|
|
 |
|
 |
| (click to enlarge)
|
| Crew members from the Petty Enterprises team prepare the primary and backup cars for driver A.J. Allmendinger in the players' parking lot at the Mariners' spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz. The hauler in the background contains cars driven by Elliott Sadler. |
| |
ADVERTISEMENT
|
| |
|
Tales from Wak, Adair and NASCAR
Posted
at
1:49 pm
by By Kirby Arnold
It's the big NASCAR weekend in Arizona, where I am at the moment gearing up for my Big Fat Redneck Weekend.
Today, however, I put aside my planned shopping trip for jean shorts, black socks and a tank top and trekked up to the Mariners' training complex in Peoria. And what did I find there the moment I drove into the players' parking lot?
Heaven. Well, Heaven to me.
The Richard Petty Motorsports team was staying at the Hampton Inn close to the Peoria Sports Complex, and Mariners staffers let them park their Sprint Cup racing team haulers in the players' lot, which is more secure. The race teams won't be allowed into Phoenix International Raceway, about 15 miles south of Peoria, until about 6 a.m. Friday (the big race is Sunday afternoon).
 I didn't go to Peoria to drool over race cars, although I think I saw a mechanic wiping something off the No. 44 car after I walked away. I went there to see if any Mariners were working out before going to Surprise to meet with manager Don Wakamatsu, who was watching some of the organization's prospects in an Arizona Fall Legue game.
The Peoria training room was a busy place with players working out and rehabbing from injuries. Among them was a guy many people may have forgotten, left-handed pitcher Ryan Feierabend. It has been about eight months since Feierabend had "Tommy John" elbow surgery, and Monday he threw his first full bullpen session with no ill effects. He'll throw another Friday morning. I'll have more on Feierabend in a story in the newspaper next week.
In Surprise, Wakamatsu spent his second day watching the Peoria Javelinas, whose roster includes Mariners prospects Dustin Ackley, Carlos Triunfel, Joe Dunigan, Phillippe Aumont, Josh Fields, Anthony Varvaro and Nick Hill. I spent about an hour talking with Wakamatsu about lots of topics, including what he's doing to make himself a better manager and make the Mariners a better team. He had a lot of interesting things to say, which also will in a story in the sports section next week.
Along with Wak was new third-base coach Mike Brumley, who played for six different teams from 1987-1995, including the Mariners in 1990. He says he didn't mind playing in the Kingdome, espeically on those cold April nights in Seattle.
Pitching coach Rick Adair also was in Surprise, and one of the first questions he had for me was something a lot of Mariners fans are asking: What are Felix Hernandez's chances of winning the Cy Young Award? Adair, naturally, thinks Hernandez should win it. My gut says Zack Greinke will beat him for the award.
One other thing that caught my eye in Surprise. Last winter, many fans were asking "Don who?" when Wakamatsu's name was mentioned. Today, he signed several autographs from fans who not only know who he is, but who believe he should win the American League Manager of the Year award. That award will be announced Wednesday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Return to Mariners Blog |
|
|
|Contact Us
|Advertiser Services
|Home Delivery
|Newsstand Locations
|Classifieds
|Feedback
|About the Company
|Work@the Herald
|Site Map