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My Blog Explanation
Readers,
If you click on this site you have noticed I have taken down my previous blog. I apologize for that but shortly after posting it, I read an article with disturbing comments about our best player, Ichiro Suzuki. I’m sure you all did too.
I didn’t know this story was going to be the big talk of the day and I certainly did not want my words adding fuel to what was brewing in the Seattle media. I recognize once its out there its out there, I just regret the timing of my post coupled with the way my message was coming across.
But I will take a moment to address the disturbing article because I do think it’s important to make this clear from a player’s point of view:
Ichiro is very very respected in the clubhouse, yes as a player but most of all as a teammate. He is a class act, a true professional, and has so much respect for the game of baseball. Any player who gives you 200 hits every year, who is never on the DL , and who plays amazing defense is hardly selfish. And any teammate of a guy like that who has a problem needs to seriously step back and look at what they’re saying. I just can’t picture any one of my teammates feeling what was said in that article, and it is a real shame that the public has a reason to feel negative about a player like that. A guy who could never ever be replaced on any team.
Also when you’re losing 100 games and fans still want to come to Safeco to watch us play, chances are it’s to watch a ONE OF A KIND like Ich.
The section I wrote about leadership is what it is. This is what I wrote in my last blog:
“Our team this year lacked much needed leadership. We had great veterans on our team but just never seemed to speak up in front of the team when it was really needed. Say what you want, or read what you want about Jose Guillen but if you were doing something you weren’t supposed to do on or off the field, he wouldn’t sit around and gossip to other guys, he would get in your face and let you know about it. He had no problem speaking up in front of a group either. He played the game hard everyday and took every loss to heart. He didnt take any sh*t from anyone and he had some kind of relationship with every single guy on the team. So, hopefully a vet steps up when needed, kicks someone’s ass for not playing hard and that’ll set the tone!”
Every team needs some kind of leadership and we tried really hard to find it somehow. Especially when we were written off mid way through April, fresh out of Spring Training. We have some guys I really look up to on this team, and would love to see them next year get on a guy who isn’t giving it his all day in and day out. It happens on every team, even the best teams, it’s just not apparent because they’re winning games and can be overlooked.
Bottom line is this, and I’ve said it in my previous blogs, despite what people want to say about us, all of us want to win. We want to win these last three games of 08. We want to win in 2009, then the next year and so on.
When you’re in the middle of losing 100 games its so easy for people outside the clubhouse to say what they want and form opinions. But every single one of us busted our ass everyday and came to the field trying to win that day.
We will bust our ass next year too.
In three days we start over 0 wins and 0 losses, and trust me, we will do everything we can to add to that win column in ‘09.
Ryan
74 Comments
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Well stated, Ryan.
Now go get ‘em Saturday!
You never mentioned Ichiro in your last blog or any blog. If the media jump on something it is not your fault!
We all know that you are loyal and a strong competitor with ability and persistance with that Australian willingness to put in the hardwork so you deserve all your success.
Enjoy the moment Ryan!
Your blog is great reading. All comments are positive. Such a pity that you feel comprimised.
No need to feel that way at all Ryan.
You are really well thought of as a person and a player.
Love the honesty, RRS. Keep it up!
Ryan, I just followed a link over to your blog and I really enjoyed it. I was and am instantly impressed. Thank you for giving me a glimps into the clubhouse of my favoriate team. Maybe I’ll ask my wife to get me a RRS M’s Jersey for Christmas. (Its a yearly tradition that I get a jersey.) I don’t want to wear out my other M’s jersey (Edgar Martinez).
Great job this year Ryan — your success since moving into the rotation has been one of the highlights of the season.
To be really honest with you, as a Mariner fan I’m rooting for at least 2 Seattle losses this weekend. We need to be picking first in next June’s draft a whole lot more than we need to win a couple of meaningless games this weekend. If the 1986 and 1992 Mariner teams hadn’t finished dead last in the Majors we’d never have had the chance to draft Ken Griffey and Alex Rodriguez — where would this franchise be if we hadn’t had either one of those players?
