Mariners
Scene at the Safe: Mariners opening day

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M's finish with whimper

Bottom of the ninth. In an attempt to rally the lingering faithful, the stadium PA plays "YMCA."

Then Ichiro strikes out. Not only does he strike out, he looks awful doing it, twirling all the way around on two nasty Francisco Rodriguez sliders.

Bret Boone looks worse, as he too strikes out.

The crowd files quietly out. Not a good opening day.
Posted by Les at 5:38 p.m.

Last hope

The Mariners score four in the bottom of the eighth to briefly give some hope to a rapidly dwindling crowd. Rich Aurilia drives in two on a double, seconds after a fan standing behind home plate openly wonders if "maybe Aurilia can redeem himself now" for his earlier error and hitless performance at the plate.

But the rally ends when Dan Wilson grounds out, sending more fans streaming for the exit.
 
One is season-ticket holder Linda Jacobs of Seattle, who sounds far from worried about the season.

"It's just one game," she said. "I think it's first-game nerves. They'll do a lot better tomorrow night."

Jacobs plans to be there to see it.
Posted by Bob at 5:32 p.m.

And then ...

...a heartbreaker. Dan Wilson hits a one-hopper to shortstop and is thrown out to end the inning. Everybody moans and then heads to the exits.

One inning left but much of the crowd has given up on the day.
Posted by Les at 5:22 p.m.

Rally time

Just when the day seemed dead, the Mariners have rallied. Angels reliever Scot Shields couldn't find the plate, walking three including Edgar Martinez with the bases loaded, then John Olerud struck out to end the inning but catcher Jose Molina dropped the ball allowing another run to score. Then Rich Aurilia smashed a bases-loaded double into right center scoring two more.

The stadium PA is playing "I don't want to work" and the crowd is on its feet.

Time for Anaheim to get serious. In comes Francisco Rodriguez and his 100 mph fastball...
Posted by Les at 5:19 p.m.

She said yes

It's turning into a forgetable Opening Day for most in attendance. But not for Dave Tamura and Alicia Uyeda.

After the bottom of the fifth inning, seated seven rows back of home plate, Uyeda opened a box of Cracker Jacks to find a diamond ring inside. As she opened the ring, she looked out to center field and saw a sign that said "Alicia, will you marry me?"

Tamura then dropped to one knee, while members of the Newport High Band - enlisted by two of Tamura's friends - shouted the request from center field.

Uyeda said it took her only a second to say yes.

At that point, given a positive signal, the Newport band then shouted "she said yes" so everyone around knew.

The two have been dating since last July and have a baby on the way and Uyeda said the proposal itself wasn't a huge surprise, though the way it was conducted was.

Tamura said he had been planning the proposal for a month-and-a-half. The trickiest parts turned out to be getting all of Uyeda's family and friends to the game without Uyeda finding out, and getting the banner unfurled. Uyeda's friends said a security guard at first denied them entry to the level, which is just to the left of the Hit It Here Café.

Neither one had ever been to an opening day before.

Asked why he went to all the trouble, Tamura said "We wanted the world to see it."
Posted by Bob at 5:05 p.m.

How about "Win now"?

Up in the press box the Mariners have handed out window decals with the phrase "Hey Now" which must be the new season's rally cry. What it seems to mean nobody knows. Bob Finnigan, the Times baseball beat writer says "Hey Now" is infield chatter. No sooner had he said this then David Eckstein smashed a single into left that Raul Ibanez overruns allowing Jose Molina to score Anaheim's seventh run.

Hey Now!
Posted by Les at 4:50 p.m.

Boo-ne

It's the bottom of the sixth and the Mariner fans aren't booing, they are yelling "Boone" for second-bagger Bret, who leads off.

But in the top of the inning, however, they were definitely booing as the Angeles scored four runs, including three on Troy Glaus' second homer of the day.

"We suck," yells one fan standing behind a railing near section 110.

"What's it now, 5-1?," a friend asks.

"No, 6-1," the first one says. "They're killing Moyer."

And as if on cue, Bob Melvin emerges from the dugout to take Moyer out of the game.
Posted by Bob at 4:38 p.m.

