Pink Tutu And Diapers? Just A Day In Rookie's Life

[DailyDi]

Pink tutus and diapers? Just a day in rookie's life

By Bob Finnigan

Seattle Times staff reporter

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Win, lose or anything in between, yesterday was the day Mariners veterans dressed the rookies for the flight to the next city.

It doesn't have the impact it did years ago when teams flew commercial. Then, there were a lot of funny looks and explanations in airport terminals.

But there was no lack of guffaws to see George Sherrill struggling to put on a pink tutu that went with a pink leotard top and fluffy, pink hat.

"It was inside out," he said of his tutu trouble. "I figured that out when I found the tag on the outside."

"What's with the shorts?" one teammate asked Sherrill, who was wearing sports shorts under his skirt. Said another, "If he didn't have the shorts, his butt would be hanging out."

The word of the day obviously was outrageous: Greg Dobbs was forced into a effete cop rig, with much vinyl; Yuniesky Betancourt wore a red tank and blue hot pants; Jeff Harris dressed as a Hooters cheerleader.

J.J. Putz, who had a black tank and sparkly hot pants, had been double-crossed — he went through the ritual nonsense last year.

"He helped pick out the stuff," explained Eddie Guardado. "He's been here less than a year, and that's not enough time. So he has to go through it again."

Putz just shrugged good-naturedly and got dressed.

It was tough for anyone to top what the veterans did to Felix Hernandez. The biggest name among the kids got the smallest ensemble — an oversized diaper and baby bottle, with a torn Mariners shirt for top coverage.

At last sight, he was sitting, staring into the locker where his embarrassment lay waiting to be donned, shaking his head.

Guardado, who never stops the kidding, spotted Bobby Madritsch and asked aloud, "Hey, Mad Dog, why you all dressed up in crazy clothes, too? You did it last year and don't have to do it again, man."

Madritsch looked pained and retorted. "These are my threads, guys."

His snazzy shirt and slacks, complete with patterned, V-neck sweater vest, were his real clothes.

What met his explanation? Lots of laughs, of course

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