Apr
14
Written by:
Makebeer
4/14/2009 9:06 AM
Today is opening day for the Seattle Mariners, our hometown team. As of today the Mariners are in first place in the American League West division. We'll keep our fingers crossed in hopes that they will still be there in Septemeber. Harold Reynolds, who played with the Mariners from 1982 until 1992, is throwing out the first pitch. Most recently he has been an analyst with ESPN and MLB.com. Today also marks the return of Ken Griffey, Jr. to Seattle. We can now relive the infamous "Refuse to Lose" season of 1995 every day. The image of Junior sliding into home plate in the bottom of the 11th inning to win the decisive Game 5 against the Yankees on an Edgar Martinez double is truly one of the great moments in sports -- at least local Seattle sports.
Yesterday was a sad day in baseball. Two greats passed away. Mark "the Bird" Fidrych, who I can remember appearing on a Sports Illustrated cover with Big Bird from Sesame Street, died in an apparent accident on his farm. I have vivid memories of him walking of him walking around the pitching mound, using it as his personal sandbox and having personal conversations with the baseball. I wonder what the baseball would say to him. He was 54. For Philadelphia Phillies' fans, Harry Kalas was their voice for since 1971. He was famed for the phrase "Outta Here." I'm sure many Philadelphia locals spent their summer days with Harry Kalas. He was 73.
Speaking of Philadelphia. A friend of mine has set up a blog, http://easyhomebrewkits.blogspot.com/. He lives in the Philadelphia area so I'm sure there will be lots of local information.
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