Mariners Caravan wraps up Jan. 25 in Tacoma and Tukwila
Three-week tour made stops in 26 Northwest communities
The 2013 Seattle Mariners Caravan wraps up the three week tour of Pacific Northwest communities on Friday, January 25, with stops in Tacoma and Tukwila for a visit to a Boys & Girls Club and hold a free public autograph signing at the Southcenter Mariners Team Store.
Pitchers Tom Wilhelmsen and Lucas Luetge, outfielder Michael Saunders, broadcaster Rick Rizzs and the Mariner Moose will be at the D.A. Gonyea branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs in Tacoma (5136 N. 26th St.) from 3:15-4:45pm. Kids will have the chance to meet the players and ask questions about baseball skills. They’ll also get autographs and photos with the players and the Mariner Moose. (This event is not open to the general public.)
Then from 6-7:45pm, the Caravan will be at the Mariners Team Store at Southcenter Mall for a free public autograph signing. Autograph appearances are free and open to the general public. Attendees receive complimentary Mariners autographs, photos with the Mariner Moose, and the chance to win great prizes.
The annual Mariners Caravan hit the road on January 9, and made stops all across the Northwest, from Tacoma to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, B.C., and points in between hosting assemblies for elementary school students, meeting with Boys & Girls Clubs members and putting on free public autograph and photo sessions.
Relief pitcher Tom Wilhemlsen took over as the team’s closer in early June of the 2012 season and notched 29 saves. Wilhelmsen posted a 1.82 ERA and a .156 opponent batting average in 34 save opportunities. He was the sixth and final pitcher in a combined no-hitter against the Dodgers on June 8, with a perfect ninth inning for the save.
Outfielder Michael Saunders, a native of Victoria, B.C., appeared in 139 games in 2012, starting 133 in the outfield. He hit .247 with 31 doubles and 19 home runs. He also led the team with 21 stolen bases.
Pitcher Lucas Luetge made 63 relief appearances in 2012, his rookie season. Luetge led the team with 12 holds, which was tied for fourth among American League rookies. He was the fourth pitcher to appear in the six pitcher combined no-hitter on June 8, vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.