Ex-Mariner update

Up on the scoreboard they're playing the "Guess the Attendance" game but many of the 46,142 are playing the "Beat the Traffic" game. It's the top of the eighth and the Mariners haven't had a runner advance past first base since the second inning. It seems based on one game that Angels starter Bartolo Colon is living up to every expectation heaped upon him.

Don't look now but the Yankees have taken a 4-0 lead in Tampa Bay. The scoring included a two-run home run by Alex Rodriguez. And who did he bring home with the dinger? His pal Derek Jeter.

Randy Johnson is already down 3-1 in the fifth.
Posted by Les at 4:36 p.m.

At least there's Nintendo

As the deficit widens, three members of the Newport High School band, which performed before the game, find some solace in one of the Nintendo games stationed beyond center field and always available for playing.

"At least the Mariners are winning on this one," says Josh Uczekha, pointing to a scoreboard that reads Mariners 14, Yankees 1, with Edgar Martinez at-bat and working on a 3-for-3 day.

The kids got most of the day off from school - spring break is next week - and got to spend the rest of the day at the ballpark after performing.

"One guy saw us and asked us when we were going to perform," says Kenny Scheiner. "I had to tell him that we already did."
Posted by Bob at 4:21 p.m.

Moyer struggling

The roof is falling in on Moyer in the top of the sixth. Troy Glaus hits his second home run of the day to center field, this one a three-run shot. Jose Molina doubles and Adam Kennedy lines an RBI single off Moyer's leg. 6-1 Anaheim. Melvin comes with the hook, bringing in Julio Mateo. Moyer gets a loud ovation despite giving up six runs in less than six innings.

On a positive note, Aurilia cleanly fielded a routine grounder to short drawing a huge roar from the crowd.

Someone in the upper deck in right field has dangled banners off the railing asking someone named Alicia to marry him. Hopefully Alicia hasn't already left like many in the upper deck appear to have done.
Posted by Les at 4:05 p.m.

Winn-ing them over?

Fourth inning and time to take the pulse of the game from center field, which every year since 1989 has been manned by either Ken Griffey Jr. or Mike Cameron - two of the most popular Mariners of all time.

It's a busy inning, too, as Troy Glaus hits a towering shot that sails over the fence for a home run and Jose Molina later hits another long fly that is tracked down by Randy Winn - the man called on to replace Cameron.

Winn's grab doesn't call for any real acrobatics, however, and the fans give it polite applause. It's hard to tell if too many are even paying much attention to the new man in center, given that he was the man in left last season so there's not exactly a lot of curiosity there.

Besides, it's a beautiful day and the beer - as is always the case in the party zone that is center field - is flowing freely, mostly in 16-ounce bottles of Bud and Coors.

Asked if he thinks any one misses Cameron, one fan says "only those who don't really know baseball. He was great in the field but he struck out too much for me."
Posted by Bob at 3:52 p.m.

Reporters like the word 'free'

In the bottom of the fourth, Mariners PR director Tim Hevly announces that ice cream is now available in the press dining room. Ben & Jerry's. He jokes that the KOMO reporter will be first in line. Times writer Bob Sherwin announces: "I'll be second!" His chair goes spinning as he races out of the room.

Meanwhile, the game is still going on. Troy Glaus homers to center field.

Moments later, Sherwin returns clutching a popsicle.

"I've had better and I've had worse, but the sports writer's favorite is free and free light," he says.
Posted by Les at 3:32 p.m.

Jamie keeps 'em guessin'

Vladimir Guerrero up again. A spattering of boos floats around the stands. Moyer runs the count to 3-0 on Guerrero, then lobs a 75 mph changeup, Guerrero practically falls out of his shoes trying to swing at it. His helmet practically comes off. Everybody laughs. The next pitch is even slower and Guerrero nearly wrenches his back trying to swing. On the next pitch, he flies meekly to center field.
Posted by Les at 3:17 p.m.

Natives restless

When Rich Aurilia makes his second misplay of the day - not able to hold on to a throw from Ichiro Suzuki that likely would have gotten Adam Kennedy out at second - a fan yells loud enough to be heard in the press box "How about an error?" Alas, it's scored a double, though Aurilia already has the first error of the season, muffing a double-play grounder in the first inning.

