Baseball Returns to the Emerald City: A Seattle Mariners Dynasty

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Mariners News/Transactions
Game 1
Seattle Mariners (0-1) @ Minnesota Twins (1-0)

Mariners lose 3-2	WP: Ron Schueler (1-0)		LP: Doug Bair (0-1)
  		1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	R 	H 	E
Mariners 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0 	2 	6 	1
Twins 		1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0 	0 	1 	3 	9 	1

A valiant effort by the young expansion Mariners in their very first game as a franchise, as they fall in the bottom of the ninth to a veteran Minnesota Twins team. In their very first inning, the M's took the first lead ever as Gene Richards tagged up and scored on a Gary Roenicke fly ball. With the game tied at 2 going into the bottom of the ninth, M's closer Doug Bair was one out away from sending the game into extras when a wild pitch scored Twins catcher Butch Wynegar. A disappointing end to a promising start for the new franchise.

	Mariners					Twins
	Jim Essian 2-3					Smalley 2-3, R, K
	Klutts 1-3, R, HR(1), RBI, K			Wynegar 2-4, R, RBI
	Paxton 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, 2 BB			Singer 6 IP, ER, 2 K, 0 BB

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April 3

MLB News/Transactions
Contracts:

TEX	SP Bert Blyleven (94)		Signed 5 Year, $3.85M extension ($770K per) through 1981

Arguably the best pitcher in the Majors right now, the Rangers lock up their big midseason acquisition from last year longterm with a deal that makes him the fifth highest paid player in the AL. Blyleven has been on some miserable Twins teams since making his debut as a fresh faced 19 year old in 1970. Now only 25 years old and entering his prime, Blyleven should be a force atop the rotation of the loaded Rangers team for years to come. He was 9-11 with a 2.76 ERA in 24 starts for the Rangers last season.

PIT	CF Al Oliver (87)		Signed 5 Year, $3.4M extension ($780K per) through 1981

Oliver is coming off back to back All-Star selections and has established himself as one of the premier center fielders in the National League. His high contact approach has worked well for years, and coupled with his above average defense makes him a highly valuable player. Oliver hit .323/.363/.476 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs in only 121 game for the Pirates last season. He'll be looking to stay healthy and productive this year as the Pirates try to be competitive in NL East.

SDP	SP Mickey Lolich (93)		Signed 3 Year, $1.38M extension ($460K per) through 1979

Lolich is entering the downside of his career, but is still an asset at the top of the Padres' rotation. While this new extension is a bit risky considering Lolich will turn 37 this year, the price is right. He was 8-13 with a 3.22 ERA in his only season with the Mets in 1976.

NYM	SP Craig Swan (80/86)		Signed 2 Year, $204K extension ($102K per) through 1978

Swan finally got an extended audition at the Major League level last season, going 6-9 over 22 starts with a 3.54 ERA. He should be a solid back of the rotation starter for the Mets for the next few seasons.

CAL	SP Frank Tanana (93/94)		Signed 3 Year, $5.1M extension ($1.7M per) through 1979

The Angels make a shocking deal with their 23 year old lefty ace, making him the first millionaire in the history of baseball. His $1.7 million dollar annual salary is nearly twice the $980K salary Oakland A's star Vida Blue will make this year as the second highest paid player in baseball. Tanana made his first All-Star appearance last year and put up a stellar season, going 19-10 with a miniscule 2.43 ERA and a 261/73 K/BB ratio. Paired with Nolan Ryan, Tanana should help the Angels compete in the AL West for the next decade, provided they can afford him.

PHI	3B Mike Schmidt (91)		Signed 4 Year, $3.64M extension ($810K per) through 1980

Schmidt has established himself as one of the best position players in all of baseball. He's coming off an All-Star, Gold Glove winning season and this extension keeps him in a Phillies uniform through his arbitration years as well as the first two years of free agency. Schmidt hit .262/.376/.524 with 38 home runs and 107 RBIs last season.

Injuries:

SFG	SP Philip Nastu (57/71)		Hand Stress Fracture (Two weeks)

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Mariners News/Transactions
Game 2
Seattle Mariners (0-2) @ Minnesota Twins (2-0)

Mariners lose 4-3	WP: Steve Luebber (1-0)		LP: Mike Barlow (0-1)
  		1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	R 	H 	E
Mariners 	0 	1 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0 	0 	1 	3 	7 	2
Twins 		0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	2 	1 	0 	1 	4 	11 	1

Once again, the Mariners lose in their last at bat as they fail to close out the Twins. This time it was setup man Mike Barlow who allowed the game winning hit to Twins second baseman Bob Randall with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. A great start by Fernando Arroyo was wasted by a lukewarm offensive showing by the Mariners bats.

