Especially when the Mariners are in town and they’re celebrating Father’s Day, I always get sad because there’s nothing more I would love than to be at Safeco Field today with my Dad celebrating the amazingness of Dad’s with all the other Dad’s that share the same affinity for baseball.

But since I can’t do that, I decided to dedicate this entry to him.

If it weren’t for my Dad being such a huge fan of the Yomiuri Giants, I would never have had any connection to baseball.

It makes sense though when you think about it.

My Dad is my life.

So is baseball.

Thanks, Dad for being the best Dad any daughter could ever have and introducing me to the most classy sport of all. I don’t know what I would do without you or baseball. I miss you everyday and I can’t wait till you, Mom and Kevin visit in August!

xoxo

I certainly didn’t.

Man, I cried like a baby last night when news was out that Griffey Jr announced his retirement effective immediately.

Yes, everyone, Junior is now gone.

*BAWL*

On my other site I had to be a little more formal but gosh…here I can let it all out. I REALLY need a hug, people!

It broke my heart to hear that he was done after 22 seasons and 630 home runs. Sure, it was time, sure he kind of sucked this season and sure we were trying to be prepared for his retirement at the END of the season.

It came too soon, my heart couldn’t take it.

Seattle’s number 1 trending topic last night on Twitter was #thanksjunior and everyone submitted their memories of Griffey. That also, made me cry.

As if I wasn’t crying enough, Ichiro made it even harder for me to stop.

The Mariners and the Twins were into the 10th inning just 1-1 with men on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs.

Ichiro fouled of 1…2….3….6…9…10 pitches until BAM, single up center field!!

MARINERS WIN!!!

Have I EVER seen Ichiro that jubilant since Japan’s WBC win? No!

Click here to see him jumping onto a team mate in joy!

Anyways, I would like to say thank you to Junior. Thanks for all the outstanding catches. Thanks for the breath-taking homeruns. Thanks for the million smiles you put on fans all over the world; not just in Seattle. Thanks for being a historical icon. 

Thanks for playing the game the right away.

DG has finally taken on Safeco Field for the first time in 2010. The phrase, “a kid in a candy store” comes to mind when I think of that fluttering feeling I got when I walked up those stairs from the CF entrance at Safeco with a Ken Griffey Jr “The Kid” bobblehead held tightly against my heart. I’m sure I looked like a freak as I just stood there in awe with a dumb smile on my face. How can one place make you feel so at home and content not mattering how many times you go there? That’s Safeco Field for me.

Safeco Field, will you make a studio apartment for me in one of your suites? Thank you ♥.

This day was exciting, nerve-wrecking, bittersweet, all at once. It was exciting because I was finally going to a Mariners game. because I was able to reunite with a dear friend from my college days that I haven’t seen in a few years and because I was going to get a Griffey Jr bobblehead. It was nerve-wrecking because the drive to Safeco Field is a bee-ai-tee-see-eich on gameday, because I was scared I won’t make it in time to get a bobblehead, and because the Mariners were facing Bonderman was pitching (he had an 1.80 ERA from his last start). It was bittersweet because the visiting team was the Tigers and most of you know I used to live there and am overcoming a break up of which my former other half is still in Michigan.

Anyway.

After Kaylee and I got our bobbleheads, we headed to the Team Store where we purchased matching hoodies and Mariners headphones (I know, ridiculous). We strolled around the park, taking all the beauty of it in until we realized that the Mariners Moose was taking photos! We joined the lines with all the other 10 year olds because we have no shame. The moose was so furry and friendly; love him! Post Moose loving, we got our signature garlic fries and whole lemon lemonade and headed up to our seats.

Section 184.

The LF Bleachers is by far my favorite place to sit. Sure, when my parents are in town and they’re willing to cough up $100 per person I like to sit elsewhere, but since that wasn’t happening on Friday, we sat in the 180′s area. It’s right above the bullpen which is nice because if a great pitcher from the visiting team was practicing, I can potentially accidentaly drop something on his head?

Ok, no. I’m not that mean.

If by any chance you (yes, you) were sitting in section 184 on Friday night, I have a message for you guys at the end of this entry.

I know this is quite the fast-forwarding but the Mariners won 11-2 against the Tigers that night. It’s kind of hard to write an entry about a game when a team scores that much. He did this, he did that, then he stole this and then that….

Let’s just say that everyone contributed one way or another to the 11, King Felix finally got his first well-deserved win and let the pictures do the talking,….

                            Kaylee and I rejoicing right after we got our bobbelheads!

                                          Welcome to Safeco Field! YAY!

                                            Felix warming up in the bullpen!

                             It was Jackie Robinson Day! Everyone was wearing #42

                        YES, this is the Griffey Jr bobblehead! Are you jealous?

                         Ah, the (in?)famous Garlic Fries and whole lemon lemonade.

