Updated Sep 7, 2010 - 9:27 am

What to do with Felix

Is it just me or should we see more of him? Not on the field, but maybe everywhere else? Does he need to be marketed more? Should there be commercials, endorsements, should he be on the side of a building? He seems to be embracing the community having recently bought a home here, should his image be more visible in Seattle? What do you think?

The Mariners released their weekly Felix update and the numbers continue to be ridiculous. One earned run in the last six starts for a .20 ERA. A league-leading 219 innings pitched despite the fact that the Mariners are limiting his pitch counts. First in AL strikeouts at 209. Seventeen straight quality starts with a 1.35 ERA over that time. Riding a club-record 21-game streak of pitching into at least the the seventh inning. Just about every stat he can control he is at the top or in the top three. Lets hope the voters take notice.

Moving on to today's game... Well, at least we had a beautiful, sunny day in Oakland!

Not a ton of news to talk about. Jason Vargas gave up run(s) in the first inning for the fourth straight game. He is searching for answers to why this has become a trend. He acknowledged that it was very surprising to see Coco Crisp homer on a second pitch fastball. It looks like the approach today was to sit on his fastball. He said that with hitters being more patient he has had to throw more fastballs which I would imagine is not what he really wants to do as his changeup is his best pitch and his fastball, if not spotted, is very hittable. It looks like the ball is in his court to make the adjustment as it appears the hitters have done just that. It is all just part of pitching a complete season and the league getting to know you.

Innings may be a factor too as he is at 169. Daren Brown pulled him after just 81 pitches, the least he has thrown in a game this year. Vargas will get an extra days rest with the off day coming up and Brown hopes that will help.

That is about it for now. I don't have the heart, or stomach to talk about the offense today!

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jeff's mariners fan wrote...

Re More of Felix

September 7, 2010 12:56 am

Shannon, Thanks for the late night post, I do my best creative work late at night myself! Anyway as far as seeing more of Felix, I am not sure if you mean as some sort of campaign to help sway voters for the Cy Young like college teams do for potential heisman candidates? Or just in general. Frankly it would be nice to see more of the players interacting with our local residents on projects,openings,talking with kids etc. We all know it has been a tough year but it would be good for morale and team image. I hope you enjoy the sun in the bay area! Jeff from http://jeffsmariners.com

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Rayvensdad wrote...

Absolutely

September 7, 2010 8:55 am

Shannon, I'm with you on that. In a season where 23 of the 25 Mariners players are all below their career stats, Felix and Vargas I believe are the only exceptions, it is nice to have the reliable King wiping away AL hitters and doing it at an amazing pace. He needs to be one of the faces of this team and we need to create an atmosphere of success while surrounded by a collective atmosphere of the fan base that will resonate in sheer disappointment. At least we true fans can hang our lifeless bodies upon the massive shoulders of our Venezuelan King of the Diamond. If there is anything to watch, it is him pitch every 5 days. He needs much more recognition.

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Ed Altizer wrote...

Felix

September 7, 2010 9:59 am

Yes...I would like see him marketed more but in a community sense. Glad he's purchased a home here. Now...I don't blame you for not having the heart or stomach to talk about the offense. Sadly, it's taken a lot of "guts" to talk about the offense at almost any point in the year.

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goodbyebaseball wrote...

No doubt about it

September 7, 2010 1:39 pm

I've been a fan for decades but have never sprung for a jersey (I'm a cheapskate, what can I say?). However, I am absolutely going to treat myself to a Hernandez jersey the next time I get to a team store (I live out of state). I love, love, LOVE Felix, his enthusiasm for the game, for his teammates, for Seattle, everything! Nothing beats seeing his face when he sees his teammates pull off an outstanding defensive play behind him, or when his sitting in the dugout when the team gets him some run support. He is truly what baseball is supposed to be all about!

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JDGreen wrote...

How about..

September 7, 2010 10:56 pm

I don't know, putting a decent team on the field and winning some games?? Maybe make it to the post-season once in awhile?? Crazy talk, I know..

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artimus wrote...

ditto

September 8, 2010 8:47 am

JDGreen, I'm with you. I think it would be a swell marketing move if they won when he pitched. He can be in lots of funny commercials and ride on the float in the Seafair parade, but he's still going to be known as 'that really good pitcher on that really bad team' in Seattle and to the baseball world at large.

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Updated Sep 7, 2010 - 9:27 am

What to do with Felix

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