Catching up with...

the Tacoma Rainiers.

Now announcing for the Rainiers, Mike Curto

Mike Curto, you are due a confession.

That “interview” at Terry’s Office last week? When you were told your biographical info was needed for a feature story on baseball broadcasters?

All a ruse, my man, all a ruse.

The feature is on you.

Congratulations, Mike. That story turned out really well.

Olympics beckoning for talented Victoria ballplayer

Just last season he was in Single-A with the High Desert Mavericks of California. His speedy rise could raise a five-alarm alert at Baseball Canada if the parent Seattle Mariners want the six-foot-five Saunders to stay with the Rainiers.

But the Tacoma News Tribune, said in story this week that Saunders will likely play for Team Canada at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

That's a relief. Saunders' size and speed on the bases were instrumental in helping Canada earn a berth in Beijing. Saunders' searing .448 batting average helped Canada advance from the Americas' Olympic qualifier at Cuba in 2006 to the last-chance qualifier this spring in Taiwan, where he was again key.

Rainiers’ president reflects on his rookie season

Aaron Artman came on board as the president of the Tacoma Rainiers in June 2007. Having held the office for just one year, Artman is still getting used to his duties on the business side of Rainiers baseball.