Enjoy the Enjoyment

Seattle Sports: In the Morning

2010-04-29T23:30:00.000-07:00

#thankyouwalter:
Walter Jones was to the Seahawks what gravity is to the Universe. Not flashy, not one to provide many memorable moments. Just a steady and indispensable force that holds everything together.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"I tell people, the two greatest athletes I ever played with were Deion Sanders and Walter Jones." -- Robbie Tobeck, via Seahawks.com

"It was once said of Jim Brown that there are many superstars but only one Superman. It was my good fortune to watch Walter Jones ply his trade for over a decade -- and to understand, for a time, what Superman actually looked like." -- Doug Farrar, Yahoo Sports (full column on Jones.)

"I faced a number of other Hall of Famers who were fantastic players, and Walt was head and shoulders above them...It was like wrestling a bear for three hours." -- Patrick Kerney, via Seahawks.com.

"It will be a great honor to have our #12 hanging up next to Walter's #71." -- @JonAxell.

"It’s the feeling that you have when you have a left tackle that can play like he does, and you don’t have to monkey with your protections that much that way. You just can say, ‘OK, you’ve got that guy and we’ll help in other areas.’ Very few teams can say that.” -- Mike Holmgren, via TNT.

"'Invisible" was how Big Walt liked it. Wasn't invisible to the RE's who tried for years to get past him. Most overlooked runblkr." -- Jim Mora Jr., via Twitter.

"As much as we all love Steve Largent, he was never a DOMINANT player, and he was probably never the best player in the NFL at his position. Walter Jones is the indispensable man: He is the one player MOST responsible for the Seahawks golden age from 2003-2007." -- Johnny Peel, Dave Krieg's Strike Beard (full column on Jones for HOF.)

"Walter was probably a better athlete than everybody on the field other than the defensive backs," Bryce Fisher, via TNT.

"Walter will always be connected to us and will always be a huge part of the Seahawks family.” -- Pete Carroll, via Seahawks.com.

MORE JONES
This story, which Matt Hasselbeck told to the Times' Danny O'Neil, is awesome: "At Super Bowl XL in Detroit, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter spent days leading up to the game working up a verbal lather. When the game started, Hasselbeck said he started talking back. That's when Jones told the man he'd be protecting not to worry. 'He just grabbed me,' Hasselbeck said. 'And it was maybe the loudest I'd heard him on the field. "Please don't. I got it. Don't worry. Don't say anything to this dude. I got this."'"

The Seahawks video tribute to Jones. Best part comes about three minutes in, from the 2005 NFC championship, of Jones blocking Panthers DE Mike Rucker about 15 yards downfield. Jones is like a truck with arms.

The team immediately retired Jones' #71.

The Seahawks asked fans to share thoughts on the Twitter hashtag #thankyouwalter. Pretty neat to read.

By declaration of Governor Gregoire today is Walter Jones Day in the State of Washington.

A photo of Jones' locker.

There will be no farewell press conference per Jones' request.

The stats: In 180 career starts, Jones was called for holding just 9 times. As Seahawks Addicts points out, Jones had as many Pro Bowls as holding calls. In 5,703 career pass plays, Jones allowed just 23 sacks.

IN OTHER NEWS
Seahawks
Pete Carroll and Bill Simmons got in another Twitter battle, it ended with Simmons accepting Carroll's invitation to visit Seattle this fall.

Patrick Kerney's post-football life will begin...at Columbia Business School? Apparently so, he was accepted this week.

Huskies
Two UW football players are under investigation for throwing beer bottles off of an apartment balcony.

The Huskies' new women's hoops assistant coach used to be Michelle Wie's agent. He's also the father of one of the best 8th graders in the country. Hmmmm....

Phil Steele ranked the % of offensive production each college football team has returning, and UW is 2nd with 99.13%. (via Bob Condotta)

Husky RB Brandon Yakaboski's career is over after he failed to recover from a knee injury, Coach Sark told Bob Condotta.

Mariners
CLIFF LEE STARTS TODAY WOOOOOO! I'll be there, Field Level sec. 143. Switched over to the third base side especially for this one.

Former M's catcher Miguel Olivo passed a kidney stone during a game Monday. Ew.

Sounders
The Sounders have reportedly traded MF Stephen King to DC United. King scored the game-winner in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal win over Houston last year.