Well put. Next year should be much better. Our offense still needs a lot of work, but with a big three of you Brandon and Felix we could be winning a lot of games for a long time. Keep up the good work, I hope you keep writing in the offseason!
thanks for the insight, hyphen! keep it coming and best of luck on saturday!
will you be updating the blog during the off-season?
09 will be a great year for the Mariners.
The media can speculate ( and make up stuff to be contraversial and self promoting) all they want.
The players all want to win, otherwise they wouldn’t be there.
Everyone loves a winner!
I love how opinionated and talented you are .
I lot of us were fans of you before you moved to the starting rotation and reading the blog actually just reinforces that. Congrats on the breakout season hopefully the ownership can do more to support a winning team next year and beyond.
I honestly miss going to the ballpark once a week or whatever but i just couldn’t this year, i know it’s not easy on you guys to see a half empty stadium or to lose since you’re professionals and that’s gotta be what drives you. But it just wasn’t there this year (and i’m not even sure what ‘it’ is)
Good luck, stay healthy in the off-season and see you next year.
Just found your blog today and am thoroughly enjoying it.
Keep up the great work, both here and on the mound.
Hopefully I’ll get to see you pitch next year when you guys are in Oakland.
Hi Ryan!
The fact that you’re standing up for Ichiro makes me like you even more, please continue to be awesome.
I really liked what you said in your last blog entry and wish you wouldn’t have taken it down. I like Ichiro - and i don’t think you called him out in there. I think it is important to note the importance of guys like Ibanez and Beltre (also Guillen).
I’m glad to hear that you yourself seem to be taking a role of a vocal leader - one not afraid to call people out (not without reason of course).
I loved what you said about effort and small ball too - the team definitely needs to get back to that. The Angels are great at that - and they’ve won 98 games.
Hopefully next year won’t be a full rebuilding year and you and our other younger players can really make a dramatic impact right away. It doesn’t seem too far fetched.
Anyway, keep up the good work and good luck this weekend.
RRS - Quality stuff. Next year, and this off-season, perhaps you will emerge to be a strong vocal leader yourself. You’d certainly have my respect. You are, in my opinion, the best starter for the M’s. Keep it up man, and continue to lead by example!! I was tune in to FSNHD when you take the mound becasue I know it’s going to be quality. You’ve got good character.
Good man Ryan.
I will take your word of the clubhouse over some cowardly “source” who is too shameful of his lie to even reveal his name.
Ryan
I am counting on your performance against Oakland tomorrow, so that may fantasy team will win the league championship after one year of hard work!!!!! I don’t need a win, but I will need a good ERA from you.
ha ha
Seriously, good luck tomorrow.
bob
Ryan,
It’s great to hear a player weigh in on how Ichiro is actually seen by fellow Ms. I read the article and was surprised at the characterization. Without any names or quotes given, it was hard to tell if that was really how people felt!
It makes sense that players like you think the team could use some veteran players to coax it along. That’s sure a different thing from seeing Ichiro as a selfish player.
Keep the blogs coming!
Ryan,
Good luck next year - I really hope to see you in the M’s rotation coming out of Spring Training (well, and the rest of the year too…). I think this whole fracas with Ichiro is just the result of some muck-raking journalism looking for story when most people have tuned out, and maybe a sour grape or two in the clubhouse trying to blame someone else for their sub-par performance.
Obviously this year didn’t go anywhere near how everyone hoped, and I’m sure there is plenty of frustration all around. Too bad some of it got vented this way, but there you go. Sounds like most of the guys in the clubhouse are handling it just fine. I have hope for 09 after all.
THANK you!
If there is such a thing as a writer’s license, Geoff Baker should have his forcibly removed, for “reporting” in a manner that makes the paper he “blogs” for look like a third-rate gossip rag. Even in high-school journalism, you’re taught not to write like that. Ridiculous. I was extremely disappointed to find that someone would even write that about the team in a publicly-viewed area- it’s not like you guys haven’t been through enough this year. If it’s any consolation, those of us that know, KNOW - and anyone who would believe an anonymous “source” should probably be paying more attention to the E! Network or Star Magazine, instead of sports.
