M's Sweep BoSox

The M's came home from their up-and-down road trip and arguably faced their most important homestand of the year. It's 12 games long (their longest of the year), and with two off days built in, it would give them the chance to get the rest that they desperately needed. Furthermore, the Pirates and Reds were coming in, two teams they should have no problems handling. The timing of this homestand was the luckiest break for the M's all season, and it was imperative that they capitalized. If they did, they would at least hang tough in the AL West, if not gain some ground on the Angels. If it didn't go well, the M's pennant dreams could be kissed good-bye.

Ok, so there are three games left in the homestand, but as long as the M's grab one game out of three with the Blue Jays, the stand will be a huge success. They won two out of three against both the Pirates and Reds, and they just had potentially their best series of the year against the Red Sox. In game one, they flat-out outplayed Boston. Then, in game two, they matched the BoSox offense blow for blow, with Richie Sexson's opposite-field muscle shot being just enough (thanks to knock-out performances from George Sherrill and J.J. Putz). Finally, yesterday the M's played their grittiest game of the year. Matsuzaka had no-hit stuff, and the M's mustered only a few measly hits. However, as luck would have it, they were strung together just right to produce one run. On the other hand, the Red Sox didn't have many problems getting runners aboard, but getting them home was another story. For the M's pitching staff, each inning was like a bull ride on Boston's offense, and each inning they somehow held on for eight seconds.

Red Sox fans can point to a plethora of reasons that their team should have won yesterday's game. Since when does that offense strand so many baserunners? The strike zone wasn't good at all. Jose Lopez got a good piece of that Joel Pineiro fastball, but if it was just out of Manny Ramirez's reach, is there any doubt that ANY other left fielder would have caught that ball? What was Terry Francona thinking not pinch-hitting for Julio Lugo in eighth with the potential winning run in scoring position, and then pinch-hitting for him in extra innings? Admittedly, the M's caught plenty of breaks in the game, and given that their hasn't been a bigger celebration at second base since "The Double," I think even the M's players had a sense that they really had stole one from the best team in the AL.

However, since 1995, the M's haven't been the luckiest team in baseball. They won over 90 games in 2002 and 2003, and didn't make the playoffs either year. They won 116 in 2001, but they couldn't get out of the ALCS. For a stretch starting with Ryan Anderson and ending with Travis Blackley, seemingly every Mariner pitching prospect had massive arm problems. It's nice to see the M's catch a few breaks. Honestly, it's been a long time since the M's have gotten this lucky. Not only did they steal yesterday's game against the Red Sox, but somehow the Royals swept the Angels, beating them 1-0 yesterday in a game in which the Angels got 10 hits! That win was even more improbable than the M's one.

Seriously, this homestand could not be going any better. For six straight days the M's have played for crowds of at least 35,000, and outside of the 16-1 drubbing against the Reds Friday night, they have played some of their finest ball of the year. It's the kind of stretch that can't help but infuse a little energy in the team and the fans.

When October rolls around, I still don't think the M's will be playing. However, they are going to be one of the last teams eliminated. The brutal stretch of games they had to play thanks to the snowed-out series in Cleveland looked like a bunch of nails in this season's coffin (if not bolts), but the M's weathered the storm and have come out of it a tough, rugged team. For all the grief that Hargrove takes for his placid (to put it nicely) approach to managing, it's working with this group of guys, probably because energy is being provided by the youthful exuberance that Betancourt, Lopez, and others are bringing to the ballpark every day. In '04, '05, and the start of '06, the whole team looked like zombies as they played the game. Now, there's fire, passion, and joy in the way that they play. That all boiled over as Lopez was mauled at second base yesterday, and it was a great sight to see. This team really believes it can do anything, even though pretty much everybody else (including myself) doesn't believe that. It's a situation vaguely reminiscent of 1995, though I stress vaguely. Still, even a faint shadow of '95 is something worth getting excited about.

Griffey Descends, Ascends, Transcends

The triumphant return of Ken Griffey Jr. more than lived up to the hype. He descended on Seattle, ascended on the home run list, and transcended the field in the Emerald City.