                       Look how happy Kaylee looks with her Shishkaberries!

                               Happy to be reunited and with the bobblehead!

                                     Yes, we scored ELEVEN on the little kittehs.

       Oh, you talented person, you. Oh, and his picture was the only decent looking picture.

       I LOVE it when they do their little dance routine! Do they do this at other parks too?

                                  What’s a reunion without a goofy picture?

                                                     Must I explain?

If you can’t tell from the pictures, the game was amazing. Did it cost me a fortune to eat at Safeco? Yes. Did it cost me an arm and a leg to park anywhere near Safeco? Yes. Did it take me 1.5 hours just to get out of the vicinity of 1st Ave? Yes. Did I get home at 1:30AM just to have the alarm blast in my ear at 7:00AM? Yes.

But does any of that matter?

NOPE!

I’m a slave to the game of baseball, everyone! ♥

….till next time.

P.S

Dear Section 184 from 04/16/10:

A big thank you. I always tend to have the worst luck and have some d-bag (or multiple) sitting around me that makes the game a little less enjoyable but I can honestly say that last night the crowd was great. Who knows if any 184-ers are reading this? I’m just taking a shot and thanking you. The kids were well behaved and the adults surrounding us were enthusiatic yet not overboard. The four guys behind us were making the most hilarious comments and I also enjoyed that a lot. I figured it would be more than creepy to turn around and say, “Hey you guys were real funny, thanks!”. Plus, our section started the extremely successful wave at Safeco! HOLLERRRRRR!

xoxo,

Deena

[[Some pictures courtsey of Kaylee Engels aka my Mariners partner in crime]  

I was trying to hold off on the blog until the Mariners started their winning streak but since that doesn’t seem like it’s happening anytime soon, I figure I’d give in and finally write an entry. It’s long overdue and I’ve missed this mlblogosphere and everyone in it.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am PSYCHED (I know, poor choice of vocabulary) that baseball season is underway.

Opening Day was marvelous, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. The Mariners were on the cover of ESPN, despite Cliff Lee’s placement on the DL everyone else seemed to be in tip top shape, I found a few friends to go to a sports bar with me to watch the game, I wore my new t-shirt, I had an amazing margarita and to top it all off, the Mariners won! They won against the Oakland Athletics 5-3. Ichiro got a hit (of course), Griffey had a hit, Kotchman was the MVP, Aardsma saved the game…..all in all it was a fantastic day for me.

However… (que depressing music)

That was basically the start and also end to my happy, Mariners victory days.

Will somebody please tell me (nicely) what happened to my boys?

Because it can’t possibly be that the Texas Rangers or Oakland Athletics (no less), are better than the Mariners! (I mean this in the nicest way, Rangers/A’s fans)

That’s just ludacris.

So does anyone else have any suggestions? I’m at a complete loss. It makes me want to hurl as I write this but we are looking at a 2-5 record in the face at the moment. We lost the series to the A’s and of course we lost the series to the Rangers. I honestly don’t even want to know how the Angels are doing because they can’t possibly be doing any worse than the Mariners. We are bottom and out, man.

Yes, yes I know we have 150-something games left and I should keep my chin up (blah, blah, blah) but the Mariners aren’t the Yankees, you know? They’re not really known for doing horribly the first half of the season and then magically start winning every single game post All-Star.

I’m pulling my hair out, people.

You know what? Enough negativity. I need to calm down, cross my fingers, pray to the baseball Gods and just be the #1 Mariners fan that I am.

Which brings me to great news.

Although I’m a little bitter about working all day and all night today which results in not being able to attend the Mariners Opening Day, I’m happy to say that this Friday I will not only be at Safeco Field with a friend I haven’t seen in years, but I will have a Ken Griffey Jr “The Kid” bobblehead in my hand…and hopefully some garlic fries, lemonade and shishkaberries (left).

So, if any of you reading this is going to be at the Mariners game on Friday, say hi if you see me! I’m nice and I don’t bite, I promise  I’ll be sporting this:

1. The picture quality is horrible and I realize this.
2. I’m not one to take self-portraits but it had to be done.

Also, I was recently given the opportunity to write for a fan-based sports website called Fanhuddle…of course, on the Seattle Mariners section. I believe Virginia, aka Southernbelle is also a writer on Fanhuddle but for the New York Yankees. It’s a very unique sports website run and written by dedicated fans so you should check it out sometime.   

Click Here for Fanhuddle – Seattle Mariners  

Well everyone, it’s been nice and I’ll be back more often now that baseball season is happening. If anything, I’ll be sure to update with fun pictures from Friday’s game.

Until then….

xoxo

This is news for my fellow female fans or for male fans that want a reason to impress their ladies in their lives!

USA Today posted yesterday with news that MLB is finally partnering with Victoria’s Secret’s PINK line.

