Tyler Holien Kettel
Springtime – The Boys of Baseball Dream of Playoffs
Ominous headlines featuring $4.00 per gallon gasoline, real estate foreclosures, stock market uncertainty and endless political forecasts finally give way as spring arrives, bringing with it the hope and promise of a baseball playoff run, maybe even a pennant race.
For die-hard fans, the Seattle Mariners are our team—for all seasons. In losing seasons I feel crushed, drop-kicked, slapped, and emotionally ruined by the Mariners; yet just like all true fans, I stand by them. The reason true fans stand by their team is simple, “hope.” I’m hoping to see our Seattle Mariners put their game together with great management, innovative coaching and championship quality pitching, hitting and fielding.
The M’s have shown moments of brilliance teasing us into a playoff frenzy. But, the truth is the M’s have not been to the playoffs since that magical 2001 season when they tied the single season record for wins, 116. Seven years is a long time without a playoff birth. Some of you are probably thinking that the M’s are no good, but that’s not my opinion. Last season, the Mariners won 88 games yet still came in a thirsty second place. It was a good season for the M’s but it left room for improvement.
There are three keys to success this year. The Mariners must have a complete and solid starting rotation. By this I mean we need five starting pitchers who can come out on any given day and throw a great game and deliver a victory. Next is also pitching, dependable closers from the bullpen. Last year the Mariners had an outstanding pen. It was probably the biggest reason they had a winning record in 2007. The leader of the pen was, and still is, J.J. Putz. He is amazing. Last year he broke the single season “save” record and many believed he was a deserving candidate for the Cy Young award. It’s not very often a bullpen pitcher is nominated for the Cy Young award. The last step to success is consistency. The M’s need consistency in their hitting. It was a big problem last year. I don’t mean they have to be the best of the best they just have to score often enough to give our pitchers confidence that the offense can do their part to win a game.
If the Seattle Mariners can execute these three keys then they will surely surpass the A’s, the Angels, and the Rangers won’t be a question. Seattle can make the playoffs, but they need to stay motivated, and on task. If they lose sight of what they are trying to achieve, even for just one game, then the season could go up in smoke. Sometimes it takes only one really bad day to create a string of losses.
As I reflect on this formula for success, it occurs to me that a similar game plan could lead the Capital Cougars to another championship. The Capital Cougars have been to the state tournament 15 times, winning twice, in 1979 and 1998.
My expectations for the Capital Cougars are intertwined with my dreams for the Mariners. I’d like to encourage all readers of The Olympian to come out and cheer for your local high school baseball team. We put on a great show. Baseball, we can’t live without it!
Tyler Holien Kettel is a freshman at Capital High School where he plays baseball and maintains a 3.85+ GPA.