The Official Seattle Mariners Thread
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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Ichiro Suzuki(notes) took Gio Gonzalez’s(notes) first offering for a ball. He drilled the second pitch down the right field line for a double and his 2,000th career hit.
The Mariners’ outfielder, who accumulated 1,278 hits in Japan, became the second fastest to 2,000 hits, recording it in his 1,402 major-league game. Al Simmons did it in game 1,390.
Even before the ball fell in front of the Seattle bullpen, fans stood to cheer the Japanese baseball icon, who led off a game with a hit for the 436th time.
“The game is international and even though there were players from Japan before him, he’s the one you think about first,” A’s manager Bob Geren said following Saturday night’s win over the Mariners. “He’s big over there and he’s made our game bigger here. There’s a big turnout wherever he goes and that’s good for the game.”
Suzuki has 128 hits in Oakland, his favorite road park. His 227 hits against the A’s is his second most behind the 239 he’s earned against the Texas Rangers.
Suzuki, the 259th player to reach the milestone, needs five hits for 200 on the season, which would break the record he shares with Willie Keeler for consecutive seasons (9) with as many hits.
“He’s really done a lot for the game,” A’s second baseman Mark Ellis(notes) said. “He has a big following not just from Japanese fans, but from American fans too. They love Ichiro and love his style. He’s definitely fun to watch.”
I have never bought a Mariners jersey, but I might have to get an Ichiro jersey.
The Mariners’ outfielder, who accumulated 1,278 hits in Japan, became the second fastest to 2,000 hits, recording it in his 1,402 major-league game. Al Simmons did it in game 1,390.
Even before the ball fell in front of the Seattle bullpen, fans stood to cheer the Japanese baseball icon, who led off a game with a hit for the 436th time.
“The game is international and even though there were players from Japan before him, he’s the one you think about first,” A’s manager Bob Geren said following Saturday night’s win over the Mariners. “He’s big over there and he’s made our game bigger here. There’s a big turnout wherever he goes and that’s good for the game.”
Suzuki has 128 hits in Oakland, his favorite road park. His 227 hits against the A’s is his second most behind the 239 he’s earned against the Texas Rangers.
Suzuki, the 259th player to reach the milestone, needs five hits for 200 on the season, which would break the record he shares with Willie Keeler for consecutive seasons (9) with as many hits.
“He’s really done a lot for the game,” A’s second baseman Mark Ellis(notes) said. “He has a big following not just from Japanese fans, but from American fans too. They love Ichiro and love his style. He’s definitely fun to watch.”
I have never bought a Mariners jersey, but I might have to get an Ichiro jersey.
TOKYO (AP)—The high praise for Ichiro Suzuki(notes) came from none other than Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh.
“Sometimes we forget how difficult it is to accomplish these things amid a baseball schedule which is much tougher in the U.S. than in Japan,” Oh said. “It’s hard to find the words to describe what he has accomplished.”
Oh was among the baseball luminaries, players and fans to hail Suzuki on Monday after the Seattle Mariners outfielder became the first player in major league history with at least 200 hits in nine straight seasons.
Suzuki set the record with an infield single in the second inning of Sunday’s second game against the Texas Rangers. In his second at-bat, he beat out a roller to shortstop Elvis Andrus(notes) to break a tie with Willie Keeler, who had at least 200 hits for eight consecutive seasons (1894-1901).
The mass circulation newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun printed a special edition with the headline “Ichiro breaks major league record.”
It was just six months ago that the 35-year-old Suzuki delivered the winning hit to help Japan defend its title at the World Baseball Classic with a 5-3 win over South Korea. His record-breaking hit against the Rangers added to his status as Japan’s greatest athlete.
“Ichiro gives everyone in Japan something to feel proud about,” office worker Masahiro Koga said. “He is the ultimate professional.”
Former Yomiuri Giants great Shigeo Nagashima said Suzuki’s accomplishments will resonate with youngsters.
“I hope he keeps aiming to break more records to inspire young players in Japan,” he said.
