A steely gray sky hugs Safeco Field, as though Mother Nature has said “enough” to this Mariners season.
It’s either that or we’re fixin’ to get some rain.
As we prepare for the final game of the season, here are a couple of stories we wrote for today’s Herald — my weekly column looking at moments worth throwing into the burn bin, along with a notebook leading with Ryan Rowland-Smith’s thoughts on his terrible season and his future with (or possibly without) the Mariners as he faces an offseason when he’s eligible for arbitration.
Take a look, and please leave your own thoughts on what else should be torched from this season.
As for news going into today’s 162nd game, there’s this from the Mariners’ clubhouse this morning:
• This week begins surgery season for a couple of Mariners. Outfielder Ryan Langerhans will have bone chips removed from his left elbow on Tuesday and infielder Matt Tuiasosopo will have bone chips removed from his right elbow on Friday. Manager Daren Brown said both should be at full strength when spring training begins.
• Jose Lopez says his injured right middle finger is better, but he’s not in the lineup today.
• Franklin Gutierrez is the DH, meaning he’ll finish the season with 415 chances in center field without an error, setting a major league record for errorless chances in a season. Curt Flood has the record with 396 chances without an error in 1966.
• Daren Brown said he hasn’t had any conversations with GM Jack Zduriencik about the manager’s job next year. Right now, Brown’s thoughts are on today’s game, then flying home to Texas tonight to be with his wife, who’se due to have the couple’s first child this week. “We have a doctor’s appointment in the morning at 11,” Brown said. “I’ll be there for that.”
• Carl Hamilton, the Mariners’ video coordinator the past 21 years, is working his final game before he retires at the end of the year. Hamilton handles all game and workout video for training and scouting purposes.
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