were all about his physical skills, what we were scouting from afar and what we knew about the player dating back to high school. “The contributing factors to acquiring J.P. When the stakes rise he has a knack for kind of rising with it and that was never more apparent than toward the end of last season,” Seattle President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said. “I don’t know if we have a more competitive player. He also played in 160 games after never playing more than 93 games in a season. 273 batting average, nine homers, 54 RBIs and a. While his defense has been terrific since arriving in Seattle, Crawford also has improved significantly at the plate. “He showed me the passion for it again, and he just taught me how to have fun again.” “He took me under his wing and showed me how to really love baseball again,” Crawford said. ![]() After he arrived in Seattle, he received helpful guidance from veteran Dee Strange-Gordon to help start his turnaround. He has made just 15 errors in 843 chances during that span.Ĭrawford said he was at a low point with his career toward the end of his time in Philadelphia. Since the start of the 2020 season, Crawford leads all American League shortstops in innings played at the position with 1,876. He won a Gold Glove in 2020 and was a finalist for the award last season. So I’m really happy for this opportunity.”Ĭrawford has been a standout defensive player since being acquired by the Mariners before the start of the 2019 season. “I’ve really wanted to stay here ever since then. I’ve loved it ever since I put on that jersey for the first time,” Crawford said before the season opener against the Twins. He gets a $5 million signing bonus and $5 million salary this year, $10 million in each of the following three seasons and $11 million in 2026. Crawford to a $51 million, five-year contract on Friday ahead of the start of the regular season.Ĭrawford, 27, had agreed last month to a $4.85 million, one-year deal and would have been eligible for free agency after the 2024 season. "Any time I get to do something for service men and women," Wilson said, "I'm all for it."ĭon Kramer is a reporter with Joint Base Lewis-McChord's weekly newspaper, the Northwest Guardian.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Seattle Mariners signed Gold Glove shortstop J.P. 600 with seven home runs as a senior.īut Tuesday's visit was all about Soldiers and Airmen. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, where he hit. He was drafted by the Marlins in 1999 directly out of Mt. Wilson previously played in the Arizona, San Diego and Florida organizations. Wilson is making the most of his opportunity with Seattle as the hottest hitter in the Seattle lineup. "We (Major Leaguers) wouldn't be able to do what we do if not for them," Wilson said.įourteen hours earlier, his eighth-inning RBI single led a rally against the Twins that fell short by a run in a 5-4 loss. The 29-year-old infielder said he feels lucky to make his living as a professional athlete, thanks in part to the efforts of those in the military. And I've got a cousin who is an Army medic." "One of my best friends at home is in the Air Force. ![]() "I have a couple uncles who served," Wilson said. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native has known a number of military members, some of whom continue to wear the uniforms of their country. Wilson's connection with service members is genuine. We had one ward, 65, that specifically asked for the Mariners to come in there." "I know what kind of schedule they are on and how difficult it is living on the West Coast, flying across country the previous day and taking a couple of hours of their time to come here. Peter Chiarelli said to the Mariner media relations staff. Wilson recently formed part of a Mariner contingent, along with his counterpart at shortstop, Jack Wilson, Mike Sweeney and Ryan Rowland-Smith, who visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., May 11 during a recent road trip to visit wounded warriors at the invitation of the vice chief of staff of the Army, a Seattle University graduate and devoted Mariner fan. Anything I can do to show my respect and support for them, I'm always for it." "I have friends and family who have served. "The guys I've been fortunate to meet, I always tell them how thankful I am for going over there," Wilson said. He posed for photographs and made small talk with fans - all the while signing caps, flyers, baseballs, jerseys and a variety of paraphernalia. Simple gratitude was his mission at the JBLM Main Post Exchange. That's why the Seattle Mariner shortstop considered making the 50-mile trip south to Joint Base Lewis-McChord Tuesday the least he could do. With friends and family in the military, Josh Wilson knows about the values of duty and personal sacrifice.
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