Where has this season gone!?

There’s only one month left in the regular season and I think my team needs a pick-me-up. I won't dwell on how they are doing right now, but will go into the past to celebrate how they were doing.

On June 23, I went to a Mariner’s game with Brian and Melissa, and Melissa’s mom Hildred, and her sister, Michelle. We didn’t sit in my normal seats, but were way out in the upperdeck (towards centerfield). We had a great time, although we got our workout climbing all the way to our seats. Here’s a view of the Seattle skyline from our seats (using telephoto lens).



Since many of you have not been to a game with me nor have used my season tickets, here is a view of where our seats are (one with and one without telephoto lens). Our seats are directly under the “C” in “Welcome.” Notice where homeplate is.





This weekend was Ken Griffey Jr.’s homecoming to Seattle. It was great to see him again. Rumor has it that he might return to the Mariners before he retires. Only he knows if it will happen. Here’s a picture of him in the outfield below our seats and one of him up to bat.





When we left to go to the game, we were all worried that the roof would be closed and that we’d end up with rain. Instead, the Lord gave us a beautiful sunset to enjoy. Here’s two of my favorite pictures of that sunset.





For those who were supposed to go with us (you know who you are!!), you missed an awesome game, although I'm sorry that there were no stolen bases (I guess the M's didn't get my memo). We were with great friends, had good food, and an awesome view, plus my guys won!!!! We saw Raul Ibanez hit a grand slam, Richie Sexson hit two solo homeruns, and Ben Broussard hit a two-run homer.

Final score (this is a traditional picture that I always take during the top or bottom of the 9th inning):



On July 28, I drove up to an early afternoon Mariner’s game. I met my college friend, Leslie, there. We reconnected at my cousin, Brittney’s basketball games at Seattle Pacific University. We have gone to a game together for the last few summers, just to catch up on each other’s lives. We sat in my normal season ticket seats, so here is a photo of homeplate from our seats (one with and one without telephoto).





We knew that it was our college’s Alumni Day (George Fox University), but I had forgotten that it was also State Employees Appreciation Day too. We didn't see anyone from our college, but it was our understanding that those who were attending the BBQ before the game were older or we didn't even know them while at Fox.

Leslie and I had a lot of fun talking and cheering for our Mariners. The only bad thing that happened during the game, was that someone ran onto the field to meet Ichiro. We’re assuming the guy was drunk and/or was dared to run out there. He did make it all the way to Ichiro, but then was captured by security. I did get some pictures, but won’t post them here. He’s already had his 15 seconds of fame and doesn’t need any more. We did get to see Kenji Johjima hit a two-run homer and Yuniesky Betancourt hit a solo homer, plus we won!!

Final Score:



My next games will be September 14 and then September 28 and 29, unless they go into the playoffs. Hopefully they get into the playoffs and then maybe I can actually go to a game on my birthday. The last five years, I have gone to the last Friday and Saturday games as a gift to myself for my birthday. Because of that, I have seen Ichiro break the hits record, Edgar and Dan retire, and the M’s knock other teams out of the playoff race (even though we weren’t going). Don't know of any players planning on retiring this year, but maybe the M's will be in the playoff hunt, so these games would really matter. No matter what, the games are just a lot of fun to go to.