Retro Mariner Sunday 12/11/11

It would be five days before the beginning of the 1985 season. The Mariners were wrapping up Spring Training in Tempe, AZ. When deciding on backup catchers for the aging Bob Kearney, the Mariners decided to swap the light hitting 22 year old Orlando Mercado to the Texas Rangers. In return the Mariners would receive 23 year old Donnie Scott who spent most of the 1984 with the Rangers. His bat had a little more pop, and he might be a little better behind the plate. It seems as though he had done a fairly good job for the M's behind the dish in 1985 and would push for more time in 1986.

Although Donnie had done fairly well in the 74 games he was in behind the plate, there was another kid coming through the system at catcher. Near the end of the 1986 Spring Training the Mariners decided to release Donnie in favor of a young Dave Valle. Scott would spend 1986 at AAA Rochester in the Orioles system. From 1987 to 1989, Donnie was part of the Brewers system spending tome at both AA El Paso, and AAA Denver. Donnie even pitched 1 2/3 innings for the Zephyrs in 1987. Scott would move to the Reds organization in 1990 playing at AAA Nashville. After spending 1991 again at AAA, Donnie would get a September call to the Reds. Deciding he had had enough time in the minors, Scott retired after the 1991 season.

Donnie would move on to manage the Billings Mustangs to three straight league titles from 1992 to 1994 and would have the best record with the team in 1995. 1996 would see Donnie manage the A Charleston AlleyCats in the Reds system. 1997 would bring a return to Billings for a year. For two years in 1998 and 1999 he would spend time as the Minor League fielding coordinator. He would spend some time on the bench in '99 with the Gulf Coast Reds. 2000 was another year as the fielding coordinator. From 2001 through the 2003 seasons, Donnie would be the manager of the A Dayton Dragons.

The year in 2004 would bring a change, becoming the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast Reds. In 2005 Donnie was able to work with young catchers as the Minor catching coordinator. In 2006 it was time to manage the Sarasota Reds. For the 2007 and 2008 seasons it Donnie's path back to Dayton to manage the Dragons again. In 2011, Donnie would be hired to manage the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods League. He would lead the Bombers to the title of the summer wood bat college league.

While Donnie never got to spend the time that might have been deserved in the Majors, he has done many good things in the minors. He has had a hand in helping develop young players in to Major League players. Thank you for your short time in Seattle Donnie. Big thanks also to Coot Veal for reminding me of Donnie Scott in his post a few months ago.

Retro Mariner Sunday 7/31/11

In honor of today being the non-waiver Trade Deadline, I thought we should look at a guy who knows about being traded. Spending part of 1985, and all of 1986 and 1987 with the Mariners was "The Nomad" Mike Morgan. Mike was traded six times in his career and was signed as a free agent six times also.

His first stop would be with the Oakland A's in 1978 and 1979.

For 1980 and '81 the minor leagues would be the place to be. In 1982, it was time to be a Yankee.

For 1983, it was on to Toronto, and 1984 was spent in the minors with the Blue Jays.

Mike would spend the next three years in Seattle as a Mariner.

1988 would mean a trip back east to the Baltimore Orioles.

From 1989 to 1991, it was back out west to the LA Dodgers this time.

Travel again would come in 1992 until mid 1995, going to the Midwest to pitch for the Cubs.

In 1995 and '96 Cardinals fans probably didn't like Mike as a Cub, but were glad to have him as a Cardinal.

courtesy of millercards.com

Late in '96 and all of 1997 would see a stop with the Cincinnati Reds.

Why not play for two teams in 1998? The Twins used Mike, and so would Cubs for a second time.

Why not move again in 1999? I know, let's go to the Rangers this time.

From 2000 through 2002, Mike would play for his 12th and final team in the Arizona Diamondbacks. All that moving around was rewarded with a World Series ring in 2001.

Mike would retire to Ogden, UT and would start a company called World Champion Outfitters. Mike does private guides for hunters in Utah. Mike also does private pitching instruction at Ultimate Sports in Lindon, UT. He also spends time as a volunteer coach at Pleasant Grove High School in Pleasant Grove, UT.