Freddie Ljungberg told reporters he thinks the Sounders will do good things on offense against attacking Columbus on Saturday.

Other/National
Blazers are done for the year, losing Game 6 at home to Phoenix. Brandon Roy, playing less than a week after knee surgery, was just 4-16. "I couldn't imagine being in a suit, seeing these guys get knocked out of the playoffs. I just wanted to be out there with them," he told Blazers Edge after the game. Awesome.

The Mavs and Jason Terry are also done, after losing 3-2 to #7-seeded San Antonio.

San Antonio vs. Phoenix begins Monday night in Phoenix.

Jackson High kid Travis Snider had a homer and a double last night for Toronto, hopefully he'll start to pull out of a dreadful (8-64) early season slump.

TODAY'S ACTION
Terrence Ross and Terrence Jones announce their college choices, 3:30 p.m. (Live blog here.)

Atlanta @ Milwaukee, 4 p.m., ESPN (Milwaukee leads 3-2).

Lakers @ Zombie Sonics, 6:30 p.m., ESPN (Lakers lead 3-2).

Mariners vs. Texas, 7:10 p.m., Lee vs. Lewis.

Seattle Sports: In the Morning

2010-04-28T22:06:00.001-07:00

Dear reader: These morning roundup posts are an experiment; moving to a bigger platform soon. I'd love to hear what you think as I fiddle around with different formats and styles. Give me a shout at kolloen (at) gmail.

Sounders announce friendly opponents [team release]
They're no Barcelona and Chelsea, but Sounders' exhibition opponents Boca Juniors and Celtic are two of the most consistently successful clubs in the world. Boca has won 23 league championships in the Primera Division Argentina. Celtic's won 42 in the Scottish League. Boca comes to town May 26, Celtic on July 18.

Mariners 6, Royals 5 [box]
Ryan Rowland-Smith had a 5-1 lead with two outs in the sixth, and got Jason Kendall to pop up to short RF. Job well done, right? Nope. The pop up fell between Ichiro and Figgins, Mitch Maier followed with a game-tying triple, and Hyphen remains winless. Happily, the M's won the battle of the bullpens, getting a manufactured 8th inning run: Bradley double, Sweeney groundout, Rob Johnson sac fly. M's 11-11, 3rd place, 1 GB.

Quincy Pondexter and Danielle Lawrie are not dating [Jim Moore column]
Fans of eugenics will be disappointed to hear that future NBAer Pondexter and All-American pitcher Lawrie are just "good friends," in Lawrie's words. So much for what would be the best UW romantic combo since the glory days of Jon Brockman and Cristal Morrison. Lawrie tells Jim Moore that she and Pondexter might date, "if I wasn't so busy." Too busy? I don't remember college relationships being particularly time-intensive, but perhaps times have changed.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"If the Caps blow Game 7, DC vaults past Seattle for Most Depressed Sports City honors. At least Seattle has Pete Carroll for comedy's sake." -- Bill Simmons (@sportsguy33), via Twitter.

"@sportsguy33 seattle depressed? Come on! The m's are 1.5 gms out of 1st & its an exciting time for the 'hawks! And the weather's great now!" -- Pete Carroll, via Twitter.

"Clemons-Cole-Mebane-Jackson is perhaps the worst starting defensive line in the NFL." -- John Morgan, Field Gulls (full column on Aaron Curry as a DE option.)

"It's incredible to me how much agility and arm strength (Jack) Wilson packs into a body that looks like it was built by sewing together various bits and limbs from a group of dead seven year olds." -- Jeff Sullivan, Lookout Landing (full game recap.)

"I remember telling (mom), 'I'm going to just do school and get a 9-to-5,' I just said, 'I'd had enough. I don't want to do this anymore. It's not worth it.'" -- Steve Zakuani, on almost quitting soccer at 15 (full profile by Joshua Meyers.)

"If you have built castles in the sky, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them." -- Walter Jones, via Twitter.

"Now my journey to Seattle starts!" -- Golden Tate, via Twitter.

"Here's something for ya. The next time the M's play a baseball game, their starting pitcher will be Cliff Freakin' Lee!" -- @HarveyRoad

"I like the fact that the #Mariners are trying to win a pennant with a 23 man roster, but it's time to cut Sweeney and Junior and get serious." -- @michaelcbarr

COLUMN OF THE DAY
Topic: Don Wakamatsu and his "belief systems."

