First thing I need to say is...

The CD is called Seattle...A Baseball Town, but loyal M's fans are found all over the world.  But since the M's are based in Seattle, well, I went with that.

Game of Love (Take me to the Baseball Game)
Words and Music by Tomoko Higashikubo
Spike – Lead Vocals
Tomoko – Bass/Vocals
Shoe – Drums
Marky – Guitar/Vocals

Baseball’s anthem “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” is actually a song about romance and love for the game. Well, so is this song, it’s just faster.


Take me to the Baseball Game
Take me to the Baseball Game
Take me to the Safeco Field
Take me by the hand
I will sit right by your side
Can we play a game of love

©2004 White Tiger Productions



2001
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Chris Ballew
Chris Ballew – All Vocals and instruments

The 2001 Mariners season was filled with fantastic pitching, hitting, fielding and managing. After 116 wins during the regular season the M’s lost in the ALCS. But I choose to remember the fun I had and the wonder I experienced watching baseball played to near perfection.


Randy, Junior, Alex gone, Lou was here to carry on
But who was gonna hit home runs, The Mariners 2001
Who was this fellow Ichiro, they said he’s great, we didn’t know
From the land of the rising sun, The Mariners 2001

Into the season of unknowns, beat the A’s first game at home
1 and 0 and out in front, The Mariners 2001
They won eleven, dropping four, hit a streak and won nine more
Nine games up, and they weren’t done, The Mariners 2001

The bats were simply all on fire, the glovework, in a word, inspired
The pitching wouldn’t be outdone, The Mariners 2001
Fifty wins on June 14, spectacular became routine
So there’s two outs, they said “So what”, The Mariners 2001

Led by twenty in July, the AL West was hung and dried
Was A-Rod having any fun? The Mariners 2001
One hundred wins, September five, the record pace was still alive
Fans went crazy in the sun, The Mariners 2001

A morning in September, we were shaken to our knees
And baseball did it’s best to bring us back to normalcy
The M’s then clinched with grace and style, a flag upon the field
They finished winning 116, their place in history sealed

Jamie, Paul, Aaron, Freddy, on the mound to pitch to Danny
Kaz came in, the deal is done, The Mariners 2001
Infield Guillen, Bell, and Boone, anchored by John Olerud
Cammy had a golden glove, The Mariners 2001
The bench had played beyond compare, McLemore and Javier
Nelson, Rhodes had nasty stuff, The Mariners 2001

Edgar was the best again, hit ‘em out and drove ‘em in
Jay retired a favorite son, The Mariners 2001
Ichiro was MVP, a catalyst, a sight to see
Lou worked magic with the club, The Mariners 2001

A once in a lifetime chance to see among best in history
It was a legendary run, The Mariners 2001

©2003 White Tiger/©2003 Aurora Elephant Music


Edgar
Words and Music By Deuce Bender, Fred Hoadley, Pancho Chavez, Julio Jauregui
Pancho Chavez – Lead Vocals
Fred Hoadley – Piano, vocals
Bill Anthony – trombone
Tom Bergersen – Percussion
Barney Brazitis – bass
Chris Stromquist - percussion
Pete Wilson - Trumpet

As revered a player as Seattle has seen in any sport. The love this town has for him is genuine and undying. He was a steady producer for years and if he’d been given a chance early in his career instead of toiling in the minors, I doubt we’d even be debating his Hall of Fame credentials. As it is, he still belongs.


Edgar, a boy is playing under blue Puerto Rican skies
Edgar, there is a twinkle in Edgar Martinez’ eyes

He loves to play the game, the people love to cheer as he walks up to the plate
When I’m at the game, I’m daydreaming, I hear the crowd and I’m swinging like

Edgar, the people call his name, the game is on the line
Edgar, there is a twinkle in Edgar Martinez’ eyes

(Spanish lyrics coming...)

©2003 White Tiger Productions


Go Go Ichiro
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Supersnazz
Spike – Lead Vocals
Tomoko – Bass/Vocals
Shoe – Drums
Marky – Guitar/Vocals

The 2001 season was filled with many surprises, but none more exciting than Ichiro. The M’s had never had a player quite like him and the town adopted his flair and playing style immediately. Along with being a pioneer for Japanese position players, he was the engine of the 2001 Mariners express.

