Here we go boys and girls!

Got some offense going!

Best record in baseball. Feels Good!

A good solid start. Undefeated. Strickland gets his first save.

Santana homered to right, Gordon scored, Bruce scored and Encarnacion scored. Grand Slam DSwingo!

Given the venue and the opponent, it was a pretty decent start for Gonzalez, too.

Who said rebuild?

Uncle Si wrote:Who said rebuild?

Well, there still is that bullpen. Rumbelow just about blew the whole game. At least Strickland did his job.

sutz wrote:

Uncle Si wrote:Who said rebuild?

Well, there still is that bullpen. Rumbelow just about blew the whole game. At least Strickland did his job.

Im definitely kidding... this team might win 70 games.

Nice win, did anyone stay up to watch?

I can't think of Mariners opening day that I had such little excitement for. Situation is a little different because of Japan, but even if it were in Seattle, doubt many people would care.

I will follow the team, but doubt I'll waste much time watching them.

Hawk-Lock wrote:Nice win, did anyone stay up to watch?

I can't think of Mariners opening day that I had such little excitement for. Situation is a little different because of Japan, but even if it were in Seattle, doubt many people would care.

I will follow the team, but doubt I'll waste much time watching them.

Cool?

We have a Baseball team?

Hawk-Lock wrote:Nice win, did anyone stay up to watch?

I can't think of Mariners opening day that I had such little excitement for. Situation is a little different because of Japan, but even if it were in Seattle, doubt many people would care.

I will follow the team, but doubt I'll waste much time watching them.

Woke up early enough to see the last 4-5 innings. So I missed the early fireworks.

YK starts tomorrow. Will probably miss that one, too.

Tim Beckhams bat flip...

Hawk-Lock wrote:Nice win, did anyone stay up to watch?

I can't think of Mariners opening day that I had such little excitement for. Situation is a little different because of Japan, but even if it were in Seattle, doubt many people would care.

I will follow the team, but doubt I'll waste much time watching them.

You sure seem to post a lot in Mariners threads for a guy that likes to act like he's just too cool to care much about those $h!t old Mariners.

Chapow wrote:

Hawk-Lock wrote:Nice win, did anyone stay up to watch?

I can't think of Mariners opening day that I had such little excitement for. Situation is a little different because of Japan, but even if it were in Seattle, doubt many people would care.

I will follow the team, but doubt I'll waste much time watching them.

You sure seem to post a lot in Mariners threads for a guy that likes to act like he's just too cool to care much about those $h!t old Mariners.

I have supported the Mariners for many years. Used to go to a ton of games. I'm just losing patience with them. All I was trying to say was that I can't think of the last time there was such little excitement for opening day. Which is completely true. Even when we had bad years, the beginning of the season was exciting. Maybe they surprise this year, they seem to do best when they have the least expectations.

I think theres a lot to be excited for and interested in. But it wont be wins-losses.

If fans are ok with that, they may enjoy the season

Hawk-Lock wrote:

Chapow wrote:

Hawk-Lock wrote:Nice win, did anyone stay up to watch?

I can't think of Mariners opening day that I had such little excitement for. Situation is a little different because of Japan, but even if it were in Seattle, doubt many people would care.

I will follow the team, but doubt I'll waste much time watching them.

You sure seem to post a lot in Mariners threads for a guy that likes to act like he's just too cool to care much about those $h!t old Mariners.

I have supported the Mariners for many years. Used to go to a ton of games. I'm just losing patience with them. All I was trying to say was that I can't think of the last time there was such little excitement for opening day. Which is completely true. Even when we had bad years, the beginning of the season was exciting. Maybe they surprise this year, they seem to do best when they have the least expectations.

IMO, the lack of excitement for opening day was due to the circumstances surrounding the game. It's kind of hard to get fired up about a game that starts at 2:30 in the morning on a random Wednesday on a different continent when the rest of MLB is still in the midst of spring training. Even though I know it's not, it just feels like it's an exhibition game or something. I'd be willing to bet the home opener will be much different.

Uncle Si wrote:I think theres a lot to be excited for and interested in. But it wont be wins-losses.

If fans are ok with that, they may enjoy the season

I completely agree and I'm stoked for the season. In fairness though, I'm always stoked for the season regardless of whether the team is expected to be good or not.

getnasty wrote:Best record in baseball. Feels Good!

On pace for 162 wins! Wooooo!!!

Chapow wrote:

Hawk-Lock wrote:

Chapow wrote:

Hawk-Lock wrote:Nice win, did anyone stay up to watch?

I can't think of Mariners opening day that I had such little excitement for. Situation is a little different because of Japan, but even if it were in Seattle, doubt many people would care.

I will follow the team, but doubt I'll waste much time watching them.

You sure seem to post a lot in Mariners threads for a guy that likes to act like he's just too cool to care much about those $h!t old Mariners.

I have supported the Mariners for many years. Used to go to a ton of games. I'm just losing patience with them. All I was trying to say was that I can't think of the last time there was such little excitement for opening day. Which is completely true. Even when we had bad years, the beginning of the season was exciting. Maybe they surprise this year, they seem to do best when they have the least expectations.

