The Morning After
by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 14, 2010 11:02 AM PDT
in Seattle Mariners Game Recaps
- I can't always be around to write. I know, it sucks. This week in particular is a bad one, what with traveling, and computer problems, and family in town. But it's a funny thing - I watched the end of last night's game from a restaurant, and I watched last Saturday's game beside an actively reformatting laptop, and the sensation is different when there's no keyboard or pad of paper at your fingertips. The sensation is...fanlike. Granted, those were two of the better Mariner wins I can remember, but sometimes it's nice to watch a baseball game freed from the shackles of expressing yourself with words. Sometimes a man just wants to clap and jump and make a scene at Deschutes. Baseball can actually be a fun and interesting game sometimes. Who knew?
- For me, that home run literally couldn't have been any better. It came at the perfect time, in the perfect place, by the perfect player. I'm sure 75% of fans would've rather it been Griffey, and 24% of fans would've rather it been Ichiro, and Jack Wilson would've rather it been Jack Wilson, but there's a small assortment of us ecstatic to see Milton Bradley be a hero just as a torrent of negativity was developing in the background. It's already been said in so many places, but few players have needed a big hit in the way that Bradley did, and boy did he ever deliver. That ought to win some people over, at least for a little while.
It was a good bit of hitting, too. Yeah, the count was 2-0, and yeah, Ziegler's a sidearming righty with an 84mph fastball, but we don't see Mariner hitters turn on inside fastballs like that very often. That pitch was tucked neatly into the corner, and Bradley whipped around on it, just as Jay Buhner predicted. Just awesome. I wouldn't have it any other way. The more good news that Bradley makes, the less bad stuff we have to hear about him.
There are a lot of fans of other teams out there who're just waiting until we turn on Bradley the same way they did. Sorry guys. It might be a while.
-
- In case you didn't notice, the Funk Blast is back. Introducing the Funk Blast is one of the two good things Bill Bavasi ever did, so if this is a permanent thing, I'm supportive. And it doubles as a big ol' middle finger to the people who're convinced the Zduriencik administration wants to wipe away any traces of the previous regime. The Funk Blast is more weird than it is anything else, and the music that accompanies the trot is less energetic than most, but the Funk Blast is unique, and the more things there are that make your stadium unique, the better. I don't remember the first home run I saw at Safeco. I do remember the first Funk Blast. It was amazing, and strange.
- That was Doug Fister throwing like Doug Fister threw in AAA. He didn't throw a ton of first-pitch strikes, and he didn't get ahead of a ton of hitters, but do you know how many three-ball counts he got into? One. One three-ball count, against 14 two-strike counts. Fister just stayed around the zone and took full advantage of his surroundings, and when you do that, you turn in the kind of start the Mariners thought they'd get from Carlos Silva.
The interesting thing? Fister has command of four pitches, but against a lineup with five lefties, 78 of his 100 pitches were fastballs. His changeup is probably his best pitch, yet he only threw six. I don't know if he wasn't feeling good about his offspeed stuff, or if he just didn't care, but no matter the reason, last night goes to show that when you have command of your primary pitch, you don't really need a whole lot else.
Don't expect starts like that from Fister very often. But talk about timing. How badly did the rotation need something like that from the back?
Nice break for the bullpen, too.
Yay Doug.
Teej - April 14, 2010
I was in college when the Funk Blast thing started
Can somebody explain it to me. As far as I understand it they put FUNK BLAST on the scoreboard in left and play (presumably) funk music as the player trots around the bases. Is there more to it? A story on how it started? We need a Mariners wiki or something.
JeffJ254 - April 14, 2010
Here you are
http://scrippsnews.info/node/20842?page=1
Jeff Sullivan - April 14, 2010
Thanks.
JeffJ254 - April 14, 2010
That link has me wondering what Sexson is doing these days....
In my head, I picture him at a bar in Portland drinking with J.R. Rider.
Rich Langford - April 14, 2010
thanks for that
I always thought it had something to do with the old Funk ride that used to be at the Experience Music Project. It’s kind of too bad that it doesn’t.
Paul AB - April 14, 2010
I always wondered the same thing, that ride was awesome!
sanford_and_son - April 14, 2010
It may have to do with the EMP ride
When they had the ride at the EMP, they also sold a double CD collection of Funk songs called “Funk Blast”. I have a copy of that CD, lots of great stuff on it. The article linked by Jeff mentions a CD called Funk Blast so chances are, that’s the one. What makes me doubt a little , though, is that the song by Parliament mentioned is not included on that CD.
vj - April 14, 2010
I always thought it was a weird reference to Rage Against The Machine's "Calm Like A Bomb."