Go Go Go Go Ichiro

©2004 White Tiger Productions


Slow It Down Jamie
Words and Music by Deuce Bender and Lance Morgan/Music by Deuce Bender and Jimm McIver
Andrea Wittgens – Keyboards, Lead Vocals
Jimm McIver - Guitar
Mark Guenther – Drums
Vincent Gates – Guitar
Joel Grow – Bass
Matt Shaw – Trombone
Molasses Boys – Vocals

Jamie Moyer turned himself into a crafty lefthander after he came to Seattle in 1996. It’s a joy to watch those big hitters flail and spin themselves into the ground swinging at pitches in the low 70’s.


Slow it down Jamie, slow it down
Slow it down Jamie, slow it down
Slow it down Jamie, slow it down
He likes the heat so slow it down

The batter digs in, grips his bat real tight
Sees that pitch, swings with all his might
But the ball’s not there, it’s still on its way
That’s strike one and the people say

(Chorus)

The batter gets mean and he pounds the dirt
Look out, he says, somebody’s gonna get hurt
The ball floats in like a big balloon
He swings again, it’s strike two

(Chorus)

He grits his teeth, says enough’s enough
I just can’t wait to hit that stuff
If Moyer tries that one more time
I’m gonna kiss that ball goodbye

Jamie winds up and he throws it hard
The batter’s thinking “I’m going yard”
His swing is powerful indeed
Jamie grins, strike three

(Chorus)

©2003 White Tiger Productions


Average Fan
Words by Deuce Bender and Lance Morgan/Music by Deuce Bender and Jimm McIver
Jimm McIver - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Andrea Wittgens – Keyboards, Vocals
Johnny St.-Ryan – Saxophone
Mark Guenther – Drums
Vincent Gates – Guitar
Joel Grow – Bass

No matter how upset we get about the losses or how excited we get about the wins, we’re all just fans and all we want is to be a part of the picture.


I’m way out in the bleachers, right behind the plate
It doesn’t really matter, every seat is great
I’m waiting for a foul ball down the third base line
And everyone knows which team is mine

I’m the average fan, every woman and man
I’m the average fan
Every boy and girl all around the world
I’m the average fan

I’m in a three-piece suit, got my jersey on
I got here late, I’ve been here since dawn
I come to every game, every once in awhile
Yeah, that’s me dancing in the aisle

Chorus

From t-ball to the major leagues I root, root, root for the home team
We’re all together to yell and cheer
It’s like thousands of my very best friends out here

Chorus

©2003 White Tiger Productions


The Early Days
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Jimm McIver
Jimm McIver - Vocals, Guitar
Andrea Wittgens – Keyboards
Vincent Gates – Guitar
Joel Grow – Bass
Mark Guenther – Drums
Johnny Sangster - Guitar

Here’s a nod to the guys who didn’t get much credit for playing ball in Seattle during the tough years. These were my heroes growing up and I have nothing but fond memories of all of them. If your favorite M from that era isn’t mentioned, sorry about that.


Diego Sequi threw the very first pitch
Ruppert Jones, the first guy we admired
Craig Reynolds at short, Darrell Johnson held court
With Tom Paciorek, Bruce Bochte and Danny Meyer

Julio Cruz he had wings on his shoes
Bob Stinson, ole Scrap Iron to us
Glenn Abbott, Mike Parrott never threw in the towel
And Lenny Randle once blew the ball foul

(Chorus)
In the M’s early years all the players we cheered
Were castoffs and young guys just wanting to play
Though they don’t have the fame, they still wore the name
They were Mariners in the early days

Lee Stanton, Leon Roberts won the M’s triple crown
Maury Wills tried to fire the team up
Enrique Romo, Shane Rawley coming in in the ninth
To save Floyd Bannister, Jim Beattie and Rick Honeycutt

Willie Horton, Jeff Burroughs, Al Cowens passed through
As their playing days came to a close
Richie Zisk, Gorman Thomas, Gaylord Perry stopped by
Rene Lachemann was doing all right
Mario Mendoza once hit .245

Chorus

Bridge:
Phil Bradley, Jim Presley, Spike Owen could play
Bill Caudill was crazy, Mike Morgan was young
Bob Kearney, Scott Bradley behind the plate
Dave Valle emerged, Alvin Davis came on

Jack Perconte, Harold Reynolds, Billy Swift on the mound
Mike Moore and Mark Langston were strong
And everyone thought we see wonderful things
From Danny Tartabull and Ivan Calderon
But Dick Williams couldn’t fix what was wrong

Chorus

©2003 White Tiger Productions


The Kid
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Paul Thomas
Carl Lewis – Lead Vocals
Paul Thomas – Keyboards,Vocals
Shanee' Dawkins – vocals
Melenese Richardson – vocals
Mark Guenther – drums
Johnny Sangster - Guitar
Walt Singleman – Bass
Derek Thomas – digital drums

I’m not mad anymore that he left. I got to see him at his best and he’s more responsible than anyone that baseball is still played in Seattle. At some point while he was here he asked that we stop calling him “The Kid”. But when I remember his smile and his style, I remember The Kid.


