PEORIA, Ariz. -- The volume was up a notable notch at the Mariners’ Spring Training facility on Monday morning, but to no surprise given who was in town for his annual visit to camp.
Ken Griffey Jr. doesn’t give much heads-up when he’s dropping in, adding an element of surprise to the already special occasion.
Griffey spent time mingling with many Mariners players, but also had a Cooperstown-caliber photo opportunity with Ichiro Suzuki and Edgar Martinez on Field 1 along the back fields, celebrating Suzuki being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year.
That group accounts for the organization’s only Hall of Famers -- but they’re also still close friends. Griffey was actually on the call with MLB Network interviewing Suzuki shortly after the announcement in January.
Even though Griffey visits camp every year, this spring's trip also tied in with an extra effort from Mariners manager Dan Wilson to invite franchise icons to camp.
“When you have that kind of relationship, and you have that history, shared history, of playing with guys for an extended period of time, it's a very serious bond that you create,” Wilson said. “There's nothing really like it.
“What you go through in a baseball season, particularly in Seattle, with all the travel and all the things you go through together, it really does create memories. It creates relationships that last, and that have lasted the test of time.”
Raleigh greets old friend Sewald
Cal Raleigh became good friends with Paul Sewald as the reliever blossomed into one of the better leverage arms in the American League over parts of three seasons in Seattle, from 2021-23. But Sewald probably wasn’t happy about how the big backstop greeted him in their reunion during Monday's 7-2 win over the Guardians.
Raleigh demolished a homer off the very first pitch he saw from Sewald, a 90.5 mph fastball up and over the plate. Distance wasn’t tracked, but it was over the Guardians’ bullpen beyond right field and bounced near the beer garden.
“I motioned for him to put it right there for me,” Raleigh joked postgame, pointing in front of himself at his waist’s height. “And he did. He probably wasn’t very happy. I gave him a little side eye, but he wasn’t looking at me. I’m sure he’ll have something to say about it on the golf trip.”
Two years ago in the early stages of spring, Raleigh demolished a homer off Sewald in live batting practice that many reporters caught on video and shared via social media -- which Sewald was good-naturedly heckled about.
Polanco makes Cactus debut
Working his way back from offseason surgery on his left knee, Jorge Polanco made his first appearance in a Spring Training game later on Monday, going 0-for-2 with a pair of groundouts at designated hitter.
Polanco has been progressing towards playing the field, going through infield drills on the backfields, with the Mariners targeting a return to the field soon. He’s also going through a position change this year, moving from second base to third base, which the club believes could be less demanding on his body.
Polanco, who was acquired ahead of the 2024 season in a trade with the Twins, re-signed with the Mariners as a free agent in January, on a one-year, $7.75 million deal.
Robles’ glovely play
Victor Robles won’t be playing much center field this season, given that Julio Rodríguez has that position locked down, which might’ve explained why Robles was trying to catch his bearings when running back toward the wall before making an impressive catch on Monday.
Robles tracked down the 101 mph scorcher from Tyler Freeman at the warning track, leaped and then hit the wall before coming down on his rear while corralling the ball.
Robles also ripped a 101.9 mph double to lead off the first inning, another sign that he’s finding his timing at the plate.
Kirby pushed back
With their first off-day on Tuesday and no Minor League spring games underway yet, the Mariners are opting to push back George Kirby, who would’ve been on turn. The decision allows Bryce Miller to remain on schedule to start Wednesday against the Royals. Seattle also has split-squad games on Thursday against the Angels and D-backs, when Kirby will slot back in.