Suzuki left Japan in 2001 after winning seven straight batting titles for the Orix BlueWave between 1994 and 2000. In April, he collected his 3,086th career hit to break Isao Harimoto’s hits record for Japanese players.
He missed eight games in August because of a calf injury and sat out eight games to begin this season following a bleeding ulcer.
“As a pitcher, it’s hard for me to imagine what he’s gone through,” said Rakuten Eagles pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, a teammate of Suzuki’s on the WBC team. “Two hundred hits in nine seasons is an incredible number and I hope he shoots for 10.”
“Sometimes we forget how difficult it is to accomplish these things amid a baseball schedule which is much tougher in the U.S. than in Japan,” Oh said. “It’s hard to find the words to describe what he has accomplished.”
Oh was among the baseball luminaries, players and fans to hail Suzuki on Monday after the Seattle Mariners outfielder became the first player in major league history with at least 200 hits in nine straight seasons.
Suzuki set the record with an infield single in the second inning of Sunday’s second game against the Texas Rangers. In his second at-bat, he beat out a roller to shortstop Elvis Andrus(notes) to break a tie with Willie Keeler, who had at least 200 hits for eight consecutive seasons (1894-1901).
The mass circulation newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun printed a special edition with the headline “Ichiro breaks major league record.”
It was just six months ago that the 35-year-old Suzuki delivered the winning hit to help Japan defend its title at the World Baseball Classic with a 5-3 win over South Korea. His record-breaking hit against the Rangers added to his status as Japan’s greatest athlete.
“Ichiro gives everyone in Japan something to feel proud about,” office worker Masahiro Koga said. “He is the ultimate professional.”
Former Yomiuri Giants great Shigeo Nagashima said Suzuki’s accomplishments will resonate with youngsters.
“I hope he keeps aiming to break more records to inspire young players in Japan,” he said.
Suzuki left Japan in 2001 after winning seven straight batting titles for the Orix BlueWave between 1994 and 2000. In April, he collected his 3,086th career hit to break Isao Harimoto’s hits record for Japanese players.
He missed eight games in August because of a calf injury and sat out eight games to begin this season following a bleeding ulcer.
“As a pitcher, it’s hard for me to imagine what he’s gone through,” said Rakuten Eagles pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, a teammate of Suzuki’s on the WBC team. “Two hundred hits in nine seasons is an incredible number and I hope he shoots for 10.”
TORONTO (AP)—Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki(notes) was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays for arguing a called third strike in the fifth inning.
It’s the first ejection of the season for the Mariners and the first of Suzuki’s career, including his years in Japan.
Suzuki used his bat to draw a line on the outer edge of the plate, indicating that David Purcey’s(notes) strike three pitch was outside. Home plate umpire Brian Runge immediately ejected Suzuki, who argued briefly before being escorted off the field by manager Don Wakamatsu.
Michael Saunders(notes) replaced Suzuki in the lineup and played left, with Bill Hall(notes) moving to right.
Suzuki went 0-3, dropping his average to .353. He’s second to Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer(notes) in the AL batting race.
It’s the first ejection of the season for the Mariners and the first of Suzuki’s career, including his years in Japan.
Suzuki used his bat to draw a line on the outer edge of the plate, indicating that David Purcey’s(notes) strike three pitch was outside. Home plate umpire Brian Runge immediately ejected Suzuki, who argued briefly before being escorted off the field by manager Don Wakamatsu.
Michael Saunders(notes) replaced Suzuki in the lineup and played left, with Bill Hall(notes) moving to right.
Suzuki went 0-3, dropping his average to .353. He’s second to Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer(notes) in the AL batting race.
Seattle Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. is carried around the field by Ryan Langerhans, left, and Matt Tuiasosopo, right, after the Mariners' 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers in a baseball game in Seattle on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. Griffey has said he would be interested in playing another season if the team wants him.
SEATTLE -- Catcher Kenji Johjima has opted out of the final two years of his contract with the Seattle Mariners with the intent of continuing his playing career in Japan.
