Saturday Cup of Mojo – Vol. 2

You’re not going to find Garfield or Charlie Brown, but join us for a Cup of Mojo.

In this issue:

• Where Are They Now: Bruce Bochte
• Around the Horn
• On the Farm: James Paxton
• Anagrams!

• Where Are They Now: Bruce Bochte

Bruce Bochte often gets mistaken for Bruce Bochy, but I’m here to tell you that they are indeed different people.

Bochte played five seasons with the Mariners (Bochy played 0) as mostly a first baseman but did see time in both left and center, which sounds even weirder than Mike Carp playing left.

He was an All-Star in 1979, his second season with the M’s. That game was hosted at the Kingdome, and Bochte drove in a run with a single off Gaylord Perry.

In 1983, Bochte protested the entire season due to rising salaries for players. Ah, the good old days when baseball players didn’t do it for the money. He returned the next season and spent three years with Oakland before hanging it up.

Since leaving the game, Bochte turned down the Mariners invite to take part in the 2001 All-Star Game at Safeco Field, has completely distanced himself from baseball and has worked at the Center for the Story of the Universe since 1990 where he is currently the executive director.

• Around the Horn

What a week for the Chicago Cubs. First, Carlos Zambrano loses his mind (again) and now GM Jim Hendry has been axed.

What’s interesting to me about the latter is that Hendry was told about his firing on July 22, but agreed to stay on through the trade and draftee signing deadlines. Very noble of him I suppose, but I can’t imagine helping out the very employer that’s canning me.

Back to “Big Z.” Forget about how Zambrano went head hunting. Forget about how he quit on his team by cleaning out his locker and “retiring.” Forget about how he must have thought “whoopsidoodle!” when he realized retirees don’t get the money left on their contract.

No, the thing that really makes my eyebrow go upward is the union getting involved. Really MLBPA? You’re susposed to represent the players as a collective. When you file a grievence on behalf of a guy doing something that makes his teammates upset, you’re not doing that. You’re attempting to help scumbags who deserve to not be paid.

• On the Farm: James Paxton

James Paxton’s season came to an end this week. After spending part of last season in independent ball due to his NCAA ineligibility, the Mariners drafted him in the 4th round of the 2010 draft. The first time he was drafted, in 2009, it was in the first round by the Blue Jays.

His stock seemed to fall some, and the Mariners appear to have one of the steals of the draft. After writing this piece for publication Saturday, Jason Churchill at Prospect Insider released his new Top 30. Guess who was ranked number one?

Paxton started 11 games for Class A Clinton, posting a 2.73 ERA and 2.24 FIP with a K/9 of 12.86 and BB/9 of 4.82. After being promoted to Class AA Jackson, he’d start seven games where he sported a sexy 1.85 ERA, 2.33 FIP and ran out a 11.77 K/9 and 3.00 BB/9.

Shutting him down now, the team could let his back rest up a bit and have him throw in the Arizona Fall League if they choose. Or, he can go fishing and show up to spring training with a chance to Tacoma for a few months before possibly making his way to the big club.

• Anagrams!

I’m kind of becoming obsessed with these things. So, in my own special way of saying thanks to the Mariners front office for a very nice draft and international free agent class, I present these anagrams to you!

• Jack Zduriencik – I Jerk A Zinc Duck
• Tom McNamara – Carton Mamma
• Tony Blengino – Bootleg Ninny
• Bob Engle – Noble Beg

That’s it for this issue, folks. Have a swell weekend!