Mariners
Ten predictions for 2011 season
If the Mariners use only the players currently on the 40-man roster this season, then with great confidence and with the amount of hot air in a Jack Cust whiff, I predict the season will go something like this:
1) The Mariners will land in the cellar of their division faster than Ken Griffey Jr. can drive from Seattle to Orlando.
2) Subsequently, Milton Bradley will need to see his counselor again.
3) A frustrated Ichiro will threaten to finish his career in Japan. Or Korea. Or Nepal.
4) Subsequently, Felix Hernandez will ask for the name of Milton Bradley's counselor.
5) By midseason, the Mariners will introduce the Fan Bobblehead Doll. And then use them to fill all the empty seats in Safeco Field. It looks good on television, with all those heads nodding approval.
6) Subsequently, Eric Wedge will ask Felix Hernandez for the name of Milton Bradley's counselor.
7) Eventually, the Mariners will start playing split-squad games against multiple opponents each day to get the season over with faster. Bud Selig can't decide whether or not to intervene.
8) Finally, Jack Zduriencik suggests that, like the Seahawks getting into the playoffs despite a losing record, perhaps the Mariners can also ... before finishing that thought, he asks Eric Wedge for the name of Milton Bradley's counselor.
9) By October, the only happy Mariners fan left in Seattle is ... Milton Bradley's counselor.
-- Raymond S. Wilson,
Bellevue
For AAA ball, go to Tacoma
Rebuilding a team versus attendance: The fans will decide whether to watch Class AAA ballplayers playing major-league baseball at major-league prices or whether to watch AAA ballplayers play AAA baseball at the right level. During rebuilding, most teams are overmatched and not very interesting to watch. So, what's the remedy? There is a complete renovation going on down I-5 at Cheney Stadium, with very low ticket prices and ballplayers playing where they belong.
-- Bill Collins, Federal Way
Ford Mullen
Still proud of him after 50-plus years
Thank you, Larry Stone, for the wonderful and enlightening article on Ford Mullen, a very special man ('For the love of the game,' Jan. 30). I was privileged to play on his final two basketball teams at Olympia High School in 1956 and 1957, as well as taking his biology course.
I learned a lot about his history from the article, especially about that time before those high-school days. I was very impressed, but definitely not surprised, by the description of his humility, principles, love of baseball and love of family.
I remember being very disappointed when he chose to quit coaching baseball after the school released him from the basketball coach's position. Several of my buddies who played baseball for him were more than disappointed. Now I understand his decision, having read his daughter Judy's explanation and I am very proud of him for his choice.
-- Rick Harder, Bellevue
Baseball without a gold necklace?
I read the nice article about Ford Mullen, the former pro baseball player. In the old photograph, I noticed he wasn't using the following: batting helmet, gold or other necklaces, batting gloves, diamond or other ear studs, elbow guard, shin guards, sunglasses and apparently no bubble gum or tobacco. Now how could he possibly play pro baseball?
-- Burton R. Withee, Marysville
UW golf
Huskies deserve the spotlight
The Washington Huskies' men's golf team has been perhaps the most consistently successful athletic team at UW over the past decade, yet that fact often seems to fly under the media radar. The team and its excellent coaches are very deserving of your front-page article ('Building a powerhouse,' Feb. 1). Thank you for telling readers about this national powerhouse.
-- Dr. Jack Lamey
Figure skating
Beyond football and basketball
Thank you for your coverage of the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships last weekend. Even a photo of Ryan Bradley!
I thoroughly appreciate every word of coverage you give to figure skating. Some of us are not football or basketball fans, so we are happy when our sport is covered.
-- Ruth St. Hilaire
Send us your backtalk: Only letters bearing real names, addresses and telephone numbers for verification are considered for publication. Please limit letters to 125 words or less. They are subject to editing and become the property of The Times. Fax them to 206-464-3255, or mail to: Backtalk, Seattle Times Sports, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. Or e-mail to: sports@seattletimes.com.
CAPTION(S):
R.A.P. / The Seattle Times (IDH1QGC29)
Copyright (c) 2011 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.