Retro Mariner Sunday 7/10/11

For the first time in a long time an old favorite is back. The retro Mariner Sunday profile. Would you know who got the last hit in the Old Comiskey Park in 1990?

Do you know who the catcher was for Randy Johnson's no- hitter in 1990?

He played for the Yankees, White Sox, and Mariners all in 1986.

He spent the 1992 season with the Reds, and the Mets.

He drafted in the 12th round in 1978 by the Twins,

And again in the 3rd round in 1981 by the Yankees.

He was a player/coach in the minors in 1994 and 1995.

He was an assistant coach at Rutgers in 1997, and since 1998 he has been the head coach of Princeton University's baseball program.

Former Mariner catcher Scott Bradley.

Old faces in new places #2

I was bored yesterday and decided to look at other rosters and NRI lists. I found former Mariners all over the place. I can't find any pics of them on the web yet. One former Mariner that was well loved here, that I did find pics of is this guy:

Former closer and All-Star JJ Putz. JJ left Seattle after the 2008 season in the first big blockbuster deal for Jack Zduriencik. By shipping JJ to the Mets, we in return netted Franklin Gutierrez. Unfortunately for JJ the time was not good in the Big Apple. JJ lost a chance to be the closer for the Mets when K-Rod came to New York also. After becoming a free agent after 2009, JJ signed with the White Sox. JJ was the set up guy for closer Bobby Jenks. The White Sox decided to let JJ go after last season, allowing JJ to sign on with the Diamondbacks. I would assume by looking at their roster, new manager Kirk Gibson will be firmly planting JJ into the closer's role. Good luck to JJ in the desert, and D-Backs fans I hope you like AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" because that's JJ's intro song.

Old faces in new places

I was recently reading the Seattle Times online. One our better sports reporters is doing his yearly trip around the Grapefruit League. While in Phillies camp in Clearwater, he found an old familiar face.

That would be former Mariner Ryan Feierabend. It is amazing how injuries can take two guys down different paths. Ryan is now 25, the same age Felix will be in April. Ryan has had many injury issues including having Tommy John surgery and missing the 2009 season. We had seen Ryan at times in the 2006, 2007, and 2008 seasons but he could never quite stick with the big team. Ryan was only able to have a 2-11 record and a 7.22 in 25 games, starting 19 of those for the Mariners. After having a 5-8 year in A, AA, AAA ball last year the Mariners let Ryan go. Former Mariner exec Benny Looper told Ryan to talk to the Phils.

While I don't see Ryan challenging the Big 4 in the rotation, I hope that he can stay healthy and get back on track with the Phillies. Good luck Ryan.

Retro Mariner Sunday 10/31/10

Today we go back in time again to meet a former Mariner. Our player today was a fringe player before coming to the Mariners, but became an everyday player. After attending Joliet HS and Murray State University, Jack Perconte was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 16th round of the 1976 draft. While working his way through the minors, Jack would see time with the club in 1980 and 1981. For his time spent on the roster in 1981, he would earn a World Series ring. After the 1981 season, the Dodgers would trade Jack to the Cleveland Indians.

After two seasons in Cleveland, Jack would be traded again after the 1983 season. At the request of manager Del Crandall, Seattle would trade 2B Tony Bernazard to Cleveland for Perconte, and DH Gorman Thomas. Jack would be the everyday second baseman and a steady influence on a young infield. Near the beginning of the 1986 season, after spring training, Jack was released by the Mariners in favor of a younger player named Harold Reynolds to play 2B. Jack would spend some time with the White Sox in 1986. In 1987, Jack would sign again with the Dodgers, but spend the year in AAA Albuquerque. After that season, Jack would retire back home to Naperville, IL.

He would start his own training facility, called Jack Perconte Sports Academy. Over the next 19 years, Jack would train and coach over 60,000 baseball and softball players on hitting and fielding. In 2009, Jack published two books. The making of a hitter, and also Raising an athlete.

Random old school

A old school Mariner that is a bit obscure to most. He spent a short time in Seattle. He also spent some time with other teams, but has spent most of his time pitching and coaching with the Mexico City Red Devils.

