Cameron takes 1st stab at coaching first base

KIRBY ARNOLD, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Monday, March 18, 2002

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mike Cameron wasn't doing anything else on Sunday, so he decided to jump into the first-base coach's box and see how John Moses lives.

Moses, the regular first-base coach, traveled with the Seattle Mariners' split-squad to Phoenix for their game against Oakland, leaving a vacancy for the other split-squad game in Peoria against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Cameron, still slowed because of back spasms, decided to have some fun and coach first base.

"Instead of me sitting around, it was a way to be involved with the game," he said. It turned out to be a lot of work.

"Oh my goodness. I don't know how Moses does it for 160-some games," Cameron said. "Most of the time you're just standing. But you've got to be alert. You've got to know the signs from the third-base coach. It's a different view. It gave me a chance to see how guys are swinging and it gave me a chance to see the pitcher's move without having to react. It's not an easy job."

After the sixth inning, with the Mariners trailing 15-3 in a game they lost 22-5, Cameron was out of there.

"He did OK," manager Lou Piniella said, "but he quit on me in the sixth inning when we fell so far behind."

- AGONY OF THE OBLIQUE: Catcher Ben Davis is progressing slowly from a pulled muscle near the rib cage on his right side, which he hurt while swinging the bat last week.

"I'm anxious to get back out, but it's a tough injury because it affects everything you do," Davis said.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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