Hit or Miss??

I really can't tell which one is the real player. This guy has had a breakout in the last month. But it is definitely not the player we saw in AAA Tacoma or Seattle.

Michael Morse came to the Mariners in 2004 with Miguel Olivo from the White Sox for Freddy Garcia. While continually bouncing up and down, Morse had a hard time finding a consistent position and playing time. While originally drafted and playing as a shortstop in the minors, Mike was growing as a player. The Mariners had a possible shortstop of the future( ha ha) in Yuniesky Betancourt. Michael would start learning new positions to broaden his chances.

Michael was toiling in Tacoma when manager Daren Brown called him into his office in 2009. Mike thought he was going back up to Seattle. Nope, he had been dealt to the Nationals for Ryan Langerhans. While continuing to bounce between Washington and AAA Syracuse, Michael was starting to wonder if he was going to stick or not. The Nationals were young and still trying to make it. In May, the Nationals nearly released Mike. With the injury to Adam LaRoche, Michael has seen ample playing time and is hitting the ball well. Let's hope at 29, the prospect that has waited has arrived.

Bloggers make the best Traders

Not long ago, the Topps Series 2 cards started coming out. As I have done in the past, I begged all of you to send me any extra Mariners to me so I don't have to buy them. (...Joe) from The Sandlot was the first to help out with a card of Erik Bedard. Next came an e-mail from Anthony of Cheap Card Collecting. Anthony had been a case break, and had 5 team sets of Series 2 for the Mariners. Here's what it looks like:

 I Like the fact that most of the new guys all are in M's unis or Spring Training unis, but they decided to keep Jack Cust airbrushed. Bad idea Topps, get it right, please!

Anthony was also kind enough to send a few extra goodies that he got from the Series 2 stuff. My son has already claimed the 3 cards of Felix.

Big thanks again to Anthony and Joe for killing Series 2 so quickly. Now it's time to wait for the cards from the Update Series.

Hanging with the Stars

It seems as though all my free time has been spent coaching my son's All Star baseball team. I'm not complaining though, it has been the funnest experience. This team has gelled quickly and is playing good ball. We have also kind of had the cavalcade of former players in our midst. A couple of weeks ago in our manager's back yard we played the son of this guy:

Not only did we play against Mike Blowers' son, Mike showed up for part of the game. He also had great things to say about having a field of dreams in your backyard. Last week our team finished 2nd in our tournament. While his son was playing in a tournament for kids that were a little older, we find out that in our midst was The Bone-Jay Buhner.

After finishing 3rd in our tourney yesterday, we lost to a team coached by this former Mariner.

Dan Wilson was the first base coach for his son's Pony League All Star team. I wouldn't have probably recognized Dan at first if someone wouldn't have pointed him out.

It is great to see the former players involved in their kids sports and helping the teams. Nice work guys!

Getting his feet wet

An awful performance by the Mariners last night had a highlight. New call-up Dustin Ackley hits his first MLB home run.

It would be the only run support Felix would get. The Mariners let this game slip away 5-1. It is great to see Dustin hit a single in his very first at bat off Roy Oswalt. The first homer came off Vance Worley. While Dustin is only 2 for 8 so far, he is surviving. His defense has been good, and he will continue to improve. I'm really starting to like the look of this Mariners future.

Trade Bait

Is your favorite team in a pennant race? Do you think it would behove them to pick up a cheap lefty for the remainder of the season? I've got a deal for you...The Mariners currently have a guy that is looking good this year, is on a one year deal, and won't be here next year. Ladies and gentlemen, I offer you and your team Mr. Erik Bedard

Erik is coming off multiple surgeries, but is 4-4 in 13 starts with a 3.16 ERA,  23 walks ands 70 strikeouts in 77 innings. You need to go easy on the elbow and shoulder and not overuse him, but I think he would help a team make a push.

 Also, big congrats are in order for Dustin Ackley for getting the call to the big leagues. Dustin will get to see his first action on Friday night when the Phillies come to town. It should be a great series with the M's one game out of first behind the Rangers.  Bring your best Phillies fans!

Beg and you shall receive

Not long ago, I asked for the usual help to start making my way through the Mariners in Series 2. As of right now there is one less card needed. Thanks to ...Joe at The Sandlot, I now have my first card from Series 2. Welcome home Mr. Bedard:

I didn't have time to scan the card

Also, I have an offer that has come to me to complete this thing already. I'm going to get in contact with that awesome blogger, and I will let everyone know how that works out. If it is that simple again to knock these sets out, the blog land is an awesome place.

The train has come off the track in Seattle. We can't hit the ball or score runs to save our lives. If it wasn't for one bad 1st inning, we might have had a chance. Here is the tough luck Chuck from last night:

Doug Fister has the lowest run support in the AL this year. This poor guy pitches well, but has to be perfect or will lose because his offense doesn't help him. Let's salvage one tonight with Erik Bedard on the bump.