Yes. Finally.

PINK has gone nationwide with their collegiate collection and it was only a matter of time that they were going to team up with a professional athletic organization. Similar to PINK’s collegiate collection, 11 MLB clubs will have t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, even hats and jerseys ranging from $19.99 to $58.00.

What better sport to do that with than baseball?

Can I just say that I am beyond ecstatic about this? I have been waiting for this day to come and was hoping it would be before I got too old to wear PINK products.  

Now all you Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, Twins, Cubs and Angels fans can be confident that you’ll be able to have your hands on some adorable PINK/MLB goodies starting this Tuesday.

As for myself and the rest of the baseball organizations…well, let’s just hope, pray and cross our fingers (and our toes!) that our teams are the remaining 5 teams that will be participating in MLB’s attempt to increase the female fan base.

Needless to say, I’m going to be absolutely devastated if the Pacific Northwest doesn’t get the Mariners line in our stores tomorrow.

Come on, now. I didn’t even get to buy the collegiate collection since I wasn’t a Husky, Cougar, Beaver or a Duck.

At least let me wear the adorable PINK clothing in navy, green, M’s logo, crystals and glitter?

Pretty please? ♥

                                                        xoxo

                                        [Tshirt photo courtsey of USA Today]

On a side note….gosh, I have been horrible with updating this blog. I can’t believe I went two months without anything! Believe me, I thought about blogging a lot more often that I actually did this off-season. This post and the gorgeous weather is a good sign though, baseball season is back sooooooooooon!  

Even that sounds like an understatement.

Over here in the rainy beautiful Emerald City, more specifically at 1st Ave and Edgar Martinez Dr, lots have been happening. The Mariners organization has been busy. Busy dealing with arbitrations, busy signing new and old players, busy inviting players to Spring Training, busy having photo shoots with new players, busy mourning the departure of Branyan and Johjima….

….ok the last one is just me.

Like I said on my Twitter, I have waited too long to update my blog that I have no idea where to start. I’m going to machine-gun my way through some Mariners updates but please note that they are in no particular order.

1. Felix Hernandez is staying! For FIVE more years! I expected 2 or 3, but 5? I’m beyond ecstatic and I’m sure a lot of other Mariners fans are too. The exact number for Felix’s raise is not disclosed, but I’m guessing it’ll be a chunky amount compared to his 3.8 million salary last season! When you’re a Cy Younger runner-up, you deserve it. 

Wow, I’m pretty confident when I say we have the most vicious 1-2 punch for our starting rotation in the entire Major Leagues. Sorry Angels, we’ll be dethroning you this season.

2. Mariners closer David Aardsma and relief pitcher Derek Lowe signed a one-year extension and both a raise in their salaries. They certainly both deserved the raise after their outstanding (especially Aardsma) performances in the ’09 season. Aardsma was 38 for 42 save opportunities, and Lowe was one of the only consistently dependable RPs for us last season.

3. Say hello to our new 1st baseman Casey Kotchman from the Red Sox. Please don’t ask me how I feel about this or I’ll start crying. I would like to ask our GM one question; why wasn’t Branyan a good candidate? Sure, he was injured but he did his job as the team slugger hitting 31 HRs and manned 1st base extremely well. Ok fine, I guess the M’s offered him a 1 year deal and he rejected it. Let me pout for a few seconds.

…….

Ok I’m done. As a faithful Mariners fan, I should welcome Casey Kotchman with a smiling face and open arms. Casey, I wish you success in our amazing team but please don’t do anything that’ll make me regret the smiling face and open arms. Mmmkay?

Russell, I will miss you dearly and I wish you the best. I highly doubt that anyone in our lineup (so far) is going to blast 31 homeruns like you did last season. What are we going to do without a slugger like you? Eeep!

4. The Mariners welcome Brandon League as a result of a trade with Brandon Morrow. I don’t have much to say about this trade because it kind of feels like an even exchange. Both their ERA’s are kind of high, both had an unstable season. I do like his glasses though.

There you go, a quick update of what the 2010 AL West Champions Mariners have been up to. :] I can’t believe Spring Training is right around the corner; it feels like it’s been ages since I’ve watched baseball. Now that I’m back in the Pacific Northwest, I plan on going to a ridiculous amount of Mariners game this season. Besides, I have my game shirt ready and everything:

                                                  It was a gift from Santa! ♥

                                                           xoxoxoxoxoxo  

Dear Santa,

Since I’ve been a lot more nice than naughty this whole year, here’s a list of everything I want.
First of all, it’s pretty obvious but I would absolutely adore for the Mariners to at least be crowned AL West Champions but why stop there, right?

I want the Mariners to win the WORLD SERIES.

Yes, I said it.

