Unusual lineup for charity game

  • Larry LaRue / The News Tribune
  • Tuesday, February 26, 2002 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Larry LaRue

The News Tribune

PEORIA, Ariz. – You might not know the players without a scorecard judging by the first lineup the Seattle Mariners will use this spring – unless, of course, you were watching the game live in Japan.

And since Thursday’s charity game with the Padres is being televised live to the Far East, it’s no surprise that the Mariners’ leadoff hitter will be Ichiro Suzuki.

After Ichiro, get out the scorecard.

The lineup manager Lou Piniella will start reads like this:

Ichiro, RF

Desi Relaford, 3B

Carlos Guillen, SS

DH Ryan Christianson

C Ben Davis

CF Scott Podsednik

2B Antonio Perez

1B Alex Arias

LF Ken Kelly

Compare it with the lineup Piniella will start on Friday, when the Cactus League exhibition season begins. That lineup will include regulars Jeff Cirillo, Edgar Martinez, John Olerud, Bret Boone, Mark McLemore, Mike Cameron and Dan Wilson.

“The first game, we may have a few regulars pinch-hit, but they’re not going to start,” Piniella said Tuesday. “Ichiro wanted to because the game is being televised to Japan. This first week, you won’t see our regular lineup in there often.”

You also won’t see Ruben Sierra, the 36-year-old outfielder-designated hitter that Piniella had initially had DHing Thursday. Sierra came to camp with a tight left hamstring, and since it hasn’t completely loosened up, he won’t play until it does.

“He’s taking part in all the batting practice and outfield drills, we’re just not letting him run,” trainer Rick Griffin said. “When the hamstring is well, he’ll play.”

Martinez will DH whenever the Mariners play at home or against an American League team on the road. When the Mariners play a National League team on the road – as they do Sunday, when the Padres are the home team in Peoria – Martinez will likely take extra hitting in camp.

Edgar hates golf: The team began practice early and broke early Tuesday to give players time for the annual Padres-Mariners charity golf tournament. Most players and coaches signed up to play, but Edgar Martinez wasn’t among them.

“I can’t putt and my second shot is not good,” he said of his golf game. “I don’t drive that far, either, because if I swing hard I never know where the ball will go.”

Short hops: No one ever said baseball was fair, and coach Gerald Perry learned that lesson again Tuesday. Feeding balls into a pitching machine so hitters could take batting practice in the covered cage, Perry found himself in an exposed area – with hitters ripping laser beams by his head. Not without good reason, he borrowed a catcher’s mask. Players immediately filed charges with the team’s Kangaroo Court, and Perry will be fined. He could appeal, but any appeal automatically doubles the fine. … During batting practice, when pitchers usually shag fly balls in the outfield, James Baldwin sneaks into the infield and plants himself at shortstop. “I can dream, can’t I?” Baldwin said. “I played infield a long time ago, when guys didn’t hit balls this hard.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls’ basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 capped second-half run, pushed No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Area girls basketball teams tip off district action.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (left) and head coach Mike Macdonald (right) spoke to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
New Seahawks OC excited to coach Geno Smith

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has “a lot of respect” for Seahawks QB.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs with after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Tyler Lockett’s future with Seahawks remains unclear

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald noncommittal 1 month before a possible decision point.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
O’Neil: The Seahawks will keep Geno Smith

The reasons for the Seahawks quarterback sticking around are simple and obvious.

The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

Warriors win battle of division champs.

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Perfect week no help to Gonzaga

An unbeaten week against a pair of middle- to lower-tier West Coast… Continue reading

LeBron James (23) and Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on as John Collins (20) of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Lakers’ LeBron James and Luka Doncic hit the ground running

LeBron James and Luka Doncic represent different generations and… 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.