The Mariners are having a team meeting

By Craig CalcaterraMay 11, 2010, 4:13 PM EDT
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Mariners logo.gifGeoff Baker of the Seattle Times just tweeted that the Mariners’ clubhouse is closed for a team meeting.  Let’s try to guess the meeting agenda:

1. Call to order; introductory remarks; coffee, donuts, Red Bull, Mountain Dew, assorted energy drinks to be served.

2. Guest speaker, Dr. Phillip P. Scheaf, Sleep Apnea Expert

3. Guest speaker, Julia R. Wilkinson, Psy.D. topic: “Keeping the dirty laundry in the laundry room: 12 tips to successful team building”

4. Breakout sessions (see Rick Adair for dry erase markers; note cards)

5. Ken Griffey Jr. to address team (no questions to follow)

6. Milton Bradley presentation. Topic: “You people have a lot of nerve calling me dysfunctional.”

7. Closing remarks, adjournment. 

Bryce Harper will participate in the Home Run Derby if he makes the All-Star team

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By Craig CalcaterraJun 22, 2018, 4:31 PM EDT
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Bryce Harper has, in recent years, declined participation in the Home Run Derby, with his last go at it coming in 2013, losing to Yoenis Cespedes in the final round. With the All-Star Game taking place at Nationals Park in Washington, however, he has changed his mind, saying today that he will compete if he is selected for the All-Star team.

Harper is currently second in voting among National League outfielders, so he stands a pretty good chance of making it. Even if he falls off in the voting, you have to assume that the powers that be will nudge NL manager A.J. Hinch to select Harper as a reserve, partially because of his actual power — he does have 19 homers so far this year — but mostly for his star power.

Simply put, you know dang well that both Major League Baseball and the Nationals want a home town guy with big time star power in the Derby, even if he’s not having as good a year as he’s capable of. As such, figure to see Harper hitting long balls in D.C. on July 16.