	Mariners					Twins
	Cromartie 2-4, R, HR(1), 2 RBI			Bostock 4-4, R, RBI, 2 CS
	Moreno 1-3, 3B(1), BB, R, K, SB			Randall 2-3, RBI, 2 CS
	Arroyo 6 IP, 2 ER, K, BB			Goltz 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, BB

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Week 2: April 4-10

April 4
MLB News/Transactions
Contracts:

MON	SP Steve Rogers (90)		Signed 3 Year, $1.11M extension ($370K per) through 1979

Rogers has been the victim of playing on some really mediocre Expos teams and his lifetime 43-56 record despite a 3.36 career ERA. He is the undisputed ace of the Montreal pitching staff and locking him up at a modest price was a great idea on the part of Expos management. Rogers was 7-17 with a 3.21 ERA and a 150/69 K/BB in 32 starts in Montreal last season.

LAD	SP Burt Hooton (88)		Signed 4 Year, $3.32M extension ($830K per) through 1980

Hooton is a big part of the dominant Dodgers rotation that should help lead the team to the top of the very weak National League West. Coupled with fellow veteran starters Don Sutton, Tommy John and youngster Rick Rhoden, the Dodgers are expected to dominate the NL West in their quest for another world championship. Hooton was 11-15 with a 3.26 ERA and 116 strikeouts versus 60 walks in 33 starts for the Dodgers last year.

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Mariners News/Transactions
Game 3
Seattle Mariners (0-3) @ Minnesota Twins (3-0)

Mariners lose 11-2	WP: Pete Redfern (1-0)		LP: Randy Lerch (0-1)	SV: Mac Scarce (1)
  		1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	R 	H 	E
Mariners 	0 	0 	1 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	2 	10 	1
Twins 		1 	1 	3 	0 	3 	0 	0 	3 	x 	11 	15 	1

Wow, so much for staying in games and being competitive. The Mariners team suffered their first truly demoralizing loss Monday with a shellacking at the hands of the Twins. The Minnesota lineup got on Mariners starter Randy Lerch early and often, tagging him for eight runs over 5+ innings. The Mariners offense, in stark contrast, had no answer for Lerch's counterpart, fellow 22 year old Pete Redfern, who allowed only 2 runs in six innings.

	Mariners					Twins
	Essian 3-4, 2B(1), R, RBI			Ford 2-4, R, HR(1), 5 RBI
	Richards 2-4, 2B(1), BB				Hisle 3-4, BB, 2 R, 3 RBI
	Lerch 5.2 IP, 8 ER, 0 K, 0 BB			Redfern 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 K, BB

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April 5
MLB News/Transactions
Contracts:

BOS	RF Dwight Evans (86)		Signed 4 Year, $3.44M extension ($860K per) through 1980

Evans is one of the finest defensive right fielders in the game, as evidenced by his first Gold Glove last season. He's also developed into a formidable threat with the stick and locking him through his prime was clearly a priority for the Red Sox early this season. Evans was .242/.324/.431 with 17 home runs and 62 RBIs last season in playing the most games of his career to date, appearing in 146 games for the Sox in his fourth full season.

NYM	SP Jon Matlack (86)		Signed 4 Year, $5.2M extension ($1.3M per) through 1980

The Mets make Matlack the second millionaire in baseball history two days after the Angels' Frank Tanana was made the first player with a seven digit contract. Matlack is coming off three consecutive All-Star seasons and with Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman form a dominant trio of starters for the Mets. The other New York team is poised to make a run at the NL East title in '77 after three years of mediocrity. Matlack was 17-10 with a 2.95 ERA and nearly a 3/1 K/BB ratio with 153 K's versus just 57 BBs. He also had 16 complete games and 6 shutouts in 1976.

MIL	SS Robin Yount (92/95)		Signed 3 Year, $1.05M extension ($350K per) through 1979

Yount just may be the best shortstop in the American League at the tender age of 21. He's been tabbed industry-wide as a breakout candidate in this, already his fourth season. This extension buys out his arbitration years and this kind of hometown discount shouldn't be expected in three years when he's eligible for free agency. Yount hit .252/.292/.301 in 161 games last season as a 20 year old. Much more is expected from him this season.

