I had intended to write a post on exactly this subject within the next day or so. Now, more or less, I don't have to, because Steve Kelley has said almost exactly what I had intended to write. (Actually, I have BEEN saying almost exactly this for some months now--like from last season).
While I will go against him to the extent that I do think that there have been some improvements made, they were too little, too late, and did not meet the expectations of the non-bandwagon fan base (you know, those of us who REALLY care if the team wins or loses--not just go out to the Safe for the ambience of the place and to see and be seen).
Up until the inexplicable and sudden firing of Ron Hassey and Dan Rohn this past week, I had held out hope that this season and the disastrous 0-11 road trip just MIGHT spell the end of Messrs. Hargrove and Bavasi. Now it appears as if both are here to stay, at least into next season. It remains to be seen if that hold might be tenuous or not, if next season begins like this one is ending. While the dismissal of Hassey was said to be because of a "poor fit" with the coaching staff, no reason was given for the dismissal of Rohn, who was seen as a top contender for the management job if Hargrove was relieved of the final year of his contract; and might be seen as a means of ridding the team of a man who had been critical of recent management tactics.
As noted in Mr. Kelley's article, attendance has been down considerably this season, and could/probably will fall still farther (unless, of course, there are a lot more people out there disguised as empty seats that I had previously thought). This has to have an effect on the bottom line,, that figure which has been so precious to the present regime in the executive offices. If the bottom line continues to fall, how can payroll not follow? And, if payroll drops, can we not look forward to being treated to a Northwest version of a Marlins fire sale? And, if there is a fire sale, can we not look forward to a return to the dark days of the 1980's (yes, I know I was not here then, but I DO know my Mariners' history)?
I'm not just a one sport person. Sure, the Hawks are looking to be at least reasonably good again this year, once Deion Branch gets onto the field and the O line solidifies as well as the D line has, but I want to be able to enjoy my baseball, too (I'm going to ignore the Sonics for the time being, because I STILL think they will be in OKC by this time in 2008), and that's going to be a little hard to do if we have only a fourth season of slight (or no) improvement to look forward to.
Everyone who complains to themselves and their fellow fans on the local Mariners' forums needs to expand their complaints to at least the extent of e-mailing the club's fan feedback mailbox and letting them know that we agree with Mr. Kelley's sentiments and asking for either concrete action to improve the team this offseason (up to and including a few heads rolling) or a PLAUSIBLE explanation why that cannot/has not been done (no more "we tried, but just weren't able to get it done"). I'll be sending them another e-mail this morning myself. How about the rest of you?
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