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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lee learns to fit in with Mariners’ camaraderie

Former Cy Young winner goes three innings in win

Kirby Arnold Everett Herald

SURPRISE, Ariz. – While Cliff Lee gets a feel for his pitches at spring training, it seems he already has a good handle on his new team.

Lee pitched three innings Wednesday in his first exhibition start for the Seattle Mariners, allowing five hits and a run in their 6-3 victory over the Texas Rangers, and then said what Mariners fans – and the organization itself – have been dying to know.

“I like it here,” Lee said.

Nobody should take that as a promise for what Lee may do after this season when he can become a free agent. If any player knows that the business side of baseball can send him to any team at any time, even a former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher like Lee, it’s him.

The Cleveland Indians traded him to the Phillies late last season and he became a key to Philadelphia’s run to the World Series. He wanted to stay in Philly and was shocked when they traded him to the Mariners in December.

Lee came to spring training making no promise other than to work hard and pitch his best for the Mariners, and any thoughts of a longer-term relationship would depend on how much he and the team want each other.

“It didn’t take me long to realize there are good people here,” Lee said. “It’s a good organization. In free agency, you don’t get the luxury to spend some time with a team and the guys and see how you’re going to like it. Looking at it that way, I’ve got an opportunity to do that, where in free agency you don’t.”

No promises still, but in the three weeks since spring training began, Lee has a good sense of the camaraderie and will to win that extends from the Mariners’ clubhouse to the front office.

“It’s a bunch of good guys here and it’s not hard to fit in with this group,” he said. There are a lot of good people, from the coaches to the trainers to the players, the management. They’ve done it right and it didn’t take long to see that. It’s a good environment.”