AquaSox: A look back, ahead

Five things that defined the Everett AquaSox in 2005:

1) Regime change

The AquaSox played their first season under their new owners, the Carfagna family.

2) A career begins

Everett played host to the professional debut of catcher Jeff Clement. Clement, selected third overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2005 amateur draft, is expected to be Seattles long-term solution behind the plate.

3) Mighty mite

Second baseman Luis Valbuena broke out, homering in four straight games. He went on to finish tied for the league lead in homers with 12 and win the RBI title with 51.

4) Grifol moves on

Pedro Grifol, who managed the AquaSox the last three seasons, was promoted within the Mariners organization. Grifol, who guided Everett to a 115-113 record in his three seasons, is now Seattles coordinator of instruction.

5) Carfagnas expand

The Carfagnas purchase their third minor-league team, joining a group that buys the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League. Lancaster joins Everett and the Lake County Captains of the South Atlantic League in the Carfagna stable.

Five things that could

define the AquaSox in 2006:

1) New sheriff in town

Jim Horner takes over as AquaSox manager. There is no drop off in intensity of arguments with the umpires from Grifol.

2) Everett for Everett

Everett, which often plays host to rehabilitation stints by Seattle Mariners, welcomes its most explosive (and aptly named) rehab patient in history: Carl Everett.

3) Cant we all just get along?

For a change there is no animosity between the AquaSox and their opponents on Kids Day.

4) Many happy returns

Making a final push for the Northwest Leagues West Division title, Everett petitions the Mariners to send down former AquaSox pitcher Felix Hernandez for some inbetween-starts work.

5) Empire building

Continuing the expansion of their baseball empire, the Carfagnas take the natural next step purchasing the New York Yankees.

Nick Patterson, Herald writer