Q&A Jay Buhner -- He's Back -- M's Buhner Quickly Puts Surgery Behind Him

Outfielder Jay Buhner has been with the Seattle Mariners since 1988 and is among the franchise's career leaders in virtually every offensive category.

Now, at age 34, he is trying to come back from "Tommy John" tendon-transplant surgery on his right elbow, which happens to be his throwing arm.

Question: Are you surprised you've been able to recover so quickly?

Answer: It's a new injury to me. I didn't know what to expect. Everybody is telling you things, but the only guys I knew who had it were pitchers.

Q: The original plan this spring was for you to play first base, then they said left field. How did you go almost directly back to right field?

A: They were trying to be safe with me. Once I got to spring training and they saw where I was (physically), there was no reason to hold me back. I just had to prove it to them.

Q: You're in the last year of your contract. The club has an option on you for 2000. Teammates Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez could leave after next season. Are you concerned that this group's window of opportunity is closing?

A: We've talked about it a lot in (the Mariners' clubhouse). Edgar and I have been here a long time. You know, we've been real fortunate to stay in one place so long. But loyalty is a two-way street. If they don't pick up my option, then I'll go somewhere where they want me. I want to make it tough on them. If you think about it, in today's economics, if I have another big year, I'm going to be a bargain.

Q: How do you feel that your entire career in Seattle has been in the shadow of Griffey and now Rodriguez?

A: You have to put Edgar in there, too. He's probably the best DH of all time. The rest of us have to accept being on the back burner. But I think that's why I've succeeded. As long as I can get a little pat on the head now and then. It's helped the other players stay wrapped up in what they're doing. That's what's been special about this team. We've accepted that Junior and A-Rod are going to get most of the attention.

Q: When you talk to your grandchildren about your career, will it be about how well you did or that you got to play with guys like Griffey and Rodriguez?

A: I'm sure it will be all of the above. Actually, the kids already know Junior and his family. OK, A-Rod isn't married yet. But these relationships will always be there. It's neat to have the kids there to be a part of it. That family (pointing to a prominent family photo in his locker) still is the most important thing.

Q: Your "Buhner Buzz Cuts" nights are favorites at the Kingdome. Now, a commercial about the new stadium features the sun reflecting off your head and blinding opposing batters. Are you afraid you'll be remembered more as "Oh, that bald guy?"

A: You have to have fun playing this game. People might remember the shaved head. People might remember the goatee. At least they'll be remembering me.

Q: What's the most amazing thing you've seen Griffey or Rodriguez do?

A: That's unfair to say. This guy (pointing at Griffey at the next locker) is just at his prime. A-Rod isn't even close to his. Man, that's something else. Think about it. What I like best is that they always have smiles on their faces. They respect the game so much. That doesn't always happen these days. It's a learning experience for our young guys. I hope they're using (Griffey and Rodriguez) as role models.

Q: What's your personal best memory?

A: The one thing I'll always remember was Opening Night in '96 when they raised that (AL West) flag. (Getting to the League Championship Series in 1995) turned this franchise around - probably saved it. We had a revolving door for so long - managers, players, even owners. At one time, .500 was the goal every year.

Q: And now?

A: The nucleus of this club has been kept together. Why not do that? There's certainty around the club. You bond. Trust me, I went through coming in every spring and saying, `Who are these guys?' Now, even the front office, the broadcasters, the writers who cover us have been around for awhile. I find it to be a security blanket. Even when I got hurt, the doctors and the trainers were close, close friends. It made going through the operation a lot easier.

Q: Doctors say the operation you had sometimes leaves a player's elbow stronger. Have you noticed that?

A: I'm not quite at 100 percent yet so I'm not sure. Sometimes I throw the ball and it feels great. Once in a while it feels a little funny. But it never really hurts.

Q: Is this year's team good enough?

A: We're not going to have a problem scoring runs. That's always the case. We haven't had a young pitcher step up in what, 15 years? Call it a challenge. Call it pressure. Call it what you want but it's time.

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JAY BUHNER

Height: 6-3.

Weight: 210.

Bats: R; Throws: R.

Born: Aug. 13, 1964 in Louisville, Ky.; graduated high school in League City, Texas.

Family: Wife, Leah; children, Brielle (7), Chase (5) and Gunnar (3); brother, Shawn (26), plays in Seattle Mariners farm system.

Acquired by Mariners: July 21, 1988, from New York Yankees with P Rick Balabon for DH Ken Phelps and P Troy Evers.

Run production: Set major league record in 1995 for RBI-to-hits ratio with 123 hits and 121 RBI; is one of 15 players to hit 40 or more home runs in three consecutive seasons (40, 44, 40 in 1995-97).

Mariners history: Ranks second in club history in homers (265) and RBI (826), third in runs (699), fourth in hits (1,094).