It was 1980-something, I sat out in centerfield
The game was lost, I got down on my knees
Seattle needed someone, somebody who could hit
I asked the baseball angel, could she help us please
And here’s what she did
She sent the Kid, she sent the Kid

She sent a crack of thunder with a baseball bat
She sent a bolt of lightening in a baseball cap
She sent us a tornado carrying a mitt
She sent a tidal wave and brother he could hit
That’s what she did
She sent the Kid, she sent the Kid


He filled us with elation, our voices were set free
So much anticipation, we couldn’t wait to see
The wonders he would show us, flashing us a grin
The angel gave us hope we had a chance to win
That’s what she did
She sent the Kid, she sent the Kid

She sent the Kid, she sent the Kid
She sent The Kid, she sent the Kid

His swing was full of power, he ran just like the wind
He did what was impossible, and did it all again
He jumped over the fences like walking on the air
The baseball angel saved us from our sadness and despair

I thank the baseball angel for letting us enjoy
A man who played the game just like a little boy
You can call him Junior or you can call him Griff
To me he’s always gonna be the Kid
That’s what she did
She sent the Kid, she sent the Kid

©2003 White Tiger Productions




BONE
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Chad Hinman
Chad Hinman – Vocals, Guitar

In 1988 George Steinbrenner wanted Kenny Phelps and the M’s obliged him by trading him to the Yankees for a free-swinging outfielder named Jay Buhner. Jay grabbed the starting right field position for good in 1991 and held onto it with prodigious home runs and a cannon arm.


We called him Bone
He was unknown
Until we saw him hit the ball into another time zone
We called him Bone, Seattle’s own
And he could throw just like a cannon, hit the ball a country mile
He was big and strong with might and brawn, his own distinctive style

We called him Bone
He was unknown
Until we saw him hit the ball into another time zone
We called him Bone, he was our own
His swing was like a hurricane, one pitch was all it took
It soared so far so fast the pitcher didn’t even look
If they tried to sneak a fastball by he’d take it for a ride
And even when he swung and missed the ball was terrified
And we called him Bone

We called him Bone
He was unknown
Until we saw him hit the ball into another time zone
We called him Bone, Seattle’s own
And he could throw just like a cannon, hit the ball a country mile
He was big and strong with might and brawn, his own distinctive style
His swing was like a hurricane one pitch was all it took
It soared so far so fast the pitcher didn’t even look
And we called him Bone

©2003 White Tiger Productions


Harold and Alvin
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Antowaine Richardson
Antowaine Richardson – Lead Vocals
James Caddell – vocals
Lee Haldorson – vocals
Ronnie Rowland – vocals

Alvin Davis was arguably the first Mariners “star” and Harold Reynolds became a fan favorite. For me, Harold and Alvin go hand in hand, side by side in Mariners lore. They were both hard workers, as nice as they were talented and though they were both gone by the time the M’s started winning, I think of them both as being instrumental in bringing a positive attitude to the team and the town.


Harold and Alvin

Harold and Alvin, second and first
They were the best when the M’s were the worst
Reynolds on second, Davis on first
Harold and Alvin

Harold was golden out in the field
Always looking for a base he could steal
Some days were hard but he never let down
Harold the toast of Seattle town

Alvin was smooth and his swing was so sweet
He broke every record leading the team
In ’84 he began his career
Alvin, the leading star rookie that year

Harold and Alvin, second and first
They were the best when the M’s were the worst
Reynolds on second and Davis on first
Harold and Alvin

Take me out the ball game (take me out, take me out)
Take me out to the crowd (I wanna have some fun, yeah)
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack
I don’t care if I never get back

Harold solid gold, he stole a few bases
Alvin’s performances put a smile on our faces
Doing their best for the folks in the stands
They never forgot the Mariners fans

Harold and Alvin went on their way
The fans still adore them right to this day
They gave us the thrills and a reason to say
Thank you Harold and Alvin

Harold and Alvin, thank you for your play

©2003 White Tiger Productions


I’m Playing Left Field
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Jake Bergevin
Jake Bergevin – Lead Vocals, Trumpet
John Sanders – Keyboards, shouts
R.J. Whitlow – Bass, shouts
Mark Yeend – drums, shouts

23 different opening day starters in the first 34 years. It’s a black hole out there.