The team had signed the 33-year-old catcher to a $24 million, three-year extension that began last year. The Mariners said the contract included a clause that allowed Johjima to opt out of the final two years of his deal.
"After lots of very deep thought and deliberation, I have decided to return home to resume my career in Japan," Johjima said in a statement. "I have had a wonderful experience competing at the Major League level. The last four years have been extraordinary, with great teammates and great coaches. I will always be indebted to the Mariners organization for giving me the opportunity to follow my dream. This was a very difficult decision, both professionally and personally. I feel now is the time to go home, while I still can perform at a very high level."
When he wasn't injured during the 2009 season, Johjima lost playing time to rookie Rob Johnson. The Mariners favored Johnson's handling of the pitching staff over Johjima's offense.
The Mariners are also high on young catcher Adam Moore, who got some playing time in September after being called up from the minors.
Seattle signed Johjima in 2005 after he'd played 11 seasons with Fukuoka in the Japanese Pacific League. He was the first Japanese-born catcher to play in the major leagues.
Johjima hit .268 in his four seasons with Seattle, including 84 doubles, 48 home runs and 198 RBIs in 462 games. Johjima holds the American League record for hits by a rookie catcher (147 in 2006). His 18 homers in his first season tied the Mariners club mark for homers by a catcher.
But he struggled at the plate following his first season. Johjima slumped to .227 as part of Seattle's 101-loss collapse in 2008, and hit just .247 in 71 games in 2009.
"We respect his decision to return home. Joh has been a terrific teammate and a great competitor," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "His work ethic, production and desire to win made him a positive role model."
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4577197
The team had signed the 33-year-old catcher to a $24 million, three-year extension that began last year. The Mariners said the contract included a clause that allowed Johjima to opt out of the final two years of his deal.
"After lots of very deep thought and deliberation, I have decided to return home to resume my career in Japan," Johjima said in a statement. "I have had a wonderful experience competing at the Major League level. The last four years have been extraordinary, with great teammates and great coaches. I will always be indebted to the Mariners organization for giving me the opportunity to follow my dream. This was a very difficult decision, both professionally and personally. I feel now is the time to go home, while I still can perform at a very high level."
When he wasn't injured during the 2009 season, Johjima lost playing time to rookie Rob Johnson. The Mariners favored Johnson's handling of the pitching staff over Johjima's offense.
The Mariners are also high on young catcher Adam Moore, who got some playing time in September after being called up from the minors.
Seattle signed Johjima in 2005 after he'd played 11 seasons with Fukuoka in the Japanese Pacific League. He was the first Japanese-born catcher to play in the major leagues.
Johjima hit .268 in his four seasons with Seattle, including 84 doubles, 48 home runs and 198 RBIs in 462 games. Johjima holds the American League record for hits by a rookie catcher (147 in 2006). His 18 homers in his first season tied the Mariners club mark for homers by a catcher.
But he struggled at the plate following his first season. Johjima slumped to .227 as part of Seattle's 101-loss collapse in 2008, and hit just .247 in 71 games in 2009.
"We respect his decision to return home. Joh has been a terrific teammate and a great competitor," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "His work ethic, production and desire to win made him a positive role model."
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4577197
SEATTLE (AP)—Chone Figgins(notes) is moving up the coast in the AL West. And Seattle has a dynamic replacement for Adrian Beltre(notes) at third base—even before Beltre is officially gone.
The Mariners and Figgins have reached a preliminary agreement on a $36 million, four-year contract pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday night.
The contract for the former Los Angeles Angels sparkplug includes a vesting option for 2014 that could make the deal worth $45 million over five years.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Mariners had yet to announce the deal, which was first reported to be close by Foxsports.com.
“Nothing to comment on,” Mariners spokesman Tim Hevly wrote in an e-mail to the AP on Friday night.
The 31-year-old Figgins is coming off one of his best seasons, leading the American League with 101 walks and posting a career-high on-base percentage of .395. The All-Star speedster batted .298 with five homers and 54 RBIs as Los Angeles won its third consecutive division title.
He is a career .291 hitter who has averaged 48 stolen bases during his eight seasons in the major leagues, all with the Angels.
