Updated Mar 6, 2013 - 3:50 pm
Zduriencik: Harmony among veterans and prospects
The Mariners, owners of an impressive 10-2 spring training record, boast a roster almost evenly split between up-and-coming prospects and veteran clubhouse leaders. General manager Jack Zduriencik talked to "Bob and Groz" Tuesday, and he said that makeup could be a reason for their early success, whether it's trivial or not.
"I think what we're seeing is young kids growing up a little bit, and I think we're seeing the veteran presence right now," Zduriencik said.
 The Mariners expect Raul Ibanez to provide offense and a veteran presence that was lacking last season. (AP) |
"Raul Ibanez is a favorite for everybody here. The day he walked in his locker room there was an immediate respect for what this guy has done in the game, and what a genuine person he is," Zduriencik said. "He wants to be the mentor, he wants to put his arm around guys. He will address issues when they need to be addressed, and I think that was something that we were lacking (in 2012).
"And there's probably not a better human being in the game than Raul Ibanez, and we're really happy that he decided to come to Seattle."
Of course, the Mariners' harmony isn't a surprise to the architect of it all.
"I said to the players the first day that I spoke to them before we took the field, 'I think that you veteran guys that have come in here are going to be very impressed with the young guys, and I think you young guys are going to be very impressed with the veterans,' and I really think that's what we've seen so far," Zduriencik said. "I do think there is a veteran presence here. I think you're seeing guys playing off of each other. It's a really good vibe."
Zduriencik also touched on the impressive springs of Justin Smoak and Franklin Gutierrez, how the starting rotation is shaping up, and if he's feeling any pressure in his fourth year on the job.
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Newton wrote...Its traning CampMarch 6, 2013 6:56 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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sambra27 wrote...newtonMarch 7, 2013 7:49 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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jsean wrote...Fun!March 6, 2013 7:04 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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DuDaw wrote...Kids & CodgersApril 1, 2013 6:05 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Bob Stelton is the co-host of "Bob and Groz". He came to 710 ESPN Seattle from 101 ESPN in St. Louis and had previously worked for Sporting News Radio in Chicago and Santa Monica, Calif. Bob began his radio career in Seattle in 1997 after a failed attempt to become a rock star. 
Dave Grosby is the co-host of "Bob and Groz." The Groz has spent the last 21 years of his 39-year broadcast career as a Seattle sports talk show host. Dave is also the play-by-play announcer for Seattle U basketball on KTTH 770. Before coming to Seattle, Dave worked at KFI in Los Angeles and KFBK in Sacramento. He's been married to his wife Bonnie for 23 years.
After two years as the producer for "Brock and Salk," Colin Paisley now produces "Bob and Groz." Colin also hosts "Seattle Sports at Night" with Tom Wassell and Matt Pitman. Colin came to 710 ESPN Seattle after five years at various FM music stations in Bellingham and Seattle. In addition to his time as producer and host, Colin likes to spend his time embracing his "Slacker Gen-Y" persona by napping and not caring about stuff. Plus he likes tons of bands you've never heard of, and once you hear of them he'll stop liking them.