You know Junior and Cameron, Hendu and Ruppert
They all played center, they all were super
But do you recall those who’ve crashed into the left field wall?

It started back on opening day, back in 1977
I was sitting in the stands, I guess about section 311
Way out there in left field stood ol’ Stevey Braun
The first Mariner to play that spot, but the list is very long
Yeah, the list is very long

I’ve seen ‘em come and I’ve seen ‘em go, Bruce and Tom and Danny
And every year the list just grows, how could there be so many
Here comes someone else now and I’m up in the stands
I’ve got my glove, got my hat and now I’ve got to take a chance
Yeah I’ve got to take a chance

I’m playing left field, I’m playing left
I’m playing left field, just like everybody else
I’m playing left field, it’s got to be my turn
I’m playing left field for the Seattle Mariners

Leonard, Mitchell, Rich Amaral, the Hendersons - Steve and Ricky
Cotto, Briley, Griffey the dad, and here’s where it gets tricky
Junior played there, Buhner too, and even Randy Johnson
Johnny Mo, Junior Cruz and most folks in Wisconsin
Almost everyone in Wisconsin

I’m playing left field, it’s got to be my turn
I’m playing left field for the Seattle Mariners

There isn’t any reason to Bragg at all except for Winn and Bradley
They’re looking for somebody to crash that wall, they’re searching for him madly
So if you have some time off and you want to come on down
We’ve got a spot in left field where you can hang around
Yeah, you can run around

I’m playing left field, see what I have learned
I’m playing left field for the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
Now it’s got to be my turn

©2003 White Tiger Productions



Get ‘em Over, Get ‘em In
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Paul Thomas
Paul Thomas – Keyboards, Lead Vocals
Johnny St.-Ryan – Saxophone
Shanee' Dawkins – vocals
Carl Lewis – vocals
Melenese Richardson – vocals
Mark Guenther – drums
Walt Singleman – Bass
Derek Thomas – digital drums

It’s a simple game...really.


When they’re on, get ‘em over, get ‘em in
You gotta do the little things if you wanna win
It’s feels so nice to sacrifice every now and then
When they’re on, get ‘em over, get ‘em in

Take a walk, steal second, a grounder to the right side
Lay it down, soft and easy, a bunt hugging the line
A long fly ball, the runner’s tagging
Another run for hometown nine

Chorus

©2003 White Tiger Productions


(I Wanted to be a) Baseball Hero
Words and Music by Tomoko Higashikubo
Spike – Lead Vocals
Tomoko – Bass/Vocals
Marky – Guitar/Vocals
Shoe – Drums

The influence of Japanese players in the major leagues has been felt quite a bit in the states, but in Japan, these players are idolized, even by rockers.


I wanted to be a baseball hero (Like Ichiro)
I wanted to be a baseball hero (Like Nomo)

The one mistake my mom and dad has made
They had this baby girl and she just went rock‘n’roll

I wanted to be a baseball hero (Like Ishii)
I wanted to be a baseball hero (Like Godzilla)

The one mistake my mom and dad has made
They had this baby girl and she just went rock‘n’roll

I needed a bat, I needed a ball (It was my dream)
I needed a bat, I needed a ball (It was my dream)

The one mistake my mom and dad has made
They had this baby girl and she just went rock ‘n’ roll

©2004 White Tiger Productions



1995
Words by Deuce Bender
Jeff Hoyt – Lead Vocal
Steve Heinke – Sound Effects and Production

What a year! 1995 serves as a dividing line for old fans and new fans. I had no problem welcoming the throngs that came to watch one of the most amazing comebacks in baseball history. As wonderful as 2001 was to witness, 1995 is truly the magical Mariners season. It’s the reason they’re still here.