I still like all of you, I don’t care what the media says, and I’m looking forward to a happier, healthier 2009 for this team. You guys all make my work week so much better, and I’m going to miss you over the next few months.
I also think that it is great that you would take the time to vent/talk about things here. There is so much drama and speculation and outright lying that goes on in the world of sports, it’s refreshing to see someone who is grounded and professional talk about issues the way you do. You are class, for sure.
Oh,and good luck Saturday. Wish I could be there, but I’m stretching the wallet thin enough with tonight’s game and Sunday’s. We’ll be watching from our living room, though. Finish strong!
Ryan,
Thanks for saying what needed to be said about Ichiro. …On a lighter note, did you record and get to watch last night’s season-opener of The Office? It was awesome.
Ryan,
You are so very well-spoken. You give us fun little nuggets of information as well as discuss serious issues. It is refreshing and this is just about the only place we can attempt to get a look at everything from a non-biased, untouched player’s point of view…so thank you.
I certainly understand your reasoning behind taking down yesterday’s blog. But I am sure many who read it (including myself) couldn’t agree more and it was nice to hear someone’s true opinions on what is needed for success.
I imagine you players try not to listen to media to keep a clear head but in the midst of the Ichiro leak, they have been saying some wonderful things about you. In the paper, on the radio, and our own commentators. There was an extensive article about your success in the paper and you’ve been the subject of discussion on sports radio as an unexpected ray of sunlight to this season and at least should be a permanent middle starter in the rotation…and I have to agree. I’ve actually been enjoying sports news today-thanks.
Good luck with your start tomorrow. No matter what happens, 2008 has been quite a ride, albeit a success. Enjoy a MUCH-NEEDED break and have fun in Australia-I am sure they all miss you!! I hope I get to go back soon, maybe to stay. Keep in touch from down under…I’d love to hear some Aussie adventures and doings
As you said, next year is a clean slate and the Mariners start over with no record. I am excited for 2009 and it is players with the work-ethic and attitude like you that keep me a fan. Keep up the good work!!
One more thing. Do me a favor-say hi, or as you might say, “g’day” to Andra for me.
~KIRI
Good for you for clearing this up.
I encourage you and the other players to stonewall Geoff Baker for stirring all this nonsense up. Take away that clubhouse access he waves around when he’s backed into a corner on his blog. You guys deserve to talk to a better class of journalist.
I know alot of folks would like to have seen Guillan back with M’s this year, but wasn’t he on the verge of being suspended by MLB for who knows how long for the use of performance drugs?
I don;t know if they were willing to take a chance on him possibly being suspended for a half a year or the whole year.
We can all second guess what previous managemnet has done in the past and what will be done in the future, but you can load this team up with superstars and if you don;t have an individual or a number of folks to take the reins then the ship will sink.
As for Guillan, I think that mgmt made a wise decision on him, one of the few.
I’m an Aussie who’s been in Seattle since 1991. A cricket and footy fan from birth, the ‘95 Mariners won me over, and I’ve been a big baseball fan ever since.
Ryan, it’s been great to watch your ascent this year - I’ve been cheering you on all the way. I had high hopes for Chris Snelling and Travis Blackley before you, and it’s brilliant to see an Aussie do well.
I really admire your grit, and your ability to buckle down time and again to overcome skepticism from within the org. Your blog reinforces that you’re a good bloke too. Good on ya mate!
Ryan,
It really is sad and pathetic that here we sit, at the end of all things, and instead of looking forward towards possible futures we’re sitting around rumor mongering about stuff that’s way in the past (if it even was true at all).
As for leadership, why seek a leader when you already lead yourself? Show your drive, determination, focus, and work ethic and let others decide if they’re going to follow or wallow in the mud.
If that fails, bust out a few cold ones and offer the kind of calming presence that can only come from a “mate”.
Yo I’m new to this blog but I’ve got to say you’re awesome RR-S. YOu’ve got my aussie friend hooked to baseball now! Give ‘em hell today.