The return of Griffey was glorious, perhaps made sweeter thanks to the long wait. The standing ovation that Randy Johnson received when he came back as a D'Back was nice, and the ovations for Dan Wilson and Edgar Martinez on their farewell nights were quite memorable too, but none of those were like the ones that Griffey received this weekend. Even now, in the midst of his eighth year since playing for the Mariners, he remains a Seattle icon. It was more than an applause out of appreciation; there was a sense that the prodigal son had returned.

Though the exuberant reaction from the masses was touching, what particularly struck me was Griffey's speech in the pre-game ceremony Friday night. He stepped up to that mic completely blown away. It was obvious in his face. When he finally did speak, the words came straight from the heart, and what became apparent is that not only is Seattle still in love with Griffey, but that Griffey is still in love with Seattle. He talked about how pretty the mountains were, and how great it was to drive past the ballpark (even with the roof open!). Then, Griffey poignantly called Seattle home. After that pre-game ceremony, all that was left was to play ball. Unfortunately, the Mariners didn't show up on Friday, losing 16-1, and the Reds didn't show up on Saturday, with the M's beating them 9-1. Even more unfortunately, the man of the weekend, Ken Griffey Jr, was yet to hit a home run.

There was just no way Junior wouldn't go through the weekend without a home run. This is the guy that homered in his first Kingdome at-bat, homered in the final Kingdome game, stole a home run in the final Kingdome game, is credited by his teammates for kick-starting the miracle September 1995 pennant chase, and of course scored the biggest run in franchise history on "the double." In classic Griffey fashion, he didn't disappoint this weekend either. He started today by homering to left center, just out of Willie Bloomquist's reach. It wasn't a classic Griffey blast, but age is catching up with him.

However, he was just saving his best for last. The home run was the only blemish for Miguel Batista, until Griffey stepped to the plate for the third time. Batista served up a pitch belt high on the inner third of the plate, and Griffey didn't miss it. His sweet little uppercut swing connected with the pitch squarely, sending the ball soaring deep into the right field bleachers. Even Griffey couldn't help but drop the bat and admire it for a second, as the prodigious blast put him past Mark McGwire on the all-time home run list. He had put the M's in a 2-0 hole late in the game, but that didn't stop the crowd, over 45,000 strong, from once again rising to their feet and cheering on their displaced hero. This weekend was truly all about Ken Griffey Jr. The M's weren't done though, and ended up coming back and winning in dramatic fashion with a suicide squeeze by Willie Bloomquist, and another clutch performance from J.J. Putz. Given that the Mariners have become more synonymous with pitching and small ball than home runs since Griffey's exodus, the game's outcome seemed almost poetic.

For seven and a half years I have stayed off the bring Griffey back bandwagon, but after this weekend I have to join it. As a left-handed hitter with an OPS over .900, he clearly has value to the team. However, Griffey's return would mean so much more. There's a really special connection between him and the city that has not died one bit despite seven and a half years separated. At the time Griffey needed to go, but now it looks like a window of opportunity for his return is beginning to open up. Griffey just has to finish his career as a Mariner. It would be best for the Mariners, and best for Ken Griffey Jr.

Tar Heels vs. Beavers: The Sequel

It's rare enough to see a team repeat as champions in any sport at any level. However, it's even rarer to see a re-match in the championship game/series between the champion and runner-up from the previous year, which college baseball has this weekend between North Carolina and Oregon State. Considering the Beavers weren't sure they'd even make the tournament, this particular re-match is even more improbable.

Though the same two programs will take the field in Omaha Saturday night, they aren't the same teams that battled last year. Gone from the Tar Heels are Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller, both of whom were first-round picks last year (Miller, in fact, is in the Tigers rotation now). The Beavers lost several key players too, but that's not to say that either team is lacking talent. 14 players between these two teams were drafted this year, so at least a couple future major-leaguers should be taking the field this weekend. Each drafted player with a brief scouting report is listed below:

NORTH CAROLINA

Josh Horton, SS, Athletics (90th overall) - Horton was the 11th player on my "25 the M's Should Be Looking At" list, thanks to his good defense and excellent plate discipline. He fits the A's offensive philosophy beautifully, and given Bobby Crosby's struggles since taking over for Miguel Tejada, Horton has a chance to be the A's starting shortstop in a couple years.

