Savoring A Win and the Ride

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Our beloved Mariners came out of the gate scorching (at least relatively speaking), taking series after series. Felix and Bedard were dominating. Washburn, in his walk year, was going deep into games (but still not getting any run support). Carlos Silva even won a game. And the offense was doing just enough to win. Life was good. 

But just as soon as the M's started getting noticed -- shooting up power ranking lists, showing up in ESPN.com columns about surprising starts, getting a rare cameo appearance on SI's Hot List -- they almost instantaneously fell apart. It was like Britney Spears' career.

The Mariners were 15-10 on May 3 after a thrilling 8-7 win over genius GM Billy Beane's latest edition of the A's. By the time I received my Sport Illustrated copy (the one where we showed up on the Hot List) three days and three losses later, we were already free fallin' like Tom Petty. We're 2-9 since May 3, highlighted by 6 game losing streak. 

No one, and I repeat no one, saw the Mariners hot start coming. And the fall, while frustrating hasn't been surprising. 

But let's keep this in perspective. That five weeks of contention was five weeks more fun than we had all year, when, according to my memory banks, we were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention by May. 

After last night's Ichiro-powered win, the M's are 17-19 and 4.5 games behind the Rangers. Morrow doesn't blow those final two in Arlington and we're 19-17 and just 2.5 back. 

The Mariners are not as good as their start, but definitely not as bad as this last stretch. 

There should be no doubt that, despite losing our best hitter and our closer in off-season, we're better than we were last year. 

Good enough to contend? Probably not. But good enough to finish .500? I think so. I say that knowing that we should and hopefully will trade Bedard, Washburn and Beltre to restock the depleted farm system. 

(On a relevant side note: A little piece of me dies every time I see Adam Jones hitting a home run or Chris Tillman rising to the top of prospect rankings. Bavasi, your ineptitude has scarred this city's sports landscape more than anyone not named Howard Schultz. If I see you on the street, we'll have problems. I've already alerted my lawyers to the possibility.) 

For me, the Mariners' start was like hooking up with a really hot girl you know is way out of your league. You know it won't last, but you enjoy it while it does. And, more importantly, it will give you confidence in the future. 

Well, I guess it's either that, or it crushes your soul and you turn into the Green River Killer. In any case, the point is, things have changed for the Mariners, for the better, and I'm enjoying the ride.