Latest: What Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons thinks of the Mariners
In Peoria, Arizona, on a Sunday morning, a wealth of Major League Baseball spring training experience congregated beside the third-base dugout of Field 1 at the Mariners’ complex. Amongst us six, a total of 185 years in the MLB spring training circuit were amassed.
Peter Gammons, in his 53rd big-league spring training, stood by the dugout fence for nearly an hour, regaling us with tales and reminiscences. Alongside him were Mariners broadcasters Rick Rizzs (attending his 49th camp) and Dave Sims (on his 18th), retired Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone (in his 38th), Mariners KIRO 710 reporter Shannon Drayer (marking her 23rd), and myself, a humble Times reporter thrilled to be part of the conversation (that’s me, attending my fourth camp).
Gammons, a figure of baseball eminence at 78, drew attention not only from fellow media members but also from Mariners manager Scott Servais and Justin Hollander, among others, who warmly welcomed him to Peoria.
For decades, Gammons has been a central figure in baseball journalism, with notable stints at The Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and MLB Network. His curiosity led him to Mariners camp, particularly interested in Seattle’s pitching staff, and one pitcher in particular.
Residing in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Gammons makes it a point to attend numerous Cape Cod League games each summer, a premier league for college players. George Kirby caught his eye during his stint with the Harwich Mariners in 2018, showcasing a remarkable performance with a 1.20 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and only two walks in 15 innings.
Instantly impressed by Kirby, Gammons, along with two scouts from the Yankees and Red Sox, saw his potential. He has remained enamored with Kirby ever since, even suggesting him as his choice if he had to build a team around a young pitcher.
Comparing Kirby to Hall of Famer John Smoltz, Gammons expressed his admiration for the Mariners’ emerging ace, fascinated by his pitching prowess and consistency.
Gammons also expressed optimism about the Mariners’ playoff prospects this year, believing they possess the best starting pitching in the American League.
Seattle holds a special place in Gammons’ heart, being one of his favorite cities to visit and having family ties with a niece living there. Fondly recalling the great Mariners teams of the 1990s, he reminisced about the enduring memories they created, particularly the iconic moments featuring players like Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez.