Mr. Wilson, Mr. Snell,
Hi! Welcome to Seattle. My name is Jeff Sullivan, lead author of Mariners blog LookoutLanding.com. I think I speak for all of us fans when I say I'm excited to have you guys join the team. Bringing in a shortstop and an arm of your respective calibers greatly improves the roster both this year and beyond, and it is our hope that you are both able to be a part of the next Mariner team that makes it to the playoffs. I am confident that you will each prove to be valuable additions to the ballclub.
Now then, on to the main purpose of this letter. Upon learning that you had been traded, you may have thought you were going to a team with a calm, mild-mannered fanbase. You will shortly learn that this couldn't be further from the truth. Though there are swaths of people who only come out for the garlic fries and the hydro races (you'll see), a great number of us are impossibly critical and difficult to please. We are a group that takes pleasure in voicing its disapproval, and though many of your new teammates will plead ignorance on the matter, they've all heard the talk. While we do not represent the majority of Mariners fans, if we don't like you, you will hear about it.
That said, it is possible to get on our good side, and so for your benefit I shall include a handy rubric.
For Jack:
For Ian:
Heed those bullet points and everything should be peaches. Best of luck to you both, and here's to several years of amicable coexistence. Once again, welcome. We're thrilled to have you.
Sincerely,
Jeff
PS also please save our season
23 recs | 154 comments
For whatever reason this is one of my favorite posts ever.
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
Without a doubt.
Bravo Jeff, this is pure gold.
Sec 108 - July 30, 2009
I absolutely agree with you, AC.
It was wonderful up until bow tie, and after that I was putty in its hands.
royalcurve - July 30, 2009
That signature looks like a stroke victim's
Matthew - July 30, 2009
It's neater than my handwritten signature
Jeff Sullivan - July 30, 2009
That's remarkable!
royalcurve - July 30, 2009
Eh, it's also much, much neater than mine.
People often assume I’m recovering from some sort of accident.
marc w - July 30, 2009
My mom says I have the handwriting of a doctor.
She runs a doctor’s office, she should know…
Too bad I don’t have the paycheck of one…
PositivePaul - July 30, 2009
I just put a smiley face on the back of my credit cards.
That’s allowed right
HHZ - July 30, 2009
Sometimes a batter's swing is called a stroke.
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
You know what else is called a stroke?
vivaelpujols - July 30, 2009
Golf swing.
seattlesundevil - July 30, 2009
I think I may have heat stroke.
msb - July 30, 2009
Also,
Jack Wilson + Mike Sweeney + Ken Griffey Jr. = Super clubhouse chemistry = Playoffs!!
Fin - July 30, 2009
And Ian Snell gives someone that Griffey can hang out with.
Fin - July 30, 2009
Is he our first black starting pitcher...
Since Baldwin?
OceanBird - July 30, 2009
I'm pretty sure he's Puerto Rican.
Does that count as black?
I Lick Squirrels - July 30, 2009
His stepdad is Puerto Rican.
Somehow that landed him on their WBC team
Mariner John - July 30, 2009
That makes little sense, but there you go.
Please disregard my above comment then.
I Lick Squirrels - July 30, 2009
Here you go
“His parents split while he was young, and he claims to have spoken with his natural father once, by phone. His mother raised him, and it was in her honor that, while a prospect in the Pirates’ system, he changed his name from Ian Oquendo — the father’s last name
- to Ian Snell. He fell in love with Angelica Davila, now his wife, and accepted her father, Juan Davila, a Puerto Rican national, as his own father, always calling him “Dad.”"- Post Gazettemsb - July 30, 2009
crap. sorry about the lines there.
msb - July 30, 2009
But wait!
Rosenthal with an update!
“Pirates right-hander Ian Snell is African-American. He does not speak Spanish. Yet, when he started for Puerto Rico on Monday night, few things in the World Baseball Classic seemed more right.
Snell, 27, is representing Puerto Rico to honor Juan Davila, who raised him in Delaware from the time he was 2, living with and later marrying the pitcher’s mother.
He spoke with Davila, whom he refers to as “my dad” but actually is his stepfather. He spoke with his wife, whom he previously had honored by taking her last name, Oquendo, from 2001 to ’03.
“My wife couldn’t believe it,” Snell says. "My dad was like, ‘Yeah, right.’ He was like, ’You’re playing (around), right?’ I said, ’I’m not playing, I’m serious.’
