Boone returns, and brings his ego along

By Larry LaRue

The News Tribune

PEORIA, Ariz. – About the time spring training started to drag for a few of the Seattle Mariners, Bret Boone showed up Sunday – and for more than an hour, boredom fled.

The always confident, frequently cocky second baseman burst into the clubhouse and, upon seeing one-time Padres teammate Ben Davis, shook his head in mock surprise.

“How did you get to be on Boone’s team again?” Boone asked.

Coaches, players, minor leaguers and even manager Lou Piniella were soon enveloped in the Boone aura – loud, funny, occasionally profound and profane.

Fielding questions and shaking hands, Boone held court on a broad cross-section of issues:

On his new shoe contract with Nike.

“They had a little picture of me on the back of the heel, swinging, and a ‘Ka-Boone!’ I told them that had to go. Even my ego has limits – I couldn’t wear that to the plate.”

What Boone and Nike finally agreed upon was a large, bold-faced ‘B’ on the heel of his shoe.

On teammate and MVP Ichiro Suzuki. “There’s never been anyone like him in baseball. I think there were times last year where he went two weeks without getting the barrel of the bat on a pitch – and he would still hit .350.

“Last spring he tried to take over part of an empty locker we shared, and I was like, ‘Hey, who the hell are you?’ Turns out, he was the MVP.”

On his weight, which he said was 188 1/2pounds. “I can’t gain weight. I’ve tried. I guess it’s because I have mature muscles now.”

On following up a monster 2001 season. “I told you last spring I have terrible camps, but I thought I’d have a big year. I think I’m going to have another one this season. I don’t know about 140 RBI – I mean, that’s a bit out of my control. Every time I came up last season there were teammates on base.

“But The Boone isn’t having a big drop off.”

Boone won’t join teammates in work outs until later this week when the full squad reports, and Sunday he dropped in for a quick visit, a little batting practice and a lot of talk.

“He’s one of a kind,” catcher Dan Wilson said, laughing.

Boone burst into a room to find Piniella and began teasing his manager about his off-season training program.

“You look good,” Boone said.

“Go ahead and touch me,” Piniella shot back “I’m like an anvil.”

He said hello to everyone, took 25 minutes work of hitting and signed a few autographs.

Then it was off again at a dead run.

“Boone has a tee time,” he said, and was gone.

Bone to be a coach, sort of: Jay Buhner will arrive in camp on Tuesday, when the position players report, and spend about 10 days working with outfielders.

“We’re going to have him work with our base stealers,” deadpanned Piniella.

“We want Jay to be part of this, so we’re giving him a locker in the clubhouse, not in the coach’s room. We may get him so involved he comes out of retirement. Jay is invaluable to this team.”

Short hops: With Seattle’s permission, Ben Davis will fly with the San Diego Padres’ charter plane Wednesday to attend the California funeral of outfielder Mike Darr. … Ryan Anderson didn’t throw in the bullpen Sunday, as the Mariners give him plenty of time to strengthen his left shoulder this spring. “I’m a little weak behind the shoulder,” Anderson said. “We’re just going to go slow and steady.” … Team trainer Rick Griffin has a target date in mind for pitchers Gil Meche and Ken Cloude this spring, and if all goes according to schedule both will begin pitching in spring games around March 10 – 10 games into the Cactus League exhibition season.