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GAME CHAT
So this thread would be for game-specific angst. The Main Chat Thread is for Mariners-general angst. Personally, I'll be at the game with my son. If you can think of something better than that, power to you. ... well, the something better than that would be to leave a Shout Box conversation for Dr. D's enjoyment postgame.
DiPoto had a great line on TV yesterday: at this point in the season "Every loss feels like the worst thing that could possibly happen in your life. Every win is pure joy." Or somesuch. "Join the roller coaster."
At least for tonight, the M's are ON that rollercoaster. Great, great ballgame, M's vs Jays.
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TAIJUAN WALKER, SEATTLE MARINER
Youse guys said DiPoto gave us enough of his evaluations to fuel ten articles. You weren't kidding.
One of them was on Taijuan. We'll dissect later... the main theme was, it's been a coachability thing. He said it nicely, but that's the gist. There was one start, about three weeks ago?, where he got KO'ed in the first by the Angels. (Check me, er, him on that.) Then he came into the film room with a look on his face and Mel Jr. smiled broadly. "Been waitin' for ya, kid.
I can't relate to the idea that, before you'll take a little coaching, you have to spritz yourself in charcoal fluid and light a match to yourself. But at least baseball is better than the NBA that way! And the takeaway for us Mariners fans is, here we are. With Good Taijuan. DiPoto praised Mel Jr. up one side and down the other for the work done to Taijuan's mechanics since that three weeks ago* point.
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Last time out, the lad was death on a stick. Here is a quick link to Aiki-Doc's post-mortem of that start. Two in a row tonight?, will have Dr. D hoping for fifty in a row.
Enjoy,
Jeff
A really well played game despite the outcome. Could have won the game, but its baseball and sometimes the actual result is out of your hands.
The next two games are must win games. They will also be the most meaningful games I have watched in 15 years.
Will tuning in for sure win or lose.
What Taro said.
But more losses we can describe as "well-played, could've gone either way" won't cut it anymore. More of those and we will be saying wistfully during the offseason, "The M's may not have made the playoffs but they played really well." Or we might put it another, less complimentary way: "SIXTEEN years (and counting) out of the playoffs."
What's Yogi Berra's famous quote? "It ain't over 'til it's over." Well let's just put it this way. "When it's almost over, it's almost over. You'd better kick it in gear."
Admins...I'm sure you're ware but just in case you're not...the shoutbox feature is now flickering on and off rapid-fire causing hilarious and painful consequences throughout the rest of the site.
Been a little under the weather the last few days (as has the M's offense) but am shooting for some articles later Thursday, including re the fascinating evals that DiPoto gave the other day.
Take care m'friends.
Jeff