Opponent: Oakland A’s
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: Fox Sports Net
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Pitchers: Seattle right-hander Miguel Batista (11-8, 4.58 earned run average in 2006) vs. right-hander Rich Harden (4-0, 4.24).
Gotta have that funk
Richie Sexson is a long-ball hitter on the field and a family guy off it. And, after his first home run of the season Monday, he became the Mariners’ king of funk.
While Sexson circled the bases, the Mariners’ marketing department put one of its newest ideas into effect – playing the lively 1970s song “Give up the Funk” and flashing the words FUNK BLAST in bold letters on the scoreboard.
Sexson, who doesn’t consider himself as a funkadelic kind of guy, didn’t see it, but said he might look up after his next homer.
“Maybe I should wear tie-dye next time I hit one,” he said.
The funk theme wasn’t borne of any offseason brainstorm by the marketing department. It evolved after Mariners utility player Ben Broussard took part in a TV segment that was taped at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.
As a thank-you, the EMP sent several CDs to the Mariners, one of them being a collection of 1970s music titled “Funk Blast.”
General manager Bill Bavasi noticed the CD was on a desk in the Mariners’ baseball information department, grabbed it and plugged it into his car CD player. Among the songs he became smitten with was “Give up the Funk,” with such lyrics as “We need the funk … gotta have that funk.”
Bavasi began talking up the idea around the office, and by Monday’s season opener the Mariners eagerly awaited a home run to connect the words FUNK BLAST with a long ball. Sexson gave them that opportunity in the sixth inning.
“We thought it would be fun to mix it into the rotation of songs at the ballpark” said Kevin Martinez, the Mariners’ marketing director. “I think the fans had fun with it, although I think they were having more fun with the three-run homer.”
Domination: One day after Felix Hernandez overwhelmed the A’s with a three-hit shutout in eight innings Monday, his teammates continued to talk about that performance.
“That was as nasty as I’ve seen a pitcher on TV or in person,” closer J.J. Putz said. “He flat-out dominated from the first pitch. I’d put him up against anyone in baseball the way he was pitching. Johan Santana, anybody.”
Hernandez became the first opening-day pitcher in 40 years to record at least a dozen strikeouts and not allow a run. The Cardinals’ Bob Gibson did it in 1967, striking out 13 Giants.
Hernandez also became the fourth pitcher since 1900 to start and win on opening day before his 21st birthday, joining Chief Bender (1905), Bob Feller (1939) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981) on that list.
Of note: All those people with Yuniesky Betancourt No. 3 jerseys will need to get another number. Betancourt has switched numbers with new Mariners DH Jose Vidro, who has worn No. 3 most of his career. Betancourt now wears No. 5. … Marine Sgt. James “Eddie” Wright, a West Seattle native who is an Iraq war veteran and Bronze Star recipient, delivered the game ball to the pitcher’s mound before Tuesday’s game. … The Safeco Field roof rolled overhead just before game time, not for rain, but because of cold conditions. The first-pitch temperature was 50 degrees but, with a strong wind, it felt much colder and the Mariners decided to close the roof in the interest of fan comfort. … Tonight’s Mariners starter, Miguel Batista, pitched a complete game last July for the Diamondbacks in his only career appearance against the A’s. …
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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