The Mariners infielder talked about a wide range of subjects in our most recent episode.
Last week, Seattle Mariners infielder Ryan Bliss stole his 95th career base at Triple-A Tacoma, setting the franchise record.
It's just one of many parts of a nice minor league season for Bliss, who is coming back from an essentially lost 2025 because of two major surgeries (bicep, knee).
While Bliss has appeared in three major league games this season and continues to make a case for another promotion, right now he's with the Rainiers, hitting .268 with six homers, 45 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. He's posted a .335 on-base percentage while also becoming more versatile defensively. He's played second, short, third and the outfield.
Bliss joined the most recent episode of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about his season, his new record, his approach at the plate, defensive versatility, his rehab from injuries and more, including how he goes about a being a good teammate even though he has individual goals he wants to accomplish - like getting back to the majors.
Seattle Mariners second baseman Ryan Bliss (1) looks on before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images"I think you just have to find your fine line. Yes, everybody wants to make the big leagues. Everybody wants to be a big leaguer.
But at the same time, I'm a firm believer is all you can control is what you can control. I can't control if they call somebody else up, or if somebody else does this, or if somebody else gets this opportunity over me. If I'm not playing good, then it doesn't matter. I have to control what I can control.
And at the same time, I've been there. I've been the guy that something happened to me over another guy, and that guy came to me in a receptive way, so I have to pass that down to the next guy. You just kind of learn the game.
That's also where being a good teammate comes in. There are some bad teammates out there, so it's hard to say. I mean, that does happen. But I think it just, when you think about it, I think if you can just control what you can control, I think all the rest of it takes care of itself.
Just go out there. If you're playing good. That's all you can control. You—nothing can happen if you're not playing good."
Up next for the Mariners
After a thrilling 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, the Mariners are now 62-68 on the campaign. Though they are six games under .500, they are just 3.0 games back of the Houston Astros in the American League West and they are just 2.0 games back of Texas and Cleveland in the battle for the third wild card spot.
The Mariners and Cubs will finish out their series on Sunday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. PT. Bryce Miller will take the mound against left-hander Shota Imanaga.
Of note
The most recent edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast is out, talking about Kade Anderson's call-up and featuring a conversation with Mariners infielder Ryan Bliss. You can listen here, or you can watch in the YouTube player below.