Maybe this will help soothe the restless fans - a cup of Ben and Jerry's. The company took over as the ice cream supplier for Safeco Field this season, and also opened up a store on First Ave., just down from the Mariners Team Store.

"Business is great," says store manager Kevin Brown, apparently no relation to the Yankee pitcher of the same name.

The store will be open for all Mariners home games and likely much of the summer as well on non-game-days, though that hasn't yet been decided.

By the way, the attendance is 46,142, the fourth-largest crowd in Safeco Field history.
Posted by Bob at 2:50 p.m.

Richie on the spot

Seattle Times baseball writer Bob Sherwin and press box food connoisseur heads to the press cafeteria for his first hot dog of the year. Turns out even a free hot dog does not meet Sherwin's fine standards. He leaves it unfinished, still sitting in its little white box. "Blaaahh" he says.

On the field, Angels catcher Jose Molina sends a Moyer 0-2 pitch into the Anaheim bullpen. Adam Kennedy promptly lines a shot into the right field corner. Ichiro grabs the ball and makes a perfect throw to second. Kennedy is dead until ... Aurilia drops the ball. Groans all around. Poor Aurilia, he's not the same without Barry Bonds around.
Posted by Les at 2:50 p.m.

Extending a tradition

Opening Day is mostly about traditions. As the first pitch neared, Tom Budinich of Federal Way settled into a seat in section 120 with his father, Paul, extending a tradition of attending Opening Day that dates back five years.

The two, however, rarely know in advance where they will be sitting, showing up in past years without tickets and buying some on game day. The pair avoided that this year when Paul Budinich bought two tickets for $50 last night at the casino where he works from a fan who won a drawing but didn't want to keep them. Face value? $38.
Posted by Bob at 2:49 p.m.

Edgar strikes out

Edgar Martinez looks at a 96 mph fastball from Bartolo Colon for strike three ending a Mariners rally in the first. The crowd groans and Bob Melvin slowly walks out of the dugout for a "discussion" with plate umpire Gerry Davis. It's not quite Lou Piniella spewing saliva and throwing bases, but Melvin has promised a different persona this year. This may be a start.
Posted by Les at 2:40 p.m.

Going retro

Opening Day also means the first look at the new Mariner merchandise of the year. Among the new items are several T-shirts in a new line called Mariners Classic that are attempting to capitalize on the new retro jersey fad. Among the shirts is one that says "Go Seattle Mariners" in the team's old colors and plastered over a picture of the Kingdome. Another reads "Just Do It In The Dome," and also features a picture of the Kingdome.

How are they selling? "Hard to tell this early," says the man working the booth. The most popular item so far, he said, are T-shirts commemorating Opening Day 2004.
Posted by Bob at 2:35 p.m.

Handing out the gloves

David Eckstein steps in the box and promptly bangs the second pitch of the game into center field. Rich Aurilia dives and misses. Would Carlos Guillen have reached it? You can almost hear 40,000 minds wondering. That's about all you can hear, however. The ballpark is otherwise strangely silent for an opening day.

Oops, Aurilia bobbled Vladimir Guerrero's double play grounder. Two men on...the fans are getting restless. But they are momentarily pacified by Raul Ibanez's running catch of a Garret Anderson line drive. All suddenly seems right in the Safeco word when John Olerud falls to his knees to grab a dribbler off the bat of Troy Glaus.

A big "whew" goes up from the stands.
Posted by Les at 2:28 p.m.

Handing out the gloves

Howard Lincoln is finally throwing around the gold! No, Vladimir Guerrero is still an Angel, but Lincoln and Mariners President Chuck Armstrong are handing out gold gloves. John Olerud gets one, as does Ichiro. Bret Boone gets a gold glove AND a silver bat. For a moment he looks perplexed as to which to take first. He chooses the bat. Later, in a group picture holding his glove and bat, Boone looks like he just robbed the Hall of Fame.

