawking at each other early Tuesday night, but here's why Beltre went silent after connecting for a homer in the sixth. #Rangers https://t.co/phk4bkARMM
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) August 8, 2018
- While we’re on the subject of Félix, here’s a stat about him — and about Bartolo! — that might just blow your mind. (Put another way: Bartolo was about 50 days older when Félix debuted than the King was yesterday.)
Bartolo Colon got the W and Félix Hernández took the L in last night's Rangers-Mariners game
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) August 8, 2018
When Félix made his MLB debut in 2005, Bartolo Colon was 32 years old, with over 1,300 Ks and 100 Ws https://t.co/JFPvoya8fJ pic.twitter.com/kdEzAyoiby
- Jerry Dipoto weighed in on the future of Hernández in the rotation:
#Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto on Felix:
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynMcIntyr) August 8, 2018
"There are always options, obviously presently with Felix there is an option he goes out on Sunday in Houston and makes his next start, there's an option he goes to the bullpen and tries to work out in a less impactful role..."
(cont)
Dipoto (cont):
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynMcIntyr) August 8, 2018
"These are very hard decisions to make in the worst of times and it's particularly difficult when you're dealing with an icon...the primary option - and maybe the most important - is doing the right thing for the team and giving ourselves the best chance to win."
- Crossing our fingers for Sam Tuivailala:
Sam Tuivailala will fly back to Seattle to have Achilles checked out. He’s in boot and on crutches postgame. Says he’s felt like somebody kicked him from behind when it went out during rundown.
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) August 8, 2018
- When is Ichiro content bad content? (Never.)
Here's a fun new augmented reality app... A density of all Ichiro's @mlb base hits in 3d pic.twitter.com/OlfKxfoccn
— Daren Willman (@darenw) August 8, 2018
- Next time you’re at a game in Safeco and Chris Herrmann is hitting, you might want to take cover:
This Mariners player won’t stop until he hits everyone in the beans with a baseball https://t.co/E6Tdmv7Xu6
— Grant Brisbee (@GrantBrisbee) August 8, 2018
- On a much more serious note, check out this Fangraphs article from Jay Jaffe about the only competitive playoff race in the AL.
- Thank you & a hearty congratulations to Mike Marjama, who continues to inspire far more than just the baseball world with his work to end the stigma around eating disorders. Great to see him get some national recognition, and his brave decision to retire and continue his advocacy work is beyond laudable.
I am honored to be @TheUndefeated Athlete of the Week! Thank you @Wright_One for sharing my story! One of the best in the business!! We can all be agents of change and use our platforms for a greater good. It’s my honor and privilege to give a voice to those in need! @NEDAstaff pic.twitter.com/ElAa9DaIU9
— Michael Marjama (@MMarjama) August 8, 2018
Around the league...
- It’s like bitcoin, but better! Well, except for the Mike Trout one.
Exclusive: MLBPA Partners With 'Player Tokens' For Digital Crypto-Collectibles Of MLB Players via @forbes https://t.co/qD6HHdcEP6
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) August 8, 2018
- Calligraphy and Omar Vizquel. Need I say more?
The lineup card Omar Vizquel made for the Winston-Salem Dash today is amazing in every single way. pic.twitter.com/ziqUAPt0Tx
— Scott Kornberg (@ScottKornberg) August 7, 2018
- John insisted that I inform all of you about the Colorado Rockies’ high-A affiliate in Lancaster, California. Don’t worry, you JetHawk devotees — they’re sticking around with the Rox.
Rockies extend their Player Development Contract with Lancaster through 2020! Read all about it at https://t.co/yRCJezCkHG pic.twitter.com/rVWjw2T6gq
— Lancaster JetHawks (@JetHawks) August 7, 2018
- Legitimately possible that this is the best thing that can be said of the Mets in 2018. Sorry to all my Mets fan friends out there...
This guy is incredible pic.twitter.com/mZPHeh1RiY
— phillip (@MeekPhill_) August 8, 2018
- Let’s compare Edwin Díaz to some of the best strikeout pitchers out there:
Highest success rate turning strike 2 pitch into strike 3
— Sports Info Solutions (@SportsInfo_SIS) August 8, 2018
Curveball - Charlie Morton 37%
Slider - Edwin Díaz 38%
Changeup - Cole Hamels 34%
- Perhaps it is okay to experiment with Joey Gallo, centerfielder?
When defensive opportunities have declined in CF (and elsewhere) by 20 percent over the last decade, you can experiment with Brandon Guyer in CF https://t.co/wyWKXyDCEC
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) August 8, 2018
- Despite some griping about Clayton Kershaw this season, he’s still put up a 3.10 FIP in 17 starts this season. But today’s start was surprisingly low on strikeouts...
Clayton Kershaw recorded his first strikeout after going 4 1/3 innings into his start. This is the longest he has gone into a start without a strikeout in his career. Tonight marks his 307th career start. pic.twitter.com/ExWHhwYYeD
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 9, 2018
- It’s too bad that teenage phenom Juan Soto got in the way of home plate umpire Greg Gibson yesterday. After all, we all tune into Nationals games to see Gibson work his magic...right?
Grant’s picks...
- May you all find a friend like this in your life.
- You might even find that friend at SoftbaLL on Satuday! C’mon and swing by.