Last Chance To Monitor Molitor
The Seattle Mariners’ game today against Minnesota will be the final time this year area fans will be able to see Minnesota designated hitter Paul Molitor in person in Seattle as he chases the 3,000-hit mark.
Molitor, who turns 40 Aug. 22, was just 51 hits short of 3,000 entering Saturday’s game.
Considering he already has 158 hits this season in 115 games, Molitor likely will attain his 3,000th base hit just before the end of the season.
Although his recognition hasn’t been as great as other players headed toward the Hall of Fame - he has just eight All-Star Game at-bats - Molitor consistently has excelled for 18 seasons.
The lack of recognition comes partly because he has played in the somewhat obscure baseball locales of Milwaukee and Toronto. Molitor was a part of the Brewers’ 1982 World Series team and had his popularity increased as a member of the 1993 World Champion Blue Jays.
His career statistics rival those of many enshrined in Cooperstown. Molitor ranks in baseball’s top 30 in steals (479), doubles (531), hits (2,947) and runs (1,623). He also has 219 homers and 1,112 runs batted in since he broke in with the Brewers in 1978.
Molitor is signed through the 1997 season by the Twins, so even if he doesn’t reach the magic 3,000 number by October, he plans to be back next year.
Martinez healing quickly
After breezing through what was supposed to be his entire workout Saturday, simply some light soft toss and tee work, Edgar Martinez felt good enough to test his fractured ribs a bit more.
Martinez took a few turns in the batting cage and looked much closer than originally thought to returning.
If the same workout goes well today, he likely will be activated from the 15-day disabled list within the next few days. He has been on the D.L. since July 21.
Manager Lou Piniella said he predicts Martinez will return to banging doubles again quickly, considering that things are so deep into the season Martinez shouldn’t struggle to regain his timing at the plate.
‘Big Unit’ stretched out
Having thrown three innings Friday night with few ill effects, Randy Johnson probably will make just one more relief appearance before returning to the starting rotation.
“We want to stretch him out a bit,” Piniella said. “Let him throw 60-65 pitches.”
That many pitches would dictate about five innings, so the next time Seattle falls in a hole early, look for Johnson to be the first one up in the bullpen.
Notes
Six of the Mariners’ 115 games have been played with the lineup Piniella penciled in at the beginning of the season. … The game Monday against Kansas City should bring two attendance milestones. The Mariners should pass the 2-million mark for the season and the 25-million mark in franchise history.
Coming up
Bob Wells (11-4, 4.33 earned-run average) opposes Twins right-hander Brad Radke (7-13, 4.71) in the final game of the series today. The game will not be televised.