As of about two weeks ago I dropped the habit of watching all or most all M's games. I mean, at all.

By mid-July once it became clear that this team was not going to go on the tear-that-was-expected-for-three-months-but-never-materialized, I was already in the mode of doing something else while having the game on in case it got fun or interesting. Now I only tune in briefly and then only if there's literally nothing else to do.

This phenomenon of utter and nearly complete disinterest is somewhat new for me and born of this year's evidence of the final failure of the Zduriencik regime, along with the kinds of names bandied about as potential replacements.

In terms of Mariners baseball, I lived on hope for seven long years with the promise of season after season of payoff. It became clear halfway through the Jack era that things weren't going to happen as quickly as supposed, and introduced doubt that they ever would. Last year's anomaly boosted hope, only to see that hope come crashing down this year not only at the MLB level but in the "pipeline of the future," the MiLB system. A genuine crash and burn.

I don't have the years or the stomach to go through it again, after both Bavasi and Zduriencik, though I have no doubt I'll give any new regime a chance. But you can bet I won't go along with any new 5-year plan.

Last night I perused the St. Louis Cardinals recent history. Tony LaRussa came to that organization in 1996, twenty season ago. Since then the Cards finished over .500 17 times, first or second in the division 14 times. They have been to the postseason 12 times. They went to he World Series 4 times. They won it twice.

Granted St.Louis is The Model Franchise. I tell you what. I don't need the whole enchilada. I'll settle for only approaching that level of success and sustainability. Cut the enchilada in half. At this point, I'll take it. This is doable. Finish above .500 in half your seasons, at least. Finish first or second in your division 35 percent of the time. Go to the World Series twice in 20 years, win it once. I’ll take it. Did I say, I’ll take it?!

But I have no confidence that this franchise can ever produce a team that can accomplish half what the Cardinals have done.

Go Seahawks.