Although yesterday started out a bit early, I shouldn’t complain too much, since today started about an hour earlier then that.  

Today is the final installment of the Japan series between the Mariners and Athletics, so that meant setting the alarm clock for 4:30 in the morning.  Much to my surprise, I’ve been joined by several of the Fan Cave finalists, and we’ve been tweeting and tiny chatting a bunch already.

That’s really the beautiful thing about baseball.  No matter where you’re from, what social class you are, how young or old, baseball has a way of bringing people together.  I can’t think of too many things outside of sports, and religion that have a similar effect on bringing together the masses.

Through four innings so far, Bartolo Colon has done an excellent job of keeping the Mariners off balance at the plate, not yet allowing a base runner.  We’ll see how long that lasts, though.  With a win today,  I’m pretty sure the Mariners will have the biggest lead in the AL West since Ken Griffey Jr. played there (the first time, not the second).

And no, that wasn’t meant to be a factual statement, but it sure does seem like it’s been a while.