Daren Brown, Company man...

In that article by Larry Stone that I linked to below in the Wladimir Balentien post, there was a flashback to when Daren Brown, the current manager of the Rainiers, was the manger of the Timber Rattlers. Here is what triggered that flashback:

For the first time all season, Clement was not in the starting lineup at either catcher or designated hitter Tuesday for Tacoma's game with New Orleans.

Nor was outfielder Wladimir Balentien, who just happened to have hit three home runs in Monday's game.

Odd time for a benching, unless, of course, the duo is Cleveland-bound to join the Mariners. Their absence from the lineup was interpreted here as a huge red flag that something was brewing.

I stuck my head in the office of Tacoma manager Daren Brown after batting practice and asked whether there was anything to read into the suspicious omission of Clement and Balentien from his lineup card.

"No, but I wouldn't tell you if there was," he said pleasantly, ever the company man. "It was cold last night. They need a day off."

Classic Brownie.