Dave Cameron's take: Wak has confidence in his decisions and he sticks by them. When you don't agree with him, his stubborness can be annoying, but the benefits (stability) outweigh the costs.

My take: Completely agree, and am reminded of a quote I just read, from a legendary European soccer coach named Bela Guttman. Said Guttman: "A coach is like a lion tamer. He dominates the animals, in whose cage he performs his show, as long as he deals with them with self-confidence. But the moment he becomes unsure of his hypnotic energy, and the first hint of fear appears in his eyes, he is lost."

IN OTHER NEWS

Seahawks
The Hawks released two guys I've never heard of and signed two guys I've never heard of. Enlighten yourself.

Here's a list of all 24 Seahawks draftees/undrafted free agents who'll be at the minicamp that starts Friday.

Jeff Feagles, the Seahawks' punter from 1998-02 (between Tuten and Rouen), is retiring after 22 NFL seasons. Feagles also punted for Philly, and I always found it amusing to say "Jeff Feagles, late of the Eagles..." I'll miss saying that. Not sure anyone else will.

Huskies
The UW men's golf team won their second consecutive Pac-10 championship. UW was seven strokes down coming into Wednesday's final round, but stormed back to win by 3.

Husky DE Andre Pulu plead guilty to second-degree assault, reports Bob Condotta. Pulu could get nine months. The Huskies haven't announced what Pulu's status with the team/university is, and won't for a couple of days.

The Pac-10 announced the matchups for the Big XII challenge. The Huskies flip-flop last year's games, hosting Texas Tech 12/4 and visiting Texas A&M 12/11.

Husky baseball had 5 homers in a 12-4 win over Gonzaga.

Mariners
Jack Wilson made an unbelievable throw from deep short in the bottom of the 8th, watch it here.

Some of the M's top hitting prospects are really raking, writes Larry Stone.

Seriously, why the hell did some Kansas City fans boo Mike Sweeney? You know though, if I were a Royals fan, I think I'd boo everything up to and including the peanut guy.

Matthew Carruth of FanGraphs points out that Griffey/Sweeney's DH production so far would rank 9th among NL pitchers. Probably also 9th among NAIA 3rd basemen, adult fast-pitch catchers, and minor league groundskeepers. Still -- 1 game back!

Sounders
Apparently picking Celtic as a friendly opponent is controversial in soccer circles. This article in Prost Amerika Soccer goes into it a little bit, but I still don't understand exactly what the objection is. Something about how Celtic is known for "profiting from the sectarian, ethnic and racial divisions in Glasgow." Huh? How? Pardon my ignorance. Am confused.

Ivy League mighty mite Mike Fucito continues to struggle with "a really strange injury," as Sigi Schmid describes it. Fucito has got fluid under his knee that won't go away. Let's hope he gets back on the field soon, we don't want him being the soccer version of Moonlight Graham.

The Columbus Crew's leading scorer may not play when the Crew visit Qwest Saturday night.

National/Other
#8-seeded Montreal knocked #1-seed Washington out of the NHL playoffs. Could the #1-seed Lakers be next?

Denver stayed alive, beating Utah 116-102 to pull the series to 3-2. C'mon Nuggets! Win it for George!

Jamal Crawford's first playoff season is in deep trouble after the Hawks lost a home Game 5 to Milwaukee to fall behind 3-2 in the series. Crawford shot 4-18 in the game.

Ken Griffey Sr. is hitting coach for the Dayton Dragons this year. Players, including Cascade High's Brian Pearl, are in awe.

Inter advanced to the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on May 22.

Joe Posnanski's column on poor Zach Greinke includes a dig at Horacio Ramirez!

TODAY'S ACTION
Mariners off today.

The Seattle Times is holding an online chat with Seahawks GM John Schneider at 2 p.m.

Dallas @ San Antonio, 5 p.m., TNT (San Antonio leads 3-2).

Phoenix @ Portland, 7:30 p.m., TNT (Phoenix leads 3-2).

Seattle Sports: In the Morning

2010-04-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

Top o' the Mornin': UW Prez Emmert leaves UW to head NCAA, Jamal Crawford wins NBA Sixth Man Award, Mariners win.

