Thursday, July 14, 2005
RAFAEL PALMEIRO, MARINER KILLER
"I really can't explain it. I'm feeling better, I feel good. It's a great place to play. There are ballparks you feel good in. There are ballparks you don't feel good in. I feel good here. There's no other explanation."
This was Rafael Palmeiro's "explanation" to David Andriesen of the Seattle P-I on July 28, 2003. Palmeiro drove in a career-high 7 runs, hitting 2 home runs, including a grand slam off of Arthur Rhodes, as his Texas Rangers blew out the Mariners 10-1.
If there's one guy I can point to and yell out "Mariner Killer" with no hesitation at all, it's Rafael Palmeiro. Chew on these numbers.
Palmeiro in his career against the Seattle Mariners (1989-2005):
---212 games (779 at-bats)
---.288 BA
---.916 OPS
---51 HR
---142 RBI
---136 runs
---224 hits (42 doubles, 3 triples)
---102 walks
Palmeiro at the Kingdome (1989-1999)
1989-1993 Texas, 1994-1998 Baltimore, 1999 Texas
---62 games (232 at-bats)
---.293 BA
---.826 OPS
---9 HR
---28 RBI
---38 runs
---68 hits (12 doubles, 1 triple)
---21 walks
Palmeiro at Safeco Field (2000-2004)*
2000-2003 Texas, 2004-current Baltimore
*Texas did not play at Safeco Field during the 1999 season
---39 games (150 at-bats)
---.280 BA
---1.003 OPS
---16 HR
---47 RBI
---24 runs
---42 hits (7 doubles)
---20 walks
Don't those numbers just make you feel good about yourself?
Seriously, Palmeiro is a beast, especially in Safeco Field. That's why it's so fitting that he is in Seattle this weekend with the Baltimore Orioles for a four-game series with the Mariners. Palmeiro is 2 hits away from reaching 3,000 hits in his career, sitting at 2,998 at the All-Star Break. If he doesn't get 2 measly hits this weekend, it will be one of the most shocking moments of my sporting life.
If I were a Hall Of Fame voter (I'm not), I would put Palmeiro into Cooperstown just based on his numbers against the Mariners over the years. However, I think having over 500 home runs and eventually 3000+ hits will get him into the Hall Of Fame anyway. He has to be in the Hall Of Fame, doesn't he? You can say what you will about Palmeiro. He hasn't always been the dominating hitter on his own team. But 500 home runs and 3000 hits still mean something. At least I think they do. Only 25 men in the history of baseball have 3,000 hits on their resume. For some reason, I just can't see the voters keeping Palmeiro out of Cooperstown.
Aaron Sele, you may just be a part of history Thursday night at Safeco Field.
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