IMO, the lack of excitement for opening day was due to the circumstances surrounding the game. It's kind of hard to get fired up about a game that starts at 2:30 in the morning on a random Wednesday on a different continent when the rest of MLB is still in the midst of spring training. Even though I know it's not, it just feels like it's an exhibition game or something. I'd be willing to bet the home opener will be much different.

I tend to agree with this. While this may be a huge opener in Japan, kind of feels like an exhibition for us.

Jazzhawk wrote:

getnasty wrote:Best record in baseball. Feels Good!

On pace for 162 wins! Wooooo!!!

There's no way they maintain that pace.

nategreat wrote:

Jazzhawk wrote:

getnasty wrote:Best record in baseball. Feels Good!

On pace for 162 wins! Wooooo!!!

There's no way they maintain that pace.

As long as they have Ichiro and Felix on the roster they've got a chance!

Kidding aside, glad to hear the game this morning went so well. As frustrated as I've been with the M's, the start of every new MLB season gets me somewhat excited.

Uncle Si wrote:I think theres a lot to be excited for and interested in. But it wont be wins-losses.

If fans are ok with that, they may enjoy the season

My only hope this year is that they are not boring to watch.
I don’t think they have the pitching to do great things, though I think they can be decent.

nategreat wrote:

Jazzhawk wrote:

getnasty wrote:Best record in baseball. Feels Good!

On pace for 162 wins! Wooooo!!!

There's no way they maintain that pace.

Negative Nancy!

I gotta admit, it was pretty awesome listening to the middle of the game at 4:30 this morning during my commute. I'm pumped for this year. I don't care what everyone is saying, this team can be really, really good. There should be a new level of excitement with the aging, lazy players, some who were malcontent punks, out the door. If Spring Training was any indication, there's a ton of young, hungry prospects waiting for their chance. It's great. If Servais and Dipoto give the Felix train a long leash, it'll be a make enough slap in the face though.

Thepeelsessions wrote:I gotta admit, it was pretty awesome listening to the middle of the game at 4:30 this morning during my commute. I'm pumped for this year. I don't care what everyone is saying, this team can be really, really good. There should be a new level of excitement with the aging, lazy players, some who were malcontent punks, out the door. If Spring Training was any indication, there's a ton of young, hungry prospects waiting for their chance. It's great. If Servais and Dipoto give the Felix train a long leash, it'll be a make enough slap in the face though.

Why not, Right?

2-0 and the Ichiro question is answered. He's retiring after this series.

sutz wrote:2-0 and the Ichiro question is answered. He's retiring after this series.

All the hand wringing for nothing, really.

For me, it was a wonderful way to celebrate Japans contributions to MLB

And... 2-0!

DoSwingo makes a nice catch at the wall to end the game. Healy is looking good at third. We will see how this rotation shakes out. The bullpen was solid this second game. The M's have won two road games. Nice.

Uncle Si wrote:

sutz wrote:2-0 and the Ichiro question is answered. He's retiring after this series.

All the hand wringing for nothing, really.

For me, it was a wonderful way to celebrate Japans contributions to MLB

And... 2-0!

Yeah, some foks don't appreciate the traditions and history of the game, not to mention respect for the fans. Just because they're in Japan doesn't mean they don't count. Love the respect YK was showing, almost in tears in the dugout. Ichiro is one of the best players in team history, I'm OK with how they handled it.

Great win. Our lineup is quite intriguing actually. We don't have a real #1 SP (or even a #2-Marco would be a 4, 3 at best on other teams) and questions remain with the pen but seeing a lot of young, hungry guys battling out there gives hope down the road a couple years.

I still maintain the Ichiro thing was a farce and a joke. He didn't deserve to be there and took away ABs from up and comers Bishop and Moore. You have to earn your way on a major league roster and watching Ichiro go 2 for 37 in the spring and 0 for 5 against Oakland was ridiculous. To contrast, Julio Franco played til he was 49 because he could still freaking hit-he earned it.

West TX Hawk wrote:Great win. Our lineup is quite intriguing actually. We don't have a real #1 SP (or even a #2-Marco would be a 4, 3 at best on other teams) and questions remain with the pen but seeing a lot of young, hungry guys battling out there gives hope down the road a couple years.

I still maintain the Ichiro thing was a farce and a joke. He didn't deserve to be there and took away ABs from up and comers Bishop and Moore. You have to earn your way on a major league roster and watching Ichiro go 2 for 37 in the spring and 0 for 5 against Oakland was ridiculous. To contrast, Julio Franco played til he was 49 because he could still freaking hit-he earned it.

Eh ichiro deserved it and it was only 2 games. Whole season? I agree.

On a side note, can we just play in tokyo the whole year?

West TX Hawk wrote:Great win. Our lineup is quite intriguing actually. We don't have a real #1 SP (or even a #2-Marco would be a 4, 3 at best on other teams) and questions remain with the pen but seeing a lot of young, hungry guys battling out there gives hope down the road a couple years.

