My friend Scott, from Minneapolis, called up and wonder what was going on with the Mariners. They had just swept the Twins 7 games in two series. "Have they no mercy?"

The Mariners have been a joy to watch and, with the addition of pitcher Joel Pinero, they only seem to be getting stonger. They haven't slowed down and they haven't even been playing with Edgar. What can I say? They are leading their division by 20 games and leading the second best team in baseball, the Evil Empire, by 13 games. Hard to believe. Now they are comparing them to the best teams in baseball. Ever.

At 108 games:

Team 1902 1944 1998 1907 2001 1906 1909 1929 1931

W-L Pirates 81-27 Cardinals 80-28 Yankees 80-28 Cubs 79-29 Mariners 78-30 Cubs 78-30 Pirates 78-30 Athletics 78-30 Athletics 78-30

Pct. .750 .741 .741 .731 .722 .722 .722 .722 .722

GB -- 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 3