Some local youngsters got a visit from the Mariner Moose, pitcher Sean White and broadcaster Mike Blowers at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma on Jan. 20.

Just 90 minutes after surgery, Robert, age 11, welcomed the Mariner Moose, White, and Blowers into his room for a chat and some photos. Robert, who attends Hudtloff Middle School in Lakewood, broke his leg wrestling.

“He’ll be back next year,” exclaimed Dad proudly, noting he turns 12 this week. “Now I’m going to have to get him a Playstation 3.”

Even though Robert did not get to meet his favorite player, Ichiro, he still dubbed his visit from the Mariners “very cool.”

Dominica Greene, a 16-year old who attends Clover Park High School in Lakewood, is just finishing up her second round of chemotherapy.

Blowers asked “How’s that homework going?” Greene responded, “It’s going as good as any teenager wants it to go.”

“She’s learning to drive,” Mom said. “We’ve gone for a couple of spins and she does pretty good!”

The Mariners caravan visits Tacoma, Portland and many smaller cities during a three-week tour that makes 20 stops in the Pacific Northwest. Kids have the chance to meet the Mariner Moose and current and former Seattle Mariners players and announcers.

Blowers grew up in Spanaway and played baseball while attending Tacoma Community College. He had a 10 year career in Major League Baseball playing for the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and three stints with the Mariners. He is entering his fourth season as a Mariners broadcast team member.

He said he hates to see the kids in the hospital but thinks the visits make a big difference.

“Of course they’re more interested in the Moose than in us,” he joked.

White says it is one of his favorite things to come into the community for these visits. “It’s just fun to see that smile on their face.”

White set career-highs in 2009 with 52 appearances and 64.1 innings pitched. He ranked second among Mariners relievers with a 2.80 earned-run average and was named the Mariners Unsung Hero by the Seattle Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.