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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, September 21, 2008 Mariner moments to remember ... or forget By Kirby Arnold Herald Writer From February through March, we basically were told not to make plans for October because the Mariners finally had put together a team worthy of the postseason. The starting rotation was the best they'd ever had. The bullpen was sound, the defense would be better than last year and the offense … uh … well … Did we say how good the pitching was going to be? Six months later, half the roster is comprised of players who began the season in the minor leagues and the Mariners' only hope is for a better year in 2009. Good chance of that, because it can't be any worse than what happened this year. This isn't the season the Mariners had in mind. We didn't realize that Richie Sexson in 2008 would be just as bad as Richie Sexson in 2007; that Brad Wilkerson was far from a boost for the offense; that a new contract wouldn't change Kenji Johjima's horrible hitting; or that Yuniesky Betancourt would swing at anything and run at nothing. Then there was Erik Bedard, the supposed top-of-the-rotation pitcher who the Mariners traded away five players to get. We finally may learn Friday, when Bedard undergoes exploratory shoulder surgery, what's been bothering him this season besides the media. Even Bedard's shoulder has become a confusing they-said, he-said affair. After his July 22 MRI, the Mariners said the test showed no structural damage; Bedard said last week that he has known since the MRI that he had a torn labrum. Forget about being disheartened. Feeling more than a little misled? The more we listened to people talk about this team, the more perplexing the season became. Remember these? n "During my seven years here, this is the year I feel the organization coming together as one." Ichiro Suzuki on his first day at spring training. n "From our point of view, he may not have the long answer (for the media) but for us he's a breath of fresh air and we're really excited to have Erik Bedard." Former general manager Bill Bavasi on Feb. 8, the day he traded George Sherrill, Adam Jones and three minor leaguer pitchers to the Orioles to get Bedard. n "What Billy (Bavasi) and the Mariners have done should put pressure on us." New Angels GM Tony Reagins at spring training. n "Without sacrificing any aggressiveness, I'd like for us to be more selective. I think it can be done." Former manager John McLaren on how he and the coaches would deal with the free-swinging hitters. n "Too many questions." Bedard before walking away from reporters after his first spring training start. n "It was our Achilles' Heel last year and I still see signs of it. If we're going to be a good ballclub we can't leave runners stranded on third base with less than two outs. It just can't happen. I see some guys trying to be patient and then the pitcher expands the zone. Then I see other guys who are wild swingers. We've got a little bit of everything going on there." McLaren after a spring training game when the Mariners failed to score on a bases-loaded, nobody-out opportunity. n "Who knows? I might have a terrible year." Bedard after a spring training start. n "I believe in Richie and Richie believes in himself. I really believe he's going to have a good year for us." McLaren on Sexson during spring training. The M's released Sexson in July. n "We had every reason to expect an 88 to 92, 93-win team. It should be. So it's very frustrating when you see something that should be but is not." Bavasi on June 16, the day the Mariners fired him as GM. n "I think in their mind's eyes, they think they are trying hard. I personally see people who are underperforming for no good reason. They have to take it upon themselves. They can't look to a manager or to a coach to lead them out of this. Their ultimate rescue is going to be themselves." Bavasi on the day he was fired. n "There is a little tension, friction, a little jealousy. That's for those guys to work out on their own. If they can get in that room and work some issues out, they will be better off." McLaren after he was fired June 20. n "He seemed encouraged by the results of the MRI. Now his tone in the whole thing is a little more positive." Manager Jim Riggleman on July 23 after the Mariners said the MRI on Bedard's shoulder showed no structural damage. n "We knew what it was after the MRI." Bedard, who said last week that the MRI showed a torn labrum in his shoulder. Maybe it's best to ignore all the talk and let the results speak for themselves. Then again, that's just as disgusting. Kirby Arnold covers the Mariners for The Herald. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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