:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63248941/1130594235.jpg.0.jpg)
Recently, I’ve been asking people to imagine the following scenario. You are the closer for a professional baseball team. You are choosing the song you come out of the bullpen to. What song do you choose? Let us know. Also, enjoy these links.
In Mariners News...
- Wade LeBlanc is an international celebrity.
Wade LeBlanc returns to the spot where he became a viral sensation. Sorry about the camera work while walking through the airport #Mariners pic.twitter.com/2hgma7ttsz
— Jen Mueller (@JenTalksSports) March 15, 2019
- Brendan Gawlowski writes about Felix Hernandez’ struggles and other notes from Spring Training ($).
- Leroy Stanton, the first left fielder in Mariners history, recently passed.
We send our deepest condolences to the friends and loved ones of former Mariner Leroy Stanton. Mr. Stanton was the original Opening Day right fielder in 1977.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 15, 2019
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/L4v5FuXayc
- Catch up on Mariners prospects in training camp.
- Yusei Kikuchi will make his first MLB start in Japan.
Yusei Kikuchi will make his first Major League start next week pitching for the #Mariners in his home country of Japan. It will be a unique start to an MLB career that Kikuchi has been gearing up for since childhood.
— 710 ESPN Seattle (@710ESPNSeattle) March 15, 2019
Story by @shannondrayer.https://t.co/YEvxh4DpON
Around the league...
- Eloy Jimenez was reportedly close to signing a $100 million extension; however, Ken Rosenthal believes that’s unrealistic.
The report of the #WhiteSox and Eloy being close on 8-year, $100M deal is both inaccurate and unrealistic. Scott Kingery signed largest contract for a player who had yet to appear in majors - 6 yrs, $24M with 3 club options. Only other such deal: Jonathan Singleton (5 yrs, $10M).
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 15, 2019
- Eloy Jimenez will also start this year in the minors, even after posting a 179 wRC+ in AAA last year. Collin McHugh gave his thoughts on Jimenez not making the White Sox MLB roster.
Wishing Eloy the best of luck as he goes to AAA to work on...defense? baserunning? creating excess value for a $1.5 billion franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in a decade? bunting? https://t.co/qJsFq6FpFC
— Collin McHugh (@Collin_McHugh) March 14, 2019
- Luis Severino will miss the entire month of April.
Luis Severino will not be ready to pitch in @mlb games until at least May 1, Brian Cashman said.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 15, 2019
- Former Mariner Michael Pineda is looking strong this spring.
A hefty Michael Pineda is changing speeds nicely and throwing his fastball at 92-94 in T1 for the #Twins. He really doees look huge, with a rather large um...lower half.
— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) March 15, 2019
He's throwing all his pitches with ease.
- Justin Upton and Zack Cozart are on the road to recovery.
Justin Upton (Knee tendonitis) is in left field doing fly ball drills. He's also running the bases today. Zack Cozart (calf strain) also took some groundballs today and will run on the treadmill.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) March 13, 2019
- Russell Wilson reported to training camp.
Our 2B/QB has reported to camp. pic.twitter.com/K4gwELZMho
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 15, 2019
- Another quarterback showed off his swing yesterday.
Baker Mayfield takes his cuts during #Brewers batting practice today. pic.twitter.com/J259ykFjof
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 15, 2019
- Bryce Harper had an injury scare.
Bryce Harper gets drilled by a 96 mph fastball on his right ankle and he drops to the ground, rolling in pain. He limps off the field. #Phillies
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 15, 2019
- Minor leaguers talk about the struggles that come with their low wages ($).
- As far as Noah Syndergaard is concerned, there is only one Thor in MLB.
A+ Player
— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) March 15, 2019
F- Tweethttps://t.co/sazYxrhAMx
- Bryce Harper is the only MLB player that was recognized as one of the 100 most famous athletes in the world.
Bryce Harper, who had the 78th highest WAR in MLB in 2018, was the only baseball player to make ESPN’s list of the 100 most famous athletes in the world, coming in at 99.
— Nick Francona (@NickFrancona) March 15, 2019
It’s hard to market your players when you’re historically adversarial to them. https://t.co/Ykyj669tEW
- The three-batter minimum will be tested in minor league baseball this year.
A wrinkle to MLB’s new rules I hadn’t heard before today: The 3-batter minimum will be tested in the minor leagues this year. Since it doesn’t take effect until 2020, it can still be tweaked if unintended consequences emerge.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 15, 2019
- Jeff Samardzija wants to eliminate extra innings.
Jeff Samardzija said one rule he’d been in favor of MLB adopting (it’s not in consideration) is eliminating extra innings. He likes a point system like the Premier League and said it would make the 9th inning more exciting.
— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) March 15, 2019
- The Rainiers are honoring LatinX heritage.
Luke’s Pick...
- Braden Bishop’s brother flashed his power and speed all at once.
Devils tack on one in the seventh thanks to @HunterBishop9.@sammmm009 back to the mound in the 8th. #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/0pLNKXEP01
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 16, 2019