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This is where our story begins......
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(Thursday evening as the team travels to the Dallas area for a weekend series.)
As the Mariners head to Texas to face the Rangers for 3 games on this weekend, Seattle owner John Stanton is meeting with a consultant away from Safeco Field at his home for dinner. Stanton who took over the club several years ago has seen the team continue a postseason drought that dates back to 2001 and is the longest running post-season drought currently in the Big 4 sports (Baseball, Football, Basketball and Hockey). He also had the embarrassing issue with former Club President Kevin Mather. While the furor of that issue has died down, the lack of a post-season appearance is still daunting on him and the fans. The club has surprised this year and most Mariner fans have seen this every 5 years or so, but they have often found ways of falling short and then regressing the next season. He also has a fan base that is getting pretty fed up to deal with as well.
He has a major decision to make with regard of the future of the club with GM Jerry DiPoto and Field Manager Scott Servais. He has secretly hired Tim Herman to act as a consultant to aid him in the decision process he has to make. Needless to say, if the club makes the playoffs he likely brings everyone back. But if they do not is it time to change course again?