Mariners Update

  • Friday, September 29, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

Herald Staff

  • Opponent: Anaheim Angels

  • When: 1:05 p.m.

  • Where: Edison International Field, Anaheim, Calif.

  • TV: FOX (Channel 13)

  • Radio: KIRO (710 AM)

  • Probable pitchers: Seattle left-hander John Halama (13-9, 5.14 ERA) vs. right-hander Tim Belcher (4-4, 6.39).

  • Golden memories: Outfielder Anthony Sanders got called up by the Mariners – called way up.

    From the Southern Hemisphere.

    After surviving a 14-hour plane trip from Sydney, Australia, Sanders on Friday was called upon to pass around the gold medal he just earned as a member of the U.S. Olympic baseball team.

    And even those multi-millionaire major-leaguers in the M’s clubhouse – some of whom routinely wear jewelry as large as Sanders’ new bauble – were significantly impressed.”

    “Everybody’s been pretty excited about it,” said Sanders, a member of the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers this season. “Everybody wants to touch it and feel it.”

    Sanders, 26, was one of four members of the Mariners’ farm system (Mike Neill, Ryan Franklin and Todd Williams were the others) to play under USA manager Tommy Lasorda.

    “That was the highlight of my life,” said Sanders, who was picked up on waivers from Toronto before the start of this season. “I don’t think it gets better than that. I’ve never been to a World Series or anything like that. I don’t even know if that would compare to this. Once you get there and get the feeling that you’re representing your country, it’s hard to describe that feeling, it’s so strong.”

    Mariners manager Lou Piniella, a veteran of several World Series, recognized the significance of Sanders’ achievement.

    “That’s something to be really proud of, representing your country and getting the highest award,” Piniella said. “It’s an experience these young men will never forget.”

    And the medal?

    “It’s a beautiful thing, it really is,” Piniella offered.

    Piniella wanted Sanders with the Mariners for the final three games against Anaheim mostly for his legs.

    “He gives us an extra runner; we don’t have to use Al Martin (as a pinch-runner),” he said. “That allows us to leave a left-handed bat on the bench (for late innings).”

    Sanders, who was called up by Toronto for three games last season, was a good candidate for a September call-up to the Mariners, but the experience in Sydney was too meaningful to turn down.

    “I think the experience he’s been through would override anything he could have derived from being here,” Piniella said.

    Piniella touted Sanders’ athleticism, and said he’ll have a shot at making the big club next spring … “if he can hit.”

    He was surely the hit of the clubhouse on Friday. As he was pulling on his knee-high socks before the game, he was asked one more time to show off his medal.

    “Uh, don’t have it right now … somebody around here’s got it.”

  • Moyer update: Veteran starting pitcher Jamie Moyer, who got rocked by Texas on Thursday, was examined after the game in an effort to detect the reason for soreness behind his left shoulder.

    Moyer couldn’t get out of the second inning Thursday, coming up with the shortest start of any Mariner pitcher this season.

    “We’ll know more Monday,” Piniella said of Moyer’s condition, indicating that further evaluation is warranted.

    “He warmed up fine, according to Bryan (Price, pitching coach). He warmed up well. But he said he felt it grab him a couple times. He said he had trouble getting on top of the ball.”

    Moyer was 2-7 in his last 12 starts with a 6.48 ERA.

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Sports

    AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
    AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

    Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

    Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

    Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

    George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

    Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

    Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
    Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

    Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

    AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
    AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

    Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

    AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
    AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

    Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

    Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
    Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

    The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

    Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

    The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

    The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

    The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

    Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
    Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

    Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

    Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

    Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

    Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

    The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.