Retro Mariner Sunday 8/8/10

Today we look back at a Mariner that has been with the team a few times. After graduating from Western High School in Anaheim, CA in 1974, John Moses attended Golden West JC in Huntington Beach from 1975-1977. He then transferred to the University of Arizona in Tucson. During the 1980 season, he captained a team that included Craig Lefferts, and Terry Francona to an NCAA title. In June of 1980, John was drafted in the 16th round by the Seattle Mariners.

 After spending 1980 in Bellingham, John moved up to the A Wassau Timbers in 1981. John would move on to AA Lynn Sailors in 1982, he would be called up the big team and make his debut on August 23rd. On September 3, 1982 John got his first start in Left Field in Boston. 1983 would see him split time between AAA Salt Lake City Gulls and the Mariners. John would start at AA Chattanooga, move up to Slat Lake and eventually the Mariners again in 1984. For the 1985 and 1986 seasons, John was on the up and down shuttle from AAA Calgary Cannons to the Mariners. He would spend the entire 1987 season on the Mariners roster. After the season, he was released by the Mariners. In January of 1988 he signed with Cleveland, but was released at the end of spring training. He would sign with the Minnesota Twins and spend three good years with the Twins. Unfortunately 1991 was a roller coaster year. He would sign with the Red Sox for the spring of 1991. After being released at the end of camp, John signed on with the Rockies. While at AAA Colorado Springs, he would be let go in July. He would sign and spend four days in the Pirates organization in AAA Buffalo. The day he was released by the Pirates, he would sign on with the Tigers. John would get some playing time in the big leagues with the Tigers. John would come back home to the Mariners for his final season in 1992.

In 1994, John was hired by the Mariners as an administrative coach. From 1994 through 1998 as a coach, John was in charge of being a left handed batting practice pitcher, a bunting coach, and working as a base running and outfield coach under manager Lou Piniella. John was named as an advance scout for the Mariners in 1999. John would take over the duties as the first base coach from 2000 until after the 2003 season under Lou, and Bob Melvin. After being retired in 2004, John started the year as the hitting coach for the Las Vegas 51's in the Dodgers organization. When Jerry Narron was named the new manager of the Cincinnati Reds on June 20, 2005 John was named to be the bench coach for the Reds. John would move to the first base coach's box for the 2006 season. In 2007, John would come home to Seattle once again to pitch BP and be the first base coach for manager Mike Hargrove. John made his way back to the 51's to be the hitting coach in Las Vegas in 2008. When the Dodgers moved their AAA affiliation back to Albuquerque, John moved with the team. When Tim Wallach as the new manager of the Isotopes, he retained John as the hitting coach. He has spent the 2009 and the current 2010 season in Albuquerque working with the Isotopes hitters, preparing them for the Dodgers big league club.

Retro Mariner Sunday 8/1/10

Hey everyone! I know it's Tuesday and I'm late on the Sunday thing. This will be a very short version. Today we look back at former Mariner Paul Abbott.

Paul had his best years with the Mariners. He pitched for them from 1998-2002. Before coming to the Mariners, he had seen time with the Twins, and Indians. During the magical run of 2001, Paul went 17-4 for the team. After leaving the Mariners, Paul did time with the Royals, Phillies, and Devil Rays. In 2005, Paul pitched for both the Fullerton Flyers, and the San Diego Surf Dawgs in the Golden League.

Paul is now an assistant coach at Fullerton Junior College. In 2009, he also became the pitching coach for the Orange County Flyers of the Golden League under manager Phil Nevin. After Nevin accepted a managing position in the Tigers organization this year, Paul was named to manage the Flyers in 2010. The Flyers currently are 33-27 this year.

Retro Mariner Sunday 7/4/10

It's Sunday, that means it time to back in Mariners history. Today is a national holiday here in the USA. Our player today is in the hall of fame in another country. His name is a thing of legend in the American pastime. Today's Mariner was only with the team for two years, and had his best hitting season in Seattle. If you know of the Mendoza line, then you know Mario Mendoza.

