The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
39°F
Current Conditions
Overcast clouds
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Mariners notes: Sexson puts Mariners in funk

Kirby Arnold Everett Herald

Richie Sexson is a long-ball hitter on the field and a family guy off it. After his first home run of the season Monday, he became the Seattle Mariners’ king of funk.

While Sexson circled the bases, the Mariners’ marketing department put one of its newest ideas into effect – playing the lively 1970s song “Give up the Funk” and flashing the words FUNK BLAST in bold letters on the scoreboard.

Sexson, who doesn’t consider himself as a funkadelic kind of guy, didn’t see it but said he might look up after his next homer.

“Maybe I should wear tie-dye next time I hit one,” he said.

The funk theme wasn’t an off-season brainstorm by the marketing department. It evolved after Mariners utility player Ben Broussard took part in a TV segment that was taped at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

As a thank-you, the EMP sent several CDs to the Mariners, one of them being a collection of 1970s music titled “Funk Blast.”

Hernandez draws praise

One day after Felix Hernandez overwhelmed the A’s with eight three-hit shutout innings, his teammates continued to talk about him.

“That was as nasty as I’ve seen a pitcher on TV or in person,” closer J.J. Putz said. “He flat-out dominated from the first pitch. I’d put him up against anyone in baseball the way he was pitching. Johan Santana, anybody.”

Hernandez became the first opening-day pitcher in 40 years to record at least a dozen strikeouts and not allow a run. Bob Gibson did it in 1967 for the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out 13 San Francisco Giants.

Notes

All those people with Yuniesky Betancourt No. 3 jerseys will need to get another number. Betancourt has switched numbers with new Mariners designated hitter Jose Vidro, who has worn No. 3 most of his career. Betancourt wears No. 5. … The Safeco Field roof rolled overhead just before game time, not for rain but because of cold conditions. … Tonight’s Mariners starter, Miguel Batista, pitched a complete game last July for the Arizona Diamondbacks in his only career appearance against the A’s.