TODAY’S GAME
Opponent: L.A. Angels
When: 7:10 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: FSN
Radio: ESPN 710 AM
Pitchers: Seattle left-hander Jason Vargas (9-7, 3.53 earned run average) vs. right-hander Trevor Bell (1-4, 5.07).
Prince of Darkness revs up fans
The Mariners have unveiled something new to stir up their fans at Safeco Field. No, not a hitter capable of a three-run homer.
The Mariners acquired the services of heavy-metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne, if only for a few seconds on the video board, to rev up the crowd whenever they’ve got a rally in the works.
On Friday when the Mariners had a runner in scoring position against the Twins, Ozzy appeared on the big screen in center field and urged on the crowd.
“Hey Mariners fans, let me hear you scream!” he shouted. While some Ozzy/Black Sabbath played over the stadium speaker system, they did scream.
The Mariners said it was the Prince of Darkness himself and not a really good impressionist as some people were thinking.
“It’s really Ozzy,” Mariners marketing director Kevin Martinez said.
How did the team pull it off?
“We just made a few calls,” Martinez said. “I think he’s a big Mariners fan.”
Actually, nobody is quite sure Osbourne knows who the Mariners are. However, the Mariners talked with folks at Major League Baseball, whose people talked with Ozzy’s people and got him in front of a green screen to pull off the video clip. No bats — wood or otherwise — were harmed in the making of the video.
It also helped that Osbourne is promoting his new album “Scream,” so the gig fit.
Osbourne became a little infamous in baseball circles when he tried to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field a few years ago. He mumbled through much of that performance, although he enunciated well for the Mariners.
He isn’t the only celebrity to deliver video encouragement at Safeco Field.
When comedian Larry the Cable Guy took batting practice with the Mariners last year, he also stopped for a few seconds to make a video urging the Mariners to “Get-R-Done!”
Martinez said the Mariners also are putting together a similar video with Nate Robinson, the former UW basketball star now with the Boston Celtics.
Kelley surgery today
Last week, Mariners reliever Sean Kelley experienced the thrill of his life when his wife Kelsey gave birth to their first child, son Parker Andrew.
Today, Kelley will undergo surgery on his right elbow, unsure how involved the surgery will be. He’s preparing for the worst — Tommy John ligament replacement.
“I’m ready to get this done and move on,” Kelley said. “It’s more likely to be Tommy John surgery than not, but I won’t know until I wake up. I’m prepared for anything.”
Kelley hasn’t pitched since June 15 because of elbow discomfort and, after considerable rehab and inconclusive tests to determine the problem, the team decided in mid-August he needed surgery.
They held off until after the baby was born, which occurred last Thursday near his home in Tennessee.
The surgery today will be in Los Angeles, performed by noted orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum.
Of note
Mariners pitchers in the series against the Indians are Doug Fister on Thursday, Luke French on Friday, David Pauley on Saturday and Felix Hernandez on Sunday. … Eager to get back into left field after injuring his shoulder in August, Michael Saunders didn’t have a ball hit his way the entire game Monday night. …Former Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday. … The Mariners’ game Sept. 6 at Oakland will start at 1:07 p.m. Some schedules list it as a night game.
Kirby Arnold, Herald writer
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