Awesome game today RRS!
“As for leadership, why seek a leader when you already lead yourself? Show your drive, determination, focus, and work ethic and let others decide if they’re going to follow or wallow in the mud.”
Sweet game today RRS! Couldn’t agree more there with “Typical Idiot Fan.” As I alluded, RRS is the best starter the M’s have, and Ryan, you can be a leader - my little cousin put you on the back of his Little League card (anyone remember those?!) as his favorite player/role model!!Anyways, you do lead by example & what a way to go out with 6 2/3 of quality ball.
Another fine outing, Ryan. Pretty cool, the way Ichiro scored a run and hauled in that ball in deep right center in the first; just validates your comments. No doubt he admires and respects your performance too.
You handled the early lead like Moyer would have(if he could throw gas). That’s the best compliment I can give you.
Thanks for great entertainment in a down year. Have a good flight to Oz; I’m already looking toward ‘09.
Enjoy the break: Will have a Tooheys at “The Brewery” this arvo and toast to you and your success.Journey is more important than the destination (as your mum says), but the destination is sweet when it leads to a new and exciting further journey!
Congratulations Ryan!
Just got back from Seattle where I got to see you pitch today. Another great effort from you. You were truly a big league pitcher today. You didn’t have your best stuff and you still went 6 2/3 and got the team a win.
Then I read the Ichiro stuff. Good for you sticking up for him. I can understand that in such a tightly packed group as a baseball team that spends 7 months together, not everyone is going to get along, or have the same style. But it seems almost cowardly to me to anonymously pop off about one of the few players on the team who’s had a decent year.
It’s amazing to me that so many Mariner fans are so anti-Ichiro. I’d much rather have a guy who takes care of himself and can play everyday, instead of getting web gems diving after balls and hurting himself. One of the things I like about watching you is that you seem to have a similar intensity about playing the best game you can play every time, and you obviously put in the off-season time and extra time during the season to do it.
You’ve earned your promotion to being a major league starting pitcher. It was great fun hoping you’d get the chance and even more fun watching you grab it and run. Enjoy the off-season. You’ve earned it.
Eight quality starts in a row including today’s win against Oakland. You’ve come a long way this year Ryan. You should be really proud. And you defintely deserve a break this Winter. Do not go to Venezuela to pitch. Do not got to Russia to play basketball with Lauren Jackson. Find a nice beach in Australia and relax. You’ve earned it mate. All hail The Hyphen!
I’ve been a big Fan of Ryan Rowland-Smith the “player” because of the player on the field (the K of Junior in your debut was awesome…I love Junior…but I became a huge RRS fan that day)
Now….I have even more respect for RRS the “man”. Your blog post was absolutely right on target….
It is amazing how the stupid the media can twist words and make them something that they are not.
My prediction for RRS in 2009 17-9 3.64 ERA and the Mariners win the West
GO MARINERS!!!!
Ryan, you’re the other reason we come out to see games. (Well, every fifth game anyway.)
Very well said, Ryan. You are a class act on and off the field. Look forward to seeing you in the spring!
Just found this a couple of days ago. I read the blog you removed and didn’t think there was anything wrong with what you had said. You spoke the truth about things that are needed for the team to turn things around in 2009. You are well spoken and have nothing to apologize for. I have enjoyed watching you pitch this year both in Seattle and in Tacoma. Congrats on your great season and transition into the starting rotation even though the bullpen won’t be the same without you.
Thank you Roland!
It is saved feelings to your warm comment.
It prays for product multi at your next season.
From Japan
Goof: there was nothing wrong with what Ryan wrote. The problem was that a bottom crawler in the local media tried to co-opt what Ryan had written to make it look as though Ryan was agreeing with him. Ryan pulled the entry down and put up the new one, I believe, in order to avoid having his words twisted.
Ryan will be just fine. He proved that in his final outing.
great year champ! proud of you …you deserve everything plus more. te iubesc
Hey Ryan
I wrote above about my fantasy baseball team. My team won the league!!! I like to thank you for your stellar performance in September, which really made a difference for my team. I picked you up in the middle of this season, but I will be drafting you next season!!!!
