Greetings Mariners fans. It has been a while since I last wrote an update, of which I apologize. I have significantly less free time today than I had a year ago. I am not promising that this will become a thing again, but something happened last night that was historic, so magical that it would be a damn shame not to share.
I will call it “Stealing for the cycle”. Hitting for the cycle is when a player hits a single, double, triple and home run in a single game. It is rare for a player to get 4 hits in a single game, let alone landing each type like this. Although extremely rare, it does happen. In fact I have even witnessed it. Yesterday was the first time I witnessed someone steal for the cycle. Stealing for the cycle is probably not a thing, as it probably does not happen. I know I have never seen it, until last night..
Enter Mallex Smith. Smith is fast, really fast. He also has a problem with keeping his helmet on when running (he is that fast.) He probably leads the league in lost helmets. His batting skills are not very desirable (.176 BA, -0.9 WAR) nor his fielding skills (3 errors, -0.7 DWAR) but he is sure fun to watch running the bases. Smith entered the bottom of the 8th with one stolen base already, and walked. Although technically not a steal, about as close as you can get to stealing first base (maybe getting to first on a strike 3 that hits the ground is closer?) He then gave Ranger’s RP Bird fits as he stole 2nd and 3rd while trying to pitch to Haniger. This resulted in Bird walking Haniger. Frustrated Bird tried (and failed) to pick of Haniger at 1st. And why not, perfectly timed Smith took off for home plate. They tried (and failed) to get Smith at home (and they could not prevent Haniger from getting to 2nd in what probably is considered an error.) With Smith safe at home, he completed stealing for the cycle. It was magical, it was amazing, and a shinning star on the otherwise bleak season the Mariners have put us through.
The Mariners went on and won the game 6-2, their first win in what feels like 3 weeks. Also included in this game was a home run by Vogelback, which in it’s self is not rare. But hitting it into the 3rd deck is. I could be mistaken, but I do not remember anyone hitting one that high up before. Our boy Kyle Seager went 2-5 with 2 runs and 1 RBI. His batting average is sitting at .364, and plays good defense, unlike the other Mariners. Welcome back Kyle!
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