To Love a Mariner (To Love a Mariner)

The Seattle Mariners have played very well in July, and enter the trade deadline in an interesting situation. Eric and Jamie take a deep look at the career of last year's deadline prize: La Piedra, aka starting right-handed ace Luis Castillo.

Jamie and Eric talk all about very boring and not sexy bulldog, Marco Gonzales. Go Zags.

Jamie and Eric discuss the Dorktown episode "The Age of Ichiro" and Eric bumps up against the limits of nostalgia when exploring the Mariners. The two chat with musician Jeff Cancade (Devours, The Golden Age of Wrestling) about the general topic of nostalgia.

The Seattle Mariners used 59 players over the course of the 2022 season. Eric and Jamie discuss some of the non-prospect depth we might see in 2023, then say goodbye to some of the least familiar players who helped break the drought.

The Seattle Mariners have finally won a series, sweeping the Reds in encouraging fashion. Eric and Jamie reflect on the early stretch of the season, then embark on a deep dive of lefty reliever Gabe Speier.

Jamie and Eric gush about the series win vs. the Astros. Eric tells Jamie all about Robbie Ray, and interviews Robbie Ray's Pants (@PantsRR on Twitter).

The Seattle Mariners recently non-tendered four players. Jamie and Eric get into their feelings about Josh Rojas, and also say goodbye to Dave Sims. Special guest Amanda Lane Cumming joins at 25:37 to discuss her Northwest Baseball History newsletter, and the 1994 masterpiece Little Big League.

(More of Amanda's Mariners writing can be found at Lookout Landing.)

Jamie and Eric discuss the ever-popular J.P. Crawford. Eric interviews UK M's superfan, Charlie Brown (creator and host of BaseballByte podcast).

The Seattle Mariners can't seem to get past .500 - not unlike their High-A affiliate, the Everett Aquasox! Eric and Jamie recently caught the 'Sox at Nat Bailey, and decided to dedicate an episode to that team.

Opening day has arrived for the Seattle Mariners. Jamie and Eric assess the rest of the AL West, then predict how the season shakes out for the Mariners and MLB at large.

The Seattle Mariners recently salvaged a series in Toronto. Jamie and Eric briefly discuss the road trip, then launch into a deep dive on 12-and-under World Series hero and M's bullpen newcomer Trevor Gott.

The Seattle Mariners are leading the AL West! Eric and Jamie discuss their recent surge, then zone in on the newly acquired Josh Rojas - tracing his journey from tee-ball brat to Rainbow Warrior to bonafide big leaguer.

Jamie and Eric recap the Mets and Blue Jays series and learn all about Cal Raleigh. Eric interviews Cal Raleigh superfan, filmmaker Kieran Turner (Jobriath A.D.)

The Seattle Mariners haven't added a single player on a major league contract and we're already at the new year. Eric and Jamie resort to discussing minor league bullpen acquisitions like Drew Pomeranz and Sauryn Lao, before revisiting predictions from early 2024 and reflecting on the year that was.

Friend of the pod Aili Meutzer returns to catch up with Jamie and Eric about the Mariners' ALDS performance, the juggernaut Astros and the fightin' Phils.

The Mariners' 2024 season was a failure, but one bright spot was the (re-)emergence of Victor Robles. Eric and Jamie embark on the deepest of dives, telling his story from skinny kid playing 'la plaquita' to electric leadoff hitter in Seattle.

The Seattle Mariners dropped their home series against the Blue Jays, making it six series losses in a row. Jamie and Eric attempt to fix the offense by looking at each position player and determining where the team needs to upgrade.

Early episode/half-episode! Eric and Jamie do a quick temperature check and discuss the upcoming Jays/Mariners series in Seattle.

Spring training has started and the Seattle Mariners' roster is more-or-less complete. Jamie and Eric discuss the additions of Polanco, Santos and Voth, then chat with Micah Blunt (@M_Bleezie13) about Mariners fandom, meeting Aquasox players, and collecting baseball cards.

Jamie and Eric take a deep dive into the career of recently-acquired clubhouse leader, on-base machine, and all-around good luck charm Carlos Santana. Eric chats with Casey Nolan, bassist for Seattle hardcore bands Matriarch and Yellfire. Episode features music by Yellfire.

The Seattle Mariners have won just a single spring training game, but Eric and Jamie remain unconcerned. They focus their attention on 7 players on minor league deals, then say goodbye to all 33(!) 2023 Mariners no longer in the organization.

Jamie and Eric reluctantly discuss recent transactions, then dig into their respective fantasy pitching staffs. Part two of the all-time Jays/Mariners fantasy draft!

How does one even describe Julio Rodríguez? Jamie and Eric try their darnedest, enlisting help from notable train driver and baseball enthusiast, Jim the UK Mariners Fan.

Jamie attempts to will his love of Ty France onto Eric. They chat with musician Brock Pytel (SLIP~ons, Doughboys).

https://slip-ons.bandcamp.com/

Eric and Jamie bring you the third and final installment of the all-time Jays/Mariners fantasy draft. Does either's team have a chance at the playoffs? Who would win a best-of-seven series? Is Rickey Henderson a better lead-off hitter than Leon Roberts? It's all impossible to say, really.

