Is There an Angel in the Outfield at Safeco Field?

Last year the Mariners finished the season with a win/loss record of 61-101.  They were 29 games out of first place and 20 games from a .500 record.  This season the Mariners should have been no more then a team in the process of rebuilding.

Almost halfway through this season the Mariners are playing above .500 ball and are only a game out of first place.  What has been the difference?  Is it the new manager Eric Wedge or the addition of players like:  Justin Smoak, Adam Kennedy, Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda?

Or could it be an angel in the outfield?

Over last year's off season the Mariners lost their long time broadcaster Dave Niehaus.  Dave was with the Mariners from day one, calling the first pitch in 1977 to calling the last play of the 2010 season.  In his 34 years the one thing he never got to call was a Mariners World Series game.

The Mariners started this season winning their first two games then losing the next seven in a row.  It was beginning to look like the same old Mariners from last season.  Then on April 11, the Mariners were playing the Toronto Blue Jays and were down seven runs going into the 7th inning.  When Milton Bradley homered to get the Mariners on the scoreboard.  

In the 8th a bit of magic happens, with the bases loaded the Mariners get three consecutive walks to score three runs and then get a two run single to score five runs that inning.  With the score 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th the mojo continues.  With two men on base Luis Rodriquez hits a clutch two out double to drive in the both runners for a 7-8 win.  Since that game the Mariners have turned their season around going 35-28.

On Father's Day last Sunday Andy Niehaus, Dave's son was enjoying the Mariners game at Safeco Field with his kids.  It was his first Father's Day without his dad.  While coming back to his seat from the concession stands, Justin Smoak hits a foul ball right to Andy who makes a nice one handed catch.  It was his first foul ball he has caught at Safeco Field and to top it off it happened on Father's Day.

Like the original 1951 movie "Angels in the Outfield", where a last place baseball team gets some help from angels to make it into the pennant race (crusty Mariners manager Eric Wedge would make a good Guffy McGovern).  I want to think the Mariners have their own angel in the outfield or at least in the broadcast booth this season with Dave Niehaus.