Even without a history of success, Mariners fan have always amazed me with their unrequited love of some players. Guys like Dan Wilson or Jay Buhner will never have to pay for anything in the state of Washington again and neither of them is exactly Hall of Fame worthy. Yet even with the astounding number of fan favorites, I've never truly understood why Mike Cameron can't get more love.
Throughout his career, and certainly in his prime here in Seattle, Cameron was by far the best defensive centerfielder in baseball. Sure, he batted about .250 his whole time here and his OBP was never significantly higher, but he hit enough homeruns to help balance that out a bit (and he certainly tried to hit a homerun every chance he got). Now I understand he only played four years here, but Joey cora was here about the same period and I know people who would marry him if the opportunity arose. You know who you are and seriously, back off him, you're not even gay, and I'm pretty sure Cora's married anyways.
But I digress. Mike Cameron has never been anything if not a class act and was always open with the Seattle media in his time here. He's always seemed an affable, likeable man and certainly has always produced on the field. Cameron was a part of some of the best Mariners teams of all time. yet, nobody ever seems to really mention him amongst their favorites.
Now I'm not arguing for Cameron to be listed among the all-time Mariner greats or to have his number retired. All I'm saying is he doesn't get the respect he's due from Mariners fans. The man gave his best years to Seattle and has never asked for anything back, but i don't think I've ever met someone who thought of him as their favorite player or really anything close.
Maybe it's because we had to trade Griffey to get him. Maybe it was because he collected strikeouts like a fat kind hoards Abba Zabbas. All i'm asking is for Cameron to be given the same due Seattle fans give to Cora or Freddy Garcia. Bring him back for a first pitch or do some commentary when he's retired. I know it'll be tough to get him to do much right now thanks to his insistence on still being good at baseball, but I can only hope Seattle gives Mike Cameron his due and appreciates him as one of the most likable and important Mariners to ever play.
Throughout his career, and certainly in his prime here in Seattle, Cameron was by far the best defensive centerfielder in baseball. Sure, he batted about .250 his whole time here and his OBP was never significantly higher, but he hit enough homeruns to help balance that out a bit (and he certainly tried to hit a homerun every chance he got). Now I understand he only played four years here, but Joey cora was here about the same period and I know people who would marry him if the opportunity arose. You know who you are and seriously, back off him, you're not even gay, and I'm pretty sure Cora's married anyways.
But I digress. Mike Cameron has never been anything if not a class act and was always open with the Seattle media in his time here. He's always seemed an affable, likeable man and certainly has always produced on the field. Cameron was a part of some of the best Mariners teams of all time. yet, nobody ever seems to really mention him amongst their favorites.
Now I'm not arguing for Cameron to be listed among the all-time Mariner greats or to have his number retired. All I'm saying is he doesn't get the respect he's due from Mariners fans. The man gave his best years to Seattle and has never asked for anything back, but i don't think I've ever met someone who thought of him as their favorite player or really anything close.
Maybe it's because we had to trade Griffey to get him. Maybe it was because he collected strikeouts like a fat kind hoards Abba Zabbas. All i'm asking is for Cameron to be given the same due Seattle fans give to Cora or Freddy Garcia. Bring him back for a first pitch or do some commentary when he's retired. I know it'll be tough to get him to do much right now thanks to his insistence on still being good at baseball, but I can only hope Seattle gives Mike Cameron his due and appreciates him as one of the most likable and important Mariners to ever play.
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