head men’s basketball coach Cameron Dollar threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Seattle Mariners-San Francisco Giants baseball game Friday, May 22, at Safeco Field.
This continued a whirlwind of activities for Dollar since his appointment as head coach of the men’s basketball team on April 16. In fact, Dollar returned to Safeco Field for this public appearance, having conducted a live interview at the ballpark during FSN Northwest’s Mariners Pregame Show hours after his introductory press conference.
“I am honored that the Mariners have asked me to take part in this tradition,” Dollar said before the occasion. “I look forward to seeing fans of both Seattle Mariner baseball and basketball Friday evening at Safeco Field.”
Coach Dollar was greeted with a loud round of applause from those fans who had already taken their seats. He threw a strike to Cesar Jimenez, a left-handed pitcher on the Mariners' 40-man roster who signed the ball before returning it to Dollar. The coach also received a Mariners jersey with his name on the back along with the number five, the number he wore at UCLA.
Dollar’s involvement in the pregame ceremonies made an already-exciting night of baseball even more memorable. Friday marked the return of pitcher Randy Johnson to , where he pitched for the Mariners from 1989 to 1998. Johnson gave up only one run before leaving to a standing ovation, responding to the fans with a tip of the cap. It was also Felix Hernandez Bobblehead Night, a promotion that once again brought a big crowd to Safeco Field. The Mariners defeated the Giants in 12 innings, 2-1.
The men’s basketball program is coming off a 21-8 season that included a 13-8 record against Division I opponents. Entering Year Two of the reclassification process towards full Division I membership, the team will play a full Division I schedule in the 2009-10 season, with home games expected to take place at KeyArena at the .