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This year, it became even a little worse, because he's been throwing his fastball so super-great.
This cemented him in using his favorite approach, since he was executing it so well.
...........
My guess is that Olivo can't call for a split first pitch.  (1) It's obviously annoying for the pitcher to come into the game and shake off the first pitch.  (2) When a Mariner pitcher, other than Bedard or Felix, shakes off a pitch, it tips a fastball coming.
ML catchers are essentially guessing what a pitcher wants, not coaching him in what to throw.  
If League trotted in from the bullpen, shook off the first pitch, and then threw his predictable fastball, it would have a pretty embarrassing feel to it from field level.  
Like you were trying to help League out a little bit -- right on the first pitch -- and he resented the condescension.  The other dugout would probably be chuckling at the situation.
You want your closer to exude an air of dominance, like "how many pitches is this going to take."  The pitcher-batter squabble isn't the way to start that off :- )
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