Two years into a five-year, $64 million contract, Adrian Beltre has produced a .262 average, 44 home runs, and 176 RBIs. However, after the All Star break in 2006, Beltre slugged .552 with a whopping 18 home runs. Does this strong second half bode well for a turn-around in 2007, or will Mariners fans have to deal with 'A-Drain' once again? This blog intends to follow the 2007 season for Adrian Beltre, and the Seattle Mariners, and promises to hold no punches.
Why are the Mariners having such a putrid season? Perhaps the answer can be gleamed by taking a look at each of Beltre's at-bats in last nights 7-2 loss to the Athletics.
With help from ESPN's GameDay:
1st At-Bat: Top of the second, one out, bases empty, 1-0 Athletics lead. Beltre lofts a fly ball to left fielder Jay Payton.
2nd At-Bat: Leading off the fifth, 4-0 Athletics lead. Beltre lofts a fly ball to left fielder Jay Payton. (I believe this is the one that Rick Rizz said "Beltre hits it deep... not deep enough" proving that if there was such a category as Warning Track Power, or WTP, the Mariners would definitely be leading the league.)
3rd At-Bat: Top of the sixth, bases loaded, two outs, 7-0 Athletics lead. On the first pitch from Barry Zito, Beltre swings and taps the ball meekly back to Zito who tosses it to Kendall for the force at home.
Bleh.
No wonder Jeremy Reed pinch-hit for Beltre in the eighth with Jose Lopez and Raul Ibanez in scoring position. What does Reed do? Promptly single to right field to knock in Jose Lopez with the Mariners' first run.
At least Beltre didn't clang any balls around with his iron glove. Instead he lent it to Jose Lopez, who committed two errors.
It's time to sit Beltre for a spell. And have Ute Bloomquist man third. Though Bloomie won't provide as much "power" as Beltre, he will certainly match Beltre's production. But as Bloomquist doesn't have a $64 million dollar contract, I guess that means Mike Hargrove's hands are tied, and Mariners fans are forced to watch Beltre and his patented thousand-dollar outs....
With help from ESPN's GameDay:
1st At-Bat: Top of the second, one out, bases empty, 1-0 Athletics lead. Beltre lofts a fly ball to left fielder Jay Payton.
2nd At-Bat: Leading off the fifth, 4-0 Athletics lead. Beltre lofts a fly ball to left fielder Jay Payton. (I believe this is the one that Rick Rizz said "Beltre hits it deep... not deep enough" proving that if there was such a category as Warning Track Power, or WTP, the Mariners would definitely be leading the league.)
3rd At-Bat: Top of the sixth, bases loaded, two outs, 7-0 Athletics lead. On the first pitch from Barry Zito, Beltre swings and taps the ball meekly back to Zito who tosses it to Kendall for the force at home.
Bleh.
No wonder Jeremy Reed pinch-hit for Beltre in the eighth with Jose Lopez and Raul Ibanez in scoring position. What does Reed do? Promptly single to right field to knock in Jose Lopez with the Mariners' first run.
At least Beltre didn't clang any balls around with his iron glove. Instead he lent it to Jose Lopez, who committed two errors.
It's time to sit Beltre for a spell. And have Ute Bloomquist man third. Though Bloomie won't provide as much "power" as Beltre, he will certainly match Beltre's production. But as Bloomquist doesn't have a $64 million dollar contract, I guess that means Mike Hargrove's hands are tied, and Mariners fans are forced to watch Beltre and his patented thousand-dollar outs....
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