Your future rages against the inequities and iniquities of college athletics will be directed at a Fife kid and UW grad--Mark Emmert is the new executive director of the NCAA. Emmert always seemed to have a good grasp on how important college athletics is, but also the ability to keep it in perspective. Still, hard to say for sure what kind of NCAA president he'll be.

Rainier Beach grad Jamal Crawford is the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year. Fellow Metro Leaguer Jason Terry finished second in the voting, but no hard feelings as Terry won the award last year. With Aaron Brooks having won Most Improved Player, that's two major postseason awards by 206ers. REPRESENT!

Mariners 3, Royals 2 [box]. It took perhaps the lamest extra base hit in team history, but the M's rallied past the Royals with three in the 8th. Jose Lopez' game-tying "double" was a comebacker that ricocheted off the pitcher's mitt into centerfield. Milton Bradley later walked to drive in the go-ahead run. Props to the bullpen, which pitched 3.2 scoreless innings. M's 10-11, 3rd place, 2 GB.

IN OTHER NEWS...

UW's Friday night spring game will be live on KJR and tape-delayed on UWTV and FSN. Here's how to watch, courtesy of Bob Condotta.

Milton Bradley had some more fun with the left-field line fans in Kansas City, pulling the old "fake toss the ball" trick at them. Good times. Via Lookout Landing, here's Bradley blowing a kiss to a heckler after the game.

Got a Jeep Wrangler? Jon Brockman would like to buy it.

Russell Okung will wear Steve Hutchinson's old number, reports Mike Sando.

Will Conroy and his Rio Grande Valley Vipers won the D-League Championship last night.

Neat story on Storm coach Brian Agler's hoops-playing daughter Taylor. "There are days I say, 'I don't want you to coach me!' but his dad coached him, so he gets it. He gives me time to cool off, then we're back at it."

The Moyer Foundation is offering a suite to Saturday's Sounders game for $1,500 obo. Proceeds to ~~The Duck Tour Fire Assistance Fund~~ The Moyer Foundation.

The SonicsGate guys will be featured on ESPN's Outside the Lines today, Sonics Central says.

The Cavs and Celtics both won, advancing to play each other in the second round. Dallas survived with a home win, pulling their series with San Antonio to 3-2.

The Zombie Sonics got stomped by the Lakers, 111-87 [box], to take a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 is Friday in OKC at 6:30 p.m.

He ended up without a win, but Zach Greinke has now pitched 29 consecutive scoreless innings against the Mariners.

UW baseball beat Gonzaga 11-1.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING...

"Best of luck to Mark Emmert, he will do great things for the NCAA." -- Steve Sarkisian (daily top 5).

"Congrats 2 UW president Mark Emmert for being named President of the NCAA. It was a honor to have a good friendship wit him hes a GREAT dude" -- Isaiah Thomas, via Twitter.

"President Emmert is one of the most impressive persons I've ever met. Obviously, you hate to see someone go that is that talented and so supportive. But at the same time, it is an unbelievable oppotunity for him. The NCAA will be better as a result of his leadership" -- Lorenzo Romar

"When it comes to support within reason for big-time college athletics, Mark Emmert is about as good as it gets for an athletic director and head football coach." -- Art Thiel (full column on Emmert's departure).

"(Snell) showed all the same problems he’s always had--can’t get lefties out, struggles to command his fastball--and will now have to try to salvage his season in relief." -- Dave Cameron, USS Mariner (full game recap).

"He is ... Ken Griffey Jr. You don't just dump him like Brad Wilkerson because he had a bad April." -- Larry Stone, Seattle Times (full blog post)

"You're supposed to get booed on the road. That's like a badge of honor." -- Milton Bradley (full Geoff Baker game recap).

"It's starting to look like so goes Milton Bradley, so go the Mariners." -- @pokano.

"Milton Bradley is awesome." -- @SeattleDawg18

"Milton Bradley is a douchebag." -- @darren_greene

"You couldn’t have scripted a better draft for us." -- Tod Leiweke (full comments, via Ben Malcolmson.)

"I take pride in being from Seattle. I pay attention to the Huskies. I pay attention to the Seahawks. I love to see what's going on up there. To have my first Senior Open at Sahalee will be a great, great week." -- Fred Couples (full story on Couples by the Times' Scott Hanson).

