They've been friends since elementary school, but this weekend, when Giants outfielder Jason Ellison and Seattle utilityman Willie Bloomquist renew acquaintances at Safeco Field for a three-game series of Interleague Play, they will be rivals.
But maybe secretly rooting for the other guy.
Ellison, a star player at South Kitsap High in Port Orchard, Wash., combined with Bloomquist to lead the team to an amazing 23-0 record, the Class AA state title and a No. 15 national ranking in 1996.
"I saw Willie on Sunday night when Seattle flew in to play Oakland and hung out," said Ellison. "We never played against each other in pro ball. Obviously, we played together in high school and summer leagues, Little League and Babe Ruth ... this will be a fun series."
There is a special bond between the men. When Ellison's family broke up and he was essentially on his own, the Bloomquist clan invited him to live with them. It was a blessing, and it might have changed Ellison's life forever.
It gave him stability, a place to call home, and Bloomquist told the Seattle Times this week it was a move that had to be made.
"I said, 'Shoot, we have an empty house, you can come stay with us if you want.' I talked to my folks. They always liked Jason," Bloomquist said.
Returning to his roots will be uplifting for Ellison, who envisioned himself playing Major League ball someday.
"I was a big Mariners fan growing up," said Ellison. "It's my first time back there [as a big leaguer] and there's a ton of people coming out to support us."
One catch for Jason, however.
"If I was playing every day, it would probably be a good experience, but hopefully I'll get a start there. Since I've been in pro ball, a lot of my friends haven't seen me play."
Ellison lives in Issaquah, Wash., during the offseason, but this trip will still be special.
"It's where it all started for me," said Ellison. "It's nice to go back and let everybody else see what I'm doing now."
The two teams haven't met since 2001, and the Giants hold a 9-7 advantage heading into the series.
San Francisco left-hander Noah Lowry will make his first career start vs. the Mariners. He pitched a three-hitter over eight innings in his last outing, but two of the hits were homers, and the Giants lost, 2-0.
Pitching matchup
SF: LHP Noah Lowry (2-4, 3.50 ERA)
Lowry is 2-4 with a 3.63 ERA since being activated off the disabled list with an oblique strain. He has worked at least six innings in six of seven starts.
SEA: RHP Felix Hernandez (6-6, 4.94)
Hernandez turned in his best all-around outing of his career on June 11 when he earned his first complete-game victory by allowing two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts (and no walks) against the Angels. Hernandez got a lot of mileage out of his curveball and fastball.
Player to watch
Pedro Feliz continues to rip the ball consistently. He went 4-for-5 and drove in six runs with a three-run homer, two singles and a double on Thursday vs. the Diamondbacks.