Those goofy relievers put their best foot backward

7:15 p.m. UPDATE: The Mariners have confirmed the item below on pitcher Brian Sweeney. He’s in uniform tonight for the Tacoma Rainiers at Salt Lake.

—————-

I always try to take a break from the typing before a Mariners game and soak in the wonder of being able to work in a major league ballpark.

Usually, I do it about the time the Mariners’ relief pitchers high-five their teammates and begin their walk across the field toward the bullpen. More times than not, the relievers have marched in a fairly straight line.

Backward.

Yep, they often would back their way across the field until they reached the door to the bullpen, then disappeared into their haven for the night. Why backward? What deep meaning could there be?

“No reason, except that we’re idiots,” Mark Lowe said.

Sitting nearby, Sean White shook his head in agreement. “That’s right,” he said. “Idiots.”

So there you have it. I was all prepared for some deep message about the relievers never turning their backs on their teammates, or always facing the music, or who knows what.

Not so sure about the idiot part, but those guys are a treat to watch.

A few pregame notes after driving to the ballpark this afternoon against the flow of soccer traffic (Was it especially cold at Qwest Field today? Everyone was wearing a scarf. Also, I tried to high-five some fans after the Sounders’ big victory, but I guess soccer fans don’t use their hands.):

  • Milton Bradley is back in left field after being pulled from Friday night’s rout because of soreness in his left knee.
  • Ian Snell is dealing with the flu and may be send home early tonight, but manager Don Wakamatsu said he’ll make his start tomorrow.
  • Mike Curto, the Tacoma Rainiers’ play-by-play broadcaster and all-around great guy, has Tweeted that the Mariners have signed right-handed pitcher Brian Sweeney to a minor league contract. Name ring a bell? Sweeney pitched part of the 2003 season for the Mariners before they traded him along with Jeff Cirillo to the San Diego Padres. He pitched 37games for the Padres in 2006 before becoming a free agent. He was with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan the past two seasons.
  • Friday night was the 30th time in Mariners history that they scored 11 runs without a home run.
  • Tonight’s lineups:

    TIGERS

    Jackson, center field

    Raburn, right field

    Ordonez, DH

    Cabrerra, first base

    Guillen, left field

    Inge, third base

    Sizemore, second base

    Laird or Avila, catcher (Laird has a sore back)

    Everett, shortstop

    Right-hander Justin Verlander, starting pitche

    MARINERS

    Suzuki, right field

    Figgins, second base

    Gutierrez, center field

    Lopez, third base

    Griffey, DH

    Bradley, left field

    Kotchman, first base

    Moore, catcher

    Wilson, shortstop

    Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith, starting pitcher

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

    More in Sports

    Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

    Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

    Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
    Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

    The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

    Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

    Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

    Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

    Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

    Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

    Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

    Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

    Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

    Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

    Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

    Gonzaga sets school record with 33 assists in blowout

    The first half started with Khalif Battle hitting consecutive 3-pointers… Continue reading

    Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

    Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

    Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

    An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

    Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

    Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

    Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
    Seahawks hire run game coach

    Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

    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.