Now I have no idea what to think about it.
DrunkAmerican - April 14, 2010
On the whole fastball propensity thing, it feels like that's been a theme throughout the staff so far.
I will look at the actual numbers for some measure of evidence a little later, but this looks systemic.
abender20 - April 14, 2010
There were 2 changeups that he threw that were filthy that I remember.
One of them was on the outside corner that fooled Eric Chavez very badly which he followed up with a fastball on the inside corner to strike out Chavez, if I remember correctly. It was a great pitch sequence.
seattle_since_81 - April 14, 2010
It sure seemed like that homer had a ton of hangtime.
From where I was sitting it was kind of hard to judge how far it was hit and Sweeney seemed like he was tracking it all the way. That said, when it sailed into the bleachers everyone in my section went batshit crazy. Might have been the most fun I’ve ever had at a game.
BrianL - April 14, 2010
The few times he threw it his change seemed to be floating up in the zone
Might explain why he laid off of it a bit.
OlSalty - April 14, 2010
I would have liked to see Fister go for the complete game
But with it being soo early in the season, and the fact I only saw about an inning and half of him, I don’t blame Wak for going to the ‘pen to finish it out. Fister looked good from what I saw though and it’s really encouraging to see him pitch well
Fuzz - April 14, 2010
Rob Johnson called a great game last night.
Wait, he’s the putz that cannot catch or hit. My bad.
TrustBaseball - April 14, 2010
Wait!
Wak calls the game from the bullpen! Crazy.
harkening - April 14, 2010
No he doesn't. They mentioned that during the broadcast. He just calls for pitch outs, throw overs, etc.
He lets Rob call the pitches.
The Typical Idiot Fan - April 14, 2010
I don't buy that.
sanford_and_son - April 14, 2010
Heh.
I refuse to believe Rob did something right.
THIS MUST BE PROVEN.
the other side - April 14, 2010
Rob Johnson is like the ultimate case in examing weird fandom
he is literally not good at anything measurable and even looks retarded out there doing it. Same for Willie, except Bloomquist did have one legitimate skill – he was versatile enough to sub at multiple positions and not completely embarrass himself. I will never understand why people love Rob Johnson so much
seattlebruin - April 14, 2010
Even Buhner was going about him last night. What a gamer he was, etc.
TrustBaseball - April 14, 2010
He also called the Bradley Blast so he gets a pass from me.
the other side - April 14, 2010
I don't think Buhner actually called the HR.
Dave asked him what he would call there. I assume he meant a bunt or swing away and Buhner said “I’d call a 3 run HR.”
After the game everyone was saying Bones called it and even he was going along with it, but I really don’t think he meant it that way. Either way, that moment kicked booty.
Rich Langford - April 14, 2010
Yeah but who cares.
The Typical Idiot Fan - April 14, 2010
It was amusing and it led to a great Dave Sims freakout.
BrianL - April 14, 2010
I meant who cares about whether Bone called it.
For the reason you give. It was just a lot of fun.
The Typical Idiot Fan - April 14, 2010
Oh yeah, I was just elaborating on what you said.
BrianL - April 14, 2010
Sims was screaming, it was awesome.
sanford_and_son - April 14, 2010
Buhner has a better skill than predicting the future
Whatever he wants to happen, happens. I need him to say “I’d like the Mariners to win the 2010 World Series.” It might just work.
E-Lizz - April 14, 2010
I'm not convinced there are many people outside of the organization who love him right now
OlSalty - April 14, 2010
Could it be the odd little turtle necks?
I for one find those annoying as hell.
the other side - April 14, 2010
He walks well
Dewey N - April 14, 2010
This is actually true
seattlebruin - April 14, 2010
He makes silly mistakes
Dewey N - April 14, 2010
Yes, but not well enough to make up for how bad he sucks at everything else.
OlSalty - April 14, 2010
So what, he's not a toddler
Bearskin Rugburn - April 14, 2010
Are you entirely sure of that?
cwel87 - April 14, 2010
Rape smile
EequalsMc2 - April 14, 2010
He's great with the media
he gives them access, talks to them for a long time, presents a good story for them. I think that’s a huge part of it. The media’s love of him filters through.
