Mariners holding their 1-2 starters back a bit

Larry Larue | February 28, 2010

Felix Hernandez has been asked if he’s all right so many times this spring that when a reporter approached him in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse today, he didn’t even wait for a question.
“I’m fine,” he said.
The ace of the staff, the projected opening day starter and the man who worked 239 innings last season, the [...]

On a rainy day, a few camp issues

Larry Larue | February 28, 2010

Yes, it's raining again in Peoria, which is going to cause problems with a full-squad workout, but nothing the Seattle Mariners won't resolve.
As the team heads into March, there are issues to be resolved that weren't as obvious two weeks ago:

Can Jose Lopez play third base well enough to free Chone Figgins to play third? [...]

Wak pitches BP - and the fans chase homers

Larry Larue | February 27, 2010

Beyond the autoraph sessions, the most popular part of Fan Fest in Peoria is when the Seattle Mariners take batting practice - and manager Don Wakamatsu made it all the more impressive.
What did Wakamatsu do? He served up thigh-level, batting-practice heat, and Ichiro Suzuki, Ken Griffey Jr. and Milton Bradley put on a clinic on [...]

Set your alarm for Mariners popularity

Larry Larue | February 27, 2010

It's Fan Fest today in Peoria Stadium, with the Mariners and Padres splitting time in ballpark workouts - and fans are taking it a little too seriously.
Seattle players hit the stadium about 9 a.m. and will sign autographs, then work out. At 6:30 a.m., there was a line of more than 40 people waiting to [...]

Dog days of spring aren't always boring

Larry Larue | February 26, 2010

Lots of new drills in camp today, with infielders and pitchers working on bunt plays, pickoffs and rundowns - and quite a few fans watching through chain link fences.
And of course, there's the off-the-field entertainment: Infants decked out in Seattle Mariners gear, old geezers wearing Mariners t-shirts from the '80s, lots of kids hoping for [...]

The Bone comes into camp - as a salesman

Larry Larue | February 26, 2010

Jay Buhner will work with Seattle Mariners outfielders in a few weeks, but today was here to open the door for a Federal Way company trying to break into the bat market.
Representing the Baden company and their new ax-handled bat - approved by Major League Baseball - the man known as 'The Bone'  was soon [...]

Mr. Ackley isn't ready, but he's not far off

Larry Larue | February 26, 2010

 
Dustin Ackley knows he isn't fighting for a job on the Seattle Mariners opening day roster -  he's still trying to figure out just exactly how this second-base gig works.
“I’m playing a new position for the first time and there’s a lot I’m learning involved,” Ackley said Thursday. “I’m trying to learn how my teammates [...]

That first-to-third run? Everyone follow Junior

Larry Larue | February 25, 2010

New conditioning drill after morning stretch, with everyone - pitchers, catchers, position players - told to line up along the first base line, then run hard from first base to third base.
Mike Sweeney stepped forward to lead the charge but was called back by Ken Griffey Jr., who then lit out for third base, setting [...]

Finding the language of the young a challenge

Larry Larue | February 25, 2010

Every spring there are 'babies' in camp - the kids who've risen through the ranks quickly, whose talent is as obvious as the fact that they can't grow whiskers.
And dealing with them is a challenge for everyone, from managers and coaches to the media. How do you ask a 19-year-old catcher, for instance, about his [...]

Here's more evidence: Pitchers are strange

Larry Larue | February 24, 2010

It happened so quickly, hardly anyone saw it.
Minutes before the Seattle Mariners stretched Wedneseday, reliever Mark Lowe was on all fours, lifting his legs behind him, getting loose. Teammate Shawn Kelley bent down to grab one of Lowe’s feet – just as Lowe kicked out.
Kelley got a spike in the chin, stayed on his feet, [...]

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