Mariners notebook: Bud Selig makes a visit to Safeco Field

Outgoing MLB commissioner Bud Selig was at Safeco Field Wednesday as a guest of the Mariners. Selig has been visiting all of the clubs on his farewell tour of sorts and he took time out of his day to answer questions from the media.

He covered a number of topics, including some that were Mariners specific. The topic of Ken Griffey Jr. and his importance to not only baseball in Seattle but baseball in general was one he enjoyed addressing.

“Commissioners are never supposed to have favorites, but … ,” he started before telling the story of the Sunday-night phone call he received from Griffey in April 2004 asking if it would be okay for all player to wear the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.

“He was a great player, but with me he was great off the field, too, which was very important to me,” Selig said. “His influence on the Seattle franchise was awesome. We may not be sitting here today but for him.”

Of course, there was a chance for some time that there wouldn’t be a team in Seattle for Griffey to play on after Selig moved the Pilots to Milwaukee. Years later, the commissioner believes all’s well that ends well.

“History hangs on a thin thread,” he said. “It’s all worked out great. As it turns out Seattle is better off, Milwaukee is better off. That was our one and maybe only opportunity left to get a baseball team. I know that many years ago I was here for something. I got booed. Not badly, but a little bit, but poor John Ellis and Howard (Lincoln) and everyone was concerned and it finally dawned on them. I’m the guy that stole their franchise in 1970. But they got another team and the rest is history. Just like the Braves left and we thought it was the end of the world. As it turned out, in the long run it was better for us. and I think Seattle is in the same position.”

Another topic he addressed was the expanded playoff format, which he lobbied heavily for.

“We have 20 teams within five and a half games and that is pretty damn good,” he said. “And that was the objective. Back in ’93 when I was then really talking people into it, we keep expanding. We need to do something with this system. We had teams winning 98, 100 games and they didn’t make the playoffs. That makes no sense.”

Selig then noted that the Mariners are a team that could benefit from expanded playoffs this year.

“I think they are certainly the team that was maybe the major surprise. They have had really a wonderful year when you think of where they started,” he said.

Lineup!

Austin Jackson, 8
Michael Saunders 9
Robinson Cano, 4
Kendrys Morales, DH
Kyle Seager, 5
Logan Morrison, 3
Brad Miller, 6
Mike Zunino, 2
James Jones, 7

Hisashi Iwakuma

Notes

• Dustin Ackley is still not in the lineup but is making progress with his troublesome left ankle. Manager Lloyd McClendon said that there is a good chance he could be ready to go Friday.

• Roenis Elias eclipsed the 160-innings mark Tuesday night, easily the most he has pitched in a season at any level. While they have other options if needed, McClendon believes that if he continues to throw the way he has been of late, if they limit his innings within games he will be able to pitch to the end of the season. They will take it game by game.

• There was some question as to why McClendon stuck with Yoervis Medina as long as he did in the loss Tuesday night. I speculated on the postgame show that Fernando Rodney may not have been available after throwing 30 pitches the night before. McClendon confirmed he was indeed unavailable.

With 12 in the bullpen and McClendon using them all, there is the danger of rust accumulating. Along those lines, Tom Wilhelmsen hasn’t pitched since last Friday. McClendon would like to get him into this game if possible.

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