2012 Mariners Caravan returns to Tacoma January 26 for two stops

The 2012 Seattle Mariners Caravan makes a return trip to Tacoma on Thursday, January 26, for a Get Well Tour stop at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and a visit to the Al Davies Boys & Girls Club with Mariners players Mike Carp, Michael Saunders, broadcaster Rick Rizzs and the Mariner Moose.

The Get Well Tour visit to Mary Bridge is from 2:30-3:30pm. It is not open to the general public. During the Get Well Tours, children receive autographs and photos with players and the Mariner Moose, a Mariners sport bag, stuffed toy, baseball and get well photo card.

The Boys & Girls Club stop is at the Al Davies branch from 4:15-5:45pm. It is not open to the general public. Al Davies Club is located at 1620 S. 17^th St. Kids will have the chance to meet Mariners players and ask questions about baseball skills. They’ll also get autographs and photos with the players and the Mariner Moose.

On Wednesday, January 18, the Caravan made a stop at Lowell Elementary School to present a Mariner Moose D.R.E.A.M. Team Assembly for students, a fun-filled program that stresses the importance of the D.R.E.A.M. principles: Drug-free, Respect for yourself and others, Education through reading, Attitude, and Motivation to achieve your dreams.

Over a three-week period (January 9-27), the Caravan makes stops in 25 communities across the Pacific Northwest from Portland to Vancouver, B.C., Tacoma to Spokane, and points in between. Other Week Three stops include Everett, Bellingham, Ferndale, Vancouver, BC, Bellevue and Lynnwood.

Mike Carp had a breakout season with the Mariners in 2011. He ranked among all-time leaders for Mariners rookies in home runs (12), RBI (46), and extra base hits (30). He was also among American League rookie leaders in several categories including grand slams (1), slugging percentage (.466, 2^nd), RBI (4^th), on-base percentage (.326, 6^th) and total bases (135, 9^th). Carp appeared in 79 games at four positions (first base, left field, designated hitter, right field). He hit .276 for the season, including a career-high 20 game hitting streak, the longest hitting streak by an MLB rookie in 2011. Carp was named the American League Rookie of the Month for August.

Outfielder Michael Saunders made the Mariners Opening Day roster last season and appeared in 58 games. He spent the majority of the year at AAA Tacoma, where he was named the Rainiers’ Gold Glove Award winner for best defensive player with a .978 fielding percentage over 64 games in the outfield.

Rick Rizzs is entering his 27^th season as a member of the Mariners broadcaster team.

Seattle Mariners 2012 Caravan Itinerary

Week 3