Coming soon??

Signed to a minor league deal, and soon to report to AAA Tacoma--

Wily Mo Pena is now in the Mariners organization. I'm not sure what to think on this one. I do know that BP at Cheney Stadium will be a sight to see when Wily Mo steps up to swing.

It will be interesting to see what develops out of this move.

Don't follow me

If you like order and direction this may not be your post today. First, let's start with the debacle at Safeco last night. It looked like the Everett AquaSox were playing the Indians last night, not the Mariners. Come on guys, you lose 12-1 in your home opener? Sad way to play last night. Also last night, the Mariners re-introduced the "green" alternate jersey. I'm sorry, but it's more of an electric blue to me. Here's the new one:

And here is a pic of them back in 1995 looking much more teal to me:

Speaking of good looking uniforms, I like the fact that the Angels wore their older looks for the home opener. In honor of their 50th year, I think they should wear these all year.

Also a big congratulations goes out to a great team guy. Chipper Jones got his 2500th hit in the Braves home opener last night. Great accomplishment for a great guy named Larry.

A big sigh of relief I'm sure is being breathed in Tampa Bay. It only took a week in the season, but the Rays have rid themselves of Manny. He abruptly retires when there's a chance he gets popped a second time for 'roids. I think it is good for the game that these guys get weeded out and we back to playing the game the right way. Bye bye Manny, don't come back with your lame act.

Nice job by the Red Sox to get off the losing pile with a win against the Yankees. Lord knows the NY fans would have continued to pound you if you lost again.

Good luck to the Wolverines today. The Michigan hockey team will go for the Championship today against Minnesota-Duluth.

I don't get to watch much college hockey since it's never on TV, but I will watch the Frozen Four and root for my team if they are in it. GO BLUE!!

Finally, good luck to my son's baseball team today. We might actually get a game in today. Only two games played and five rain outs. Let's win a game and play hard today boys. GO RAINIERS!!

Cheney Stadium

I said the other night I would try to get some pictures of Tacoma's stadium. Here is what I was able to do with a camera phone.

The scoreboard

A look at the left field wall

The main grandstands, nothing fancy until next year

The field of play

All in all, it was a fun experience. Good luck to the Rainiers in the PCL Playoffs!

How could I say no...

As I posted last night, my son and I got a chance to go to the AAA Tacoma Rainiers game last night. Tonight's game is the last at Cheney Stadium as we have known it. After tonight it will start being gutted and have about $30 million worth of upgrades. Not bad for a stadium that is 50 years old.

Anyways, because my wife got the tickets for free, I told myself I wouldn't spend any money last night. WRONG!! As we walked by the little team store the sign in the window said CLEARANCE 30% OFF all merchandise. How could I not look for some cards? I was able to pick up the 2008, 2009, and 2010 team sets. Before the game, my son stood by the dugout and got some autographs, including guys like Ryan Rowland-Smith, Justin Smoak, and Dustin Ackley, way too cool!! While reading the program last night, I found in there that if the Rainiers make the playoffs, the Mariners have made Safeco Field available the first round dates. How cool is that? Alright, pictures of cards:

Quite a few guys that have made the majors...

Even more that have made it, and some that haven't

Not too often that you see the coaches get their own cards

Wow, the trainer, play by play guy, and the mascot

Why give the mascot one card when he can have two??

Alot of last year's call ups...

I seen a lot of these names in Seattle

All these and a checklist too!!

I've seen a few too many of all these guys this year

I do have to say that they do have good photos

At least we found a temporary manager down in Tacoma

I guess everybody loves the reindeer mascot, 2 cards again this year

In the end, a fun night even though they lost. There is something cool about minor league baseball in a small park.

Going to the Minors

Tonight my son and I are taking a trip down to Tacoma to take in a little AAA baseball. Should be a decent night. Hope to get in some pictures. Here's to minor league ball...