On the scoreboard, they're showing pictures from the "first pitch ball tour." Turns out the Mariners just don't pull a ball from the box and say "play ball." Instead, they sent the ball on a trip around the Northwest. There are scenic pictures of the ball on a Alaskan glacier, in the Palouse and in downtown Seattle.

Norm Charlton throws out the ceremonial first pitch....just a bit outside.
Posted by Les at 2:10 p.m.

Festive atmosphere

Opening Day seems a bit more festive this year than last year, though the reason is obvious. A year ago, the Iraq War had started about three weeks previously and things like baseball seemed a little less important. There were also a few protestors making the rounds last year.

This year, the only people holding placards are people selling something - which includes those selling candidates - a reminder that this is an election year.

Also selling something are the Seahawks. Mariner fans walking down Occidental in front of Seahawks Stadium are greeted by two Sea Gals standing in front of a van selling Seahawks season tickets. Hard to tell what kind of business they are doing on this day, however, with all minds on baseball.

Getting fans in the mood is Rhubarb, the mascot for the Tacoma Rainiers, who is handing out season schedules. At one point, Rhubarb snuck up behind a young girl and put her hood back on, then stood back with arms open when the girl turned around to see who it was. Everybody, obviously, laughed.
Posted by Bob at 2:06 p.m.

Playing the blues

One fan not enjoying the sounds of The Morning After is Edward S. McMichael, better known in these parts as the Tuba Man. McMichael said he has been playing his tuba outside the stadium on Opening Day every year since 1990.

But at this moment, the Tuba Man is silent.

"I used to be able to hear myself above that," he says, pointing across the street at the racket being made at the Pyramid Ale House. "At their loudest, I'm not able to hear myself play."

He looks into his bin where appreciative fans throw money and there's about $5 plus some change, down apparently from past years. "If I've taken in anything — it's just because of my presence," he said. "I made a little bit before they started."
Posted by Bob at 2:04 p.m.

Introductions

Scott Spiezio, his back hurting, declined to run the red carpet, walked instead from the dugout. By the way, it turns out there ARE fireworks at Safeco Field, they erupted as Bob Melvin was introduced. No, Aaron Sele did not duck.
Posted by Les at 1:56 p.m.

Glitz with a capital 'G'

Nobody turns Opening Day into an overdone extravaganza of showy excess quite like the Mariners. The club has rolled out a red carpet that stretches down the Safeco Field hallway from the door to the Mariners clubhouse, under the first-base stands, under the right-field stands, finally popping out a tunnel in right field.

The players will walk all the way around the stadium before running through a gauntlet of blue, green and white balloons like they're high school football players at Homecoming.

Fortunately the strobe lights they used to use in the Kingdome have gone the way of Astroturf and home run fireworks.

A group of Safeco Field ushers have unfolded a giant Mariners flag at the pitchers mound and now the Angels equipment managers are being introduced. The anticipation is thick, which must be why the stands are still half-filled.

Posted by Les at 1:42 p.m.

It's a big party

As someone who remembers coming to opening days 20 years ago back in the Kingdome, it's amazing what a production Opening Day is now. Every other block seems to have a radio station playing music and the Pyramid Alehouse even has a live band playing outside.

Fans, however, might not be paying that much attention. After finishing one song, the lead singer said, "For those of you still listening, we're still called The Morning After, just as we were 15 minutes ago."

Posted by Bob at 1:30 p.m.

A record already

The first pitch is still an hour away and the first record of the season has already been set. One lot, out on the corner of First Ave. and Massachusetts, is charging $50 for parking.

The Homeplateparking.com lot, just south and across from the field, is charging $40. "That's a lot," said Marth Christensen of West Seattle in stating the obvious. But Christensen paid it, despite arriving at 9:45 a.m. "I drove around expecting to find some of the free stuff, but there was none of that available so I decided to do this," he said. Another couple, who declined to give their names, said "we're lazy" when asked why they paid the $40. "But we know it's a special event so we were expecting it. It's very convenient."

Both fans said they thought it was a record for that lot. A guard at the entrance to the lot also said the price will likely be $20 after opening day.

Posted by Bob at 1:10 p.m.

Traffic holdup 

Still, if you're thinking about making the trip, be aware.

Posted by Bob at 12:48 p.m.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company