Mariners look to regroup in 2009
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PEORIA, Ariz. -- Today marks the one-year anniversary of one of the more laughable recent spring-training moments, when then-Seattle Manager John McLaren enlisted most of his starting lineup and his All-Star closer in a 6-5 win over the Angels in the first week of the 2008 Cactus League season.
“They’ve beaten us like a drum the last couple years,” said McLaren, who wanted to send a message to his players about the priority of beating the Angels. “We just want to shake hands after a game. We did. It felt good.”
The Mariners were a trendy pick by many to win the American League West last season, and McLaren wanted his players to start thinking like champions that day.
The feeling didn’t last very long. The Mariners melted down early in 2008, their clubhouse filled with turmoil and bickering, and McLaren was fired in June. Seattle finished with a 61-101 record, second-worst in franchise history.
The Angels and Mariners were back in the Peoria Sports Complex for an exhibition today, with the Angels holding 4-1 lead in the sixth on the strength of Jeff Mathis’ two-run double and Howie Kendrick‘s solo home run. Seattle, under first-year Manager Don Wakamatsu, a former Angels roving hitting instructor, seems a lot less ambitious -- and a little more united -- this spring.
“It’s a different feeling in here, from the coaching staff on down,” said Seattle pitcher Jarrod Washburn, a former Angel. “They’re trying to create a different atmosphere, and it’s working so far.
“Everyone in here is trying to forget about last year, move on, focus on the positive. We’re trying to improve on last year, which shouldn’t be too hard.”
No one will be picking the Mariners to unseat the Angels as division champions this season, but Washburn likes their new approach.
“We’re focusing on the important things, small ball, the running game, doing little things fundamentally sound, playing good defense,” Washburn said. “We should be able to pitch well. We won’t hit four or five homers a night, but hopefully we’ll score enough runs and pitch well enough to win a few games.”
-- Mike DiGiovanna