In 1995, the Mariners started with a bang
In first for two whole weeks, Lou Piniella and the gang
Randy Johnson was beginning to show his nasty stuff
With Junior, Jay and Edgar, it had to be enough

But then they started slipping, to second, then to third
The pitching was collapsing, the bullpen was absurd
Then came the worst disaster, on May the 26th
A long fly ball, he’s at the wall, and Junior broke his wrist

That’s it, they’re done, it’s over, though they didn’t play that bad
But Randy, Boz and no one, is all the pitching that they had
Edgar did it all and more, but the summer took its toll
13 out as August started, and that’s a pretty scary hole

They got Benes from the Padres, Norm Charlton came aboard
And Griffey’s wrist had healed, but they could use a little more
Heading towards September, the Angels up by seven games
The fans were talking Wild Card, Jay Buhner said “No Way”

Jay was aiming higher, the Angels could be caught
The writers said it’s too much ground, Buhner said “It’s not”
The teaming was really rolling, no one could slow them down
A different hero every game, they quickly made up ground

The Mariners refused to lose, the Angels luck had died
To everyone’s amazement, they hit the wire tied
A single game to settle it, and Johnson did the chores
Division champs, the great comeback and everybody scores

Then the Yankees took the first two games in a first round clash of might
The M’s fought back and tied it and took it to game five
The Big Unit in relief allowed one in extra frames
In the bottom of the 11th, the time for greatness came

Cora bunted safely, Junior lined a shot
First and third, no one out, Edgar took his spot
A ringing drive to left field, Junior raced towards home
He slid and jumped in glory as the roof blew off the Dome

They didn’t win the World Series, but in 1995
It was the year that rescued baseball, the year the M’s arrived
A year for all the ages that made us swell with pride
And there never was a ride like 1995

©2003 White Tiger Productions



The Day the Dome Went Down
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Jimm McIver
Robb Benson – Lead and Backing Vocals
Jimm McIver - Guitar
Andrea Wittgens – Keyboards
Vincent Gates – Guitar
Joel Grow – Bass
Mark Guenther – Drums

Boy, I hated that place. Only baseball could make me walk out the precious Seattle summer sun into a cold, dank sterile building. We did it for over 20 years and I, for one, don’t miss it one little bit.


One late March, a crowd stood on a hill
Far below a structure gray and still
A skeleton of what it used to be
Clothed in several tons of TNT

And the day the dome went down was a great day in this town
What a wonderful sound as the roof fell to the ground
I stood there with the crowd and we all cheered long and loud
I was so proud the day the dome went down

Built by mistake back in the seventies
A dome is best, we were led to believe
For football yeah, they play it in the fall
But what about my summers and baseball?

Chorus

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the role it played around here
But as I stood there I couldn’t wait, and I didn’t shed a tear

Astroturf and falling ceiling tiles
Suspended speakers, narrow dirty aisles
No sunshine, recycled air and more
Have finally gone the way of the dinosaur

Chorus

©2003 White Tiger Productions


We Were There
Words by Deuce Bender/Music by Deuce Bender and Jimm McIver
Jimm McIver – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Andrea Wittgens – Keyboards, Vocals
Vincent Gates – Guitar
Joel Grow – Bass
Mark Guenther – Drums

When the M’s started contending in 1995, fans came out of the woodwork. The M’s were on everyone’s minds and people talked about them at work, on the street, everywhere. For almost twenty years no would claim to be an M’s fan and all of a sudden, the bandwagon was packed. This song is for the ones who were there, are there, and will always be there. You know who you are.


We weren’t huddled, we weren’t masses, but we were yearning to breathe free
There in the Kingdome with plastic grass as we cheered our favorite team
We weren’t alone, but we weren’t many, maybe a little bit naive
And Mariner wins, no, hardly any, but we were there and we believed

We were there when it wasn’t cool, we were there when it wasn’t loud
We were there and we were loyal, though we barely formed a crowd
These were our guys, our hometown heroes, these were our M’s, we were their fans
And we were there despite the losses before the glory days began, we were there

Lost 98 in ’77, in ’78, they lost one hundred and four
Dropped 95, then 103, why were we even keeping score?
Some people laughed, and others told us we were just wasting our lives
But we all stayed there together cause the strongest fans survive
We made it through to ‘95

And we were there when it got cool, we were there when it got loud
We were there and we were loyal, when we finally formed a crowd
These were our guys, our hometown heroes, these were our M’s, we were their fans
And we were there after the losses when the glory days began, we were there

Now at last we’ve been rewarded with at least a few good years
Now we sit with 40 thousand who never cried our tears
But surrounded by the masses as the Mariners contend
Is better than the losing surrounded by a few good friends
And remember the good times always end

And we’ll be there when it’s not cool
We’ll be there when it’s not loud
We’ll be there and we’ll be loyal
When we barely form a crowd

They’ll be our guys, our hometown heroes
They’ll be our M’s, we’ll be their fans
And we’ll be there despite the losses