I believe in the Church of Baseball. I’ve tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones. I’ve worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan. I know things. For instance, there are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I heard that, I gave Jesus a chance. But it just didn’t work out between us. The Lord laid too much guilt on me. I prefer metaphysics to theology. You see, there’s no guilt in baseball, and it’s never boring… which makes it like sex.  … … It’s a long season and you gotta trust. I’ve tried ‘em all, I really have, and the only church that truly feeds the soul, day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball. – Anne Savoy from the movie Bull Durham

An encore run with the Mariners would be phenomenal. The Cincinnati Reds came to town two years ago and the Mariners sold out every game, Junior got a standing ovation all three games. I was lucky enough to have great seats for the Sunday afternoon game. He hit two solo home runs, and the Mariners won 3-2. It was easily one of my favorite Mariners games that wasn’t in the playoffs or pennant race. It reminded me of being a kid again in the Kingdome.

With Junior in the lineup, it didn’t matter if we were losing in the ninth inning, or if we were down by 5 games in September; things happened and they would find out a way to win. It was exciting to watch. There is nothing more pure than watching his effortless swing drive a pitch into a gap. 

My Freshman year of college, he was traded to Cincinnati. Baseball in Seattle never felt the same after that. 

Seattle has been hurting lately. Our sports teams have all fallen on hard times, we lost the Sonics, and every big company is laying people off.

He hasn’t been the same since he left Seattle. He has spent most of the decade injured, his stats have fallen off dramatically.

I want one more season. I want a reason to show up early and watch batting practice again. I want to see him hit a couple more out of the park that he built, but has played too few games in. I want him to play his last game in a Mariners hat. I want him to go into the Hall of Fame as a Mariner.