SHANNON DRAYER

Rookie Dan Altavilla has ‘dream come true’ in strong Mariners debut

Aug 28, 2016, 10:53 AM | Updated: 11:28 am

CHICAGO — The lone bright spot in the Mariners 9-3 loss to the White Sox Saturday night was the big-league debut of reliever Dan Altavilla, a surprise call-up that afternoon. Altavilla, who had expected to be in Biloxi, Mississippi that night with the Jackson Generals, instead was told to take his packed suitcase to Chicago because he was joining the big club.

“I wasn’t thinking about making the jump from Double-A to the bigs,” Altavilla said Sunday morning. “It was a dream come true.”

Mariners notebook: Felix Hernandez OK after dizzy spell

Although Saturday was a whirlwind, the 23-year-old Altavilla relished in the experience of his first hours in the Majors. He took a moment when he first walked out on the field at US Cellular Field before warmups.

“I just did a 360 and tried to think of all the fans that would be in the seats,” he said. “It was unbelievable.”

Carrying the pink rookie backpack out to the bullpen was an experience he embraced, as was the time spent in the pen with his new teammates early in the game.

“It was a great time,” he said. “The fans out there, they keep you in the game. Make sure you are staying locked in or they get on you. It was a fun time.”

Around the sixth inning, the righty said he had an idea that he could be getting into the game as bullpen coach Mike Hampton told him to stay locked into the game. Sure enough, he got the call. A number of firsts awaited him on the field in the 8th inning. The fans that he had envisioned in the seats hours ago were now there.

“I threw my last warmup pitch and I just kind of looked around the whole stadium, took it in,” he said. “Seager was good at throwing the ball back and saying, ‘Hey man, go get ’em. Have some fun.’ That kind of just put me in a good mood and made me have a good experience.”

Altavilla faced the heart of the White Sox order. With the lopsided score, this was not a high-leverage situation but Altavilla knew his first impression was important. He breezed through his first batters, Melky Cabrera and Jose Abreu. Just one batter away from making a perfect debut, he focused on his catcher Chris Iannetta.

“We talked a little bit before about what I like to do (during batting practice) and in the clubhouse,” Altavilla said. “He had a good idea of what I wanted to do. He’s been great back there for many years; I trusted everything he put down. On the last pitch to Frazier, he put his fist up and said, ‘Come on, let’s go get this guy!’ It was an awesome experience.”

It was over in a flash. Three up, three down. Altavilla flashed a 100-mph fastball, which may have been supplemented by a little adrenaline, and a nasty slider. A good first outing, with hopefully more to follow. While the call-up may have been a surprise, Altavilla felt well prepared for the experience.

“I want to be able to come in the game, throw strikes and command the zone,” he said. “Our organization is big on C the Z [command the zone]; that’s what I have been trying to do in the minor leagues and I want to take that to the big leagues.”

We saw that Saturday, as did a number of Altavilla’s family members who were able to make the trip to see his debut. Altavilla is keeping the lineup card that was given to him by manager Scott Servais, the ball from his first strikeout and a couple of tickets as reminders of his first outing, although it is hard to imagine he could ever forget his first day on the job.

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
High 56° | Low 40°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 6:40pm

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners’ young core, now veterans, fueled by last year’s letdown

Falling back can be a part of growing up, and for the once young core of the Seattle Mariners, it is now part of their DNA.

15 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Why Mariners hitters are embracing new approach to offense

The Seattle Mariners have new players, new coaches and new messaging for their offense. Based on spring training, it's all landing.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners Gabe Speier...

Shannon Drayer

Inside how the Mariners’ pitching lab gets most out of relievers

With two of the Seattle Mariners' best relievers beginning the season on the injured list, the team's “pitching lab” has perhaps never been needed more.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Shannon Drayer

Breakdown: What Mariners bring north this year is very different

How is the group the Seattle Mariners are bringing north from Arizona? Insider Shannon Drayer details the roster -- and some thoughts from clubhouse leaders -- after 40 days at spring training.

4 days ago

Seattle Mariners Emerson Hancock...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer’s Mariners Notebook: Expectations for demoted players, more

Shannon Drayer details plans for the players not making the Seattle Mariners' opening day roster and much more in her latest notebook.

5 days ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh Julio Rodríguez...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: A look around the diamond as Mariners near opening day

Let's take a trip around the diamond with thoughts on each position as the Seattle Mariners are less than a week from the start of 2024.

6 days ago

Rookie Dan Altavilla has ‘dream come true’ in strong Mariners debut