Mariners help Army celebrate 233rd birthday at Safeco Field

By Matt Smith, Northwest Guardian

Though last Saturday’s game ended as many have recently for the downtrodden Mariners, a 2-5 loss to the Washington Nationals who, at the time, owned the worst record in the National League, they kicked the game off with a celebration — military style.

Fort Lewis commanding general, Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Safeco Field to Major Kyle Marsh to help the Army and Mariners jointly celebrate the Army’s 233rd birthday. Though his pitch may have been called high and outside by an umpire, Jacoby was happy he didn’t bounce the ball to the plate.

“I got it over the plate,” he said. “It wasn’t exactly over the plate, but I got it in there.”

Though it was his second time throwing out a first pitch at Safeco, Jacoby said it was a bit nerve wracking tossing a ball in front of thousands of people.

“I’ve got a lot of renewed respect for a professional athlete who is able to keep his focus with something like that,” he said. “It was a great, friendly crowd and I felt a lot of great support out there for the Army.”

Jacoby gave the pitched ball to Randy Holloway, a sergeant who deployed to Iraq with 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment in 2003 and now works in I Corps.

“I really wanted him to have it on behalf of all the Soldiers that have deployed and are deployed,” said Jacoby. “They really deserve the recognition, not me.”

Holloway, who grew up watching the San Francisco Giants play at Candlestick Park in the bay area, said being on a Major League field for the first time was an experience he won’t soon forget.

“It was overwhelming,” he said. “You don’t realize how much everybody is looking at you, but it was a great experience.”

Holloway also said he applauds the Mariners for recognizing the job the Army and its Soldiers do.

“I think it’s great that (the Mariners) do this,” he said. “I know there are a lot of Soldiers who are here. It gives the guys a chance to get a break from their everyday routine that they have, kind of break the monotony. It’s great that the Mariners can honor the Army and the sacrifice (the Soldiers) and their families make.”

Though the validity of the war in Iraq has been questioned in recent years, Holloway considers himself fortunate for having been able to do his part to serve his country.

“I definitely believe in our mission we have over there,” he said. “It was challenging, yet rewarding as well. A lot of the Iraqi people I met there were some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met; smart, hard working — just great people. It’s definitely a good cause.”