TODAY'S ACTION

M's @ Royals, 11:10 a.m., Rowland-Smith vs. Meche.

Inter @ Barcelona, Champions League Semi (2nd leg), 11:45 a.m., FSN. (Inter won 1st leg 3-1).

UW baseball vs. Gonzaga, 2 p.m., Husky Ballpark

Bucks @ Hawks, 5 p.m., TNT (Series tied 2-2).

Jazz @ Nuggets, 7:30 p.m., TNT (Utah leads 3-1).

Seattle Sports: In the Morning

2010-04-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

Mariners lose, Dwight Howard ditches Aaron Goodwin, Kentridge phenom Gary Bell Jr. says he'll attend Gonzaga.

Kansas City 3, Mariners 1 [box]. Felix Hernandez pitched well enough to win...if he pitched for a different team. The anemic M's didn't manage a hit off Kyle Davies until the 6th, and didn't score until the 9th. Milton Bradley returned to LF, going 1-4 with a double. M's 9-11, 3rd place, 3 GB.

The state's B&O coffers just got a little smaller, as Dwight Howard has left Seattle-based agent Aaron Goodwin. Howard will have friends and family manage his career, just like LeBron James did after leaving Goodwin. Silver lining: It's an excuse for Goodwin to update his client list, which includes retirees Chris Webber, Gary Payton and ... Todd MacCullough? For what, his pinball career?

Kentridge shooting guard Gary Bell says he'll play college ball at Gonzaga. Bell, who'll be a senior next year, was also considering UCLA and Washington. Bell will join Stephen Gray as the only Zags from the Seattle/Tacoma metro area. The Zags' success has been achieved mostly without Puget Sound kids; the only 206 star during their run is Erroll Knight, who actually started his college career at UW.

IN OTHER NEWS

Just to recap: Ryan Howard, 30, 5 years, $125M. Felix Hernandez, 23, 5 years, $78M.

The Mariners are now 2-9 on the road.

Ichiro is hitting just .172 against LHP (he's hitting .385 against RHP). For his career, Ichiro actually hits LHP better than RHP.

Carlos Silva had another great start last night, going 7 and allowing 3 ER against the Nationals. Silva's ERA dropped to 1.73, and the Cubs won in extra innings.

When Cliff Lee comes back, Ian Snell will move to the bullpen and Jesus Colome will go to Tacoma, reports Larry LaRue.

The Blazers had an 18-4 lead, but collapsed to lose 107-88 [box] and fall behind the Suns 3-2. Brandon Roy was just 2-7 in 19 minutes off the bench. Game 6 is Thursday in Portland, time TBA.

Magic beat the Bobcats, they sweep the series. Bucks beat the Hawks, that series is tied 2-2.

Friday night's Husky spring game will be a regular game, except with no kickoffs or punts, Sark told Bob Condotta.

Of the undrafted Huskies, Paul Homer is most likely to get a tryout, tweets Condotta.

Stewart Mandel of SI with a long column on Jake Locker and his decision to stay at Washington.

Quincy Pondexter has hired an agent, Bob Myers of Wasserman Media Group. Percy Allen talked to Myers.

Seven-handicapper Kenny Evans of Tacoma is one of five finalists for the Golf Digest/U.S. Open Challenge in June, writes Todd Milles. If Evans wins an online vote, he'd golf with Drew Brees, Wayne Gretzky and Mark Wahlberg for one round at a Pebble Beach course set as if for U.S. Open play.

Everyone's lauding the Seahawks draft, but do post draft report cards mean anything at all? Check out how Mel Kiper's '05 draft report card turned out.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"I don't think now is the time to panic." -- Don Wakamatsu, via Geoff Baker.

"Can we bench Junior with all the promos coming up? #mariners #handcuffedbybobbleheads" -- @wbboyd.

"Mariners offense where are you? Echo..echo......echo.." -- @Rodeochihuahua.

"Where can you even buy the ugly ass hat that Dave sims has on? Is there some sort of old man hat store?" -- @SeattleDawg18.

"Just arrived back in Seattle. Officially the worst road trip of my career...thankfully tomorrow is the start of something new." Sounder D James Riley, via Twitter.

