I have been a fan of the Mariners from their inception in 1977. I’ve not been a player-and-staff-names guy, but the team as a whole is my team.
One of my biggest disappointments was when the emblem on the ball cap was changed from a Mariners’ “M” to the Seattle “S”.
So, I was excited when I was asked to photograph the Mariners and a group of fans on a journey from various Northwest cities to Peoria, Ariz., during Spring Training Camp.
As a retired U.S. Navy photographer I had spent years shooting U.S. Marine Corps’ beach assaults to changes of commands, but never sporting events.
One of my first shots was a straining Mariner connecting with a fast ball and I was so excited that I showed the guy sitting next to me who responded with, “Great shot my friend.”
We became immediate friends shaking hands and exchanging names, him volunteering with, “My name’s Jack.” When back in my hotel room I clicked on the photo I took of Jack asking if he knew who he was, my roommate announced, ‘That’s Jack Z, the new General Manager.” For the rest of the week he was known as my friend Jack and I was known as his friend Don.
The general manager was one of the nicest guys that I have ever met. Then also there was Number 12 who strained at the bat and in the field as if he knew that I needed good photos of a top player.
Before long my lens was filled with a Number 61 who couldn’t stop getting a piece of the ball every time it was pitched.
Mariners’ fans, I think we are going to have one heck of a season.
If all the Mariners are like these three, we can’t go wrong.
Don DinAlpha XR, Kent
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