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A Visit by Jamie Moyer
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Rick Klobucher, getting Jamie Moyer’s autograph.
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One of baseball’s “nice guys” paid a visit to the BBRC Friday, and Jamie Moyer lived up to the billing by charming his audience. He broke into the majors in 1986 with the Chicago Cubs. After three years, he was traded to Texas. He came to the Mariners in 1995 in a deal with Boston. Last year, Moyer won 20 games and carved out a remarkable ERA of 3.43. Based on his win-loss percentage the last several years, Jamie is one of the top three pitchers in the majors. He is in this select group and keeps on performing at age 38. He and his wife, Karen, do a lot of charitable work in this community, as well as others. The Moyer Foundation hosted its second annual invitational bowling tourney last summer and raised $100,000. The money went to fund Camp Aaron, a children’s hospice.
Looking fit and trim, Jamie took the lectern and said, “Thanks for the early morning start!” He had high praise for many aspects of last season. “It was a great time for players and fans … a truly unbelievable year. At spring training in Peoria, it started with Ichiro, but there was a lot of uncertainty. How will Brett Boone help the ball club? There were other big questions. But, we had a very workmanlike attitude and it all came together about midway through spring training. Lou (Piniella) began to get antsy. We just told him to relax, we’ll be ready. Well, we got a great start … won 20 games in April … got that big lead and kept it all year, to 116 wins. Swept the Yankees in New York, perhaps the watershed moment of the season. Our work ethic had a high level of respect by the team. It was like going to a construction site, punching in the time cards, putting on the hard hats and going out to (work) play. It was great being a part of this team … and each day see people come to ballpark. Personally, I appreciated the support. I’ve never seen the excitement higher than in Seattle last year. We tied the Chicago Cubs of 1906 with our 116 wins … that record stood for 95 years!”
Jamie noted he was on a Mariner’s Caravan this past week in Mount Vernon and he still didn’t “understand the effect of what really happened last season. I watched Sweet 116 Video (produced by the Mariners) and I finally understood that I was part of that!”
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Jamie Moyer, with some of his smaller fans.
Click on photo for a larger image!
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Jamie continued: “We’ve kept a majority of players from last year … a few additions will strengthen the team. I’m very sorry to see Aaron Sele leave. Not only was he a good friend, but his over 200 innings pitched will have to be picked up by the rest of the pitching staff. A 162-game season equals 1,600 innings.”
Moyer commented that this past season brought a lot of smiles to many people. He and his family moved to Seattle this past year and this was the first time here during the off season. A big thank you for your continued support!
Jamie also talked about the Moyer Foundation. “We do it to help other people. Our goal is to help people. There are members of families who are sick and need help. The bowling tourney in July is becoming very successful. We learned about a bereavement camp in Indiana and brought the idea to Washington. We’ll be teaming with the Kumon Math and Reading Centers in February, intending to raise up to $1 million for a bereavement camp for families in New York.”
“Last year, the Moyer Foundation supported the NW Life Center for Organ Donation. Our first bowling tourney supported NW Life. More details about our organization is available at our website.”
In the question and answer period, Jamie was asked which of the American league hitters presented the greatest challenge. “Garrett Anderson and Bernie Williams have hit me well. Scott Brosius, man, I hate to see him retire … I could get him out blindfolded! There are no certainties and no exacts. No matter how much we study each hitter, we still make lots of mistakes. Baseball is a very human game.”
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Jamie Moyer and Acting Prez Howard Johnson
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What about some of the Mariners’ younger arms? “Hey, what’s wrong with being 38? (Big round of laughter!) Joel Piniero has the talent … but needs more experience. Gil Meche, Ryan Anderson … each had surgery last year. They need another year in the minors just to get back in stride. Jeff Heaverlo may be ready.“
How do you focus in stressful or tension-filled situation? “I crumbled in those situations earlier … this past year, I was focused. It takes practice and concentration. I don’t waste energy on things I can’t control. When I’m locked in, I can’t hear the crowd. When I can’t hear the crowd, I know I’m locked in.”
What about Jay Buhner as a coach? “I think Jay wants to get away for a year … but knowing him, his body clock is telling him it’s spring training!”
Ben Davis, the new young catche? “Interesting to see how it works out. Danny Wilson caught 120 games last year, Davis 130. He has good catching skills, a good arm, needs more work on his hitting.”
How about the other teams in our division? “Texas has improved tremendously with an open checkbook. Anaheim has improved their pitching considerably. Oakland will miss Jason Giambi (now with the Yankees), but they still have three of the best arms in the majors. Should be a very competitive season.”
For his presentation, Jamie received the Rotary First Harvest certificate, purchasing 600 pounds of food in his name. Throughout the morning, Jamie was signing baseballs and other paraphernalia like crazy … the young kids swarmed around him and he responded in kind. A great morning for all baseball fans, young and old. Thanks to Brian Evison for his introduction. (Translation to follow.)
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