Luke Putkonen, RHP, Tigers (121st overall) - Putkonen has all the measurables at 6'6" with a low to mid-90s fastball. However, though his stats were solid this year, they don't match the talent. He's got the ability to be a major-league starter, but he's going to have to develop a ton to reach that potential. Given the great young staff the Tigers already have, Putkonen's best chance to make the big leagues in Detroit is likely in the bullpen.

Andrew Carignan, RHP, Athletics (180th overall) - Vandy's Casey Weathers (picked eighth overall by the Rockies) was the best closer in college baseball this year, but Carignan wasn't far behind him. Other relievers were picked ahead of Andrew, but they aren't better ones (outside of Weathers). He has already tied Huston Street's record for most saves in the College World Series, and with a little luck this weekend he could break it. Pretty soon, Carignan could be challenging Street for his major-league closing job too.

Reid Fronk, LF, Blue Jays (215th overall) - On this heavy-hitting team Fronk didn't really stand out, but Toronto should be glad that they didn't overlook him. There's nothing that really stands out about him, but no glaring weaknesses either. He's just a good outfielder, plain and simple. He could be in the majors within the next three years in a reserve role.

Benji Johnson, C, Braves (528th overall) - Johnson showed impressive power as a sophomore, but didn't flash as much this year as a junior. It didn't help that he didn't play every day this year either. Even if he proves to have good power, he's not that great of a hitter and I don't think he'll ever be a contributor at the major-league level.

Robert Woodard, RHP, Padres (627th overall) - Woodard has been shelled in the College World Series, but for the season and his career he's a much better pitcher than he's shown. He's never going to be a strikeout artist, but he's smart on the mound and he's got good command. I don't know how he'll ever crack the Padres budding young staff, but he's a solid bet to develop into a number four or five starter.

OREGON STATE

Eddie Kunz, RHP, Mets (42nd overall) - Kunz is the closer for OSU, and he's done a really good job in the role. Though he's good, I'm not sure why the Mets picked him this high. He is a pretty solid reliever, but he's not as good as UNC's closer, Andrew Carignan, who went later in the draft. Kunz gets his share of strikeouts, but what makes him effective are all the grounders he gets. Hitters just don't get home runs off Kunz.

Mitch Canham, C, Padres (57th overall) - He was 13th on my "25 Players the M's Should Be Looking At" list, and he's the heart and soul of the Beavers. There's not much blocking his path to the majors in San Diego, and I would expect him to be challenging for playing time with the Padres in two to three years.

Darwin Barney, SS, Cubs (127th overall) - Barney is a solid hitter with a little power, and good speed and fielding. His hitting will likely keep him from ascending through the minors real quickly, but in three or four years he could be on the Cubs in a reserve role.

Daniel Turpen, RHP, Giants (254th overall) - Turpen has experience starting and relieving, which is nice, but his flexibility is his best trait, which isn't nice. Turpen's ERA was pretty good, and the 10-1 record he posted is excellent, but he really posted rather mediocre numbers otherwise. The odds are against him ever being a contributor in the big leagues.

Mike Stutes, RHP, Cardinals (292nd overall) - Though Turpen went before Stutes in the draft, Stutes is a better pitcher. His strikeout rate is good, though he did give up his share of walks and home runs. Stutes could stay a starter as a pro or be turned into a reliever. Either way he won't be a star, but he's got a decent chance to make the majors.

Joe Paterson, LHP, Giants (314th overall) - Paterson, a starter for the Beavers, is kind of like a poorer version of UNC's Robert Woodard. Since he went higher than Woodard in the draft, the Giants obviously see him as a better version, potentially because he is left-handed. Best case, he's a "AAAA" starter, or a good left-hander out of the bullpen.

Anton Maxwell, LHP, Rangers (950th overall) - Maxwell has been a decent pitcher his whole career with the Beavers, but nothing about his numbers indicate that he's got major-league potential. His best chance is as a specialty lefty.

Chris Hopkins, CF, Royals (1,297th overall) - A senior, Hopkins has good speed, but isn't much of a hitter. He'll play in the minors until he decides to retire.