Spyder Webb has the best name in the game. He’s also one of the best trainers in the game. Spyder spent 34 years as the trainer in the Mariners organization all in the Northwest League. He was also the head trainer at Francis Marion University where he retired last year.
Spyder, thanks for taking time. Please tell us more about yourself.
Norm thanks for your interest. I am from Florence South Carolina, worked at Francis Marion University for 39 yrs. retiring last May 31, 2012. It was a dream job, as has been my association with the Mariners. I have been one of the luckiest folks in the world receiving pay checks for doing what I love, so that’s pretty cool. I love to read, camp, hangout, play racquetball, and give my buddies a hard time as they do me.
You had quite the career. What were some of your favorite moments?
Wow, that really is a very hard question. I’ve had 34 seasons of great moments, so I think one of my favorites is the first year in Bellingham. All of it was so totally cool because I had no idea at all of what to expect.
3,000 miles from home, a completely different world for me. Also from my Bellingham tenure, all of our trips were on the 1959 Bus that the club owned. It had no heat, air, or bathroom. Every road trip could be quite an adventure. If you asked any of kids that were in Bellingham they would talk about that bus.
We played one game a year in the Kingdome. Reggie Jackson saw our bus on his way out of the stadium, and he asked if he could go on it. He came back off and said to our players, ” And Owner’s wonder why we stick so hard to them now.” He couldn’t believe we traveled on that bus , which I did for my sixteen years in Bellingham.
The 2010 season in Everett was so much fun, winning a championship, having great players to be around, and our staff had so much fun together. A really cool moment was that the President of the NWL Bob Richmond, presented me the Championship trophy that night, then the celebration in our clubhouse. It’s really hard to win it all , so what a blast to share with the staff, players, fans, and all the great Aquasox folks.
The Aquasox, also made a Spyder Webb Bobblehead for a giveaway, man you have no idea how cool that is to be Bobbleized, that’s like being an All Star or Hall of Famer, LOL.
While in the Northwest league you saw a lot of players come through. Who were the best?
I’ll just give you a few because this a really tuff question, Matt Langston , Edgar Martinez , Omar Vizquel , Ken Griffey , Shawn Estes , Derrick Lowe , Raul Ibanez , Chris Widger , Felix Hernandez , without a doubt I have missed some but these are the players from my clubs in Bellingham and Everett that have made the show. I’ll add one more player to my list but he is a 2012 Aquasox, Mike Zunino, he is the real deal in my mind.
Who were your influences growing up?
My parents gave me a great foundation and I have been surrounded by great friends that helped me so much. Also, being involved in athletics since high school the coaches there were very influential .
Now that you’re retired what are you going to do with your time?
That is still an evolving situation. I love Starbucks, read 3 newspapers there each morning visit with friends there. Then off to my five times a week racquetball matches, play 1:30 each day Mon. – Fri. Then I figure out what to do with the rest of my day. I traveled to Ireland and North Ireland this fall. Plan to do more of that. Also, concerts, camping, and whatever else catches my fancy. Really, it’s just great to be making my own schedule and not be worried about practices, home / away games etc.
I’m going to name a few players, please describe them in one word.
1. Ken Griffey Jr.- BEST
2. Mike Zunino- Future
3. Felix Hernandez- Competitor
4. Mike Hampton- Aggressive
Thank for taking some time Spyder. Good luck in your retirement.
Norm, thanks for the chance to answer your questions,