Ibanez of the Foxes

Former Appleton Fox Raul Ibanez has been swinging a hot bat lately for the Mariners. The Seattle web site has the story, just in time for his bobblehead night:

Everything's clicking for Ibanez
Veteran outfielder regains missing stroke in August

The Mariners begin a three-game series against the White Sox on Friday night at Safeco Field, trailing the Angels by just three games in the American League West, and they are in a three-way battle with the Yankees, Tigers and Indians in the AL Wild Card race.

"He has the capability to carry us," manager John McLaren said.

Ibanez did just that during the team's recent road trip to Baltimore and Chicago -- Aug. 7-12 -- going 13-for-27 with two doubles, five home runs and 11 RBIs -- numbers that earned him AL Player of the Week honors. Seattle won five of those six games.

Ibanez produced 18 hits in his last 38 at-bats, smacked six home runs and drove in 13 runs in the past 10 games. So it seems only fitting that Friday night also happens to be "Raul Ibanez Bobblehead Night."

The first 25,000 fans will receive a seven-inch figurine of Ibanez swinging a bat.