I want the Mariners to win their first World Series Championship ever. Seriously though, with Ichiro, Felix, Wilson and our newest additions Figgins and Lee?

Come on, now. This would be the year to win it, if ever!

Santa, the Mariners obviously have what it takes, so will you please supply them with that extra push? 
 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I also would love love looooove this pictured player to join the Mariners.

Are the chances slim?

Well….

………………..yes, but that’s why I’m asking you, Santa!

How perfect would he be in our very empty left field?

Perfect would be an understatement. If we can get Bay in the Mariners, pssshh, I probably don’t even have to ask Santa for a World Series championship!

On a side note, isn’t this picture funny? A major leaguer life guard? Sounds good to me ♥

  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
 
 

Thirdly,  

No injuries.

For any Mariner.

Must I elaborate?

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

But….my biggest and most important delivery I need from you, Santa, is for you to enlarge your sleigh, recruit some more reindeers, pile all the U.S soldiers that are overseas and bring them back home safe and sound. 

That may take a few trips but I hear you deliver presents all across the world overnight. :]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Hopefully that’s not too much to ask…

….what? I’ve been naughty this year?

Dangit.

I have such amazing news about the Mariners….

….which I’m sure everybody and their brothers know about already but what the hey.

No exciting build-ups, no beating around the bush….

MARINERS SIGNED CLIFF LEE!

Can I just say, WOW? I knew we had plenty of money this off-season to acquire some great players but Cliff Lee? I’m almost overwhelmed by the news. Lee rocked the World Series beating the Yankees not only once, but twice, and not only that, but Lee has a 5-1 3.49 ERA at Safeco Field! This Cy Young winning southpaw with a Cy Young contender (Felix, of course), both backed up by one of the league’s best defense, we are going to have a vicious starting rotation.

Watch out AL West, we’re gonna take all of you down.

Oh and to put the cherry on top of this wonderful Mariners sundae, we acquired Chone Figgins (he’ll be sporting a No.9 jersey) last week from the Angels. He is the guy I always get nervous about when we play the Angels…gosh, not having to worry about him is going to be awesome. Figgins signed a four year, $36 million deal with a vesting option for 2014. Figgins was a third baseman for the Angels which brings up the question as to where he’ll be defending next season if Beltre chooses to stay. Personally, I think he would own second base but I would hate to have to see Lopez benched for that. As far as I’m concerned, the only spot available right now is left field and with his third baseman arm, I figure he would excel. With his above-average batting and last year’s career high runs and doubles, I have no doubt he’ll be sending Ichiro home more often than not.

Our starting lineup will consist of Ichiro batting first (duh), Figgins, Lopez/Gutierrez, Branyan (still crossing my fingers for that one)….

…and of course our deathly pitching rotation.

Fellow Mariners fans, my baseball itch is worsening as we speak! The 2010 season is going to be…enthralling, captivating, engrossing, and riveting; I can hardly wait!

Now for all non-Mariners fans, you should probably be afraid.

Very much afraid.

I end with an evil laugh.

                                                        Mwahahahaha.

                                                               xoxo

Let me start with what I do have of Mariners updates:

1. Mariners offered arbitration to Adrian Beltre (3B). I’m not surprised and I’m sure most Mariners fans expected this. However, the chances of Beltre returning are slim; apparently the Phillies and Red Sox are interested in offering Beltre a multi-year contract. You know what? I think I’m going to be ok with it.  

2. Mariners did not offer arbitration to Erik Bedard (SP). Am I surprised? Not really. His injuries every other game was just tiring. I don’t blame the Mariners at all for not inviting him back.

On top of the fact that the Mariners really haven’t had much going on these days, I miss writing…so I decided to start an Off-Season Funblog! I plan on writing about random things that you just might enjoy reading about :]

Today I would like to introduce you to my fairly new friend I live with.

This is Kenji. Yes, he’s a parakeet. He’s roughly 12 weeks old and he’s been with me for about 2 weeks.

Some of you may be wondering…did I name him after the now-departed catcher Kenji Johjima?

Yes I did. 

Call me crazy, it’s ok, it wouldn’t be the first time.

He still can’t fly but I see him practicing all the time; it’s pretty comical.

As some of you may know, all I’ve been doing is driving up and down Interstate 5 from Seattle to Portland and vice versa for work. Although Kenji has his huge bird-condo that he lives in, he travels with me in his miniature cage. It’s been pretty fun having him around so far! :]

Other than work, spending time with family and friends, I have yet to find a remedy for my stinkin’ baseball itch. As depressing as this sounds, I suppose I’m finally getting used to the fact that baseball isn’t happening. It’s quite the tragedy but at least I know I’m not the only person that’s going through this!

Well, hope everyone enjoyed my first Funblog and is finding better things to do with their time than sulking over this cold, cold, very, very long winter without baseball. Sob!

xoxo