“He’s been with my mother for 25 years. He took me to every baseball camp, signed me up for everything, did everything for me. He accepted me as his own.”
msb - July 30, 2009
So you can claim nationality of adoptive parents? That just seems kind of... odd.
Kermit. - July 30, 2009
Mike Piazza could be on the Italian team - that seems more odd to me.
Decatur - July 30, 2009
Because he has an Italian last name?
He was born in the U.S. right? Either way the whole thing is kind of goofy.
Kermit. - July 30, 2009
No, his birth father was Puerto Rican as well
but that’s not the guy he views as his real dad. It just so happens Davila is also Puerto Rican….
marc w - July 30, 2009
Apparently his birth father was not Puerto Rican-- just his wife & stepdad.
msb - July 30, 2009
Good lord proving the provenance of Snell is annoying.
Kermit. - July 30, 2009
His dad was black, right?
Ian Snell’s first press conference:
Reporter: so, what are you?
Snell: Um, I’m a pitcher.
Reporter:..
Snell: For the Mariners.
Reporter: No, I know, I mean, what ARE you?
Snell: Um…
Reporter: Hmmm…I mean, where did your parents come from?
Snell: America.
Reporter: But you played for Puerto Rico.
Snell: Yes.
Reporter: So you’re a Latino?
Snell: No.
Reporter: So are you white?
Snell: No.
Reporter: So you’re Native American.
Snell: No. I was raised by a Puerto Rican step-dad.
Reporter: So, you’re Puerto Rican.
Snell: No.
Reporter: So are you African-American.
Snell: No.
Reporter: So what are you?
Snell: I’m black. I thought people knew this already.
Decatur - July 30, 2009
It's already starting
Jeff Sullivan - July 30, 2009
I am starting to really love Mike Sweeney and I don't quite understand it.
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
I mean, I know that clubhouse chemistry shouldn't affect play.
But if anything, he really does seem to bring a friendly environment amongst the team.
Fin - July 30, 2009
Just ask Kirby Arnold!
“DH Mike Sweeney, while enthused at getting Wilson, couldn’t help but feel badly for Cedeno, who was taking the trade hard. "There’s a personal side and there’s a professional side. The personal side is that it hurts to look into the teary eyes of Ronny Cedeno as he leaves. "
msb - July 30, 2009
I know!
Jeff Sullivan - July 30, 2009
There are so many reasons that I should hate him and yet...
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
DO SOMETHING ANNOYING
Jeff Sullivan - July 30, 2009
I wonder if he hands out copies of the Watchtower in the clubhouse
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
Pfft.
Faith & Family Magazine.
msb - July 30, 2009
Fucking hilarious!
Sec 108 - July 30, 2009
I think he annoyed Griffey here.
Fin - July 30, 2009
Griff is bit sensitive about his man boobs.
Big Jared - July 30, 2009
I can hate him enough for everybody
Poochie - July 30, 2009
Thank goodness for you!
royalcurve - July 30, 2009
He can't!
royalcurve - July 30, 2009
I can't help but like him
He’s such a fucking great guy!!
gregrabble - July 30, 2009
I scoffed at this during spring training.
Wak kept talking about what an ‘adder’ Sweeney was. Somehow I too have come around. He has some strange but potent white magic.
Big Jared - July 30, 2009
Gah...he's...just...so...damn...likeable...
I was thinking…can we have him retire after this year but make up a position that pay him full-time to just hang around? Would anyone have a problem with this?
SethGrandpa - July 30, 2009
Maybe sign him to a one-year deal at the league minimum and then put him on the DL for the entire season?
I Lick Squirrels - July 30, 2009
I am totally all for that.
We’ve got to keep him around, bench coach, mascot, 1st base coach, team hugger. I don’t care, just don’t bat cleanup anymore.
Heydude - July 30, 2009
I think he and Griffey need to be signed to deals as on-field advisors.
You know, keep them around like coaches, but not take up roster space.
Robert Lintott - July 30, 2009
Steve Hecht needs an assistant.
msb - July 30, 2009
3rd base coach of the future, anyone?
Spoomeister - July 30, 2009
If I were ever an MLB player and traded, I would want to be traded to a team with Mike Sweeney.
I realize he is no longer a good baseball player, but my goodness he’d get rid of all of the awkwardness of joining a group of people you didn’t know.
abender20 - July 30, 2009
You guys are late to the Mike Sweeney love bandwagon.
Matthew - July 30, 2009
Royals fans have been loving him for years.
Jed MC - July 30, 2009
I'm not. I've just been quiet about it.
royalcurve - July 30, 2009
I don't think those introductions could've been any whiter.
