The Hot Stone League
Larry Stone gives his take on a wide array of baseball issues and weighs in about the Mariners too.
SubscribeFebruary 16, 2009 8:39 AM
One last time from J.J. (and he's come to praise)
Posted by Larry Stone
The focus yesterday was on Putz's frank comments on the Mariners' clubhouse friction, but he wasn't all negative in our conversation yesterday. He had particular praise for Adrian Beltre and Jarrod Washburn.
When I asked him who he missed most, he said, with hesitation, "Washburn. All the guys in the pen, of course. I really enjoyed playing with Beltre. He's phenomenal. Everyone there is good guys -- Silva, Felix, all those guys.''
Elaborating on Beltre, he said, "I just like the way he plays. He never makes an excuse when he's banged up, and he's out there every day. You have to literally drag him off that field to keep him out of the game. As a pitcher, you appreciate that, because you know what he brings from the defensive side."
He said that Beltre, who had left thumb and shoulder surgery after the season, was in more pain all season than he let on.
"Richie (Sexson), too,'' he said. "He was hurting more than anyone even knows. Gamers.''
Putz also weighed in on the Mariners' wide-open closer's battle. To be his replacement -- assuming Brandon Morrow remains in the rotation ("if Morrow doesn't start, he has to close") -- he endorsed none other than...drum roll...Roy Corcoran.
"I don't know about any of the new guys they have coming in, but I would have to give Corcoran a serious look. (Mark) Lowe, I think, stuff-wise has it. I think he still has to learn a little bit upstairs. But Corky reminds me of Eddie (Guardado), but right-handed. With better stuff -- a better fastball. (Miguel) Batista has done it before. But Corky would have to get a serious look at it.''
(Associated Press photo)
Digg
Newsvine
UPDATE - 8:00 PM
Recently listed
Popular searches
Open Houses
|
Find all open houses.
|
Dear Tom and Ray: My wife Olivia's first car (in the early '70s) was a purple-sparkle dune buggy built on a VW Bug frame — one of the least-safe...
Post a comment
- ‘Miracles’: 3 survive I-5 collapse
- Drivers face lengthy detours around I-5 bridge collapse
- Officials explore use of temporary, portable bridge as quick fix
- Span wasn’t built to take critical hit
- As car sinks, young man keeps cool, finds escape
- Bridge collapse will cause holiday travel headaches
- No quick fix for downed bridge on holiday weekend
- More applicants make getting into UW tougher this year
- Bridge collapse: Oversize-load permits easy to get online
- Murder suspect son of former Bush aide
- Game thread, Mariners vs. Rangers, May 24
304 - Vote on gay Scouts comes at emotional moment 263
- Game thread, Mariners vs. Rangers, May 25 (plus more notes) 131
- Detour route already crowded; avoid it or leave early, officials say 111
- Mariners find new, old ways to lose their seventh straight 95
- Inslee: State looking at possible quick fix to bridge 87
- Judge: Arizona sheriff’s office targets Latinos 73
- Triunfel starting at second for Mariners 55
- ‘We don’t need another lawyer,’ says businesswoman running for mayor 38
- Mariners battered again 34
- ‘Miracles’: 3 survive I-5 collapse
- More applicants make getting into UW tougher this year
- Drivers face lengthy detours around I-5 bridge collapse
- Bridge collapse will cause holiday travel headaches
- Span wasn’t built to take critical hit
- McNerney: Boeing will squeeze suppliers and cut jobs
- Officials explore use of temporary, portable bridge as quick fix
- Green River faculty: no confidence in college president
- As car sinks, young man keeps cool, finds escape
- Shopping-mall kiosks are little gold mines
May
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 |