Ohhhhh, how depressingly pathetic the Chuck and Howie show has been, and how it let things get to this: a laughingstock club with  Cy Young pitcher and fences so far away Lewis and Clark would have trouble getting out there. Lou was right. Lou was right. Lou knew the score when the HC show played button-down baseball and refused the left handed bat he needed, called him “insubordinate” (just like in the military, an obvious management style to work with an ferocious icon like Lou…), drove him back to Florida –  and they never learn. They, (read CA) even somehow thought the loved but ancient Griff could be benefit to the club as a retread DH. WHAT are these guys thinking? WHY do we let them tread on our taxfunded stadium and treat it like it’s just for family-fun Dollywood stuff, unaccountable for the team they put on the field? May they choke on their idiocy, incompetence and arrogance; come back  reincarnated as Astroturf in the Kingdome.

I have always wondered why a player like Pujols would suddenly chase money and leave a good situation like he had with the Cardinals.  He was going to make at least 120 million if he had stayed there, and that is not counting all the endorsement money he receives.  Plus, he was in a city where he is loved — and not just any city, but a real baseball town.  He had just helped them win the World Series, and he might have taken part in another, ultimately establishing a dynasty of sorts there.  But no.  Money calls — more money than he could ever spend.  Enough money to make him leave his comfort zone, his team mates, his friends and whatever else he had going on back in St Louis.  It make you ask,”How much money does one guy need?”  
But it wasn’t like Pujols demanded this money from the Angels.  Their owner simply made an offer that he could not refuse.  Now the bar has been raised for all future signings, and teams like the Mariners are screwed.  I hope Pujols turns out to be a young looking 38 year old.

Great post, Art. You are truly one of our finest sports columnists. You always “tell it like it is”, as the saying goes. And because of that, and the fact I’tv suffered Seattle sports my entire life, I pray you are wrong that Figgins is our only accomplishment come ST.

I’m been saying it for years, but the M’s need to move on from Chuck and Howie, and that probably also means a new and vibrant ownership.

If they miss out on Fielder, it’s the nail in the coffin for me. I will be permanently abandoning this sorry joke they call a “franchise.” It also means they might as well just trade off Felix because all they’re doing is wasting his time. So sick of these soccer mom owners.

I will always be a baseball fan. I will always be a Mariners fan. But I can’t say the same for Major League Baseball. As much as I love sports, I just don’t think players should be making this kind of money anymore. Pujol’s signing just seems out of whack with what’s going on in the world today. Yeah, I know. It’s not my money and Moreno can do what he wants just like Hicks did when he signed Pay-Rod to that ridiculous contract.  The gap between the have teams and have not teams is widening in MLB. and as long as it’s all about the bottom line, so it will continue. This league needs a cap. 

Ichiro Suzuki – 5 years, $90 million extention
Felix Hernandez – 5 years, $78 million extention
Franklin Gutierrez – 4 years, $20 million extention
Chone Figgins – 4 years, $36 million free agent contract
Dustin Ackley – 5 years, $7.5 million + $6 million bonus
Danny Hultzen – 5 years, $8.5 million + $6.35 million bonus

This team doesn’t spend enough money.  They must give Jack the financial resources to make big moves.

Sorry, but my first trip to this establishment will be my last.