May Day Hijinks in Mariners Clubhouse

Before yesterday's game, seven Mariners of Latino descent asked for a private meeting with manager Mike Hargrove. Inside his office, they told Hargrove that, to show solidarity with immigration rights marchers, they were sitting out Monday's game against Minnesota.

The Times reports what happened next:

Adrian Beltre: "[Hargrove] said three times, 'Are you serious?' "

"He was getting red, like he was ready to pop a fuse," added Guardado.

And Hargrove's reaction? "Which one could I reach out and rip their throat out? Who was closest?"

Thankfully, instead of a violent racial incident, there was laughter all around when Eddie "Walka Walka Walka" Guardado gave the joke away. Yes, the M's were just taking advantage of this seminal moment in American history to pull a fast one on Grover.

Then the M's went out and pounded Minnesota 8-2.

Assessing the significance of the joke, Hargrove mused to a P-I reporter, "I think it's a good sign when they can try and put something over on me -- or maybe I've just lost control." Hey, Mike? Isn't that a question you ought to be able to answer?