Injuries:

CHC	SP Bill Bonham (81)		Wrist Stress Fracture (Three weeks)

After his complete game loss earlier this afternoon, doctors discovered a stress fracture in his non-throwing hand. He'll be out for the rest of April after minor surgery. The Cubs will shift Pete Broberg into the rotation and call up 19 year old flamethrower Lee Smith for bullpen help. Bonham was 9-13 with a 4.27 ERA and a mediocre 110/96 K/BB in 31 starts for the Cubs last season. The Cubs will expect Bonham to develop better command of his sinker going into this season.

Releases:

OAK	1B Rich McKinney

Retirements:

OAK	1B Rich McKinney		Retired at Age 30

After batting a career-high .271/.334/.377 for the White Sox in 1971, McKinney, a utility man, was traded to the Yankees for Stan Bahnsen. The Yankees hoped he would be their everyday third baseman, but while Bahnsen won 21 games for Chicago the following year, McKinney hit only .215/.258/.256 in 37 games for New York and tied an AL record with four errors at third April 22.

[WHAK0985]

Mariners News/Transactions
Game 4
Seattle Mariners (1-3) vs. Texas Rangers (2-2)

Mariners win 5-4	WP: Doug Bair (1-1)		LP: Nelson Briles (0-1)
  		1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	R 	H 	E
Rangers 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0 	0 	1 	2 	0 	4 	9 	1
Mariners 	0 	0 	1 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0 	3 	5 	9 	0

The Seattle faithful have been waiting for years to have another shot at hosting a Major League franchise. The new iteration welcomed their home fans in the Kingdome with a thrilling last at bat victory over the Texas Rangers. Down 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth with Texas starter Nelson Briles seemingly coasting to victory, the M's mounted a mighty comeback in front of 38,518 giddy fans. It started with a Gary Roenicke two-run home run to tie the game. At that point it was curious to see Briles kept in the game to finish the game. When M's third baseman Butch Hobson singled to put the winning run on with no outs, it was an even more perplexing decision not to go to the Rangers bullpen. After a Warren Cromartie sac bunt, shortstop Mickey Klutts was the hero, doubling in Hobson for the first win in Seattle Mariners history.

	Mariners					Twins
	Roenicke 2-4, 2B(1), 2 R, HR(1), 2 RBI		Hargrove 2-3, 2B(2), RBI
	Klutts 2-4, 2B(1), R, RBI, K			May 2-4, RBI, CS
	McLaughlin 6 IP, ER, 5 K, 2 BB			Briles 8.1 IP, 5 ER, K, 0 BB

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April 6
MLB News/Transactions
Contracts:

BAL	SP Jim Palmer (89)		Signed 4 Year, $5.0M extension ($1.25M per) through 1980

Palmer is the two-time defending AL Cy Young winner and the Orioles have rewarded him by making him the third millionaire in baseball. Other than an injury plagued 1974 campaign, Palmer has won at least 20 games six times out of the last seven years. He should remain atop the Baltimore rotation for years to come. Last season in his second Cy Young season, Palmer was 22-13 with a 2.51 ERA in 40 starts and a whopping 315 innings for the O's. Talk about a workhorse.

Injuries:

CIN	CF Cesar Geronimo (75)		Ruptured Knee Ligaments (Five weeks)

The two-time defending World Champion Cincinnati Reds are off to a slow start and losing the organization's only Major League quality center fielder in Geronimo for the next month certainly won't help. This team is old and getting older and the lack of organizational depth is a glaring weakness now that a starter will miss significant time. 21 year old Eddie Milner, who has all of 11 at bats above rookie ball, will attempt to hold the fort while Geronimo is out. Geronimo is coming off a .307/.382/.414 campaign that represents his best season to date.

MIL	2B Tim Johnson (65)		Sprained Neck (Two weeks)

The Brewers are another serious contender with a curious lack of depth. While Johnson is out Bob Sheldon will somehow try to provide some semblance of quality play. Johnson hit .275/.327/.311 in 273 at bats for the Brewers in 1976.

