I had the priviledge of going to 3 M’s games during the last three weeks of the season. My first game was on September 14, against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Katelin, a seventh grader from our church, went with me. She’s come with me before, so we had a lot of fun together. Below are a few pictures from the game.
The mighty Ichiro leading off:
Here’s Felix Hernandez throwing one of his fastballs:
Closing the game is J.J. Putz (the M’s Closer) who is winding up for one of his fastballs. Check out his pitching form:
Although my favorite player, Jeremy Reed (#7) was sent down to the AAA Tacoma Rainiers this season, he was able to come back up to the M’s for the month of September. For those who don’t know Major League Baseball (MLB) rules, teams have a roster of 40 players, but they only have 25 men during the season. For the month of September, MLB rules allow the teams to have all 40 guys on the active roster (meaning they are all suited up and can play) as they head into the playoffs. The M’s brought Jeremy up, but he didn’t play in this game. :-( Here is a picture of Jeremy by the dugout (he is in the center-to the right of Ben Broussard (#23):
Here’s my traditional scoreboard photo (for those who haven’t gone to Safeco Field, this is their hand-operated scoreboard). Notice that this was taken in the bottom of the 9th inning with the score tied. The M’s scored in the bottom of the 9th with a bases loaded sacrifice fly that brought Ichiro in from 3rd Base:
Final Score: Mariners 2 Tampa Bay 1
FRIDAY, SEPT 28TH--FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT
On Friday, September 28th, I went to another M’s game, this time they were playing their division rival--Texas Rangers. It also happened to be the Mariner’s Fan Appreciation Night. They have a ton of stuff to give away, although in my 5+ years of going on this night, I’ve never won anything. Oh, well. The Lord must know that I don’t need a new big screen tv or a trip to Hawaii or a $250 M’s Team Store shopping spree or........one of many other prizes. I went to the game by myself (one of many games that I’ve been to by myself over the years). Mom’s cousin, Kathy, had my other 3 seats, but I hadn’t connected with her before the game to find out if she was coming. Three younger people came during the 5th inning, but I didn’t ask them how they got the tickets. I ended up talking with the four people in front of me. We had a lot of fun even though they were from Eastern Washington and were Wazzu fans. We did get in some discussions about that when they found out that I was a major Husky fan. I found out that the son who was there had not been to Safeco Field yet, so he was so excited to be there. I gave him some tips on what he should see and do. He was hoping for a foul ball, but that’s hard for us to get in our seats. We’re under the Press Boxes and we have that pesky (at least for photos) screen in front of us. Check out these photos from the game.
Here are the pennants that the M’s have won:
Since this was the M’s 30th Anniversary Season (yes, they started the year I was born), they honored the Season Ticket Holders who have been coming since the beginning. The M’s invited them onto the field before the game (have to say that I don’t think all of them were over 30 years old though):
The M’s then came out onto the field to thank everyone too:
Here’s a picture of that night’s pitcher, Jeff Weaver:
I think Adrian Beltre is trying to figure out where the ball went:
Notice that the score is tied in my traditional shot of the scoreboard:
Game is tied in the bottom of the ninth with one on and two outs. Jeff Clement is up to bat and the count is 2-1 (walks-strikes). I took this picture of him just as he was going to start swinging for his 2-run walk-off Home Run:
Final Score: Mariners 6 Rangers 4
SATURDAY, SEPT 29TH
For Saturday’s game, my co-worker Debbie came with me to the game. We met some friends of hers there, so had a lot of fun with them. Deb hasn’t been to a M’s game before, so since we got up there early we walked around the whole stadium. Some of the areas I haven’t been by for several years, so it was great to see some of them again.
Mom always teases me, because I have a tendancy to take pictures of everything, except of myself and those I go with. As an example, when Katelin and I went to the M’s game in June, I took about 115 pictures (including Edgar’s Mariners Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony), but none with Katelin or I in them. I have to defend myself here though, with the cameras I have, I don’t let just anyone touch them, especially my new one. Since I’m often at games by myself, I don’t give my camera to a stranger. When I’m with others, they usually don’t know how to handle my cameras. I work with Debbie and both of us use cameras a lot, so I knew she could handle mine.
Debbie took this pic of me from our seats before the game:
The M’s always have someone come to throw out the First Pitch and at this game they brought Kevin Durant (wearing the M’s shirt). He is the Seattle SuperSonic’s rookie basketball player. I don’t follow the Sonics, so I don’t remember which position he plays:
Even though Sammy Sosa is not a Mariner, I do have to get his picture since he is a great ballplayer:
The hero from the night before, just before he walks up to the plate:
This is the last of my traditional scoreboard pictures for this season:
There was an awesome surprise for me during the game, but you’ll just have to read my next post to find out about it. I should get it posted sometime this week.
I’m so amazed that the season is now done. I had a great time at all of the games I went to, with and without friends and family. Hopefully more of you can join me next season.
M’s Season Record: 88 wins and 74 losses for 2nd Place in the American League West!!!
Don’t worry, I’ve already got March 31, 2008, blocked out on my calendar for the Mariners 2008 Home Opener.
