Retro Mariner Sunday 3/14/10

Back again for another Retro Mariner Sunday. Today brings us a guy that wasn't with the team for many years but his look was memorable.

Two year catcher Rick Sweet played for the Mariners in 1982 and 1983. He was a home grown Mariner. Rick went to Mark Morris High School in Longview, WA and attended Gonzaga University in Spokane. He was originally drafted by the Pirates in 1974, but didn't sign with them. He was drafted again in 1975 by the Padres. He spent three years in their minor league system. He spent the entire 1978 season with the Padres, but spent the next two seasons back at AAA Hawaii. The Mets purchased his contract after the 1980 season and spent 1981 in AAA Tidewater. In 1982, he started the season with the Mets, but his contract was purchased from the Mets in May 21, 1982 after only playing in 3 games for the Mets to start the season. He immediately became the starting catcher for the M's for the next two years. His offensive numbers weren't great, but he did work well with the young pitching staff. Rick was released by the Mariners at the end of spring training in the 1984 season after the Mariners had acquired Bob Kearney from the Athletics in the off season, and the team had up and comers Orlando Mercado and Dave Valle. Rick did decide to stay with manager Del Crandall on the team as the bullpen coach for 1984. He did scouting for the Mariners in 1985 and 86. In 1987, he was given the opportunity to manage the Bellingham Mariners. That team had a young #1 draft pick named Ken Griffey, Jr. In 1988, he moved up to low A ball and managed the Wausau Timbers. After 1988, rick left the organization and went to the Astros system. For 1989, he managed the Osceola Astros in the Florida State League. In 1990, he managed the AA Colombus MudCats. They moved their AA team to the Jackson Generals for Rick to manage in 1991 and 1992. From 1993 to 1995, he managed the AAA Tucson Toros and won the PCL title in 1993. In 1996, He was the first base coach for the big league Astros. In 1997, Rick managed the AA Binghampton Mets. 1998 brought a league title for Rick and the AA Harrisburg Senators of the Montreal Expos system. He also spent 1999 managing the Senators and in 2000 moved up to the AAA Ottawa Lynx. For 2001 to 2003, he went back to his roots and managed the AAA Portland Beavers of the Padres organization. In 2004, Rick manged the AA Erie SeaWolves of the Tigers organization. From 2005 and including this year, he has been the manager of the AAA Louisville Bats of the Cincinnati Reds. I would think personally that with all that minor league managing experience that when one of these Major League managers gets fired soon, Rick should get a shot at managing in the show.