NYM	LF John Milner (72)		Wrist Stress Fracture (Three weeks)

Milner broke out in a big way last season, batting .271/.362/447 in part time duty as the Mets' left fielder. This helped him leap past other contenders to seize the starting left field job to enter the year. The hope is that there won't be any lingering discomfort or pain in the wrist once he comes back. Mike Vail, one of the outfielders Milner beat out for the starting position, will assume everyday responsibilities in right field with Dave Kingman shifting over to left field.

[WHAK0985]

Mariners News/Transactions
Game 5
Seattle Mariners (1-4) vs. Texas Rangers (3-2)

Mariners lose 4-1	WP: Bert Blyleven (2-0)		LP: Rick Honeycutt (0-1)
  		1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	R 	H 	E
Rangers 	0 	1 	1 	1 	0 	1 	0 	0 	0 	4 	11 	3
Mariners 	0 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	7 	1

In the first of many matchups with one of the best pitchers in baseball, the Mariners lineup fail to put up anything against the Dutch wonder as their only run is the result of a Roy Howell error. Blyleven was his usual dominant self going the distance and striking out eight batters in a seemingly effortless display. Rick Honeycutt, in his first Major League appearance, put up a decent effort for someone who only began starting games a few weeks ago.

	Mariners					Rangers
	Johnson 3-4, K					Beniquez 3-5, R, HR(1), 2 RBI
	Kuiper 1-4, RBI					Sundberg 2-4, R, HR(1), RBI
	Honeycutt 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 2 K, BB			Blyleven CG, 0 ER, 8 K, BB

Injuries:

SEA	RF Warren Cromartie (69/80)			Strained Neck (4 days)

Cromartie will miss the rest of the week after straining his neck when he crashed into the outfield wall making a catch. Dan Thomas will start in left field in the meantime with Gary Roenicke getting his first chance playing the field and Gene Richards being shifted to DH.

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April 7
MLB News/Transactions
Contracts:

CHC	SP Rick Reuschel (92)		Signed 4 Year, $5.8M extension ($1.45M per) through 1980

This seems like a lot of money for a guy who has a career record of 63-64, but Reuschel may be on the verge of an excellent run after two consecutive solid seasons for a miserable Cubs team. Reuschel becomes the highest paid player in the National League with this lucrative deal. He was 14-12 with a 3.46 ERA and a 146/64 K/BB in 37 starts for the Cubs in 1976.

MIN	SP Dave Goltz (84/89)		Signed 3 Year, $2.25M extension ($750K per) through 1979

The Twins continue to lock up their prime assets as they sign Goltz to a 3 year extension through the 1979 season. Goltz had a career year last season as he posted a 14-14 record for a pretty solid Twins team. Goltz' further development will be a key factor in the Twins' success in the upcoming years.

[WHAK0985]

Mariners News/Transactions
Game 6
Seattle Mariners (2-4) vs. Texas Rangers (3-3)

Mariners win 5-2	WP: Mike Paxton (1-0)		LP: Gaylord Perry (1-1)		SV: Doug Bair (1)
  		1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	R 	H 	E
Rangers 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	2 	2 	8 	1
Mariners 	1 	0 	1 	1 	2 	0 	0 	0 	x 	5 	8 	0

Mike Paxton took a shutout into the ninth in the best performance by a pitcher in a Mariners uniform to date. Paxton kept hitters off balance all night in stifling the Rangers' powerful attack. His counterpart Gaylord Perry wasn't so fortunate as M's hitters were able to bash three home runs off the aging ace. Taking two of three from a team that is supposed to contend for the AL pennant is a solid start at home for the fledgling team.

	Mariners					Rangers
	Essian 2-3, R, HR(1), RBI, K			Sundberg 3-3, BB
	Johnson 2-4, R, HR(1), RBI			May 1-4, 2 RBI, K
	Paxton 8.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 K, 2 BB			Perry 8 IP, 5 R, 5 K, 0 BB

Injuries:

SEA	3B Butch Hobson (66/74)		Bruised Rib (2 days)

Hobson will miss only one game due to the off day after the Rangers series. Doug Flynn will start at short, with Mickey Klutts shifting over to third base.

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April 8
MLB News/Transactions
Injuries:

MIN	SP Jim Hughes (74)		Broken Wrist (Six months)

Ouch. The first place Twins were dealt a huge blow in their quest for a division title when fourth starter Jim Hughes was lost for the season Friday. Hughes was expected to provide above average innings in the fourth rotation spot and looked good in his first and only start of the season, going the distance and allowing only one earned run in picking up the win against the A's. Joe Decker will be recalled from AAA Rochester to take Hughes' rotation spot. While the dropoff shouldn't be too significant, Decker has a very difficult time staying healthy so expecting more than a handful of starts is more than a little optimistic.

