Mariners
Notebook: Band gets in the box

By Bob Sherwin
Seattle Times staff reporter

Eddie Vedder

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In an unusual twist of roles, some Mariners were the ones starstruck and autograph seeking yesterday when two members of the Seattle-based rock group Pearl Jam took early batting practice.

Singer Eddie Vedder and lead guitarist Mike McCready took swings in the batting cage at Safeco Field several hours before the game. Allen Wirtala, the team's strength and conditioning coach, arranged the session.

It didn't go unnoticed. A gang of players, along with manager Bob Melvin and hitting coach Paul Molitor, arched around the cage to watch the rockers and some of their crew spray the field with balls.

Vedder, in particular, was besieged with requests to sign balls and bats and to have his picture taken. Melvin even gave him some pointers on pivoting during his swing. Vedder didn't hit the ball far but made solid contact. He even stuck around during the Mariners' batting practice to shag balls in the outfield.

"They've been wanting to do this. It was just a matter of setting up a date when they were in town and we were here," Melvin said. "It's always exciting to see guys who are public figures here.

"There are a lot of guys on the team who are big music fans and Pearl Jam fans. I even got an autograph for my daughter (Alexi)."

The members of Pearl Jam, known for their political activism, are practicing and preparing for the "Vote For Change" concert series. There will be 34 shows in 28 cities, most in nine swing states the first week in October. Other performers expected to be part of the series include Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, James Taylor, the Dixie Chicks, R.E.M., Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt.

Moore applause

Another prominent local product also was part of the festivities. Puyallup's Ryan Moore, who won the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship last week, was introduced to the crowd before the game and greeted with warm applause.

Moore threw out the ceremonial first pitch, a strike to Shigetoshi Hasegawa, who is perhaps the team's best golfer.
 
Putz closes in on setup role

With Eddie Guardado out with knee and shoulder injuries, the Mariners have been using J.J. Putz as their temporary closer as preparation for a probable setup role next season.

"We're finding out that J.J. has done a decent job closing games this year," Melvin said. "Will he pitch in that role next year? I would say probably not. But if you can close, you can set up. You can throw him out there against righties and lefties, and he has good enough stuff to get guys out late in games.

"We're finding out about guys in roles that they probably wouldn't have been forecasted to be in."

Guardado reported for his rehabilitation session yesterday, one day after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee. Guardado, who also has a tear in his labrum that needs to heal on its own, should be 100 percent for next spring training.

M's welcome youngsters

Mariners Scott Spiezio, Dan Wilson and Randy Winn yesterday were involved in a "Buses for Baseball" promotion along with the Major League Baseball Players Trust, the players' charitable foundation.

Children from the YouthCare organization of Seattle received transportation to the game, met the players and received free tickets, food, beverages and souvenirs.