"I've had two nightmares in my life that I can remember. One was that I was getting chased around a department store by an invisible Predator. The other was that a then-current girlfriend called me to say she was pregnant. Yuniesky Betancourt striking out on a curve in the dirt but reaching base anyway on a Rob Johnson throwing error was like getting chased around a department store by an invisible Predator while my girlfriend calls to tell me she's pregnant." -- Jeff Sullivan, Lookout Landing (full M's game recap).

"Kam Chancellor should start in week one. Chancellor exhibits solid awareness, and Seattle is better served maximizing the sweet spot where his skills and tools align, and not awaiting incremental improvement to his skills while burning his youth." -- John Morgan, Field Gulls (full scouting report on Chancellor, the Hawks' 5th round pick).

"(Pete Carroll and John Schneider) were legit last week. They turned the draft into a declaration that change will be a good thing during this new regime. And though it's a tenuous emotion, they've acquired trust from a fan base that feared the worst just a few days ago." -- Jerry Brewer, Seattle Times (full column on Seahawks draft).

"Don’t be shocked in the next month or two to see future Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. join (Walter) Jones on the sidelines. Junior’s swan song with the Mariners has been wonderful in so many ways, but he’s not even average anymore, and one would hate to see Junior wait so long to pull the plug that management has to do it for him." -- Howie Stalwick, Kitsap Sun (full notes column.)

TODAY'S ACTION

Bayern Munich @ Lyon, UEFA Champions League Semi, 11:45 a.m., FSN (2nd leg, BM leads 1-0).

Miami @ Boston, 4 p.m., NBA-TV (BOS leads 3-1).

Chicago @ Cleveland, 5 p.m., TNT (CLE leads 3-1).

M's @ Kansas City, 5:10 p.m., Snell v. Greinke.

UW baseball vs. Gonzaga, 6 p.m. at Husky Ballpark.

Tacoma Rainiers vs. Salt Lake, Doubleheader!, 6 p.m. at Cheney Stadium

Detroit @ Phoenix, 6 p.m., VERSUS (Game 7 of NHL first round).

San Antonio @ Dallas, 6:30 p.m., NBA-TV (DAL leads 3-1).

Zombie Sonics @ Lakers, 7:30 p.m., TNT (Series tied 2-2).

Seattle Sports: In the Morning

2010-04-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

Dear reader: These morning roundup posts are an experiment; moving to a bigger platform soon. If you still have me on your RSS reader I'd love to hear what you think as I fiddle around with different formats and styles. Give me a shout at kolloen (at) gmail.

Sounders lose, Mariners swept out of Chicago, Cliff Lee's rehab start goes great, Oregon finally gets a hoops coach, Terrence Ross commits to UW...

Four Sounders made their first start of the season Sunday, but two regulars committed crucial mistakes that gave Toronto a 2-0 win [box]. In the 58th minute, Alonso lost the ball at the top of the penalty box. In the 76th, Marshall gave one away in midfield. Those two mistakes became Toronto's two goals.

Sounders played well on offense, getting 11 shots to TFC's 5. But they continue to have trouble finishing, as Evans, Ianni and Sturgis all flubbed likely goal-scoring changes. "Nfuko would've had those," tweets @AlexHennes. "We keep kicking it straight at the keeper. Hard to score goals when you do that," tweets @nickjacob_116.

Sounders stay at 8 points, and fall to third in the W.C. Next game is Saturday vs. Columbus at Qwest.

The Mariners lost their third of three in Chicago, all by one run. The bullpen gets the brunt of the blame for the sweep, they allowed four homers in 5.1 IP. Brandon League was the goat in Sunday's 3-2 loss [box], allowing an eighth-inning homer to Paul Konerko, your current AL home run leader (!?). Griffey struck out with the tying run on 2nd in the ninth, going down on three straight Bobby Jenks fastballs.

"This entire series just broke my heart! The Mariners bullpen needs to settle down and get it together," tweets @tasarin.

Mariners fall to 9-10, 3rd place, 2.5 GB of Oakland. Next up is Kansas City; series begins today with King Felix on the hill.

Cliff Lee's a go for Friday after a successful rehab start in Tacoma yesterday. "On Friday it's just go out there and have fun. Let it all hang out,” Lee told Mike Salk after the game. Lee's return means demotion for someone, and looks like that someone will be Ian Snell, writes Baker.

Oregon will introduce new hoops coach Dana Altman at a 1 p.m. press conference today. Altman took Creighton to 7 NCAA tourneys in 16 years; but he lasted only four years in his previous stint at Kansas State. Not exactly Tom Izzo, is he?

