Mariners LHP Marco Gonzales: ‘We have guys with a lot to prove’

Fresh off his second opening day start in a week, Mariners left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales joined Bob Stelton, Dave Grosby and Tom Wassell on 710 ESPN Seattle to recap the Mariners’ 12-4 win over the Boston Red Sox, and Seattle’s efforts to re-vamp its identity in 2019.

Servais points to Oakland A’s as why Mariners could surprise

“I think I was just ready to go,” Gonzales said of his feelings leading up to first pitch. The lefty got his first career opening day start when Seattle kicked off the regular season against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo.

“I think the anticipation of the game for the past week or so since we got back from Tokyo, I think I was just ready to get this thing going and I was anxious and just kind of fiery, ready to get started. So once we got in and took care of business, that was a nice drive home and I’m very very relieved to get that first one out of the way.”

Now entering a step-back year, the Mariners have more than a dozen new faces on their active roster. Does the team have a hold on its identity while in the midst of this re-tooling?

“I think we’re figuring that out,” Gonzales said. “I think we’re still in the process of figuring out who we are and what we’re going to do. But I think right now we have a foundation built where we’re going to come and compete. And we’re not really listening to expectations. We’re not really seeing who is across the way in the other dugout. Defending World Series champs or not, we’re going to come out and give them our best. So I think that’s kind of who we are. We’re a chip-on-our-shoulder type of team right now. And like I said last night, we have guys with a lot to prove; either coming back from an injury year, or they have a new organization, a new shot, a clean slate. I think a lot of guys are ready to take advantage of that. And I think you’re seeing a lot of guys show up to work everyday ready to have fun and compete and go win some ball games. That’s what this is all about; that’s what makes this game fun. And it’s pure. It’s really, really great.”

Gonzales, who played college ball at Gonzaga, will be watching the Bulldogs take on Texas Tech Saturday. He talked about the Zags’ season — and spoke more about the Mariners — in his full interview with Bob, Groz and Tom. You can listen to that in the audio clip embedded above, or on Bob, Groz and Tom’s podcast page.

More on Mariners

Domingo Santana may be the Mariners player to watch this season
Lydia Cruz’s Opening Day poem welcomes M’s back
Mike Salk celebrates the return of baseball on Mariners Opening Day
Drayer: M’s should score runs, but pitching and defense are questions
Table Setter: 10 reasons why the 2019 Mariners season will be fun
Ex-M’s LHP O’Flaherty has advice for Félix to lengthen his career