The Seattle Mariners are in first place. Eric binge-listened to all 97 episodes of The Wheelhouse with Jerry Dipoto in order to discuss with Jamie whether this front office’s tenure so far has been successful by its own terms.

Sometimes our baseball fandom takes a backseat, and that's okay! Jamie and Eric discuss the lapsed-fan experience with musician and professional wrestler Daniel Makabe.

The Seattle Mariners are having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad offseason. Jamie and Eric pinpoint four events that have signaled the team's unwillingness to spend, then discuss ten players who have joined the organization thus far.

Jamie tells Eric all about Mitch Haniger. Eric interviews Nicholas Wong-Tretiak from the band Be Afraid. And introducting: Best Thing/Worst Thing.

https://beafraid.bandcamp.com/

Eric and Jamie learn all about the young flamethrowing reliever from Los Mochis, Mexico: Andrés Muñoz. Also, Mariners take the season series from the Yankees!

The Seattle Mariners salvaged a series in the Bronx with an offensive eruption, but continue to hover around .500. Mike Ford is a big leaguer, at least for the moment, and Eric seizes the opportunity to tell the lefty power hitter's life story.

The Seattle Mariners have lost three consecutive series, most recently to the last-place Nationals in what feels like a low point on the season. Jamie and Eric discuss the disappointing first half with musician Brock Pytel (Doughboys, SLIP~ons).

SLIP~ons Heavy Machinery EP out June 30th!

Eric and Jamie reconnect with musician and songwriter Brock Pytel (SLIP~ons, Doughboys) to discuss, debrief, and decompress from the wildest of Wild Card series.

The Seattle Mariners had a quiet yet controversial trade deadline. Jamie and Eric discuss the departure of Paul Sewald, the return package from the Diamondbacks, plus peripheral moves and transactions from around the division and wild card race.

Jamie and Eric talk all about Eugenio Suarez. Eric interviews Nashville-based music journalist and Dodgers/Mariners fan, Charlie Zaillian.

Jamie and Eric talk all about their favourite September callup and the pride of Powder Springs: Taylor Trammell.

The Seattle Mariners' season is over. Eric and Jamie discuss what went wrong down the stretch, revisit some predictions from earlier in the year, and share who they're cheering for in the playoffs.

The Seattle Mariners will face the AL West 52 times this regular season. While that is down from 76, it's still worth discussing! Jamie and Eric take a look around the division, then do a quick vibe check on the home team.

The Seattle Mariners have a 29-27 record entering June. Trends have emerged, both positive and negative! Jamie and Eric nevertheless dedicate most of the episode to the AA Arkansas Travelers, enlisting the help of Sofie Dill (aka @sofieballgame on Twitter).

Check out the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation!

Soft Fossil: Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music

Eric and Jamie beat the dog-day doldrums by delving into “My Oh My” - both the 1995 Mariners home video and the 2010 Macklemore song.

Jamie and Eric look back at Sergio Romo's career to date, and Eric interviews librarian and Jays fan Aili Meutzner.

The Seattle Mariners finally have a full-time designated hitter, by the name of Mitchell Lynn Garver. Eric tells Jamie Garver's life story, but not before the two discuss the Mitch Haniger reunion, as well as the acquisitions of Anthony DeSclafani and Luke Raley.

The Seattle Mariners have only the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros left to play on the regular season schedule. Jamie and Eric discuss where the team is at, then chat with comic book artist Gina Wynbrandt, author of 'How Jarred Kelenic Got His Groove Back.' (Find Gina on Twitter and Instagram.)

Eric and Jamie trace birthday-boy Chris Flexen's journey from MLB to KBO and back again. They also conclude their discussion of the Dorktown Mariners docuseries.

Randy Arozarena is a Seattle Mariner! Eric and Jamie discuss all the Mariners' deadline acquisitions and departures, the team's recent offensive outburst, and the players they were hoping to see gone just four weeks ago.

L.A.-based filmmaker (and Mariners/Mets fan) Keiran Turner joins Jamie and Eric to dissect trade deadline transactions.

The Seattle Mariners had a lacklustre offseason, but unfortunately bigger problems exist in the world than just that. Jamie and Eric discuss the struggle to find meaning in professional baseball amid the horrors, then share big-picture thoughts on what the Mariners did(n't) do.

Eric and Jamie look back at Logan Gilbert's ascent and dream on his future. With Jessica Sands (Home & Away podcast).

The Seattle Mariners are 5-8 and fans MAY be overreacting. Eric and Jamie discuss the early results, then catch up with singer-songwriter and baseball enthusiast Craig Salt Peters.

Gabby AKA Robbie Ray's Pants returns to the podcast to chat with Jamie and Eric about the Mariners clinching a Wild Card berth, as well as the increasing likelihood of a Jays-Mariners postseason series.

Eric and Jamie reflect on their first season covering the team, and construct a fantasy draft of only players who have spent time on both the Blue Jays and Mariners.

The Seattle Mariners fired longtime manager Scott Servais, and replaced him with someone named Dan Wilson. How do Jamie and Eric feel about it? It's complicated.