Like most major leaguers, Mike Carp would rather play in the field each day than serve as the Seattle Mariners’ designated hitter, and not just because it keeps him on the field.
“I like to talk to guys, and at first base, everybody who gets there says hello,” Carp said.
Carp has gotten to meet quite a few players in his 30 starts at first base this season. No one, he said, has arrived in a bad mood.
“I’ll compliment them on how they’re hitting, or they’ll say something nice to me,” Carp said. “When the Yankees were here, Robinson Cano got to the bag and said ‘I’m seeing some good things in your swing.’ That was pretty cool.”
Because Carp has been up and down in the Seattle organization the past three years, plenty of players have talked to him about him getting an extended shot at playing in the majors.
“I’ve had quite a few guys say ‘It’s nice to see you get a chance,’ ” Carp said. “The veterans, they’re always making me laugh. A guy like Torii Hunter, he’s always talking. After I talked to him at first base, he’d always yell something to me between innings as I headed for the dugout and he headed to the outfield.
“It’s more fun on the field than being the DH. It keeps you involved in every pitch, every play.”
For Carp, there’s an added bonus.
“I’m a talker,” he said. “I like meeting guys over there.”
HINT ON 2012 STAFF
Manager Eric Wedge was asked Monday if his entire staff would be coming back in 2012. He hedged just a bit – then gave a strong hint.
“Jack (Zduriencik) and I have talked about it,” Wedge said. “I’m not ready to release anything yet, but I feel very good about our staff, I’ll tell you that much.”
So much so that in meetings with players, Wedge has been telling the Mariners to stay in touch with their coaches this offseason.
“From a pitching standpoint it’ll be Carl (Willis), from (a) positional standpoint (hitting coach) Chris (Chambliss), Robby (Thompson) with the infielders, with the outfielders, (Mike) Brumley, the catchers will be (Jeff) Datz,” Wedge said.
“It’s not that we’ll be hassling them all the time, but we want to stay in contact with them just to make sure they are doing what they need to be doing.”
SHORT HOPS
Monday’s Mariners lineup was the 150th different one posted in the team’s 160th game – and Wedge isn’t slowing down. In the first 25 games of September, he hasn’t used any lineup twice. The club record for lineups used is 151, established in 2004. … When Chris Gimenez homered on Sunday it gave Seattle 23 players with at least one home run this season – a club record.
ON TAP
Seattle plays host to Oakland at 7:10 p.m. today, a game that will be televised on Root Sports. Probable starting pitchers: Trevor Cahill (11-14, 4.31 ERA) vs. Seattle’s Blake Beavan (5-5, 3.83).
larry.larue@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.