HELP! I need somebody

Help! Not just anybody. Help! You know I need someone, HELP! OK, enough with the Beatles lyrics. Let's talk Topps Series 2 for a minute. As most people know things happen in the east first. I know that everybody is posting about Series 2, but I haven't seen it yet way up here in the corner of the map. Now that it is out, it has come for the time again when I beg and plead with all the great bloggers to help out a Mariners fan with their extra cards from Series 2. Here is the checklist cards I will be looking for:

333 Tom Wilhelmsen

362 Doug Fister

385 Ichiro

399 Adam Moore

402 Jack Cust

403 Felix Hernandez( just need a base card, not gold)

468 Chone Figgins(just need a base card, not gold)

477 Franklin Gutierrez

483 Justin Smoak (just need 1 card, not 2)

530 Felix Hernandez (just need a base card, not gold)

589 Mariners Team Card

595 Michael Pineda

618 Josh Lueke

624 Luke French

all photos of Series 2 cards courtesy of eBay

If anyone comes across extras of these or just doesn't want them, I can use them for the Super Set. Thanks again to everyone in the blog world for the help that will come in making this happen.

Translation please

After getting no run support and Felix not being very sharp last night, The M's lost again. With the Rangers losing the last two days, we had a chance to make up ground with our two studs pitching.

thanks to WhiteSoxCards

I guess the Mariners are hoping that by finally bringing up Mike Carp, his numbers will translate in the big leagues. He is in the middle of a 22 game hitting streak, and has a .348 average with 19 HR, and 58 RBI's. I don't know if AAA numbers will adjust up in the majors but we will find out as Mike should join the team today in Chicago.

Let's hope that the M's can salvage a game in Chi-town before we jet off to the Motor City for four games with the Tigers.

Danks for nothing

What was the license on that truck last night? The M's got steamrolled by this guy:

John Danks came into last night's game at 0-8 with a 5.58 ERA. Last night he looked like Cy Young out on the bump. All we get is 7 hits and one run. Big Mike Pineda countered Danks and looked good again last night. I'm starting to think there is a good chance that Pineda could make the All Star team this season. Right now, in my mind he has a good shot at the Rookie of the Year too.

Mr. Halman had another great night last night going 3 for 3 again.

Let's hope that the Mariners can right the ship tonight behind King Felix in the Windy City.

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the big leagues Greg Halman.

The kid just goes out and goes 3 for 4 with a triple and 2 RBI's yesterday. The M's take 3 of 4 from the Rays, and go 7-3 on the home stand. Nice work by the hometown 9. Now it's off to the Windy City to take on the Pale Hose. The Mariners have won 6 series in a row and sit 2 1/2 games behind the Rangers. This team is fun again.

Down on the Farms

While the Mariners lost in close fashion yesterday, they fell 2 1/2 games behind the Rangers. When you look at the future Mariners is also a mixed bag of where the teams are this year.

AAA Tacoma Rainiers 24-33 10 GB

The Rainiers have had a rough go with guys up and down to Seattle. They are 3-7 in their last 10.

AA Jackson Generals 34-22 1 GB of Tennessee

The Generals are on a tear going 8-2 in their last 10. Many of the future of the M's in AA right now.

High A High Desert Mavericks 28-28 3 GB of Rancho Cucamonga

The Mavericks are 6-4 in their last 10. The California League is tough to judge. The Mavericks do play in thin air though.

Low A Clinton LumberKings 18-39 20 GB

This is a very young team and it looks like they will only improve over time as they move up.

Short Season Everett AquaSox

The AquaSox return to action on the 22nd of this month for short season ball.

Rookie Pulaski Mariners

Many of the young kids that will get drafted this year will most likely be in Virginia soon. They start on the 21st of June.

If any of these teams play in your area, go give the Mariners farmies some love.

Rockin and Rollin

It is starting to be fun times here in the Emerald City. Last night before the M's game, Seattle native and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready performed the National Anthem.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15512241&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_15512241
(I don't know why it won't just show the video) CLICK it, it is awesome

Then the Mariners got down to business. Jason Vargas was on his game last night. A complete game, 4 hit shutout. There was nothing the Rays could do to get to Vargas.

The offense was powered by the long ball again. Justin Smoak with his 10th homer of the year, and Adam Kennedy and Miguel Olivo going back to back. Let's just keep the Rays in town for the rest of the year and we could have a great record. Also, in a related note, Michael Saunders was sent to Tacoma and Greg Halman will get a chance back up in Seattle.

Holding Court

The Mariners were back in action last night against the Rays. I thought it would be a tight game with good pitchers going at it. Seattle make this a laugher last night by winning 8-2. The M's got to James Shields early and continued to pile on, I don't know where this offense has been all year. King Felix was on his game and mowed through the Rays. The Mariners have decided to have a special section on Mariner home games when Felix is scheduled to pitch. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the King's Court:

A special outfield section with discount tickets and a SWEET special T-shirt for those seated in the section. I would say it's safe to say "Larry Bernandez" did just fine last night.

A Serious Sidenote-- PLEASE READ

I know I've been sporadic at best this last month. I really haven't had a lot to write about.

The one thing I do want to say today is DON"T take life for granted. While at work on Monday, we had a co-worker slip off the back of a garbage truck. He struck his head on the pavement, and lost his life yesterday morning from his injuries. He was only 31 years old with a wife and a 5 year old son. Make sure that you tell those important to you that you love them. Never think that you have time to do things. Life is precious and can be gone in an instant. Take the time to live life to the fullest and enjoy all that you can.

We all feel the loss in the CleanScapes family, but we will strive to do our best in Justin's honor.

Always keep the memory

While most take the day off to relax, and some us go to a job we can't forget those that have a harder job than us. Take a moment today to remember those that have made the sacrifice for this country and our freedom to talk about cardboard and anything else we want to say. Thank a friend of family member that has served. If you seen someone in the Military today, thank them.

To the men and women out there that have and are serving this country, a BIG THANK YOU from every one us!!