Q: The Mariners are up to their old tricks. The general manager spent far too much money on over-the-hill players, and they have all fallen flat on their faces for the most part. When will the general manger and/or manager be fired? Is there any help on the way?
— Michael, Kent, Wash.

A: I’m with you, Michael. I’m not high on the Mariners, or what Bill Bavasi did over the winter. As I wrote in my Mariners team preview this spring, if this is the best Bavasi could do in an effort to save his job, he’s in trouble. Jose Vidro’s bad knees have reduced him to a designated hitter with little power, Miguel Batista is off to a poor start, and Jose Guillen is working his way back after undergoing surgery last year.

I don’t see the Mariners staying in the AL West race, even though both the A’s and Angels have more than their share of problems and are struggling around the .500 mark in late-April. With three last-place finishes in a row already in the books, this very well could be the end of the line for both Bavasi and manager Mike Hargrove. Especially if Felix Hernandez’s health issue lingers.

Q: How many major-leaguers never played minor-league ball? Who are they? I know two are Bob Horner and Dave Winfield.
— Mike, Round Rock, Texas

A: Since the amateur draft was instituted in 1965, there have been 19 players who made their professional debuts in the Major Leagues, but only a few of them stayed there throughout their careers.

You are correct, Mike, on both Winfield (1973, San Diego) and Horner (1978, Atlanta). Two other notables in the last 20 or so years are Pete Incaviglia (drafted by Montreal in 1985, didn’t sign, traded to Texas in 1986); and John Olerud (Toronto, 1989).

The last of those 19 was right-handed pitcher Ariel Prieto, a Cuban refugee who was at least 25 years old when he was picked fifth overall by the Oakland A’s in the 1995 draft. But he spent time in the minors the following season.

Horner was one of four drafted in 1978 who started their careers at the major-league level, but the other three — Mike Morgan, Tim Conroy and Brian Milner — didn’t last long before returning to the minors.

David Clyde was another infamous one — picked first overall by the Rangers in 1973 out of a Houston high school (and just before Robin Yount and Winfield were selected), he made his debut but flamed out quickly and spent time in the minors.

Prior to the draft, it was a much more common occurrence for a player to spend no time in the minor leagues. Here are some you’ve probably heard of: Ernie Banks, Bob Feller, Frank Frisch, Dick Groat, Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter, Al Kaline, Sandy Koufax, Mel Ott, Eddie Plank, Frank Chance.

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