Altman begins his tenure with some bad news: PDX phenom Terrence Ross has reportedly decided to attend Washington, according to Bob Condotta. Ross is a 6'6" shooting guard with "NBA range," according to ESPN Insider. His more highly-touted teammate, Terrence Jones, will supposedly announce his decision Friday.

NEWS BITS...
Former M Chris Jakubauskas, struck in the face by a line drive in his season debut with the Pirates, is out of the hospital and onto the 15-day DL.

Walter Jones sent another tweet that hints at retirement.

UW's Danielle Lawrie threw her third perfect game of the season.

The UW/UCLA football game will be a Thursday night ESPN game, reports Bob Condotta.

Will Conroy had a triple-double in Game 1 of the best-of-three D-League finals.

THE COLUMNISTS...
Jim Moore grew to like Quincy Pondexter.

Art Thiel give the Seahawks draft a thumbs up.

Steve Kelley likes what he saw of Cliff Lee.

Kevin Pelton says OKC's boisterous sellout crowds show why local governments should fund sports arenas:.

RANDOM...
Jeff at Lookout Landing is not a fan of Matt Tuiasosopo's shortstop play: "Tui doesn't have a good first step, he doesn't have good range, he doesn't have good hands, and he doesn't have an accurate arm. A pessimist would say he pretty much doesn't possess any of the skills you need to play the infield. An optimist would say he's only four adjustments from fitting right in."

An interview with former Sonic Ricky Pierce.

Get pumped about Golden Tate with this video (HT: P-I's Greg Johns.)

2009 Mock Draft Jamboree

2009-06-25T09:47:00.001-07:00

Below, my annual presentation of what the mock drafters predict for the 4 p.m. NBA draft.

NOTES:

1) Apparently Michael Jordan isn't doing a very good job of shielding his hand (shocking, I know). Everyone thinks Terrence Williams is his guy.

2) Daye goes in the first round according to everyone.

3) All but one mock drafter has Heytvelt going ahead of Brockman.

4) Not looking good for Pargo, Downs, or Dentmon.

The Case for Mike Morse

2009-06-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

If Yuniesky Betancourt goes on the disabled list--as he likely will--the M's are going to need a starting shortstop.

Who plays shortstop isn't their biggest problem, though. When "Chad Gaudin" strikes you out 11 times, I mean come the f on. They need offense.

Mike Morse is the answer to both conundrums.

Let's take shortstop first. The current major league roster contains three potential shortstops -- Chris Woodward, Ronny Cedeno, Josh Wilson. Go ahead, look at their stats. I'll wait for you.

...

I hear you gagging, so you must have seen them. All three are atrocious hitters.

Morse's career OPS, which at .762 is no great shakes, is still more than 100 points higher than Cedeno or Wilson's, and nearly 100 points higher than Woodward's. (Note: Woodward has 33 career homers, 20 of which came in 2002 and 2003. Long time ago, and a "different era" if you will.)

Morse is hitting over .300 in Tacoma with an .828 OPS. Woodward, by contrast, was OPSing .766.

You've seen Morse enough to know that he has a little pop in his bat (very little, but more than the punchless trio mentioned above). At 27, he's entering peak hitting age. And he's versatile; he can play all four infield positions. (Though he should never, ever again be seen in the outfield).

The knock on Morse is his range. Fielding stats hate the guy, Baseball Reference concludes that Morse's 2005 defensive performance, stretched out over a whole year, would have cost the M's 27 runs.

Not to go all Joe Morgan, but I don't see it that way. Morse isn't fast, but he's tall and athletic and, to my eyes, covers a decent amount of ground. He's made 3 errors at short this year in 21 games, which isn't bad. Sure, he's not Omar Vizquel, but he's not Rich Aurilia either.

Also, I remain wary of fielding statistics. The latest ones depend on human biases, as someone has to chart hits and record how hard the ball was hit. Sorry, there's too much variation in how people can perceive batted balls for that to work. Last year, "Ultimate Zone Rating", which is supposedly the gold standard in defensive stats, told us that Ryan Sweeney, Austin Kearns, and Alex Rios were all considerably better right fielders than Ichiro. I'm not buying what you're selling, Ultimate Zone Rating.

