Safeco groundskeeper fired, angering some M's players

ARLINGTON, Texas - In a surprise move that shocked and angered a number of Seattle players, the Mariners fired Steve Peeler, their head groundskeeper at Safeco Field.

No reason was given. Other than to say that Peeler would be replaced by Bob Christopherson, head groundskeeper at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Neal Campbell, vice president for ballpark operations, said: "It's a personnel matter. I can't comment."

The Mariners had problems with the outfield grass at Safeco, replacing portions of it with sod patches, the largest and most obvious in left center.

"It was rough out there, but it's a new field and you expect those things," Jay Buhner said. "It wasn't Steve's fault. First of all, the decision to use bluegrass and ryegrass was made before he came to us."

Alex Rodriguez said: "I am deeply disappointed in this decision, as are a lot of my teammates. Safeco's infield is not only the best infield I ever played on, but the best I ever saw."

Peeler was noted for his meticulous care of the field, standing with a rake near second base every day during batting practice to study how the ball was bouncing on the grass.

Rodriguez noted that the club had gone back into first place and that a big part of this success was defense. "Great timing for this. Let's see how we do now."

Buhner called Peeler an "asset" to the ballclub. "He was super-involved in how we did. He cared. This is a real shame."

Notes

-- Word here is that the Rangers will start to trade key players, such as closer John Wetteland, outfielder Rusty Greer and first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, if they can't close from nine games back in the next two weeks. The only Texas veteran the Mariners would have exceptional interest in is Greer.

-- Gil Meche is 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in four June starts. Paul Abbott is 3-0, 2.03 in five June starts.

-- Seattle's home record of 28-12 leads the American League. The Mariners have the lowest home ERA (3.32) and the lowest home batting average (.240). On the road, they lead with a .298 batting average.

In their first 81 games at Safeco Seattle was 50-31, which would be their best home record in a full season, topping 1993's 46-35.

-- The Mariners are considering adding veteran catcher Brian Harper to fill the void left by the injuries to Dan Wilson and Tom Lampkin.

-- A 4-year-old boy died Thursday at Children's Hospital, shortly after collapsing at Safeco Field during the Mariners' game against Anaheim, according to a nursing supervisor at the hospital. The boy, who had a heart condition, was treated by medics 3 minutes after collapsing, then taken to the hospital, Mariner spokeswoman Rebecca Hale said.

-- Mariner hitting coach Gerald Perry coached first base last night. John Moses flew home to Seattle to be with his wife, Sandra, who is ill.

Farm report

AAA: Tacoma (41-41) 15,

Colorado Springs 3

AA: New Haven (44-33) 9, Portland 2

A: Wisconsin (7-2) 8, Kane County 3

A: Lancaster (6-3) 12, Visalia 1

A: Everett (8-3) 3, Yakima 2