Fin - July 30, 2009
Amazing
OlSalty - July 30, 2009
Too bad we can't bring them back as coaches next season
Because they really do make the chemistry great. Hopefully some of these players will continue to keep the clubhouse fun next season.
OceanBird - July 30, 2009
They could continue winning
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
I think you're on to something.
Maybe not coaches or players, but how about Captains of Clubhouse Chemistry? Griffey will be paid to walk around and crack wise, pull those clubhouse pranks, and smile alot. Sweeney official team hugger. Sweeney’s hugs look really nice. I’d say worth 1 million dollars per season with incentive bonuses based on hugs.
Groundbreaking stuff… Could easily push us over the top and get us into the playoffs next season.
Sundevil78 - July 30, 2009
"Sweeney's hugs look really nice"
At first, that sounded just amazingly dumb. And then I watched. And now I want one of those hugs. You’re right, they do look nice.
Robert Lintott - July 30, 2009
Now Jack Wilson and Chris Shelton can have ugly contests.
Mariner John - July 30, 2009
Sweeney: Brothers don't shake hands. Brothers gotta hug!
njpozner - July 30, 2009
Langerhans looks left out.
MFAN - July 30, 2009
Wow
Sweeney’s real quick on the draw with the brohug
Bearskin Rugburn - July 30, 2009
This whole thing is amazing.
It looks like Jack Wilson couldn’t figure out who to meet first, so he just walks up to Sweeney and says “Hey man, how’s about a shake?” and Sweeney’s all like “Only a shake? Can’t I hold you a while?” and then after they’re done Sweeney all thumbs to the left and says “Okay, now do him… but do it.. sexy…”
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 30, 2009
I feel like I could hide in a Branyan hug and be protected from a nuclear explosion.
Teej - July 30, 2009
Whereas a Sweeney hug would protect me from mean kids on the playground.
Different kinds of comfortable.
Teej - July 30, 2009
Also, Satan
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
You couldn't be more accurate.
royalcurve - July 30, 2009
Langerhans so wants a Sweeny hug
Kirsten Schlewitz - July 30, 2009
Langerhans is one of the funniest things about the first gif.
Me? No? OK.
Teej - July 30, 2009
He looked like he was about to do an elbow bump to welcome Wilson
Kirsten Schlewitz - July 30, 2009
I can't stop watching this gif.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 30, 2009
Tears are coming down my face
HHZ - July 30, 2009
Now he just needs a tickle
HHZ - July 30, 2009
Ken Griffey came back just because of the Hydro Races
And they shall inspire these two men to play their hearts out, even though yellow NEVER wins.
OceanBird - July 30, 2009
NO KIDDING!
Yellow never DOES win, does it?
YELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…
…
…
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW!!!!
PositivePaul - July 30, 2009
Yellow has won the last 3 times I've been to the game.
Zwakamatsu - July 30, 2009
This post gets me thinking about Seattle fan favorites and villians.
It is certainly not all performance related. We love Gary Payton and never really got into Shaun Alexander.
We gave Griffey plaques and standing o’s when he returned, cheered Randy and in between boo’s, threw everything within our vicinity at A-Rod.
I do not disagree with these reactions, except maybe Randy, but I certainly think they are curious. My conclusion is that Seattle fans want heart, effort and sincerity.
Rich Langford - July 30, 2009
Griffey blows, Shaun Alexander pretty much gave the remainder of his career for the Seahawks, Gary was a personality unlike any other, Randy is the best pitcher of his generation and A-Rod makes retarded people angry.;
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
What's your point?
Rich Langford - July 30, 2009
My point is that I am a Seattle fan and I disagree with the vast majority of your conclusions.
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
Um, I was talking about the reaction of the majority.
Rich Langford - July 30, 2009
The majority is retarded,
Who cares.
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
It's interesting.
Seattle fans, as a whole, have their own little quirks. And as the post pointed out there is passion, and it is a unique northwest blend.
Rich Langford - July 30, 2009
I think your opinions need a little more vehemence if you ever expect them to stand up.
Kermit. - July 30, 2009
no politics
hairofthedawg - July 30, 2009
That's not politics.
abender20 - July 30, 2009
Tyranny of the majority?
it’s straight out of the Federalist Papers
Bearskin Rugburn - July 30, 2009
Context is everything.
thebyron - July 30, 2009
If you didn't absolutely love Shaun Alexander, in spite of his crazies, you missed the boat.
abender20 - July 30, 2009
I liked Alexander-until he started being terrible and complaining about the fans and stuff.
