Thanks for the good wishes, Doc, and the outstretched hand.
It's funny you mention the Four Superstars Plus Buhner M's. I was going to include them in my post as a prime example of underperformance, that is, that even the BEST years of Mariners' baseball (with the exception of 2001) should be so categorized, perhaps not strictly, because of the lack of surrounding talent supplied by upper management, but loosely precisely because of said lack of surrounding talent supplied by upper management.
Re: Angels' series. It's put up or shut up time for the M's. No more room for them to keep falling below .500. They needed to win one of three against Houston and failed, now they need to win two of three against the Hoppin' Simians to retain any real hope. The inevitable moment is fast approaching when all the sand in the hourglass has been expended, and hopes of tomorrows disappear.