As a kid, the first poster I hung on my wall was of Ken Griffey Jr. with one of his signature home run swings.However, the greatest thing about his on-the-field accomplishments was the fact that he’s never really talked about them.

One of the best baseball players of all time is actually quite shy.

When he does retire, does he want a special day to celebrate or could he just disappear quietly?: “I don’t really think about those things. It’s one of those things that isn’t that important. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m not the egomaniac that wants everybody to recognize me.

“Most of you guys know I hide out when things happen. If I do something, I’m trying to sneak by and get out of here. I’ve always been like that. It’s always more important for other people to talk about you than you talking about yourself. That’s how I grew up. The same model applies. If it’s important to talk about me, they will. If not, it really doesn’t matter.”

[I almost cried during the Mariners' final game, yesterday.]

In our family baseball trip in the 90′s, Tiger Stadium in Detroit stood out as the most authentic and intriguing stadium we visited. Interesting when you consider we went to Riverfront Stadium in Cincy, Wrigley in Chicago, and the SkyDome in Toronto.

Tiger stadium died at 9:24 on Monday.

Mariners release their 2010 Schedule. We’re gonna win it next year… or the year after.

Griffey on Seattle: “I was able to come here and help as much as I could. We’ll see how it is at the end of the year and we’ll go from there. I’m having the time of my life.”

Jasper native Ricky Bowen signs with Reds.

But it’s not the first time he was drafted…

Bowen was drafted recently for the second time by the Cincinnati Reds. He was selected in the 43rd round of the 2009 Amateur Entry Player Draft. He was also drafted in 2008 by the Reds.

It’s not been easy thus far…

He’s already played in two games for the Mustangs, going 3 2/3 innings while striking out two and giving up three hits, three runs and a pair of walks.

Yeah… but were they earned runs.

4.5 games out of the wild card race.

Deep breaths.

54 games remaining.

Deep breaths.

Green Monster height comparison.

From the always entertaining Flip Flop Flyin.

We flew-in recent signee Jack Wilson in on Wednesday. His quote about his first moment as a Mariner.

“I got here right as Griffey was hitting a two-run double down the line, so I was pretty pumped,” said Wilson, who watched the end of Seattle’s 3-2 victory over Toronto. “I was pretty excited to walk into that, put on the uniform, went in the bathroom and kind of looked at myself and was like, ‘All right, I’m a Mariner.’”

We’re not going to talk about the fact that the Mariners are 46-42, just 4 games back of the Angles (who SOMEhow swept a 4-game series against the Yankees).

We’re halfway through the season, and I’ve already started a “playoff ticket” fund.

…I just jinxed us.

Think I’m kidding? I’m not.

I can’t have anything against it ‘cuz it’s Griffey, so there’s a good chance I might dawn a white glove tomorrow myself.

From Rivals: In the stands: Ranking the largest fan bases

OMAHA, Neb. — Okay, I know we’re supposed to be mostly focused on what happens between the white lines, but it’s time to rank the best fan bases in the College World Series based on game attendance. This does not include what is happening outside of the stadium. If it did, we all know who the easy winner is — LSU.

So, let’s rank the fan bases in terms of attendance inside the stadium.

1) SOUTHERN MISS — In the spirit of making their first College World Series appearance, the Golden Eagles have brought an army of fans to Omaha. There’s no question the Eagles have had the most through the first weekend here at Rosenblatt Stadium. Pretty impressive display considering the fact Hattiesburg, Miss., is exactly 1,000 miles away.

I want to get in a tickle fight with both these guys. More articles about their friendship is only going to make attempt to stalk both of them around Seattle.

I love the Mariners.

I’m going to be talking about this guy to my kids and grandkids ’til I die.

Don’t read this quote out of context… then, it would just sounds awkward:

By the way, Ken Griffey Jr. has found Ichiro’s “tickle spot” and had him on the ground, during warm-ups, tickling him until Ichiro could be hurt crying out in laughter and pleading for him to stop. Tried to get a picture, but missed it.

The worst part about having great seats is that when the drunk’s pants fall down after security tackles him on the field, he can’t hear you laughing from so far away.

(Yes, the drunk’s pants fell to his ankles when security was escorting him off the field.)

…we change the channel for 5 seconds , and Griffey hits his 400th home run as a Mariner. 613 career home runs overall.

Great photo via the Seattle PI from Tuesday’s Mariner-Angel game.

The bat shattered and flew over the head of 3rd baseman Adrian Beltre

The sun popped out yesterday just in time for baseball. Another year and another Opening Day at Safeco Field.

The smell of garlic fries in the air. Some BBQ from Dixie’s and a Mac & Jack’s amber calling. Lower level seats on the third base line. A standing ovation for Griffey before he even got to the plate. I’ve never heard Safeco so loud.

Don’t want to hex us… but the Mariner’s are 6-2. The USS Mariner is tempting us to:

The M’s, at 6-2, have now won 10% of last year’s total. If they go .500 the rest of the way, they’ll finish 83-79, an improvement of 27 games.