Thanks again and good luck to you next year.
bob
Ryan,
I am just a regular Ms fan. I went to Safeco field and watched you pitch on Saturday. Great job!
We look forward to next season and seeing you as part of a strong starting rotation. Keep up the good work!
FSN announcers pointed out that you pitched well over 100 innings this season despite only making starts in August and September. Hopefully you’ll be able to pitch 200 for us next year.
George
Ryan
Way to go. You were so awesome since Tacoma. Keep it up.
Have fun down under till you get sent to Ven. again
my email is the same, hi to your folks. your dad and that Scooby loving sister of yours! d
” As for leadership, why seek a leader when you already lead yourself? Show your drive, determination, focus, and work ethic and let others decide if they’re going to follow or wallow in the mud. ”
I agree.
You can step up and lead this team. No need to let some one else do it. Veteran or not, it shouldn’t matter, its all about presence.
BTW, congratulations on your year. You did a great job.
I am married to a Kiwi and huge All Black fan (her cousin plays outside center for them). At the start of the baseball season I pointed you out to her and told her I liked your pitching style and thought you had grit and personality. After a while, she became a fan as well “in spite of you being an Aussie”.
Cheers to you for not hiding behind the clubhouse walls and for talking to the fans.
James
fusillade-you mentioned that you were going to ask for a jersey for Christmas. My RRS jersey is being made and should ship soon (ordered it earlier this month). Am I the first with the RRS jersey?
Congrats Ry on your breakthrough performance this year. Fantastic job!
Hey, I want to thank you for addressing the clubhouse/player leadership issue. In your latest post, you said “We have some guys I really look up to on this team, and would love to see them next year get on a guy who isn’t giving it his all day in and day out” — do you think this will happen, now that some of the veterans from this year’s disaster are gone?
And, any hints on who those guys are?
Lastly, do you have enough clout now to encourage them to step up - to help them see how important it is, and that they are the ones who have to do it?
This needs to get addressed for next year to be a success…and it CAN be a success, despite what many are predicting. I hope you help make it happen!
-The Guy (Who Went to the First M’s Game Ever) Who Asked You About Leadership Last Time
There are many kinds of leaders. Some are the “get in your face” type and others lead by example, the way I believe Ichiro does. As you are on the inside I will take your word and, once again, ignore the “knowledgeable press.” Maybe you should channel Ned Kelly’s spirit to take care of the unnamed source!
As for the season you had, I can only say WOW!!! I look forward to seeing you on the mound next season kicking butt and sitting down the bad guys as quick as they can pick up a bat.
I will be there at Safeco next season, wearing my RRS jersey rooting my favorite team on. Until then I will dream of the Mariners having a 173-0 season.
You’re awesome, Ryan!!!
Ryan,
I’m a really big fan of the Mariners and especially you back here in the NorthWest. You really stepped up to be in the SP. I respect players like you. I am a big fan of Ichiro. I’ve been watching him play every year. I have never heard this nonsense in my life that a player soo good like Ichiro can be selfish come on. ppl who says that gotta look in the mirror and realize that he gives 110% everyday wheather or not hes hurt. I respect him when he wants to play when hes injured. Well enough said. Everything you wrote on your Blog Ryan is pretty good. I’m looking forward to see you next season in the Starting Rotation. With an athlete like you would help out the team. Go Ryan!!! Go Mariners!!! Whoooooooooooo Hooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryan,
Anyway, I just stumbled upon your blog and really enjoyed reading your insight. Have an amazing off season! Oh, and I was super sad when I found out you were standing less then 10 feet away from me at the Mariners store today and I had no clue! 
Take care! 
Jennifer
Well said! I really enjoyed going to games this season whether you guys won or lost and I look forward to next season! Next year is a new year and anything goes!
