What should teams do for fans amid a horrible season? I say, throw ‘em a bone. Give the fans a reason to go to the ballpark or watch the team on television despite the team losing. These are things a last-place, going-nowhere team should consider. Things the Seattle Mariners should consider.

Throw ‘em a bone, I say. Get Ken Griffey, Jr., back.

I know it’s still early, which makes this even harder to write, but the Mariners season is over. They’re done, folks. This team is going nowhere fast, and in a season with extremely high expectations, Mariner fans are probably in for a long summer.

Watching the M’s on a chillaxing summer night is something fans have grown accustomed to. However, it gets tough to consistently watch a team that loses all the time. There’s only so much heartache a fan can take. A sports geek’s heart rate is much faster than the normal human being — so I’d think.

The Mariners finished over .500 last year and stayed relatively in the playoff race until mid-September. Heading into this season, they added ace lefty Erik Bedard and were predicted by many pundits not only contend, but win the American League West Division.

More importantly, the Pacific Northwest Mariner fan base was excited and season ticket sales were through the roof. With the team’s current standing, thousands of season ticket holders are upset and unlikely to renew their tickets for next season.

Making a trade for Ken Griffey, Jr., is exactly what the Mariners need to do to keep the fan base attending and watching games. The fact of the matter is that Griffey is on the last year of his contract and his current team, the Cincinnati Reds, aren’t contending either. Everybody knows next season when Griffey becomes a free agent he’ll be able to sign with the team he chooses and the Reds will get nothing in return.

It just makes sense for Cincinnati to trade him this season, and at the very least, get a prospect or two in return.

I don’t know about you, but if the Mariners brought Griffey back I’d watch them every night regardless of their record. It would be exciting to see him in an M’s uniform once again, trotting out on the field wearing the number 24 on his back.

I’m so frustrated with the current team and starved for my childhood hero to return, that I’d almost agree if the Mariners had to send a top prospect to the Reds in order to get him.

I don’t know what would happen next season, whether Griffey would resign with the Mariners or not. All I know is that this season could be greatly rotated in another direction in terms of fan enjoyment if Griffey returned.

Mariner General Manager Bill Bavasi will most certainly be fired at seasons end. He’s basically dismantled a once proud franchise. He fired former manager Bob Melvin along with pitching coach Brian Price four years ago. Now Melvin and Price are managing the Arizona Diamondbacks — one of the National League’s top teams.

Way to go, Bavasi.

In one last attempt to salvage his reputation, legacy and job, Bavasi needs to do something for the fans. Throw ‘em a bone, Bavasi.
The fans want Griffey back.

Bringing back Griffey and throw him in right field. Allowing fans to see him play next to Ichiro would be a cherished Mariner moment. Two of the all-time Mariner greats roaming the outfield together would not only bring fans to Safeco Field, but it would also give fans living in Idaho or anywhere outside western Washington a reason to tune in every night.

Mariner fans have suffered many years while watching their team lose. Other than the team’s run from 1995-01, the Mariners have pretty much been a cellar dweller. They were constant losers up until 1989, when Griffey got there. Not only did he put this team on the baseball map, but he’s the single reason Safeco Field was born.

Look, I know he’s older now — 38 to be exact. He’s in the twilight of a legendary career and by no means the player he was. He’s still pretty good though, and has averaged 30 home runs per year over the last three seasons. I know he won’t be the Griffey fans would want him to be, but he’d still have his moments and most certainly would upgrade the team’s offense.

Honestly, could it be possible that Griffey could lose his Mariner legacy if he struggled upon return? No. True Mariner fans appreciate the fact that he was their first home-grown superstar. His legacy on the field couldn’t possibly be jeopardized by unfamiliar statistics.
People will always remember his diving catches, sweet home run trot, and rounding third base after Edgar Martinez’s double off of the wall in game five of the 1995 ALDS versus the hated Yankees.

Imagine all the new fathers taking their youngsters who’ve never seen Griffey in a Mariner uniform to Safeco Field. Imagine all the stories told regarding Griffey moments in the Kingdome and at Safeco.

There certainly aren’t any stories being told lately, fans have quit showing up to the park.

Get Griffey back. Throw the fans a bone already.

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