Calling all baseball fans, calling all
baseball fans. It is time to wake up from your 4 month hibernation.
It is time to dust off your mitts, buy your tickets, and sing “Take
me out to the ball game”.
Once again opening day is upon us. The
day every baseball fan eagerly waits for after the last pitch of the
World Series. It is a day for all of us fans to gather together and
party. Then join in all the revelry at the ballpark that builds up to
the first pitch.
This year will be extra special for all
of the fans of the Seattle Mariners. First, the start will be at
Safeco Field this year. Second, it is the return of the king as Felix
Hernandez takes the mound for his 11th opening day start.
Third, after a long absence we will once again see Ichiro in the
outfield.
After some sub par starts, atleast by
King Felix standards, and two stints on the disabled list, we thought
we might have seen the last of the Felix. Despite spending some time
on the injured list this Spring, Felix showed enough in his preseason
starts to get the nod to take the mound on opening day. This will be
his 11th overall opening day start to give him the most in
Seattle Mariners history.
In 2001, the Seattle Mariners signed a
26 year-old outfielder named Ichiro Suzuki. At the time he was
already one of the best players in Japan but there was still some
questions on how all of his talent would carry over to the major
leagues. It didn't take long for him to answer all though questions
when he was soon throwing players out from the outfield, amassing
200+ hits a season, and becoming one of the most decorated players in
Mariners history. In 2012, his offensive numbers began to decline
and the Mariners were trying to rebuild. Midway through that season
the Mariners traded Ichiro to the New York Yankees. Now, he is back
with the Mariners. At the age of 44 don't expect him to be the same
Ichiro that amassed over 2,500 hits with the Seattle club.
