The Seattle Mariners in 2023

I hiro mention!

Earlier today I watched Raleigh take BP and hit a long, deep drive just over the “76” sign into the ‘pen, only to be robbed of his batting practice home run by a perfectly-timed leap from the 49-year-old Ichiro Suzuki. Cal, who was mired in a tough stretch over the road trip, threw up his hands in exasperation at another well-hit ball finding a glove. He then proceeded to hit one into the second deck of the Hit It Here Café a few pitches later, so I think we can credit the Ichiro Effect on that homer from Cal. Seriously, though, Cal said postgame what has been bogging him down is thinking too much, effectively outsmarting himself as he tries to think like a catcher and a hitter at the same time.

“I think I started worrying too much about what the pitcher was doing and not enough about what works for me,” said Cal of his tough stretch. “My job is to go out there and be ready to hit every single time. Be ready for the fastball and just adjust to the off-speed.”

“Sometimes it’s the dumb hitters that are really good in this game, just because they’re always on the fastball. They’re always keeping it simple, which is a good thing.”

Mariners won a one-run game and they did it in the City Connects for the first time this season!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyzLhVHagAEAiQe?format=jpg&name=large

Also, Woo looked pretty decent after his debut being absolutely brutal, 9 Ks through 5&2/3, 3 hits, 2ER.

The movement on his slider is sexy af

Bryan Woo, Wicked 85mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/ynVMLzTflQ

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 17, 2023

The Mariners are back at .500! Unfortunate they had to do it against the Giants, but it’s what it is. Happy for Walter to get the cgso, his last few stars have been poor and he and the team really needed this.

Have watched this video about a million times, so many great little details.

.@gkirb98 and @JRODshow44 are IN! pic.twitter.com/SCuVkRYaV6

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 5, 2023

I feel for him

Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic shed tears apologizing after breaking his foot while kicking a water cooler. https://t.co/Bd4CutPVy5 pic.twitter.com/WPc19UAJbC

— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) July 20, 2023

Does such extreme repentance offer salvation from clownhood? Does a tear-soaked utterance of the phrase, "I just ... feel terrible (sniffle) ... especially for the guys," spare one from derision in a case such as this? Can our hearts truly remain hardened in the presence of a man who both knows he's done wrong and cares for the guys?

In this case, I am willing to take the rare step of sparing Kelenic from designation as a clown. The deciding factor here is that he was originally drafted by the Mets, which means he was doomed to suffer some kind of humiliating malady at some point, and therefore none of this is really his fault.

That’s great, where is that from?

Also 3 straight batters hit in a row by a wild twins pitcher in the 8th. Very silly, and very glad they were all wearing elbow guards b

Kolten Wong’s resurgence has made me incredibly happy

How many times have you reached .500 pic.twitter.com/GsL6XWs0b5

— Konjac Jelly (Midners Fan) (@Mariner_Konjac) July 26, 2023

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2fScE_bQAggIZF?format=jpg&name=medium

Ichiro still looks like he could be out there. He still makes leaping catches in the outfield!

last player I truly loved.

I genuinely love him

Julio Rodríguez goes full Cheshire Cat on Fernando Tatis Jr. with this home run robbery.

What a play. pic.twitter.com/qQxFevza1X

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) August 9, 2023

I hate updating this thread cos I feel like I jinx them. JP was out on the IL for ten days with suspected concussion. He’s now cleared protocols and is in rehab and will rejoin the team on Monday. Everyone is rightfully talking about Julio - and I love Julio to death and was irritated with morons on Mariners twitter who wanted him to be optioned during his slump - but JP has been my favourite to watch all year and I’m glad they looked after him!

Amazing, love this

The Mariners are headed to New York City fitted in Run-DMC tracksuits and a message from Rev Run himself.

“Keep reppin. Keep rockin. Keep rollin. Y’all are on fire.”

Check it out from Julio’s IG: pic.twitter.com/bHpmZ7W9ds

— Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) August 31, 2023

First 25/25 guy ever for his first two seasons:

https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-collects-25-home-runs-25-stolen-bases-in-2nd-season

Julio was slumping so badly earlier in the year, he’s been absolutely must see. He still chases too much and needs to work on his k rate, but when he’s on it seems like he can hit just about anything.

I really like watching him in the field btw, he makes a lot of highlight reel type plays but his bread and butter are his savvy reads and his speed. Naturally Ichiro has a lot of praise for him.

It’s probably between him and Robert (CWS) for the Gold Glove, Julio has a chance to pick up a silver slugger as well if he has a strong September and assuming the Mariners don’t shit the bed somehow and miss the playoffs, he should also pick up a few MVP votes (obviously not that he’ll win it, but as recognition of how he’s carried this team).

7th last year; without jotting down names, expect he'll do at least as well this year.

Unreal how good he is at such a young age. I complained about his plate discipline but besides that his poise is pretty remarkable for a guy that young.

would have been nice if the Mariners hadn't had such a Mariners-esque collapse, their August was so good that even just regressing to their earlier mediocrity would have guaranteed a playoff spot.

I mean, yeah.

ADMIN WAS NOT WRONG

MARINERS ADMIN FORGOT TO SWITCH ACCOUNTS💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/IJzICQ7Ucz

— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) October 1, 2023

Everyone on Mariners twitter thinks this is Corey Seager having a dig at Mariners FO for wasting his brother’s career

“To be able to go out and spend some money and get the guys we needed in here, and this is what the reward is.” pic.twitter.com/40H96fnNtw

— Isabelle Minasian (@95coffeespoons) October 1, 2023

missing the playoffs as a favor to the fans

Jerry Dipoto says he operates with a 10-year plan to win 54% of the time.

"We're actually doing the fanbase a favor in asking for their patience to win the World Series while we continue to build a sustainably good roster." pic.twitter.com/EUfd04TsTo

— Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) October 3, 2023

Love to tell the only team never to win the World Series to be patient

Never to GET TO *

Adam Smith deciding to drop a thread complaining about the Mariners on the day Congress is electing a new speaker? Art. He’s otm!

To be clear, I am a huge, life long passionate Mariners fan. 47 years. From Rupert Jones to Julio. Post was much more aimed at the incompetence/extremism of McCarthy, Jordan and the entire House R conference. Ms do have issues however. 4 come to mind https://t.co/Fx5i84gBco

— Rep. Adam Smith (@RepAdamSmith) October 25, 2023