PHI	CF Garry Maddox (82)		Inflamed Rotator Cuff (Five weeks)

Maddox is probably more known for his outrageous facial hair than for his solid in center field. The two-time defending National League Gold Glove winner in center field put up monster numbers (for him at least) in '76 with a .330/.377/.456 batting line in a full season's work. Philly was tabbed as the favorite in the NL East in most experts' preseason rankings. While Maddox' will hurt, they have a semi-decent alternative in rookie Kerry Dineen.

SDP	SP Brent Strom (75)		Dislocated Shoulder (Two weeks)

Strom finally found consistent big league success last season for the Friars despite a misleading 12-16 record. He put up a 3.29 ERA over 33 starts and was counted on to bring up the back end of the rotation. With Strom out, 20 year old Eric Show's timetable will be accelerated with a two week cameo in San Diego's rotation.

NYM	SP Tim Leary (64/77)		Severe Elbow Tendonitis (Two weeks)
SFG	RP Bob Tufts (61/77)		Hand Stress Fracture (Two weeks)
TEX	SP Mike Mason (61/73)		Ruptured Knee Ligaments (Five weeks)

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April 9
MLB News/Transactions
Milestones:

HOU	RF Willie Crawford (73)		Hit for the Cycle

Crawford is off to a torrid start, batting .387/.424/.742 in the season's first week. In 392 at bats as the St. Louis Cardinals' part time right fielder last season, he hit .304/.360/.441 and earned himself a fat free agent contract to become the Astros' full time right fielder.

CAL	CF Willie Davis (76)		400th Steal

At 36 years of age, Davis is clearly past his prime when he was a mainstay atop the Dodgers' lineup as a speedy leadoff threat and Gold Glove center fielder. Davis has taken remarkably good care of his body and is still limber enough to play a mean center field as well as steal a base or two, this time with the crosstown California Angels.

[WHAK0985]

Mariners News/Transactions
Game 7
Seattle Mariners (3-4) vs. Kansas City Royals (3-4)

Mariners win 6-5	WP: Steve Grilli (1-0)		LP: Tom Hall (0-2)
  		1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	9 	10 	11 	12 	13 	14 	R 	H 	E
Royals 		0 	1 	1 	0 	1 	0 	0 	0 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	5 	13 	2
Mariners 	0 	0 	1 	1 	0 	0 	1 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	6 	12 	2

The M's won yet another thriller in extra innings against the struggling Royals, this time in the bottom of the fourteenth inning on leadoff man Omar Moreno's second home run of the game. His first homer of the game was of the inside-the-park variety in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of his wheels in beating center fielder Amos Otis' throw home. Moreno was a one man wrecking crew in this game as he hit for the first cycle in Mariners history in only the franchise's seventh game. M's closer Doug Bair had another shaky outing in failing to protect a two-run lead in the top of the ninth inning.

	Mariners						Royals
	Moreno 5-7, 2B(2), 3B(2), 2 HR(2), 2 R, 2 RBI		Otis 2-6, 2B(1), 2 R, HR(2), 2 RBI
	Kuiper 3-6, 2B(2), 3B(1), R, RBI			Mayberry 2-5, 2B(5), BB, R, 2 RBI
	Arroyo 6.2 IP, 3 R, 2 K, 2 BB				Colborn 7.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 K, BB

Injuries:

SEA	CF Omar Moreno (72/75)		Hit for the Cycle

It only took seven games for the Mariners franchise to get their first cycle in leadoff man Omar Moreno. The center fielder was off to a miserable start in the M's first six games but got on track in a huge way in nearly single handedly beating the Royals Saturday. His feat included an inside-the-park home run as well as a more conventional walk-off home run in the bottom of the fourteenth inning. If this doesn't endear himself to the Mariner's home faithful nothing will.

[WHAK0985]

April 10
MLB News/Transactions
Contracts:

PIT	SP Nader Ariakis (67/69)	Signed 1 Year, $30.8K contract		Assigned to AAA Indianapolis

Releases:

KCR	C Art Kusnyer

Retirements:

KCR	C Art Kusnyer			Retired at Age 31

Kusnyer's claim to fame is that on July 15, 1973, he caught Nolan Ryan's second career no-hitter.