Article: Erik Bedard: quiet ace speaks volumes with his arm: Mariners' acquisition of the hard-throwing left-hander gives club another quality starter in rotation and a boost for a post-season berth.

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ERIK BEDARD WAS DRAFTED IN THE sixth round by the Orioles in 1999. In 2007, he was 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 182 innings. He had Tommy John elbow surgery in 2002.

The raves come fast and furious, unreserved testimony that the Mariners have acquired, in Erik Bedard, an elite talent.

"The Mariners got one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball," said Hall of Famer Jim Palmer last February. "We're talking about a guy who can be as good as Johan Santana."

And just as quickly, in any conversation about Bedard, comes the ancillary warning: Don't expect a warm and fuzzy fellow.

It's not that he's a bad guy, they hasten ...

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