AquaSox update

Opponent: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes

When: 7:05 p.m.

Where: Everett Memorial Stadium

Radio: KSER (90.7 FM)

Pitchers: Everett right-hander Jason Snyder (1-2, 2.41) vs. right-hander Craig Whitaker (3-2, 3.56 ERA).

Everett abuzz

Jay Buhner finally had his day at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Buhner Buzz Night, which was rained out in its first attempt in Everett, finally took place Wednesday, although for a while it looked like Buhner’s night would be stricken by the weather again.

The original date for Buhner Buzz Night, Aug. 6, was rained out. But AquaSox fans were ultimately able to get their heads shaven to resemble the former Seattle Mariners All-Star outfielder.

“Bald is beautiful as far as I’m concerned,” Buhner said with a laugh. “I think that’s the in thing.”

Buhner spent time before the game getting his picture taken with fans who had their heads shaved and signing autographs. He then threw out the first pitch and signed more autographs during the game.

Buhner’s appearance was part of the AquaSox’s season-long celebration of 10 years as a Mariners affiliate. Buhner had a three-game rehabilitation stint with the AquaSox in 2001, Everett winning all three games and Buhner homering twice.

“We’re excited to have Jay here,” Everett owner Mark Sperandio said. “To me, Jay represents one of the best parts of the relationship with the Mariners, in the rehabs that we’ve gotten. He was the very best of all the rehabs that we’ve had. Those three days in 2001 were three of the best days we’ve ever had owning the franchise, and there’s a lot of things he did to make it so.”

And Buhner has fond memories of his three games with Everett.

“This brings back good memories for me because it was at the end of my career when I was rehabbing and trying to get back and finish up the 2001 season,” Buhner recalled. “Fortunately I was able to get some ABs, but the biggest thing I remember about coming here was the time I had with my youngest son, Gunnar, who was accompanying me basically during my whole rehab stint, so it was a real good time. The guys took great care of him and the ownership here was awesome. They rolled out the red carpet not only for myself, but for my family. It was nice to be able to repay them again for what they did for me because those were some really special moments.”

Buhner is still involved with the Mariners organization, serving as a broadcaster and helping out during spring training. But mostly these days, Buhner is spending his time with his family, particularly his children, Brielle, Chase and Gunnar.

“Right now I’m enjoying being a dad first and foremost,” Buhner said. “I’m enjoying being a coach on my daughter’s softball team which is getting ready to go to nationals, I’m enjoying being a coach for my son’s basketball and baseball teams. Those are the things I missed out on early in their young lives and now I’m trying to make up for it as much as I can.”

Playoff schedule: Should the AquaSox win the division and reach the playoffs, they’ll get no rest. Everett’s season ends Sunday at Salem-Keizer and the playoffs begin Monday at the home of the East Division champion, which will likely be Boise. The league championship series is best-of-five, with the first two games at the East Division champion’s home park and the final three at the West Division champion’s home park. Should Everett finish in a tie with Vancouver at the end of the season, Everett would claim the division title because the AquaSox won the season series 7-5.

Reinforcements: Everett received a new player for the final five games of the season, catcher Daniel Santin.

The 18-year-old Santin, who spent most of the season with Peoria of the Arizona Rookie League, was originally destined for Class AAA Tacoma, but was diverted to Everett. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Santin was the Seattle Mariners’ 23rd-round pick in the 2003 draft.

With Peoria, Santin batted .325 in 37 games with four home runs and 28 RBI.

Santin was thrown right into the fray, starting behind the plate Wednesday.

Nick Patterson, Herald Writer