Here's my story for the night

So I was staring at my computer, blackberry was on my right and I was refreshing Twitter, mlbtraderumors.com and my competitors over at the Seattle Times waiting to find out the news on Dustin Ackley.

Here's a quick breakdown
8:30 -- I'm told by my desk that it would be a good idea to start writing two stories - one if he signs and one if he doesn't. I feel like a speech writer on election night.
8:35 -- I hate writer's block
8:36 -- complaining on Facebook and Twitter
8:45 -- wondering what I've done with my day.
8:46 -- complaining on Twitter and Facebook
8:47 -- complaining to my dog
8:48-8:49 -- complain about my parents crappy cable package
8:50 -- My competitor and buddy Larry Stone's computer inexplicably crashes as he waits in anticipation. I may or may not have had anything to do with it. I'm like Keyser Soze in the Usual Suspects. "And like that, he's gone."
8:51 -- I can hear Larry screaming in rage all the way in Bellevue.
8:52-8:56 -- stare blankly ahead like David Putty on Seinfeld.
8:57 -- nothing
8:58 -- Cursing of Scott Boras under my breath
8:59 -- My dog starts barking for no reason
9:00 -- nothing, no whistles, sirens, no alerts from my computer, my blackberry, my email.
9:01 -- still no rioting in the streets, but then again I'm in Havre, MT. Dustin Ackley is not a big topic. Wheat futures, diesel prices and Griz football are
9:04 -- I'm alerted by my buddy Dusty on the desk that MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo is reporting he's signed.
9:12 -- get the official signing from the Mariners
9:15 -- Conference call with Jack Z
9:16 -- email about Tyler Blandford signing arrives
9:18 -- in the middle of the conference call, desk IMs me to ask if I'm done with my story for the Olympian. Um, not quite was my answer.
9:20 -- Cursing Scott Boras openly.
9:30 -- Writing furiously, not cleanly.
9:41 -- send story.
9:43 -- More writing for the TNT
9:50 -- Still writing, and trying to decipher notes from conference call with Jack Z.
10:21 -- Send story for TNT.
10:24 -- see that Ackley didn't sign for the 9.5 million that a few people reported.
10:25 -- call desk and have them change it to the write numbers.
10:27 -- Chhhhhhh, the sound of an adult beverage.
10:28 -- blogging.
10:38 -- responding to a blog comment
10:40 -- searching for a Sophia Bush pic to post in the comments
10:49 -- clink, clink, clink the sound of a few chunks of ice hitting a rocks glass.

As I mentioned a few sentences above the official parameters of the deal, according to Baseball America's Jim Callis.

Five-year major league deal, $6 million bonus, $1.5 million in guaranteed salaries, another $2.5 million possible in salaries depending on how quick he reaches the majors, $7.5 million total guaranteed.

Here's a few quotes from Jack Z

"We think he is a player who’s going to bat in the middle of our lineup in years to come. He has put up terrific numbers at the college level. He can run, he’s athletic, he’s a left-handed hitter who’s going to play nice in this ballpark. He’s the type of guy you look for when you’re scouting. We’re very excited about this sign."

Did it go down to the last minute?
It did, down to the last few minutes. There were many calls with Scott throughout the week and certainly throughout the day. We worked very hard on this one. It got down right to the very end. We’re happy we have the young man on board.

=> Read more!

A quick note: Both Larry and I are traveling today. He's going to Detroit and I'm heading back home to Havre, MT (I'm in Missoula now), but when and if anything breaks on Dustin Ackley, one of us will post as soon as possible.

Yesterday's postgame blog mentioned a few comments from Ichiro, one in reference to last season's quote about beer from Papua New Guinea following a loss to the Yankees.

When he was asked about that quote, he replied ...

"This year I am able to enjoy some Japanese beer, the right way," he said.

And in a little plug he added,

"In particular, Kirin Ichiban."

Admittedly, I thought that was a little strange considering, he would say a specific brand. Or maybe it was something more.

I received a tweet on my twitter account (I can't believe I just typed those last few words) with this link to what appears to be links to video snippets of commercials for Kirin Ichiban with Ichiro in them. And a quick google search yielded this piece of video.