MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL COVERAGE AS DRUNK AS YOU ARE >>>
Now that my prediction has come true and the Tacoma Rainiers (69-71) have officially been eliminated from playoff contention by those pesky North Division rivals the Reno Aces, we can move on from worrying about the Rainiers' record. We can talk about bigger and better things.
Or, as is the case this week, bigger and sadder things.
Tacoma Rainiers' everyman and downright stud, Matt Tuiasosopo, has been released from the team. I'll say it again:
Matt Tuiasosopo is no longer a Tacoma Rainier.
In this world of fast-paced, highly-sophisticated sports media, it's hard to tell who broke the news about Tui being released. But regardless of who broke the news, Rainiers' announcer Mike Curto said it best over at his blog:
"Obviously, this is big news here. Tui has been in the Mariners system since 2004 and he has strong ties with our coaching staff. Daren Brown, who has managed Tuiasosopo for five years, had to give him the news. It was an emotional day for many in the clubhouse here."
Yesterday was an emotional day in the clubhouse and an emotional day for many around Tacoma. Tui has long been a city-staple. He was a strong, dependable force in Tacoma's infield. He was always good at catching a hard hit ball and, before this year, was always a star at the plate.
Unfortunately for Tui, his skills never translated well while in a Mariners' uniform, perhaps leading to his release from the Rainiers.
"I saw some things I liked this spring," said Mariners' manager Eric Wedge (on Geoff Baker's blog). "But it just wasn't consistent."
We here at the Weekly Volcano have poked fun at Tui from time to time. But it has always been with love. We poked fun knowing how good of a player he could be, and knowing how well liked he was around the community. We hope to see him continue to play ball and we'd once again love to see him in a Rainiers' uniform (Mariners' general manager Jack Z. tweeted that he wants Tui to attend M's spring training).
Or out of a Rainiers' uniform. Asides from missing Tui's on-field capabilities, we'll also miss his stunning good looks. Even when he wasn't hitting this year, he still wasn't hard on the eyes.
And that's something that's not easy to replace.
Notes ...
-Speaking of Rainiers who were once released by the Rainiers only to come back, starting pitcher Luke French threw a solid game last night. French went seven innings, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out seven. After an abysmal first half, French's stock continues to rise as he improves to 9-9 on the year. Nice work, French. Unfortunately, you don't have the face of our Tui.
-Tonight will be starting pitcher Chris Seddon's last game of the season. Seddon, who is 9-6 on the year, looks to bump his win column up into the double digits, thus making his win column more closely match the length of his hair in inches.
-Last night, Rainiers' outfielder Carlos Peguero homered in his first game back off the DL. He also walked for the first time in 80 at-bats. The first walk in 80 at-bats? You know when managers preach plate discipline and patience? We wonder if Peguero ever listens.
The Rainiers host the Fresno Grizzlies tonight at 7:05 p.m.. Tonight will also be the last Friday Night Fireworks of the season; a fun fact dampened by the knowledge that Matt Tuiasosopo will not be on the bench to watch them go off.
FYI- Tui always loved the colors blue and red.