Hey mate, I’m very happy that you’ve become a Starting Pitcher!!! You made it worth going to the games. It was fun watching you, in a year that has had it’s share of discourse in/out of the clubhouse and on the field. You have been great at signing autographs for me. Go into the off season with confidence that you will start next season (which is what you strived for). I will be there to root you on. Good Day, Sharon
Ryan, thank you for addressing one facet of the Seattle Times’ negative reporting. I always thought the local paper should support the local team, but they seem to go out of their way to disparage the Mariners and other local teams. What is this, a wannabe New York City?
You did a great job this year, I am so pleased for you and I’m sure you’ll be on the starting rotation in 2009. I was excited to go to your last game (9/27) and you didn’t disappoint! That was a great series.
As a 32-year Mariners fan (yeah, I know — you weren’t even born when I started rooting for the Ms), and a long-term season ticket holder, I was disappointed in the 2008 season. But, like all true Mariners fans, I just repeat the annual mantra:
“There’s always next year!”
So be it.
Being down here in Texas, we didn’t hear much of the “article” about Ichiro, but I figured it was bull anyways…tabloid trash. Sad that it came from a guy with clubhouse access as a “reporter”. Stonewall him next year, definently.
After that series, she kept up with the games you started and reported to me about “Aussie Ryan.”
I love to read another well-written and thought out blog by one of my fave players. You were so sweet to not “big-league” my sister and I in Arlington and signed autographs for us–too bad we didn’t get to see you start that series. You were already a fave of mine…you won my sister over with the voice.
Good luck next year and see you in Arlington!
It’s been great following you this year, Ryan. It feels like we’ve really gotten to know you.
I’ve been a Mariners fan since 1988 (when I was born), and this season’s been one of the hardest. But then, 2001 was a major step up from 2000, so I have faith that things’ll turn around.
I’ll be seeing you in Chicago in 2009– I live in the Midwest, so it’s the only time I’ll get to see you. You’re one of my favorite Mariners, and I can’t wait to see what you do in 2009.
This is all very supportive of Ichiro, Ryan, and your fans here are supportive of you, as I am too.
But, Sarah is wrong about the Seattle Times being tabloid trash. The reporter, Geoff Baker, is a good one and I have found him to be accurate in his reporting. No, I’m not his brother or friend, just a reader.
The Mariners truly sucked all season long. Questions needed to be asked and the fans deserve the truth about why you guys did so poorly. We also should be appraised of the clubhouse disfunction and Front Office bungling. You were a bright spot this year, but the disappointments with other players were astounding.
Is it a lack of chemistry, talent, team culture, poor recruiting, bad trades, or ineptness that made this team a laughing stock in major league baseball? We deserve to know, and the press is supposed to help us all find out the truth.
If that is negative, so be it. Change for the better may come from the questions asked and the stories written about the M’s organization.
I have repeated the mantra, “There’s always next year!” but with the M’s the mantra has become humorous sincde the winning years are few in number. Hopefully, you, along with some of the other young players can turn this around in 2009, but the front office has a way of messing things up in a way that the players can not win.
Also, winning is the name of the game in professional sports. I appreciate the fact that all the players worked their butts off, but in the end winning is what counts. Work to develop a winning tradition and a winning attitude among all your teammates. Let you infectious and personable nature lead the clubhouse.
Rocco, Baker didn’t name his source. If fans deserve the truth, then who do you believe, Baker or Ryan? Ryan speaks for himself to us directly. When he had some suggestions to improve the clubhouse, Baker tried to spin those remarks to justify what he (Baker) had written. I found it disgusting. Ryan pitched right through it in spite of the controversy Baker encouraged.
2009 is a new season. We know about the injuries and poor performances. Let’s see who the new GM and Manager are; hopefully they will learn from the mistakes their predecessors made, and the players will respond to better direction. Ryan can be a part of a greatly improved team. The reason to look back is to avoid repeating mistakes, not to stew over controversies, real and manufactured.
I say, in the spirit of your final paragraph, go Ryan, go M’s!
Ryan’s pal Greg Balfour has the ball, and the Chisox are about to go down.
Those Aussie pitchers are tough.
