2014 Seattle Mariners Caravan wraps up in Tacoma and Tukwila
Three week tour included stops in more than two dozen Northwest communities
The 2014 Seattle Mariners Caravan wraps up on Friday, January 24, with a visit to Tacoma's Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and a free public autograph session at the Mariners Team Store at Southcenter Mall. Scheduled to appear are outfielder Michael Saunders, infielder Brad Miller, pitcher James Paxton, broadcaster Rick Rizzs and the Mariner Moose.
When the three-week Caravan wraps up on January 24, it will have stopped in 27 communities across the Pacific Northwest presenting assemblies for elementary school students, meeting with Boys & Girls Clubs members, visiting hospitals and giving free public autograph and photo sessions. Today's Caravan stops are Spokane and Post Falls, Idaho.
On January 24, the Caravan makes a Get Well Tour stop at Tacoma's Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (2:45-3:45pm, 317 Martin Luther King Jr. Way). (Note: The visit is not open to the public.)
From 5-6 pm, the Caravan will be at the Mariners Team Store at the Southcenter Mall in Tukwila for a free public autograph session. Autograph appearances are free and open to the general public. Attendees receive complimentary autographs, photos with the Mariner Moose and the chance to win great prizes.
Outfielder Michael Saunders led the team for the second straight season with 13 stolen bases. He also led the team with seven outfield assists. Saunders represented Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He was named to the METLIFE All-World Baseball Classic Team after batting .727 (8x11) with one home run and 7 RBI in three games for Canada.
Pitcher James Paxton made his Major League debut in September 2013 and posted three consecutive wins. In Paxton's four starts, he had a 1.50 ERA, the second lowest mark for a pitcher in his first four starts with the Mariners. (Felix Hernandez tops the list with a 1.24 ERA in his first four career starts.)
Infielder Brad Miller made his Major League debut on June 28 vs. the Chicago Cubs. He got his first two hits (both doubles) two days later, also against the Cubs. Miller appeared in 76 games, and was among leaders of American League rookies in extra base hits (18), home runs (8), and hits (66). He led all American League rookies in triples (6). Miller was named American League Player of the Week for the week ending July 21, the first Mariners rookie Player of the Week since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989.
Rick Rizzs is entering his 29th season in the Mariners broadcast booth. He and partner Aaron Goldsmith call play-by-play on the Mariners radio broadcasts on 710 ESPN Seattle and the Mariners Radio Network.
A schedule of all public appearances for the Caravan is available at www.mariners.com/caravan.