Published: Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What the Mariners accomplished in 2009
1. Harmony in the clubhouse: One year after the Mariners couldn't get away from each other fast enough — and not many bothered to say good-bye — this team didn't want to leave the field on Sunday. Credit GM Jack Zduriencik with bringing in players who realize it takes togetherness — along with talent — to achieve a common goal. Nobody fostered that attitude better than veterans Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Sweeney, but manager Don Wakamatsu also demanded a never-too-high, never-too-low mentality that allowed the Mariners to withstand their tough times.
2. Confidence: Wakamatsu repeatedly referred to a “belief system” that needed to take hold in order for players to succeed, and he said that's one of the biggest achievements. Last year's Mariners seemed beaten the moment an opponent took the lead. This year's team, despite its scoring problems, came from behind to win 36 games and won 34 of 54 one-run games. They also learned they could beat any team in the league, having won 30 of 52 series.
3. Felix Hernandez becomes a true ace: Felix Hernandez, at age 23, learned what it takes to be a Cy Young Award-quality starter. Known as much for his lackluster focus as his off-the-charts potential, Wakamatsu challenged Hernandez to pitch with intensity in every start. He became a 19-victory pitcher and, with a 2.49 ERA, a challenger to KC's Zack Greinke for the AL Cy Young.
4. Solidified the back end of the bullpen: The Mariners went to spring training with no idea who would be their closer, much less their seventh- and eighth-inning relievers or left-handed specialist. Then they succeeded with their best finishing kick since Arthur Rhodes, Jeff Nelson and Kazuhiro Sasaki on the 2000 and 2001 playoff teams. Mark Lowe was at his best in the eighth inning and ranked fourth in the league with 26 holds, and David Aardsma went from an uncertain role to a closer with 38 saves, third-most in single-season franchise history. Sean White filled the seventh-inning role well before his shoulder went south and he missed the final month. Shawn Kelley, whose season was interrupted by an oblique injury, may step into that spot if White doesn't recover well enough to claim it.
2. Confidence: Wakamatsu repeatedly referred to a “belief system” that needed to take hold in order for players to succeed, and he said that's one of the biggest achievements. Last year's Mariners seemed beaten the moment an opponent took the lead. This year's team, despite its scoring problems, came from behind to win 36 games and won 34 of 54 one-run games. They also learned they could beat any team in the league, having won 30 of 52 series.
3. Felix Hernandez becomes a true ace: Felix Hernandez, at age 23, learned what it takes to be a Cy Young Award-quality starter. Known as much for his lackluster focus as his off-the-charts potential, Wakamatsu challenged Hernandez to pitch with intensity in every start. He became a 19-victory pitcher and, with a 2.49 ERA, a challenger to KC's Zack Greinke for the AL Cy Young.
4. Solidified the back end of the bullpen: The Mariners went to spring training with no idea who would be their closer, much less their seventh- and eighth-inning relievers or left-handed specialist. Then they succeeded with their best finishing kick since Arthur Rhodes, Jeff Nelson and Kazuhiro Sasaki on the 2000 and 2001 playoff teams. Mark Lowe was at his best in the eighth inning and ranked fourth in the league with 26 holds, and David Aardsma went from an uncertain role to a closer with 38 saves, third-most in single-season franchise history. Sean White filled the seventh-inning role well before his shoulder went south and he missed the final month. Shawn Kelley, whose season was interrupted by an oblique injury, may step into that spot if White doesn't recover well enough to claim it.
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