Snuffleupagus - April 14, 2010
Exactly
He’s not all foreign-toungued like Johjima, so when (mostly white) writers were hanging around the clubhouse, good ol’ RJ was always happy to talk.
lemonverbena - April 14, 2010
They displayed his 2009 CERA on the jumbotron
in his final AB. Apparently it’s a team record.
Rollo Tomasi - April 14, 2010
That was kind of a contrast to the little tidbit about Jack Wilson winning the shortstop Fielder's Bible award.
BrianL - April 14, 2010
Wasn't it also a team record ERA?
I mean… yeah whatever.
Bearskin Rugburn - April 14, 2010
I think there are a good number of us...
Who really wanted it to be Bradley coming through. Much of the season hangs on him, a Griffey homer is great for him but doesn’t mean all that much for the team (other than the runs). Signs of Bradley being the good, and happy, version of himself are much bigger for overall success.
I wish I could have caught more of the game last night, but I managed to catch enough of the good to make me happy.
Sidi - April 14, 2010
Griffey hitting a homerun is huge for many people.
I would be very happy if Mr. Griffey would hit a dinger.
Kirk - April 14, 2010
Ok, and it means a lot to many fans...
But we have a known quantity with him. He’ll play out the season, kinda suck, and have a huge final farewell. His impact is pretty much certain, so his homers will have a lot of sentimental value but don’t really do as much to change the outlook of the season.
But I will admit my emotional attachment to Griffey’s homers has been reduced by him coming back for another season.
Sidi - April 14, 2010
Oh I was talking about the Griffey challenge.
Kirk - April 14, 2010
Anyone not pulling for Griffey's first HR, with all of their bodily essence, can go suck on a cactus!
Rich Langford - April 14, 2010
That's kind of harsh, now I have to go look up what you've got riding on that.
TrustBaseball - April 14, 2010
It was probably overly harsh...
but I have not had a delicous refined sugary or artificially sweetened treat or drink since the season started. I haven’t even had ketchup, mustard or any other condiment.
Rich Langford - April 14, 2010
I have a cheese cake in fridge waiting for the dinger.
InSpokane - April 14, 2010
Me too but it's not for eating
d0nkey - April 14, 2010
My first Safeco dinger was a Griffey!bomb
!!!
Poochie - April 14, 2010
ME TOO!!
seattlebruin - April 14, 2010
#398, it landed like fifteen feet away
seattlebruin - April 14, 2010
My first Safeco dinger was a Cirillo blast off of Scott Schoeneweis.
Then I saw my second, third, fourth, and fifth home runs in the subsequent innings by Boonie, a grand slam by Mark McLemore, Ruben Sierra, and then another (!?!?) Cirillo shot. That was an awesome and strange game.
BrianL - April 14, 2010
Wow! You saw both of Cirillo's Mariner HRs.
Rich Langford - April 14, 2010
Mine was a Johjima homer.
His first!
Kirk - April 14, 2010
My friend dropped that homer!
Sec 108 - April 14, 2010
I'm sad for your friend.
Kirk - April 14, 2010
I'm not! Endless ridicule opportunities.
Sec 108 - April 14, 2010
Rob Johnson.
thehemogoblin - April 14, 2010
Mike Cameron was mine
It was during this game, the game in which Torii Hunter hit the first of his three grand slams he’s had at Safeco.
Dewey N - April 14, 2010
Mine was a Carlos Guillen three run dinger off Victor Zambrano
`
Corco - April 14, 2010
My first M's game was in Yankees Stadium
I saw Ben Broussard go yard to break up Wang’s perfect game
CKel - April 14, 2010
My first M's home run would have been an Alvin Davis shot at old Comiskey
on September 29, 1990. I was just a wee pup and was a White Sox fan at the time anyway, so I don’t remember it, but I was definitely at that game- I still have the ticket stub. That was also my first ballgame ever
Corco - April 14, 2010
Speaking of sinkerballers in the Bronx... shit
Bearskin Rugburn - April 14, 2010
Russ Davis for me
7/17/99 off Woody Williams (first homer and M’s win at Safeco). A-Rod and Raul also homered that game.
lemonverbena - April 14, 2010
Same here. Raul's was a grand slam that I caught. Still have that ball.
Sec 108 - April 14, 2010
Nice snag man!
That half season in the new ballpark was great despite the team not doing so well and Mesa choking the inaugural game away. I still hate Joe Table.
lemonverbena - April 14, 2010
Edgar Martinez 8th inning 2-out go ahead grand slam against the Yankees
Best dinger of 2000
Robert - April 14, 2010
Gorman Thomas anyone?
