EVERETT — Jay Buhner is coming to Everett this summer and, if the AquaSox can pull it off, so will one of the best promotions in Seattle sports history.
Get ready for the revival of Buhner Buzz Night.
"We’re researching the possibility," AquaSox owner Mark Sperandio said.
The AquaSox will mark their 10th season as the Seattle Mariners’ short-season Class A affiliate with a number of Mariner-related promotions, including a night honoring one of the most-loved former Frogs of all: Buhner.
The ex-Mariners outfielder played three games in Everett on a rehabilitation assignment in 2001, so Sperandio figured it’s a natural to have him back this season.
Buhner will be honored at a pregame ceremony and throw out the first pitch before the AquaSox game Aug. 6. Fans at the game also will get a Buhner bobblehead doll.
And if Sperandio’s Buzz Night idea comes about, it’ll revive a promotion the Mariners held six straight years through 1999, when they sheared 14,133 heads (including those of 186 women) and drew 1,923 more who already were bald.
The AquaSox can’t handle those numbers, but Sperandio already knows what Buhner’s presence can do at 3,500-seat Everett Memorial Stadium.
"The best three days we had were the days he played here," Sperandio said. "He stayed and signed autographs for an hour and a half each day."
Everett has been known not only as a place where future Mariners begin their pro careers, but where current M’s sometimes come down to rehab from injuries.
Randy Johnson and Chris Bosio pitched for the Sox in 1996, Freddy Garcia and Dan Wilson played for them in 2000, Buhner and Jeff Nelson in 2002 and Kazuhiro Sasaki in 2003.
The AquaSox’ mission, of course, is to develop future major leaguers. There are five former frogs — Julio Mateo, Gil Meche, Joel Pineiro, Rafael Soriano and Willie Bloomquist — currently with the Mariners and more than a dozen bona-fide prospects in the high levels of the minors who started their pro careers in Everett.
That will be the focal point of the AquaSox’s promotions this season.
"It’s been a fabulous relationship," Sperandio said. "There are the players who started in AquaSox uniforms who are with the Mariners now, and they’ve got a plethora of players at Triple-A who’ve come through Everett.
Nine players now with the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers — Jeff Heaverlo, J.J. Putz, Aaron Looper, Clint Nageotte, Matt Thornton, Justin Leone, Jamal Strong, Craig Anderson and Travis Blackley — began in Everett.
"Look at their roster now, and it’s basically our 1999 roster," Sperandio said. "It’s something we’re very proud of."
The AquaSox will have six bobblehead promotions, featuring the likenesses of Buhner, Bloomquist, Meche, Pineiro, Mateo and Soriano. Sperandio said T-shirt and hat give-aways also will honor notable former AquaSox players.
This will be the 21st season of minor league baseball in Everett, the sixth under Sperandio’s ownership. Among other highlights this season:
Sperandio expects a crowd of about 1,000 and the Merchants will receive part of the proceeds. Regular admission prices will be charged for the game.
The winner of the AquaSox-Merchants game will win the "Everett Cup," a trophy which Sperandio has yet to acquire.
"We’ll go out and get something, although I don’t think it’ll be as exciting as when the Silvertips will win the Memorial Cup," Sperandio said.
"The fans may not notice this, but the Mariners will," Sperandio said.
"We’re giving in to the Atkins fever," Sperandio said.
And for those not counting carbs, fresh baked potatoes have been added.
Two food favorites, chili and chowder bread bowls, will return, Sperandio said.
The AquaSox also will hold one-dollar Mondays when many food items — such as hot dogs, chips and ice cream sandwiches — will cost $1 each.
Other promotions include six fireworks shows and a postgame movie on Aug. 20.
And, possibly, Buhner Buzz Night.
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