He’s a jerk.
Coach Owens - July 30, 2009
I half heartedly liked Alexander because I always assumed he was going to go ARod on us and leave after 05
Oops
Robert - July 30, 2009
Hopefully Snell looks forward to pitching better for the Mariners than he did a few ago.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ANA/ANA200706230.shtml
44FAN - July 30, 2009
Small Sample Size.
Fin - July 30, 2009
I like the 13 swinging strikes.
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 30, 2009
Well fuck, I hate this trade now.
MFAN - July 30, 2009
Jack Wilson went 1 for 3 in that game, .333 AVG, Angels are screwed ,
MFAN - July 30, 2009
We'll trade you for Napoli
he’s batting .000
Bearskin Rugburn - July 30, 2009
He went 6 innings?
Sweet.
ThundaPC - July 30, 2009
Oh, no wonder.
A 5-run inning featuring one-XBH.
ThundaPC - July 30, 2009
Jeff,
Please don’t put all this pressure on me. And don’t say you will hate me. You hate me?
Sincerely,
Ian Oquendo Davila-Snell
lemonverbena - July 30, 2009
You neglect to mention what will cause us to make homoerotic comments towards them.
I Lick Squirrels - July 30, 2009
If anyone makes a homoerotic comment about Wilson they should be banned.
SethGrandpa - July 30, 2009
What are you talking about?
He has one of the most beautiful asymmetrical faces ever.
CapSea - July 30, 2009
A face only Picasso's mother could love...
PositivePaul - July 30, 2009
Seriously, though, what the hell.
This became This at some point. I’m trying to find out if he played in the Rays minor league system at some point in the early 2000s.
CapSea - July 30, 2009
Playing in Pittsburg gives you zombie-face
It’s a proven scientific fact!
sooper jeenyus - July 30, 2009
No wonder Snell wanted out!
I Lick Squirrels - July 30, 2009
Maybe he's got scurvy.
CapSea - July 30, 2009
I think if he was smiling in that first picture it wouldn't look so different. He's like a weird mix of Steve Buscemi, Steve-O
Zwakamatsu - July 30, 2009
and a zombie.
Zwakamatsu - July 30, 2009
The first one was shot and retouched by professionals.
The second one looks like it was taken by a drunk person with a disposable camera.
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
Ian's middle name is Dante.
I hope he’s awesome for that reason alone.
CapSea - July 30, 2009
This is one of the best things I have ever read
vivaelpujols - July 30, 2009
I would give anything for a bro-grab from Sweeney and Branyan.
ANYTHING!
Slow Country - July 30, 2009
Is it actually possible to refer to Jack Wilson as adorable?
Coach Owens - July 30, 2009
Excellent post!
Good read. Made me happy.
Attractive Nuisance - July 30, 2009
Mission accomplished!
Bearskin Rugburn - July 30, 2009
You forgot one bullet point for both of them
Make funny commercials for the team and you’ll have fans for life regardless of what happens on the field.
pdb - July 30, 2009
Not true.
The Vidro/Bavasi commercial was pretty funny.
Eyebrows - July 30, 2009
I agree
Robert - July 30, 2009
I don't recall this one.
Link?
qrsouther - July 30, 2009
From 2008
“Pepe” is the one you’re looking for.
Eyebrows - July 30, 2009
Oh, and about the Hydros?
Wilson and Snell have been watching Pierogis race for years.
msb - July 30, 2009
Jeff, I hope you really mailed this letter.
InSpokane - July 30, 2009
I hope it came in the form of a singing telegram
because I think Snell would smile once, causing us to love him
HHZ - July 30, 2009
One thing I have to say about this trade is that Jack Z is clearly trying to win NOW, and I won't condemn a man for that.
I know Bill Bavasi had a similar mindset in “winning now” and it cost us more than we could have ever imagined. But Bill Bavasi was a horrible evaluator of talent and just an all-around idiot. One of the worst GM’s in baseball, if not the worst, when he was the GM. And Jack Z is clearly NOT one of the worst GM’s in baseball. If anything, he should be considered for GM of the year.
He could have had an all-out sell-off of our best players for some cheap, young talent – and we’re still hoping he does that with Jarrod Washburn and maybe a bullpen arm or two, but instead he acquired our biggest need this season in a shortstop who plays excellent defense. No, he’s not Reid Brignac or JJ Hardy, but Jack Wilson is a much better hitter than Ronny Cedeno and we don’t lose a step on defense. Ian Snell will probably be pitching for the big league club as soon as Washburn is gone and/or when a spot opens up for performance reasons, which shouldn’t be too long from now.
