Ten games into his managerial career in Seattle, Jim Riggleman has installed a 10-minute series of workouts for the Mariners – infielders, pitchers and outfielders – and on Tuesday someone asked if he’d seen any results.

“Those guys are good fielders, so we might not see any results. We might not see results from batting practice but we still do it every day,” Riggleman said.

That got a laugh, since the most glaring weakness of his team is offense. Just what kind of team did Rigglemen inherit?

“I think what it did last year was its potential,” he said. “Each spot, ,it seems like they all had good offensive years – (Kenji) Johjima .287, Yuniesky Betancourt had 65 RBI or something, (Jose) Lopez had a real good first half, Ichiro 250-some hits, (Raul) Ibanez 100-some RBI.. I would say that is our potential.

“We don’t really have an identity, and that’s OK. We don’t have to be a big-time running team. The running game was so big in the ‘80s and then it kind of slacked off and power was big.

“I think we’re going to go back the other way eventually. I think in the next two years we’re going to see more athletic, running teams,” Riggleman said.

For now, Riggleman will try to build on what the Mariners do well.

“We play pretty good defense. We’re not a great defensive club by any means, but when the ball gets hit, I feel good. I feel like we’re going to make this play. We have a lot of good arms on the infield, and we’ve got Ichiro in right and Willie (Bloomquist) and (Jeremy) Reed in center. Raul just turned 36 but to me he’s running around really good out there. I feel good when the ball’s in play,” Riggleman said.

Still, Riggleman has added drills, working with different groups each day, to keep his players fresh, defensively.

“You want to get a little work in, do it before batting practice – that’s when balls start flying all over the place,” he said.

Bad news about Felix, but I would think caution with the injury is a good thing. The season is lost, there is no reason to aggravate an injury or open him up to another one. He is the franchise.

Obviously, Larry covered the game. I watched the game on TV at the gym. Roy Halladay is fantastic. I think Dave8557 probably teared up watching him pitch. I think one of the other writer called him the anti-Bedard.

Anyway, Sunday's win was the midpoint of this season, and I think it's safe to say that none of us thought the Mariners would be where they are right now - 31-51 and 17 1/2 games out of first - and there's proof. Remember this?

Yeah, I think we were all a little optimistic. But since it's halfway - man, at times the season has taken forever and other times its dragged on impossibly and painfully slow like Friday on the I-5 or a Dane Cook movie - we are basically half way done is all. I think it's time for some midseason awards and predictions for the Mariners and the rest of the baseball.

Mariners
1. Who's been the Mariners' best player this season and why?
2. Who's been the Mariners' worst player this season and why?
3. Who's been their most improved player and why?
4. Who's been the biggest disappointment and why?
5. What was the best moment so far?
6. What was the worst moment so far?
7. What player gets traded and to who?
8. When will Richie Sexson get released?
9. How many games will Kenji Johjima catch after July 1?
10. How many 7 inning starts will Erik Bedard make after July 1?
11. There's 80 games left, what will the Mariners go in those 80 games?
12. How many games out of first in the AL West will the finish?

American League
1. Who is the AL MVP so far?
2. Who is the AL Cy Young winner so far?
3. Who is the AL Rookie of the year so far?
4. Who is the best team in the AL so far?
5. Which team is the biggest disappointment?
6. Which team is the biggest surprise?
7. If you had to pick one team to make the World Series from the AL who is it and why?