Bret Boone, 32, came to the big leagues with Mariners nine years ago, too cocky and strong-willed to understand that Lou Piniella could help him become a better hitter.
Boone tried jacking everything out of the park. Older, wiser and more open-minded after stays with the Reds, Braves and Padres, Boone listens more closely to Piniella these days.
He’s using the whole field and jacking tons of pitches out of the stadium. In June, he passed his previous career-high of 74 RBIs and he’s closing in on his home run high of 24.
He added 20 pounds of muscle over the winter – isn’t it amazing how quickly some of these guys can bulk up? – a factor in him being the biggest surprise of the 2001 baseball season.
“The guy who pushed for him more than anybody was Lou,” M’s GM Pat Gillick said. “When Bret was here originally, he and Lou didn’t see eye-to-eye, had different opinions on hitting. Bret really has a nice stroke to right field now. He’s not swinging from his [butt] anymore.”
Bret, grandson of Ray, son of Bob, is baseball’s first third-generation All-Star.
If the ballot-stuffing fans of Seattle have their way, Mariners third baseman David Bell will be the second.
Shockingly, Bell moved into the lead among American League third basemen.
Will the commissioner step in and void the voting the way Ford Frick did in 1957 when Cincinnati fans stuffed the boxes for the Reds?
“Let’s just see what happens,” Selig said. “But no, I can’t imagine doing that. They’re drawing a lot of people and they’re 800 games ahead. They deserve to have a little bit of representation.”
David, son of Buddy, grandson of Gus, wouldn’t be the first member of the family stripped of the honor voted him by fans.
Hank Aaron and Willie Mays replaced Gus, a four-time All-Star elected three times by the fans, and Wally Post in the starting lineup.