Randall on Baseball

Rick Randall is a Stanwood resident whose passions include his wife and children... and baseball. Beginning with his first Little League baseball game, Randall has been immersed in the sport on all levels. He shares his thoughts with other fan-atics on his blog and in his column in North County Outlook.

Another major league baseball season is underway, and yet again our beloved Seattle Mariners aren't expected to be contenders in the AL West. But despite being on the front end of another year likely to end without postseason baseball, progress is being made within the organization, and a promising future for the Mariners is on the horizon - a horizon that should start to become visible this year.

If you head down to Safeco Field to catch a game early on this season, you will have the opportunity to see some of that future on display. Rookie relievers Josh Lueke (part of the Cliff Lee trade-haul from Texas) and Tom Wilhelmsen (who pitched for the Everett Aquasox last season) are part of the Mariners bullpen, and starting pitcher Michael Pineda - among the most talented young arms in baseball - claimed the only opening in the rotation this spring. And, of course, the defending American League Cy Young award-winner Felix Hernandez is still around...and he just turned 25 this week.

If you venture down a little further south to catch the Tacoma Rainiers in action, you'll be able to watch top prospect Dustin Ackley and a few others that should be helping on the big league level soon - probably even this season.

The seeds have been planted by the current front office, and although baseball is certainly viewed as a 'win now' endeavor by most of its fans, the process of building a successful organization - particularly one being rebuilt from scraps like the Mariners - is not an easy proposition. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day...and neither were the Yankees or Red Sox.

The wheels have been set in motion by General Manager Jack Zduriencik, but it is going to take a while before the Mariners are moving in the right direction at a good pace in all facets. The minor league teams enjoyed a very successful 2010, and that winning culture is something that the GM has said he wants to instill in the young players. Winning is the goal in sports, and it doesn't happen on accident, so starting with a foundation in the minor leagues is great.

Zduriencik has said all along that winning is what he was brought here for. He is very clear that he wants to bring a World Series title to Seattle and its fans in the future.

And the future is on the horizon.