M's win West, grab home edge in playoffs
When it came last night, the clinching of the Mariners' third American League West division title was doubly done.
First officially, actually in the fourth inning, with word that Texas — Alex Rodriguez homering to help his old team — had beaten Oakland, 10-4.
Then truly, with a 5-0 victory over the Angels for the 106th win, tying the Mariners for 17th most ever with 2-1/2 weeks to play.
Fittingly, a week and a day after the national terror and tragedy, the acknowledgement was appropriate, in a postgame ceremony on the field that was centered on Old Glory and a minute of silence, tasteful and thoughtful.
After they the Mariners players into the clubhouse, a toast was made, champagne in plastic glasses. But that, like the night's victory, was mere followup.
Outside was the real thing, more satisfaction than celebration, and no less sweet for it. The players hugged, and gathered to kneel with Chuck Snyder, a team counselor, at the mound while Mark McLemore, one of the men who comprise the heart of this team, held the flag. Then a slow tour of the inner outfield and another gathering near home plate, hats waving to the fans, McLemore waving the flag above all
"This was the high point of my career, definitely my highest moment in baseball ... " McLemore said. "And it was right. After what our country has gone through, what many of our people have gone through, this was tasteful and respectful."
Mike Cameron called it, "the best way we could show our love for the Seattle fans and the people of America. There were definitely conflicting emotions out there, but the right way to do this was the way we did it. It was beautiful."
The emotions, with the sharp contrasts of joy and sadness, the silence and then the roaring cheers of the many left of the crowd of 45,459, swept Ichiro up in them.
"We were very happy we won the championship. ... but ... yet ... when I think of the tragedy of days ago I cannot think of happiness," said the outfielder. "The fans gave us encouragement to come back, and as players, I hope we gave them happiness in return. During the ceremony after the game I felt ... the power of the fans ... I felt the power of the people become one with us."
The powerful moment was coming, subtlely, steadily as the ticking of time, since the Mariners tore off to a 20-5 April and a 20-7 May.
Fittingly, Seattle's Old Faithful, Edgar Martinez pounded the win home with a long home run, and Jamie Moyer, in the finest of his five fine seasons here, got his 18th win with spotless relief from the best bullpen in baseball, Jose Paniagua, Arthur Rhodes, Jeff Nelson and Kazu Sasaki.
The game, the outcome almost an afterthought, was a microcosm of the season. With Moyer good, the offense sufficient, and the Angels down, the result seemed inevitable.
By the sixth, Seattle had built a 4-0 lead on a three-run fifth, which started with Ichiro's speed forcing a one-out error from shortstop David Eckstein. The outfielder made it to second on a passed ball and third on Carlos Guillen's second single and home as Bret Boone beat out a double play grounder for his 129th run batted in.
Boone's hustle became two more runs when Martinez followed him with a long homer to left, his 22nd and a 4-0 lead that became 5-0 an inning later on singles by Cameron and Jay Buhner around a stolen base.
Asked if there could be any way to compare this clinching victory with any previous, 1995, 1997, 2000 — all against the Angels — Edgar shook his head.
"No way, this is very different," the career Mariner said. "It was a happy time out there, it was a tough time. I think we felt satisfaction for a special year, for doing things as a team that don't often happen, this kind of record and all. But thinking of that, we had to think of the people who died and our families."
Last year, Alex Rodriguez noted proudly, "Two years ago Randy left, last year Junior left, this year we made the playoffs."
Well, this year, he left, too, and his old club won the division and is on pace to win a record 118 games.
But down in Texas last night, after hitting his 46th homer and setting a Rangers record with 125 runs scored, he said: "If it wasn't for Oakland's good run, the Mariners would have clinched in mid-July. They've got a great team. They deserve everything that comes their way. It's going to be a great playoff, I'm looking forward to watching."
Manager Lou Piniella put the present and near-future into focus, by observing, "Let's enjoy this moment and get ready to play tomorrow. Some things in front of us are very interesting."
In a clubhouse that was warm with the glow of accomplishment, Buhner had a beer in his hand and tears in his eyes.
"I am trying hard ... just not to break down," said the 37-year-old outfielder. "As you get a little older, you realize at this stage there may not be many more like this. But the emotions just don't seem to fit together right now.
"Hopefully, this is only the first of our celebrations or ceremonies, and each one will be a little sweeter. Right now, though, this is a special moment. It's just great to be a title winner. It's just great to be an American."
Bob Finnigan can be reached at 206-464-8276 or bfinnigan@seattletimes.com.