American League West News

“We felt like we did a good job, getting his pitch count up early”

SEATTLE -- If Ron Washington had penned the book Baseball for Dummies -- a particularly appropriate title considering the team he manages -- Monday afternoon would have been straight from chapter one.

If Washington was a preacher, this would have been the subject of his best fire-and-brimstone sermon.

If he was a teacher -- and some say that's exactly what he does best -- this would have been his class titled Baseball 101.

Only one problem.

When the bell rang ending class on a frigid Pacific Northwest Monday evening, the Texas Rangers had still flunked the final exam. Read more

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The Seattle Mariners open their season this afternoon at Safeco Field. Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus throws out the first pitch. via The Columbian

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Carlos Gomez, one of the players traded from the Mets in the offseason and the person who took over for Torii Hunter in center field for the Twins, had two hits, a pair of stolen bases and scored twice as ... via Channel4000

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“I don't think we need to overemphasize that”

When they received their 2008 schedule, the Mariners were livid, as their road lineup will mean a club record for miles traveled. via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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“Guys aren't going there own way anymore. Everyone's going in the same direction.”

Ace pitcher Kevin Millwood pulled the hood of his blue Rangers sweatshirt over his head. Then he pulled the drawstrings so tightly only his mouth, nose and eyes poked through.

The rest of his Rangers teammates, fresh from the Arizona desert, wore bulbous, red knit caps that made them look like old-fashioned police cars.

Charlton Jimerson, Seattle's late position player to make the team Sunday, stood in front of the Mariners dugout wearing a blue knit cap far below his ears _ and spoke for them all. Read more

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“I'm not sure there's really a good answer for that”

A's general manager Billy Beane made no secret that he was looking toward the future when he embarked on his wheeling and dealing frenzy this past winter. via Pleasant Hill Record

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Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer for the Angels and James Loney doubled home the tying run for the Dodgers in the eighth as the Los Angeles teams played to a 10-inning, 2-2 draw Thursday night. via Monterey County Herald

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“He scared the heck out of me when he stumbled, turning that ball into a triple”

Milton Bradley's surgically repaired right knee passed a major test. Bradley, making his first start in right field this spring, tripled and handled two chances during the first four innings of the Texas ... via KGW-TV Portland

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The Seattle Mariners came awfully close to winning their first American League West title in six years last season. via WKRC-TV Cincinnati

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“In the big leagues, you have to throw pitches low because if you throw them up they disappear. For me, it sucked because that's my strength and my ball is going to go there.”

Carlos Silva not only had to deal with an awkwardly sloped pitching mound in his final Arizona start, but he also had to contend with 86-degree heat. via KGW-TV Portland

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