I still maintain the Ichiro thing was a farce and a joke. He didn't deserve to be there and took away ABs from up and comers Bishop and Moore. You have to earn your way on a major league roster and watching Ichiro go 2 for 37 in the spring and 0 for 5 against Oakland was ridiculous. To contrast, Julio Franco played til he was 49 because he could still freaking hit-he earned it.

I can name a dozen players who took a whole year for their farewell tour.

He got 2 games. Played a good right field as well.

We should play in Japan more often, great start to the season.

Hawk-Lock wrote:We should play in Japan more often, great start to the season.

We're already one of the most traveled teams every year. No thanks.

BTW, I know you're kidding.

Dunn had a good outing the other day in a spring game. I am real excited about him. “I definitely think he is a starter,” Servais said.......

https://deadspin.com/the-mariners-have-chosen-the-way-of-enlightenment-over-1833498457

interesting read on Diputo's approach to the roster overhaul

A syllogism (Greek: συλλογισμός syllogismos, "conclusion, inference") is a kind of logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on two or more propositions that are asserted or assumed to be true.

This article assumes the mariners are trying a Holistic approach to baseball because they are cheap. It implies that what they are doing is laughable and uninformed. Frankly, it sounds like a yahoo click bait piece to me designed to draw on angst.

I would counter that the new FO inherited and created some difficult to move contracts. That's how teams acquire talent. Its about value and collateral in today's baseball contracts. Having done a magnificent job jettisoning those contracts; they are now continually evaluating the new pieces. There was some take back in those great moves that helped other teams as well as us. Now financial obligations are all real short term and are about to expire. Cap heaven is coming. There is no denying some real potential youth coming up the ranks.

What am I saying? The mariners are doing exactly what they said they would do.

Nice response Atradees. I was trying to dream one up myself.

From the article, one might assume that the M's are eschewing such things as training baseball skills and basics while going all 'new age foo-foo' on the players. Servais and the FO seem to have some interesting ideas in how to build camaraderie and togetherness within the team, but that doesn't mean the young kids are not getting real coaching and honing their skills. Their basic idea was to get a good group of young guys and let them grow up together instead of rotating in a new bunch of high priced FA's every year hoping for something to work out.

TBH, we have two 100 win teams in our division. Sucks, but that's what we have to deal with. We're probably better off doing this now, in the hope that the 'Stros and A's are past their peaks as the M's come into theirs. Trying to add talent to an aging 89 win team in a effort to squeeze 15 more wins out of it is probably a losing proposition and certainly not financially viable.

I wasn't that impressed with the article, either. Much like fantasy football has ruined a lot of commentary in that sport, this article has a decided Rotisserie sound to it. Thinking a team can trade it's way into the WS may work in Rotisserie. In the real world, it doesn't work like that.

Its Deadspin so theres always a level of humor assumed. Taking it literally would miss the point. And honestly, you both kind of did (take it literally)

The holistic approach is really just a way to reflect on the changes Seattle is undergoing in contrast to the direction other teams around them are. Referencing how theyve shed veteran payroll and introduced some methods to create a superstar instead of purchasing one is, again, more of a means to an end. The assumption is not holism would compete with millions of dollars. Ofcourse not. The contrast is the joke. The punchline is Harper and Trouts salaries.

Its contrasting the massive contracts and extensions baseball just went through. Its sarcastically using the idea yoga and diet can supplant a quarter billion dollar salaries. If you didnt get the joke, the last paragraph explains it.

I thought it funny and witty.. which is the point

Ummm. You guys are awesome.

Atradees wrote:Ummm. You guys are awesome.

Sweet talker...


Also. Im in favor of the Ms direction.

USS Mariner breakdown of the West rivals in 2021.. the year the Ms are expected to be a contender.

http://www.ussmariner.com/2019/03/12/cactus-league-is-it-time-to-worry/

First place, for a full week. Noice

Anyone else going to the opener on Thursday? Can't wait, and it looks like the weather is cooperating.

SoulfishHawk wrote:First place, for a full week. Noice

Anyone else going to the opener on Thursday? Can't wait, and it looks like the weather is cooperating.

I’m basking in the first place glory while it lasts!

I cant believe mariners took 3 of 4 vs boston. Lol

Shanegotyou11 wrote:I cant believe mariners took 3 of 4 vs boston. Lol

????????

Sports Hernia wrote:

Shanegotyou11 wrote:I cant believe mariners took 3 of 4 vs boston. Lol

????????

All sarcasm. Lol my bad.

Looks like they are in mid-season form....getting shelled by the Padres the other night.

hawkfan68 wrote:Looks like they are in mid-season form....getting shelled by the Padres the other night.

mid-season preseason form?

Shanegotyou11 wrote:

Sports Hernia wrote:

Shanegotyou11 wrote:I cant believe mariners took 3 of 4 vs boston. Lol

????????

All sarcasm. Lol my bad.

Went right over my head, LOL.

I’d be happy with a split vs Boston.