Imagine this: as the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face off against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl this week, the buzz surrounding Seattle sports is electric. But something intriguing happened during a recent discussion that took a surprising turn from football to baseball, highlighting the Seattle Mariners' acquisition of former St. Louis Cardinal infielder Brendan Donovan.
In a passionate segment, Michelle Smallmon, who hails from Belleville, Illinois, couldn’t help but rave about Donovan's potential impact on the Mariners. Before making her mark at ESPN, she co-hosted the beloved morning show Karraker & Smallmon on 101 ESPN in St. Louis from May 2020 until September 2022, giving her an insider’s perspective on the player.
"You might want to brace yourselves, because you’re going to absolutely adore this guy," Smallmon shared enthusiastically during her appearance on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy program. "I think you’ll take to him instantly! When I think about what it means to be a St. Louis Cardinals player, I think of individuals like Brendan Donovan." She acknowledged that while many fans might immediately think of legendary names like Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, and Chris Carpenter, it's players like Donovan who have played crucial roles in the team’s longstanding success.
"The Cardinals maintained their competitiveness for so many years thanks to players like Brendan Donovan," she explained. "He brings intelligence and versatility to the field, excelling defensively and showing remarkable discipline when batting. He is truly the quintessential team player."
Smallmon further emphasized Donovan’s tenacity, saying, "He embodies that gritty spirit—though I admit I’m not a fan of that term—it captures his essence perfectly. I can just see him meshing seamlessly with your team and becoming a fantastic addition."
Fans in Seattle are likely to embrace Brendan Donovan wholeheartedly. His primary position is as an everyday player at either second or third base, but he also has the flexibility to cover first base and even some outfield positions. Additionally, he’s a proficient top-of-the-order hitter and an exceptional on-base player, making him akin to a Swiss Army Knife in terms of skills. Over four seasons with the Cardinals, Donovan has achieved an impressive career batting average of .282, hitting 40 home runs and driving in 202 runs, with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .361.
What truly distinguishes the 29-year-old Donovan, however, is the passion and commitment he brings to the game, qualities that resonate deeply with baseball aficionados. This old-school mentality is exactly what he will infuse into the Mariners, which will undoubtedly endear him to the fans. Before long, you can expect to see Mariners supporters in the Pacific Northwest and far beyond sporting their very own 'Donnie' jerseys.
"I was rooting for the Mariners last year," Smallmon cheerfully concluded. "I genuinely love your team and was hoping they would clinch the title. If he had to land somewhere, I’m thrilled it’s a place where he can compete for a championship!"
