(Contributed by Garrett Galbreath, Snohomish Bureau Chief) 

I always wonder what the "no comment" comment really means.  I think in most cases, it means:

"Yeah, I was involved but I am not saying a thing" (the "screw you").

Or

"Yeah, I was involved in some manner, but I refuse to say anything because you are going to blow it way out of proportion"  (pleading the Fifth)

But what about when you can’t be reached for comment?  You aren’t necessarily a major player in a story, but it is obvious that you would have some insight that may prove enlightening.  Of course there is the possibility that you might slip up and reveal something that you didn’t intend to.  Hence, I give you this story from the Seattle Times:

The part that I am most interested in is the sixth paragraph from the bottom:

"Other prominent ex-Mariners, like Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner and Dan Wilson, could not be reached for comment."

The smartest move these guys could make is to not answer the phone for six months or more.  Screen all calls.  Don’t let anyone get the chance to slip you up…

And by the way, if you were a steroid dealing low-life who had access to the Mariners locker room, would Raul Ibanez and Jamie Moyer be on your list of guys you had to contact?  Probably not…