Sweet Lou
Forget the big three -- Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, and Ken Griffey Jr. -- the one superstar the Mariners kept is leading us to the big dance: Lou Piniella.

Yankees go home
What can be said about these guys that has not already been said? As far as the second half is concerned, the M's simply must continue to do the things that they have done all of the first half. It would be ludicrous to think that they don't know this. They have had a few lucky breaks in games that swung the game in their direction. Those breaks may or may not continue. One thing else that may not continue at this pace is the timely hitting and great defense. The M's are solid on both sides of the ball. Pitching (like hitting) can come and go. So far there have been very few occasions when both were gone at the same time. I think that as a worst-case scenario, the M's will slow to a .666 winning percentage. That will still give them a record for wins and the best shot at a World Series win. Sorry Yankee fans.

Exit egos, stage left
I think the main key for the Mariners thus far in the season is their chemistry in the clubhouse -- on and off the field. They are a great group of guys that just want to have fun playing baseball. They don't have anymore egos or players who want a lot more money. Players like that can ruin a team.

No respect
Why is everybody so surprised by the Mariners' success? Is it just because they dont have any super-flashy, $100-million stars? They have been playing solid baseball for the last five years and each year's "predictions" rank them very low. I don't get it. Anybody who has been following them over the last couple years will tell you that this season is no surprise, but the result of a slow and steady strengthening of a baseball team's needs. The stars on the Mariners are the guys who do their jobs well.

Enjoy the ride while it lasts
So far all I've heard about the Mariners, throughout the entire first half, is their unstoppable combination of pitching, defense, and timely hitting. I've read the Baseball Prospectus for a few years in a row, and before that, the Big Bad Baseball Annual -- the trend I've noticed is that all these analysts just worship the teams that are built around the concept of strong farm systems, signing young veterans to small sums of money, and replacing them with younger talent when they hit free agency. They abhor the signing of veterans in their mid 30s, and point out that true dynasties are built from within. The Mariners had a great first half. I believe they will perform admirably in the second half as well, and will most likely win 100+ games. But they are no dynasty.

En fuego
The Seattle Mariners have simply been smoldering this first half. With such a team, its hard to find a weakness. If there is any, it's the starting pitching. They need another No. 2 quality starter and also a left fielder. Maybe Greg Vaughn would work.

Community pride
Seattle has a team that has inspired the whole Northwest. The Seahawks couldn't do it. The Sonics tried but came up short. So let's leave it to a team that didn't finish over .500 until '91 to spark the rain-soaked lives of area loyal sports fans. Hell, it's not just the area, it's the nation. Why stop there when we can go global and throw Japan in the mix. Whatever they are putting in the coffee this year is working, and it is being done differently than in the past.

Wanted: No. 1 or 2 starter
It would be ideal if we could get another No. 1 or No. 2 starter since I do not think we have the best starting pitching matchups against the Yankees. People have said we need another big bat in our lineup. Why? Last time I checked, we were leading the AL in runs scored. We'd lead the majors, but we don't play half of our games at Coors Field.

One for all, all for one
I think unbelievable is in order -- hard to believe that a team without a $100-million spoiled brat can win nowadays. It goes against everything we are told about teams and players. How could a bunch of regular guys beat up every other team in the league? Isn't it more important to have a 40-50 home-run guy in the lineup than someone who can get on base all the time? Too bad that it took until now for baseball to take a look back in time and figure out that a TEAM wins, not one player. Just look at Barry Bonds this year to tell the story. He hits lights out but his team can't win. The M's have brought together players who get on base, steal bases, pitch, catch and love the game. Sounds kinda odd, huh.

Sound investment: Insurance
I think that the Mariners are in great shape, however I am concerned with two areas:
1. Back-up shortstop position - Charles Gipson is a utility player who hasn't played much of the position. I think it would be wise to pick up someone like a Mike Bordick. If defense wins games, I would rather see a sound defensive fielder than an unproven utility player in pressure moments. I'm not saying that Bordick is the answer, but someone that could solidify the position if an injury occurs.
2. Veteran starting pitcher - After Freddy Garcia's last two shutout performances, I heard a radio source say that those two performances made Pat Gillick change his wishlist. Garcia has all the natural raw talent in a pitcher, but I think having a veteran pitcher for the stretch would take a lot of pressure off of Freddy. You often hear about how Randy Johnson's performance took off after a conversation with Nolan Ryan. I think that picking up a veteran pitcher who could be a mentor for Freddy would be good.

A Grimm Brothers tale
This just might be the Mariners year. Bringing good luck from the Orient, Ichiro might be the sparkplug needed to propell this team to glory. If they do win the World Series, it'll be another start-to-finish-on-top season for Lou, and playing host to the All Star game will have been a fitting midseason gem in the Emerald City's coronation campaign. It would truly be a fairytale season complete with their new shrine of a ballpark. Now, I expect them to win 112 games. Along with the Indians and Yankees, the Mariners are easily the class of the 2001 American League.

The downside of success
The Mariners are my team but I am getting a little worried about them cooling off in the upcoming months. Ichiro hasn't been getting enough time off in my mind. The Japanese season is much shorter then the MLB, so it scares me that maybe he will die off when we need him the most, and without a race, I think we won't be sharp for the postseason.

We can be heroes
If you look up baseball in the dictionary, you will find a pitcure of the 2001 Seattle Mariners.

Farm aid
The Mariners have a starting staff in their Triple-A Tacoma franchise that is capable of taking over for many big league clubs. I think their true strength lies in the fact that, if there is an injury to one of their starters, the Mariners have a ton of arms to choose from down in Tacoma.

Slumpless in Seattle
Unless you watch this team day in and day out (which me and my family, extended family, neighbors, and just about everyone in the Northwest does), it's hard to understand why the Mariners are so hot. We have been watching since day one and wondering when the slump would hit. Nothing in April, nothing in May, and finally in June, they ONLY won 18 games. If that's a slump I'll take it every time.

Ka-Boone!
I have to say that I'm not really surprised by the M's performance. Lou Piniella has always been able to motivate guys to play and now they're really playing as a team instead of relying on the big egos of Griffey and A-Rod to lead them. Everyone talks about Ichiro, and he has been terrific, but I believe Bret Boone's performance has been the key. I don't think many people expected him to have this kind of impact when he signed. That and the outstanding pitching. If they can stay healthy and pick up one more bat for the second half, I believe they will win it all.

Sodo Mojo: The best is yet to come
The 2001 Mariner team has truly shaken my sense of reality. After having lived through the years of Lachemann, Cottier, Williams, and dare I say, Plummer, I am finding it hard to believe that this isn't some fantasy. Eight Mariner players on the All-Star squad? 63 wins at the break? Heck, I remember the year in '92 when they only won 64. I'm starting to wonder if up is really down or if in is really out. What is real? Is there a cure for this? You bet there is. It's called the world championship.