Originally published Friday, June 20, 2008 at 12:00 AM

10 worst moments for Mariners this season

1 John McLaren's firing: Pulling the trigger on this move Thursday raises the question — "What the [bleep] took so long?"

2 Bill Bavasi's goodbye: The general manager who launched the Bad Ship Mariner finally walked the plank Monday.

3 Postgame meltdown: McLaren erupted for a 45-second bleepfest June 4, and Bavasi forced players to talk to media and — gasp! — wait for their meal.

4 Richie Sexson's struggles: First baseman proves his '07 season was no fluke, brings out boo-birds by "hitting" .179 at Safeco.

5 J.J. Putz's problems: Closer's rib and arm injuries have sidelined him 24 games so far, but late-game belly flops hurt worse.

6 Lost road trip: Worst part of 0-6 trip in late May to Detroit and New York in which they were outscored 61-27? M's came back to Seattle.

7 Erik Bedard's bust: First he had an inflamed hip. Now the supposed ace suffers from inconsistency and an inability to pitch deep into games.

8 Catching crisis: After signing for three more years, Kenji Johjima was benched for his bat and blamed by some for poor pitching. Jeff Clement's early call-up was unimpressive.

9 Right-field flops: Black hole in right devoured Brad Wilkerson and Wladimir Balentien, and even sucked Ichiro out of center field.

10 Jeff Pentland's pink slip: Amazing how the June 9 firing of their hitting coach woke up the Mariners' bats, isn't it?

Don Shelton

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