One of these days, Ryan Garko is gonna get his chance. Maybe he alread has. Someone must have said that before, probably a Giants fan. He seemd like such a great fit in power hungry San Francisco. Lemonticule was certain his trade to the Giants last August would be remembered as one of those under the radar deals that doesn’t get noticed until early October when analysts peek in the rear view mirror to better understand how San Francisco won its first division title in X number of years.
There was no denying their potent pitching staff. Lemonticule backs all things Cain and Lincecum and had high hopes for no-hitter Sanchez. Throw in the legend, Randy Johnson who was in the midst of chasing down number 300 and perhaps no pitching staff in Golden Gate City history was comparable. Wondering now about Juan Marichal’s tour of duty and who may have accompanied him on the staff. Roger Craig? Well, that was a good guess. It wasn’t Craig. It was Gaylord Perry, always a first name that confuses teenagers not yet secure in their sexuality. Marichal was Pedro Martinez dominant in 1966 and right beind him in the Giant’s rotation as well as the league’s pitcher leader board was Perry. They both won 20 games. Who was the last team to carry two 20-game winners on the same squad?
So, Garko is a Mariner and the answer to perhaps the most burning question troubling all of North America throughout most of December and January. Who would bat clean-up for Seattle and inherit a most favorable table setting. Of course, the question hatched following the announcement that Chone Figgins would be playing a little ways up the coast from his long time guru-Mike Scioscia. The little beaver must have benefited considerably with Scioscia pulling strings. Anyhoo, with Suzuki and Figgins, the Mariners ducks on the pond has been established and bronzed. Enter Garko who has yet to realize his full Luzinski potential or maybe 20 homeruns will be his peak performance. Born in 1981, that makes him almost 30 years old, so this bette rbe his boom boom year. He didn’t accumulate enough at bats last year with the Giants to determine if the National League rubs him the wrong way. If he clubs 20 homers for the Mariners, it will be money well spent.
Steven Myers