Absolutely AWESOME to watch Grant Balfour in divisional series playoffs in Australia.
Agree with Big Al: Australian baseball players have a long journey to the BIG LEAGUES.They show determination and guts on low salary—-until “surprise”: we belong!
Congrtaulations to Grant.Please pass it on.
HQ
Where did I come up with Greg? I must have gotten that from the Perth golfer, Grantham Marsh.
The Seattle PI has run an Associated Press Grant Balfour article:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/382241_alcs08.html
We should be seeing more of these as the post-season progresses. He must be having fun. Your turn will come, Ryan.
BigAl,
Many articles written by professional journalists use uncited sources to help uncover the truth. On the weekly radio show on KJR that Geoff is a guest on, he explained this whole situation. He also said that after writing his five part series on the M’s, he sat in the clubhouse in full view of all the players and welcomed anyone to challenge his reports. No player said a word, but many winked and smiled as they passed by him.
Ryan is staying positive, which is a must for him right now. That is good. Ryan is not going to spill his guts and lay out the baseball club’s dirty laundry when he has to work with all his peers and be scrutinized by his bosses. I trust Baker’s account to Ryan’s because Baker is an outsider talking to everyone and getting at the truth. Lincoln and Armstrong are controlling and have surely pressured players, especially young ones like Ryan, to keep their mouths shut and follow the company line.
We will see what 2009 brings, but I am less than optimistic with this group leading the club. Ryan can pitch well, but with no offense drive in runs for him and poor defense behind him his record will suffer, just like this season. The M’s have locked themselves into a position of mediocrity for years to come with poor contracts (like Johjima’s extension and Silva’s long expensive one)and veteran entitlements.
And Ryan, you need to keep this blog fresher.
Time to move on and get over the Journo thing.
Be your own person Ryan!
Rocco, two things.
On Geoff Baker, I’ll agree to disagree. Where did the info on winking and smiling come from? Not Geoff Baker, by any chance? Baker takes regular cheap shots on his blog and ODT, which lessens my respect for him. In my opinion, there’s as much smirking and innuendo in his writing as straight journalism. The M’s spectacularly poor season increased cynicism, which gave Baker a rich field that suits his inclinations. They don’t suit mine. So we’ll disagree, and that will be my last word on the subject.
Second, Ryan is a young guy with plenty to do. Whether he makes his next entry while he’s in the Seattle area or when he returns to Oz, I’ll look forward to it.
http://www.examiner.com/x-336-Seattle-Mariners-Examiner~y2008m9d26-You-know-why-we-lost-100-games–Thats-right-Ichiro
He’s more digrace to the game of baseball. This guy talking crap about what happen that day about the ball club wanting to knock hime out. Just wanted to let u know that their are more websites.
I’m pissed about ppl talkin sh*t about Ichiro! Go M’s.
cool site
Ryan,
Good season mate!!! Near the end I would only watch games to watch you pitch.
On the Baker issue I am inclined to believe Ryan because he’s there ad the Times is not at the top of journalism ethics in general. I am by no means an Ichiro fan and Ichiro knows it everytime I see him, on or off the field. But if Ryan says it’s just losing then it’s just losing. I hope that Ryan goes to spring training and becomes the leader of this team, if he does we win. The 2009 Ryan Rowland-Smith Mariners will win and suprise everyone. Go Ryan! Go M’s! and Win in 2009!
Question for Ryan: Grant B. took a pretty good shellacking in the Red Sox comeback in game 5, and he was noticeable by his absense in game 7, with lots of pitchers used by the Rays. Is he OK physically?
I’m sure we’ll learn something by the way he’s used and how he pitches in the WS, but I’d be interested in any inside dope. A cursory Google search turns up nothing.
Michael..
In the article you posted, the title is facetious. Having read the entire article, it appears the writer agrees with those of us that think blaming Ichiro for how the season went is a load of crap.
Ryan…
I love this blog. I bookmarked it and plan to read it whenever you post something new. It is nice to hear directly from a player without the filter or slant of local media coming between the player and the fan/reader.
Good site! Interesting information.. )