Northwest Sports: In the Morning

First of all, let's celebrate the amazing feat of Wazzu safety Xavier Hicks, who got pulled over and ticketed for driving with a suspended license on the way home from jail. Hicks was serving a 45-day sentence for putting rubbing alcohol in his roommate (and Wazzu teammate)'s contact lens case, which also earned him a three game suspension from the football team. EDSBS awarded Wazzu two points in their Fulmer Cup standings, including a bonus point for "a combo comparable to being caught paying for a prostitute with your wife’s credit card."

While the Mets' front office is being pilloried for heartlessness (read Willie Randolph's account of his firing), the Mariners' front office is officially the laughingstock of baseball.

Steve Kelley says Howard Lincoln flubbed by not firing Hargrove and Bavasi in 2006.

Art Thiel has a question for Bill Bavasi, after Bavasi blasted Erik Bedard: "How can a team in advance of one of the biggest trades in its history, which will cost five good players, including its premier position prospect, not do sufficient due diligence to discover the targeted player is a wuss and a mope?"

This Times' article makes it sound like Jim Riggleman is basically a players' manager, just like McLaren was. In fact, McLaren and Riggleman were sharing a condo. Former Cubs GM Andy MacPhail on Riggleman's style: "I would not characterize it as hard-line. I think he pretty much let [the players] do their thing." So what's this whole "new voice" thing about? Someone, please help me understand.

Larry Stone provides a list of possible 2009 managerial candidates, headed by Bobby Valentine (YES! YES! YES!) and Joey Cora (cute!).

Sherman Alexie testified yesterday in the Sonics case--the P-I's Jim Moore has the best recap of Alexie's day, including a touching post-court-appearance press conference that had reporters tearing up.

The city rested its case yesterday. Today Bennett calls his three final witnesses, including Wally Walker, and then the trial adjourns until next Thursday, which is when closing arguments happen. SonicsCentral says today will be bad.

The Storm aren't rebounding, which could be why this supposed dream team would fall to .500 with a loss tonight against Minnesota (7pm, KeyArena).

Jake Locker homered last night. And while we're on the topic of former Washington prep quarterbacks who also play baseball, Matt Tuiasosopo has been on a hot streak for Tacoma, and now sports solid, if unspectacular stats for a 22-year-old at AAA.

Ryan Appleby is bulking up in a bid to play pro ball, writes Bob Condotta. Appleby's father intimates that Romar's program of running didn't help Appleby, who lost lots of weight as the season progressed.