I honestly don’t see myself hating Jack Wilson and I think Ian Snell will at least fall somewhere ahead of “dislike.”
Jack Z, you made a bold move yesterday. In three years we might say “Damn, that didn’t turn out quite like we hoped,” but as of today I’m happy that with two months of the season left, we are a better team today than we were yesterday.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 30, 2009
And of course also 2010 and potentially 2011 and 2012
Jeff Sullivan - July 30, 2009
This is a setup for a 2010 run
Graham MacAree - July 30, 2009
It had nothing to do with 2009?
Kenny Knows Sports - July 30, 2009
Some but not much
Jeff Sullivan - July 30, 2009
Im not saying he was going for the playoffs with this trade, but he's shoring up a hole he just couldn't stand to watch anymore and we'll be better for it.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 30, 2009
I hope not.
marc w - July 30, 2009
Even if it's for 2010, it doesn't hurt us in 2009.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 30, 2009
Oh, clearly.
marc w - July 30, 2009
Don't know if this is the right thread for this, but I'm actually kind of happy for Ronny
Pittsburgh really has no SS in the system and it looks he’ll get the chance to start at least for the time being. In a weaker league with a new start, maybe he’ll actually be able to do well.
I miss :(edeno already.
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
Well he had a chance to be an everyday player here too.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 30, 2009
And he had a chance to start in the NL once before.
(it did not go well).
marc w - July 30, 2009
I really want Ronny to be successful
I have no idea why
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
Because he appears to be a sensitive person?
Kermit. - July 30, 2009
It's because he is naturally a cutie patootie
HHZ - July 30, 2009
Who plays with his eyes closed at the plate
HHZ - July 30, 2009
I find it funny that at this point in the season last year
we had problem fielding more than one regular position player who had an OPS over 800. Now we have 4. Even if our probability of making the playoffs was like 5% or something at the beginning of the week, I am enjoying the season.
And Ian Snell: the world is yours, ugly
HHZ - July 30, 2009
*3
Carp doesn’t count
HHZ - July 30, 2009
And let's not forget that we were miserable defensively last year and are one of the best in the league this year
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
Of course!
HHZ - July 30, 2009
Snell's situation with the M's, I really believe, will become the most clear, concrete, tangible example of how good chemistry can directly translate into wins.
I’m generally of the LL/USSM take on team chemistry (like Larry Stone said, winning makes good chemistry and losing makes bad chemistry). However, I think Sweeney and Griffey in particular – and Wak, Rick Adair, and GMZ too – will prove enormously beneficial to Snell immediately. Why? First, look at this story:
Look at this story from July 1:
Ken Griffey Jr. actually attempted to commit suicide when he was 17. “’Don’t ever try to commit suicide,’ Griffey said he wants to tell kids. ‘I am living proof how stupid it is.’” Griffey’s attitude, demeanor, and leadership have been absolutely flawless as far as we know. Mike Sweeney, obviously, babysits kids and channels Jesusy vibes and makes everyone love him everywhere he goes. Those two guys seem tailor-made to help a guy like Snell.
Furthermore, Snell knows he’s in an organization that, from GMZ down, values him and know he can once again become the #2 starter he was in 2007 (his tRA+ in 2007 was 118 and he was worth 4.3 WAR). Rick Adair and Wak have done an outstanding job handling the rotation – I can’t think of any real complaints I had with them that lasted more than a day. Seattle is, all things considered, a pretty friendly fan and media environment, so that will help too.
I’m really excited. Snell’s a guy I’ve liked a ton since 2007 – I didn’t follow the season that closely that year, but he jumped out at me whenever I saw his highlights or stat line. I think he can be King Felix’s grand vizier.
Decatur - July 30, 2009
"Seek God and positive people around you"
Great insight. I hope the chemistry rubs off on Snell.
HHZ - July 30, 2009
This is a really good post
I hope you’re right. More than likely, being in a positive situation will help him be positive, but to what extent, who knows?
Like I’ve said in the past, I have no idea if or how much good chemistry helps. It can’t hurt, though.
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
Griffey killing himself would have also killed baseball in Seattle
Robert - July 30, 2009
"negative comments from the media or on the Internet bothered him"
This could be a problem.. I hope he doesn’t get linked here if he ever has a shitty game
d0nkey - July 30, 2009
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