After growing up in Chihuahua, Mexico, Mario would be signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1970. He would play rookie ball for the GCL Pirates and would hit .263 and be outstanding defensively. While playing for the Monroe Pirates in 1971, his average would slide to .234. During the spring training years, Mario would often miss dinner to listen and try to learn from the great Roberto Clemente. His average would continue to fall in 1972 with the Salem Pirates, going down to .221. His defense was outstanding, being involved in 79 double plays that year. His year of 1973 with the AA Sherbrooke Pirates was a bi-polar year. While he would raise his average to .268 with 8 home runs and 30 stolen bases, he would have 227 putouts, but also 35 errors. This would be the high mark for averages in his career. He would make the Eastern League All-Star team as the shortstop.

For the next three years from 1974-1976, Mario would spend most of his time with the Pirates, but would also spend time in those seasons with the AAA Charleston Charlies. He would first appear in a game on April 26, 1974 as a pinch runner for the great Willie Stargell. He would finally get his first start on May 15, 1974 At Three Rivers Stadium against the Chicago Cubs. He would get his first hit the next day on the 16th. Mario would get the start in game three of the 1974 NLCS against the Dodgers. Mario would also get the game winning hit on Opening Day of the 1976 season, in the 11th inning off Tug McGraw of the Phillies. While he would only have two years(1974, 1978) with the Pirates that he would hit over .200, his defensive was solid and split time with Frank Tavares at shortstop. Mario would  miss the opportunity to play on the 1979 World Series team, since the Pirates traded him to Seattle after the 1978 season. He would come to the Mariners with Odell Jones, and Rafael Vasquez in exchange for Enrique Romo, Rick Jones, and Tommy McMillan.

Mario would become the everyday starting shortstop for the Mariners, making a great double play combo  with second baseman Julio Cruz. While his average would only be .198 in 1979, he would have a career year at .245 in 1980. During his down year in 1979, it is believed the origins the "Mendoza Line," would come to be. It is believed that teammate Tom Paciorek coined the phrase, because in the Sunday papers of old, they would list hitters and pitchers stats. The hitters would be listed from highest average to lowest. Mario's name was usually the last name on the list every Sunday. The phrase would gain popularity in 1980, when George Brett was chasing a .400 season and in an interview with Chris Berman of ESPN, he said every Sunday he checks the paper to see who is above the Mendoza Line.

After the 1980 season, Mario would become part of a massive 11 player deal. Mario would be trade to the Texas Rangers along with Willie Horton, Leon Roberts, Larry Cox, and Rick Honeycutt in exchange for Steve Finch, Brian Allard, Jerry Don Gleaton, Ken Clay, Rick Auerbach, and Richie Zisk. He would play the strike shortened 1981 season with the Rangers. While being used hardly at all in 1982, the Rangers would release Mario on June 7th of 1982. He would spend the rest of the 1982 season with the Mexico City Red Devils of the Mexican League. In 1983, he would receive an invite from the Pirates to spring training. While failing to make the team, he would continue on to be a player/coach with the AAA Hawaii Islanders for the 1983 season. 1984 would see Mario go back home to Mexico to be a player/manager with the Monclova Steelers. In 1985, he would play for the Rieleros de Aguascalientes. While Mario would miss the explosive 1986 season, he would return to play for Monclova in 1987 and hit .318! Mario would move on to the Charros de Jalisco in 1988. His final two years as a player would come in 1989 and 1990 with the Sultanes de Monterrey.

After taking a year off in 1991, Mario would return to baseball.With the advise of Bill Bavasi, the California Angels would hire Mario to manage the class A Palm Springs Angels. They would make the playoffs in his first year, but slipped far below .500 in his second year of 1993. The Angels would move Mario to AA in 1994, having him become the manager of the Midland Angels of the Texas League. In 1995, Mario would take the Angels to the league finals. After a very poor showing by Midland in 1996, Mario was moved back down. In 1997, he would manage the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Midwest League. From 1998 to 2000, Mario became the manager of the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League. During the 2000 season, Mario managed his son Mario Jr. Mario would also be inducted into the Mexican Hall of Fame in 2000, he would have the nickname of "manos de seda," or "hands of silk." He would take the 2001 season off, and return to manage the Shreveport Swamp Dragons in the San Fransisco Giants organization.

