Mariners Richie Sexson: Misery Loves Company

Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson -- dropped to sixth in the batting order as a result of his season-long slump -- remains hopeful his numbers will improve because historically he has been a so-called second-half player, with a .290 career batting average after the All-Star break.

In the meantime, Sexson comforts himself with the knowledge that even the best of players can have off years. Misery loves company.

"Mark McGwire had one...Look at Andrew Jones. He's having one now," Sexson told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "They just happen. Who knows why?"

Always seen as a potential 50-homer hitter, that threshold continues to elude him, though he has a respectable 49 RBI so far this season. But Sexson has only 15 homers, less than half that of former Mariners shortstop and current league leader Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees.

Worse, Sexson has barely been able to keep his average over .200, with little hope of matching his .264 career average by the end of the year.