The Mariners held a moment of silence before Sunday’s game for one of their more recognized members during the late 1990s.
Rosie Santizo, the ballgirl from Bellevue who gained notoriety for her willingness to dive for foul balls at the Kingdome, died Wednesday in a traffic accident in Jordan. She had been in the Middle East working with the Israeli baseball team.
At age 29, she was continuing her work in baseball that she had hoped would lead to a front-office job with a major league team. It began in 1995 when she landed a job with the Mariners.
As a ballgirl stationed down the outfield baselines, she often would dive for hard-hit balls in foul territory. She once got her glove on a ball that was fair, a play that was televised for years on sports highlight reels.
“I’ll always remember her sitting on that stool,” said Kevin Martinez, the Mariners’ marketing director. “She always sat on the edge of her seat and was in a fielding position. She’s the only ballgirl I’ve seen who wore wristbands and baseball cleats.”
Santizo also was popular for her detailed pencil drawings of baseball players, some of them displayed in museums around the country.
Santizo graduated from the University of Washington with a double major in international business and Islamic studies.
After seven years with the Mariners, she worked as an English teacher at the Boston Red Sox’s baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. While there, she developed a program that helped Latin players in their adjustment to life in the U.S. She also worked with the Baltimore Orioles as an international liaison and English instructor.
“She had a smile from ear-to-ear, always,” Martinez said. “She had such a love of life and baseball. She wanted to become the first woman GM in baseball.
“It’s just so sad.”
Silva scratched: The Mariners scrambled to get Ryan Feierabend ready for Sunday’s start against the Yankees after scheduled starter Carlos Silva reported to Safeco Field with a bad back.
The Mariners say he was hurt Saturday, either during fielding drills for the pitchers or while shagging flies during batting practice.
“We think it’s something that will go away in a few days but we’re not sure when we’ll have him back,” manager Jim Riggleman said.
Complicating the situation, Silva has gone to his home near Minneapolis to be with his wife, who is preparing to give birth to the couple’s second child.
“We’re hoping to have him back soon and possibly start on Wednesday, but we’re not sure,” Riggleman said.
Brandon Morrow may be moved up a day and start Wednesday, although that will depend on how well his arm comes back from the 106 pitches he threw Friday. He threw 24 more pitches in that game than in his previous start at Class AAA Tacoma.
Of note: Jarrod Washburn’s plan to play catch Sunday morning was derailed when trainer Rick Griffin examined the left-hander’s strained abdomal muscle. “Rick poked around and said, ‘Let’s give it until Tuesday,’ ” Washburn said. … Mariners pitchers gave fans plenty to cheer — or boo — this weekend with Alex Rodriguez. In the three games, they held him 0-for-10 with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. … Miguel Batista hasn’t allowed a run in his last five relief appearances. … Adrian Beltre has a season-best 13-game hitting streak, batting .463 with five homers and 11 RBI in those games.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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