This story was excerpted from Daniel Kramer’s Mariners Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
SEATTLE -- The Mariners and Astros may be building a rivalry in the American League West, but for a few days at least, they’ll amenably cohabitate in the home clubhouse at T-Mobile Park for All-Star Week.
It began two weeks ago, when Dusty Baker reached out to Scott Servais to invite the Mariners’ manager to be on his American League coaching staff, a group he oversees by virtue of being at the helm of the pennant-winning team the year prior.
In trademark Baker fashion, the 26th-year manager, who was Servais’ skipper with the Giants in 1999 and again in 2000, even joked good-naturedly that he didn’t want to impose upon his arrival.
“The thing about it is we are here in Seattle and this is Scott's home,” Baker said. “I actually told him that I didn't want his office. They're going to put me in the back there somewhere, but he told me he forced me to go and take his office. And I told him, ‘Well, I won't look in any drawers or anything,’ and see if I can pick up any tips while I'm in his office.
“He's a fine manager and they have a fine team here in Seattle. I'm glad to be back here. This is one of my favorite towns of all time.”
Servais also joked on Monday that he felt far more at ease at T-Mobile Park than at any point in this up-and-down season that ended the first half on a high note, by taking three of four in Houston. For him, being on the AL coaching staff is a rewarding experience. Mariners athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson is also on the staff.
“Dusty, he is unique; he's a great ambassador for the game,” Servais said. “He's so diverse. He had so many experiences as a player, manager. It's a thrill for me to get the opportunity to be around the All-Star Game in that capacity, and the fact that it's here in Seattle, it's awesome.”
George Kirby also soaked in the sights during media day on Monday, and after, he waited near the home dugout to greet Baker in what appeared to be a gesture of respect and appreciation. Tuesday will represent, likely in Kirby’s eyes, the second most monumental outing of his career, behind the seven shutout innings against the Astros in Game 3 of last October’s American League Division Series.
“He told me to be prepared for going in for an inning,” Kirby said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’d love to be able to throw. ... It’d be awesome. I’m super glad with how the first half went, myself and the team finished really strong in Houston. But this is a baseball city, and I think everyone loves baseball, so it’s cool to have this here.”
Luis Castillo likely also will see at least an inning tonight for Baker, whose club he dominated against on Friday for seven innings of one-run ball. Castillo is new to this budding rivalry, having arrived in Seattle ahead of last year’s Trade Deadline.
“The most emotional thing for me is that it's our ballpark and the fans are gonna bring it here, and I think people are gonna see what the fans are all about here,” Castillo said through interpreter Freddy Llanos.
The Mariners and Astros won’t meet again until a mid-August series at Minute Maid Park, and at least for the next few days, all things will be on positive terms.