Figgins gives Seattle a formidable pair at the top of its batting order with nine-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki(notes) and a vastly different offense compared to Beltre at third. Figgins had a career-best nine homers and 62 RBIs in 2006; Beltre had hit at least 25 homers in three consecutive seasons before this year.
Beltre has until Monday to accept Seattle’s offer of salary arbitration, but it’s unlikely he’ll do it. He wants to test the free-agent market.
If Beltre declines the offer and signs with another team, Seattle will receive a compensatory pick in next June’s draft. It will be around 15 picks after the No. 18 overall choice the Mariners will surrender to sign Figgins, a Type-A free agent.
Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik didn’t sound worried Thursday about possibly losing a first-round pick in order to gain a prime free agent.
“If the right Type-A free agent came up and you knew it would help your club for the next several years … we all know lot of draft picks fall flat on their face,” Zduriencik said.
AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
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damn, good pick-up for the M's
The Mariners and Figgins have reached a preliminary agreement on a $36 million, four-year contract pending a physical, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday night.
The contract for the former Los Angeles Angels sparkplug includes a vesting option for 2014 that could make the deal worth $45 million over five years.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Mariners had yet to announce the deal, which was first reported to be close by Foxsports.com.
“Nothing to comment on,” Mariners spokesman Tim Hevly wrote in an e-mail to the AP on Friday night.
The 31-year-old Figgins is coming off one of his best seasons, leading the American League with 101 walks and posting a career-high on-base percentage of .395. The All-Star speedster batted .298 with five homers and 54 RBIs as Los Angeles won its third consecutive division title.
He is a career .291 hitter who has averaged 48 stolen bases during his eight seasons in the major leagues, all with the Angels.
Figgins gives Seattle a formidable pair at the top of its batting order with nine-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki(notes) and a vastly different offense compared to Beltre at third. Figgins had a career-best nine homers and 62 RBIs in 2006; Beltre had hit at least 25 homers in three consecutive seasons before this year.
Beltre has until Monday to accept Seattle’s offer of salary arbitration, but it’s unlikely he’ll do it. He wants to test the free-agent market.
If Beltre declines the offer and signs with another team, Seattle will receive a compensatory pick in next June’s draft. It will be around 15 picks after the No. 18 overall choice the Mariners will surrender to sign Figgins, a Type-A free agent.
Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik didn’t sound worried Thursday about possibly losing a first-round pick in order to gain a prime free agent.
“If the right Type-A free agent came up and you knew it would help your club for the next several years … we all know lot of draft picks fall flat on their face,” Zduriencik said.
AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
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damn, good pick-up for the M's
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times has heard that free agent outfielder Jason Bay will "stand on his head" to play for the Mariners.
Bay is from British Columbia, the Canadian province just north of Seattle, and would like to get closer to home. The M's have already expressed interest despite his lacking defense, so talks have the potential to run smoothly. That said, the Red Sox still have interest in bringing him back and could probably outbid the Mariners if they truly want to retain the outfielder. Dec. 7 - 12:37 am et
Bay is from British Columbia, the Canadian province just north of Seattle, and would like to get closer to home. The M's have already expressed interest despite his lacking defense, so talks have the potential to run smoothly. That said, the Red Sox still have interest in bringing him back and could probably outbid the Mariners if they truly want to retain the outfielder. Dec. 7 - 12:37 am et
SEATTLE (AP)—Mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley(notes) was traded to the Seattle Mariners from the Chicago Cubs on Friday for expensive and underperforming pitcher Carlos Silva(notes).
Chicago has been wanting to deal Bradley since the Cubs suspended him for the final two weeks of last season, shortly after he criticized the atmosphere surrounding a team that hasn’t won a World Series since 1908.
FILE - These are 2009 file photos showing Carlos Silva(notes) and Milton Bradley(notes). A baseball official with knowledge of the trade says the Mariners have acquired mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley from the Chicago Cubs for expensive and underperforming pitcher Carlos Silva. The one-for-one deal was struck Friday morning, Dec. 18, 2009, the official said, speaking on condition anonymity because the trade had not been announced.
