Go 2 Guy: Bucky's already a big hit for M's

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Jim Moore

Monday, July 19, 2004

Go 2 Guy: Bucky's already a big hit for M's

By JIM MOORE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER COLUMNIST

Now playing at Safeco Field: "The Bucky Phenomenon."

Starring on a stage as big as he is, Bucky Jacobsen has brought hope and homers, generating power and excitement for one of the American League's worst -- and most disappointing -- teams.


		AP
	Bucky Jacobsen watches the ball take flight for a two-run home run in Saturay's game against the Cleveland Indians.

The newest Mariner creates a buzz when he's in the on-deck circle, where anticipation of all things possible awaits.

"I've never experienced the popularity of a player like this," said Joe Speed, Jacobsen's agent.

Dave Niehaus told Jacobsen he hasn't seen this kind of enthusiasm for one player's arrival here since Ken Griffey Jr. started his career.

Since being called up from Tacoma last Thursday, Jacobsen has already had inquiries from two companies that want to supply his gloves and shoes. Another company called, wanting him to sign an appearance deal.

He also scored mini-deals with hotels to put up family members while they're in town to watch Bucky during his first major-league homestand.

Chez Shea comped a meal for Jacobsen's family and friends.

And his family was taken to Safeco Field in a limo on Jacobsen's opening night last Thursday.

Jacobsen will make the American Cancer Society his No. 1 charity of choice, and plans to make unpublicized visits to cancer patients at area hospitals. His mother is a breast-cancer survivor.

After making $8,000 a month in the minors, Jacobsen now earns a pro-rated share of $300,000, the major-league minimum, or close to $50,000 a month.

HORSE LOSES AGAIN: Spanish Forks, the Go 2 Guy's adopted horse, finished sixth in a field of seven Friday at Emerald Downs.

My sorry nag -- I mean my incredibly unlucky horse -- is now winless in 18 career races.

After getting a bad ride from Ricky Frazier three weeks ago, trainer Pete Axmaker gave the mount to Kevin Krigger, who also led Spanish Forks to the losers' circle.

This time there was a lame reason -- Spanish Forks did not have his usual finishing kick because of a bone chip in his knee. As a result, he will take at least a month off, resting and rehabilitating at his owner's ranch in Moses Lake.

Axmaker hopes that Spanish Forks will be healthy enough to run a race or two by the end of the meet.

When he returns, I plan to play a role in his first victory. I have contacted Carla Person, an animal communicator who will spend time with Spanish Forks and convey what he's feeling and thinking.

I am led to believe Spanish Forks will say something along the lines of: "Don't ever put that Frazier dude on me again!" and "just between you and me, Carla baby, I'm throwing the next little man who whips me."

SOCCER GAWKER: As an ugly American who doesn't appreciate soccer, I'm more apt to think of Boston and the former president's daughter when I read about Celtic and Chelsea.

Apparently, though, they're soccer teams that will play a big game Saturday at Qwest Field. And come to find out, the C on Celtic is a hard C.

I do know this -- when Chelsea arrives, you'd best keep your distance from defender John Terry.

According to ThisIsLondon.co.uk, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Terry and teammates Frank Lampard, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jody Morris were accused of drunkenly mocking American tourists at Heathrow Airport, stripping naked, laughing and vomiting.

Terry was then involved in a nightclub incident in which a doorman was injured.

Terry, who reportedly spent the night sobbing in his cell, was cleared of charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

And I had mistakenly thought the fans were hooligans.

SPACE IS THE PLACE: Last Tuesday's column about sending Seattle sports personalities into space, including Howard Lincoln, drew this response from the Mariners' CEO: "I'm afraid of heights, so I won't be able to go."

Afraid of heights? We already knew that based on his fear of spending much time at higher altitudes in the AL West, given his frugal ways. Lincoln did not reply to a return e-mail asking him to lower beer prices a quarter to make it easier for fans to stomach his team.

Another e-mailer, Brad Brewer of Sumner suggested 10 more additions for space, including former Mariners' reliever Bobby Ayala -- "Maybe he could find all those baseballs that got hit out of orbit off him" and former Sonics great but aging Laker, Gary Payton -- "Maybe he could defend one-legged Venusians."

Then there's this from John Polis of Tampa: "You should have reserved a special spot for (Barbara Hedges). Even if she's already gone, she needs to be shipped farther out."

P-I columnist Jim Moore can be reached at 206-448-8013 or jimmoore@seattlepi.com. His columns appear Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

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