Updated Mar 21, 2013 - 5:38 pm
Young Mariners under increased pressure to produce
On Thursday's edition of the Bob and Groz Show, former Mariners third basemen and analyst Mike Blowers told the guys he expects an improved performance from those who struggled last season including both Dustin Ackley and Justin Smoak.
Bob and Groz say Ackley still has a honeymoon period heading into his second full season, especially after a nagging ankle injury hampered him last year. Ackley finished the season hitting just .226 with 12 homers and 50 RBI. But after undergoing off season surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle, expectations are higher for the second overall pick in the 2009 draft.
But both Bob and Groz agree the honeymoon is long over for Justin Smoak. Smoak, coming off a second straight disappointing season that saw him hit just .217 with 19 homers and 51 RBI, needs to "win or go home" according to Groz.
If Spring Training is any indication, things are looking up for Smoak. As Blowers pointed out, the switch hitter has had a strong start, hitting .390 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI so far.
In today's Bob and Groz show video wrap up, the guys discuss what both Ackley and Smoak need to do and whether Smoak ends up getting traded, benched or sent down to the minors if he doesn't start delivering.
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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.