Long time back, when we really sucked!
oldmandaniels - April 14, 2010
He never played in Safeco.
Sec 108 - April 14, 2010
Good point, my bad.
Still my first viceral Pro Baseball memory, but true, not Safeco. Still have more games logged at Kingdome, than the Safe. Gotta get out more.
oldmandaniels - April 14, 2010
I don't even remember mine
And it may be impossible to find out. I went to one game in ‘01 and two games in ’05 (didn’t save the stubs, don’t remember when) and then a bunch every season starting in ’06. I feel like a bad fan now.
appleshampoo - April 14, 2010
I could be wrong on this
but it seems like the ONLY pitch the M’s are hitting hard lately is the inside fastball. At least, both Figgins’ doubles yesterday were inside heat (albeit at the belt or so, not the knees) and Guti’s one off Duschchsh…uh, two days ago. And Bradley’s double earlier, I think.
Bearskin Rugburn - April 14, 2010
Doucher.
Kirk - April 14, 2010
That's not unusual.
The Typical Idiot Fan - April 14, 2010
At my partner's first M's game, she thought Funk Blasts were a stat.
Who knows, maybe Funk Blasts are an in-house sabermetric of the M’s front office.
hedden - April 14, 2010
God I hope they don't use clutch HR's as a stat.
Kirk - April 14, 2010
Suddenly... the Bavasi era makes sense
hedden - April 14, 2010
Reply fail.
hedden - April 14, 2010
Per Dave's request
Jeff Sullivan - April 14, 2010
I'm mystified how a guy with such legs has such a hard time generting velocity
also, yes, that’s a filthy change
Bearskin Rugburn - April 14, 2010
Good heavens that's pretty.
BrianL - April 14, 2010
That is basically a perfect pitch
I don’t know that anyone would ever hit that. Just unfair.
davidcameron - April 14, 2010
Especially when you've been throwing nothing but fastballs all day
Filthy.
OlSalty - April 14, 2010
At that point, I believe Fister had been throwing nearly 90% fastballs
Jeff Sullivan - April 14, 2010
This is the pitch I was remembering above.
Chavez was fooled badly by it.
seattle_since_81 - April 14, 2010
Behind home plate in the 300 level
I thought this swing was going to detach his arms from his body. I remember seeing and knowing it is a change, but seeing the movement on that pitch is amazing.
Ballard Erik - April 14, 2010
that is one filthy pitch. I'm shocked rob caught it.
wafox - April 14, 2010
What are you talking about?
It was perfectly located. Went right into the glove.
Bearskin Rugburn - April 14, 2010
Exactly. It was perfectly placed. And Rob Johnson caught it. Amazing.
LonelyintheBleachers - April 14, 2010
Perfectly located, changes nothing with Rob.
the other side - April 14, 2010
Neither does random commas.
the other side - April 14, 2010
I was anxiously awaiting the first Mariner home run at Safeco to find out what the music would be this year
Was very excited when I found out they had brought back the Funk Blast.
Griffin Cooper - April 14, 2010
Bradley's home run seemed to leave the park amazingly fast, which got me to thinking that a nifty new dinger stat should be the time it takes the ball to leave the yard after contact.
InSpokane - April 14, 2010
Are you serious?
It seemed to take 5 minutes to me. A real moon shot.
appleshampoo - April 14, 2010
The hangtime was excruciating.
Sweeney was tracking it the entire way and from my seats I was convinced it was a warning track flyout based on how long it was up in the air.
BrianL - April 14, 2010
It did hang a long time
but on TV it was apparent that Sweeney was only tracking it because he’s a hustling white boy. He knew it was gone, and you could tell by how lazily he was going back on it.
Bearskin Rugburn - April 14, 2010
On the video replay I saw when I got home it was clear the ball was gone off the bat.
It was just hard to gauge the depth from my section. Everyone around me didn’t realize it was gone until Sweeney just kind of looked up at the end.
BrianL - April 14, 2010
When I was watching, the swing and sound off the bat made me jump in the air, but Sweeny settling onto the warning track definitely made me nervous.
Once the ball appeared on the screen, I started freaking out, but Sweeny’s movements made me nervous.
joof - April 14, 2010
Bradley
The whole game my friend and I would give Milton a standing ovation every time he was at bat, thank god he hit that homer. The game was a crazy game, probably one of the most fun games I’ve been too.
LeftArrow2 - April 14, 2010
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