FILE - These are 2009 file pho…
AP - Dec 18, 2:02 pm EST
* MLB Gallery
Seattle, which has never even appeared in a World Series, didn’t expect to find a suitor for Silva. He has done little except lose and get hurt in the two seasons since he signed a $48 million, four-year contract.
Silva won five games in two years with the Mariners: $4.8 million per victory.
Second-year Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, who inherited Silva’s contract from predecessor Bill Bavasi, has been seeking more offense following his acquisition of ace Cliff Lee(notes) in a trade with Philadelphia and the signing All-Star infielder Chone Figgins(notes).
Seattle’s GM characterized Bradley’s fire as a passion to win.
The 31-year-old Bradley was an All-Star in 2008 as a designated hitter with Texas. He led the AL in on-base percentage while batting a career high-tying .321 during a relatively event-free year. That was followed by a tumultuous season with the Cubs.
Seattle believes clubhouse leader Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) and newcomer Figgins will be able to rein in Bradley’s “passion” in a way that is productive. The Mariners repeatedly have proclaimed they want players of high character with good attitudes, citing Figgins as the latest example on Tuesday.
They also wanted another bat.
“We have been looking to add offense to our club and in Milton have a player who has always gotten on base and has the ability to drive in runs,” Zduriencik said in a statement. “He is passionate about winning, as we are, and we believe he’ll be a good fit here.”
The 30-year-old Silva appeared in eight games for Seattle this year while missing most of the season with a bad pitching shoulder. He was a 1-3 with an 8.60 ERA.
Silva was 5-18 with a 6.81 ERA in two seasons with Seattle after leaving Minnesota.
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have fun with that, even though Silva sucks, i fucking hate bradley
Chicago has been wanting to deal Bradley since the Cubs suspended him for the final two weeks of last season, shortly after he criticized the atmosphere surrounding a team that hasn’t won a World Series since 1908.
FILE - These are 2009 file photos showing Carlos Silva(notes) and Milton Bradley(notes). A baseball official with knowledge of the trade says the Mariners have acquired mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley from the Chicago Cubs for expensive and underperforming pitcher Carlos Silva. The one-for-one deal was struck Friday morning, Dec. 18, 2009, the official said, speaking on condition anonymity because the trade had not been announced.
FILE - These are 2009 file pho…
AP - Dec 18, 2:02 pm EST
* MLB Gallery
Seattle, which has never even appeared in a World Series, didn’t expect to find a suitor for Silva. He has done little except lose and get hurt in the two seasons since he signed a $48 million, four-year contract.
Silva won five games in two years with the Mariners: $4.8 million per victory.
Second-year Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, who inherited Silva’s contract from predecessor Bill Bavasi, has been seeking more offense following his acquisition of ace Cliff Lee(notes) in a trade with Philadelphia and the signing All-Star infielder Chone Figgins(notes).
Seattle’s GM characterized Bradley’s fire as a passion to win.
The 31-year-old Bradley was an All-Star in 2008 as a designated hitter with Texas. He led the AL in on-base percentage while batting a career high-tying .321 during a relatively event-free year. That was followed by a tumultuous season with the Cubs.
Seattle believes clubhouse leader Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) and newcomer Figgins will be able to rein in Bradley’s “passion” in a way that is productive. The Mariners repeatedly have proclaimed they want players of high character with good attitudes, citing Figgins as the latest example on Tuesday.
They also wanted another bat.
“We have been looking to add offense to our club and in Milton have a player who has always gotten on base and has the ability to drive in runs,” Zduriencik said in a statement. “He is passionate about winning, as we are, and we believe he’ll be a good fit here.”
The 30-year-old Silva appeared in eight games for Seattle this year while missing most of the season with a bad pitching shoulder. He was a 1-3 with an 8.60 ERA.
Silva was 5-18 with a 6.81 ERA in two seasons with Seattle after leaving Minnesota.
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have fun with that, even though Silva sucks, i fucking hate bradley