Lofa Tatupu Released

                Lofa Tatupu met with Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll Saturday night and asked for his release from the team.  Taken in the second round of the 2005 Draft, Tatupu has spent his entire career with the Seahawks.  He has been to 3 Pro Bowls and in his rookie season helped lead the Seahawks to their first and only Super Bowl appearance.  Tatupu has been a team captain for the last 3 years, but injuries have kept him off field as of late.  Last season he was lost due to a torn pectoral muscle.  Tatupu was set to make 4.35 million dollars in base salary this season with Seattle.  His production has been in decline over the last few seasons, but his leadership both on and off the field will surely be missed.

Hasselbeck Out! Jackson In?

                The Seattle Seahawks announced today that they would not be resigning quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck.  In March of 2011 the Seahawks offered Hasselbeck a one year deal before the lockout started.  Hasselbeck declined the offer because he was looking for a two year contract.  When the lockout came to a close, Hasselbeck and the Seahawks were still at a standstill.  The Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and possibly the San Francisco 49ers are all in the running to obtain Hasselbeck as their newest quarterback. 

                While Hasselbeck entertains each team’s offers the Seahawks have moved on, looking to bring in two new players at the quarterback position.  Tarvaris Jackson, who is formerly of the Minnesota Vikings has agreed in principle to a deal with the Seahawks.  He is rumored to be in the running against current Seahawks quarterback, Charlie Whitehurst, for the starting job for the 2011 season.  Jackson’s former coach from the Vikings, Darrell Bevell has also joined the team as the Seahawks new offensive coordinator.  Also rumored to be in talks with the Seahawks is quarterback Matt Lienart.  Lienart played for Carroll during his time at USC.  In the NFL Lineart has been a quarterback for both the Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans. 

Top Ten Hitters in Mariners History

Number 10: Jose Lopez

 On July 31, 2004 the Seattle Mariners called up Jose Lopez from Triple A Tacoma.  By the end of the 2004 season Lopez had a batting average of .232 with 5 home runs and 22 RBI’s.  The 2005 Season was an injury plagued sophomore season which saw Jose spend the majority of the year with Triple A Tacoma.  During his career with the Mariners, Lopez was looked upon to provide the power in the lineup.  He was selected as an All Star in 2006.  He played Short Stop, Second Base and Third Base.  Jose’s best year as a Seattle Mariner came in 2009, He had an AVG. of .272, 25 home runs, 167 hits and 96 RBI’s.  Lopez’s Mariner career came to an end after the 2010 season when he was traded to the Colorado Rockies for minor league pitcher Chaz Roe.



Top Hitters in Mariner's History

                As I sit writing this article the Mariners are currently losing to Boston 10-3 in the bottom of the 5^th.  Like many other Mariner fans I’ve been beyond frustrated with the lack of offensive production this season.  This current losing streak is at 14 games, and if their game today finishes in another loss, they will be at 15 straight losses.  I started thinking about past seasons, when it was a regular occurrence to see hits, home runs, and high scoring games.  My favorite lineups were from ’95 and ’01, teams that stole our hearts and captured our imaginations.  Griffey’s majestic home runs, Edgars doubles, Boone’s Bombs and Buhner’s toughness.  After thinking about all the great moments in the past I decided to write a 10 week series featuring the top 10 hitters in Mariners history.  Tomorrow will be my first post featuring number 10 Jose Lopez, who played for the Mariners from 2004-2010.  The top 10 ranks players by hits, home runs, RBI’s, doubles and AVG.