Starting in 2003, Mario would become a manager in the Mexican Leagues. He would only last 29 games with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos in 2003. He would move to manage the Tigres de Angelopolis in 2004. On May 9th of 2005, Mario would replace Julian Yan as manager of the Olmecas de Tabasco. He would stay on with the Olmecas in 2006. Mario would move again in 2007, to manage the Piratas de Campache. The next year, he would travel again to manage the Pericos de Puebla. In 2009, Mario was named to mange the Potros de Tijuana in the Golden Baseball League. Due to the H1N1 scare, the team suspended operations before being able to play in 2009. Mario was hired to manage the Acereros de Monclova in 2010. He was fired by the team in late April. After being fired by the Steelers, he was hired to be a scout in Mexico for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He also managed Hermosillo, Ciudad Obregón, Guasave, Mexicali in the Mexican Pacific League, which is a winter league in western Mexico.

Retro Mariner Sunday 6/27/10

We look again at a former Mariners player. Today's guy didn't spend a lot of time with the team, but was a big part of the first playoff team and was traded for one our best past pitchers. Today, we look at former outfielder Darren Bragg. Darren grew up and went to high school at Taft HS in Watertown, CT. After graduation, he would attend Georgia Tech and play as a member of the Yellow Jackets baseball team. In his senior year of the 1991 season, he would be teammates with future Mariner prospect and Red Sox captain Jason Varitek who was a freshman. Darren would be drafted by the Mariners in the 22nd round of the 1991 draft.

Darren would spend 1991 and 1992 with the Peninsula Pilots in high A ball. He would move up to the AA Jacksonville Suns in 1993. The 1994 season would see Darren start the season with Mariners. He would get his first start April 12, 1994 as the DH against the Minnesota Twins. He would go 1 for 4 in the game. Unfortunately at the end of April, Darren would spend the rest of the year with the Tacoma Rainiers. Starting in 1995, Darren would spend the first half of the season with the Mariners. At the all-star break, he would spend the next month and a half back in Tacoma. Darren would come back up in September, in time for the playoff push. He would be on the roster for all of the 1996 season, until he would be traded to the Boston Red Sox for Jamie Moyer. Darren would become the regular center fielder for the Sox in 1996 and 1997. He would play on a consistent basis in right and center field in 1998.

After the end of the 1998 season, the Red Sox let Darren go, and he would sign and spend 1999 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Darren would again move in 2000, this time to the Colorado Rockies. He would see his time end with the Rockies in late July. In early 2001, Darren would sign with the New York Mets. He would start the season with the Norfolk Tides and come to the Mets in early May. The Mets released Darren on June 12th, and he would stay in the city, signing on with the Yankees. He would only spend two weeks with the big club, spending the rest of the season with the AAA Columbus Clippers. Darren would re-sign with the Mets before the 2002 season, but would be released before the beginning of the season. He would sign with the Atlanta Braves the same day.

Darren would start the season with the Richmond Braves. In the end of April, he would make it back to the majors, staying on with the Braves through the 2003 season. 2004 would see Darren sign again with the Yankees, playing again with the Clippers. After being released by the Yankees organization on July 2nd, Darren would sign on with the San Diego Padres for two weeks. It would take about two weeks for Darren to find a new team in the Cincinnati Reds. After a week and a half with the AAA Louisville Bats, Darren would return, this time with the Reds. Darren would spend his last season as a player with the Nashua Pride of the Atlantic League in 2005.

Upon retiring, in 2006 Darren would team up with former MLB pitcher and teammate from the Nashua Pride Brian Looney. Together, they would start The Hit Club in Thomaston, CT. It is a baseball training facility for young players. In the 2007 and 2008 seasons, Darren would also spend his time as the hitting coach for the single A Dayton Dragons of the Cincinnati Reds organization. Since 2009, Darren has devoted his full time to being an instructor at the Hit Club.