Moving on, there's this: Morse pretty much always does well when I'm at the games, and I have season tickets this year.

The M's have been saddled with a crummy defensive SS all season, and their run prevention hasn't seemed to suffer. Run production is the issue. And Mike Morse is the only guy in the organization with even a modicum of pop in his bat who can legitimately play shortstop. (Although, if they want to give Mike Carp a try, I won't object too much.)

MORSE FORCE UNITE!

Why Don't Sportswriters Use Dialect Anymore?

2009-06-24T16:19:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be more fun if Chris Mortenson reported his recent cell phone communication with Brett Favre as: "Ah haven't made up mah mind 'bout the Vikin's yet."

If Mortenson were writing about Satchel Paige in the 1950's, he could!

The writer is Bob Broeg, profiling St. Louis Browns catcher Clint Courtney in the April 15, 1953 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. Courtney was something of an oddity, a catcher who wore glasses. He, like Paige, apparently had an accent as well.

Courtney never did make a World Series, or become the best "ketcha" in baseball. Instead he became a part-timer for the Nationals and Orioles, then a minor league manager.

It truly was a different time -- how do you think this ad for Life magazine would go over now?

I've Had It With Adrian Beltre

2009-06-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

(Originally posted yesterday on Seattlest)

Until recently, the rabid M's fan blog Lookout Landing sported this tagline: "If You Think Adrian Beltre Is Bad And/Or Overrated, I Hate You And Find You Stupid."

Fair enough. Beltre isn't bad or overrated. A Gold Glover and above-average offensive player, he's the best third baseman in Mariner history.

He just stinks at the craft of hitting a baseball.

A child prodigy (he was signed--illegally--at age 15 by the Dodgers), Beltre retains the free-swinging approach of a young hitter. It's as if Bill Gates still used punchcards.

Despite possessing the best power and bat speed combo of any Mariner hitter this decade, Beltre's poor habits have consigned him to be just a mediocre offensive producer.

And after four-plus seasons of watching Beltre's haplessness at-plate, our frustration meter has climbed to "bitchy."

Come, live the pain of a Seattle Mariners fan.

Thursday afternoon, Beltre came to bat in the tenth inning with the go-ahead run on second base.

The previous hitter, rookie Mike Carp, had worked a walk, laying off some tempting offerings near the outside corner.

Beltre got the same careful approach--and struck out on three pitches.

Adrian Beltre: Fourteen years of major league experience, earns $13M/year, sculpted physique.

Mike Carp: Two days of major league experience, makes the league minimum, stomach flops above his belt when he runs.

And Carp has the better batting eye.

What kind of God allows this to happen?

Ted Williams, another preternaturally talented hitter of Latino descent (Williams' mother was Mexican), was baseball's greatest student of hitting. To illustrate his philosophy, Williams created a chart consisting of 77 colored baseballs. In the middle, .400--what you'll hit if you swing at perfect pitches. On the perimeter, .260--what you'll hit if you swing at crappy ones. The philosophy, as another hitter* once put it: "You wait for a strike, then you knock the shit out of it."

Ted Williams would vomit if he saw Adrian Beltre hit.

The pitches Beltre swings at don't even make Williams' chart, they're so far from home plate.

Which makes it all the more incredible that Beltre has consistently hit major league pitching--the most difficult task in all of pro sports--despite lacking the hitting knowledge of the rawest major league rookie. That's how talented Beltre is.

And that's why it's so frustrating. If Beltre would exhibit an iota of plate discipline, he'd put up All-Star numbers. If he exhibited Williams' discipline, he might match Teddy Ballgame and hit .400.

If only some old-school bastard had forced a young Beltre to learn the twin tasks of pitch recognition and plate discipline, he could've been legendary.

Instead, Beltre swings and swings. And when his "plan" puts him at a disadvantage, he swings more.

In Beltre's 12-year career, he's dug himself an 0-2 hole in 1,272 plate appearances. In those plate appearances, he's worked back to get a walk only 13 times. 13! In 12 years!

Russell Branyan--hardly a Ted Williams--has already worked four such walks just this season.

During those 12 years, despite his impatient approach, Beltre has put up some outstanding numbers. In 2004, Beltre hit 48 homers for Los Angeles. He was a free agent that winter, and the Mariners signed him to a 5-year/$64 million contract. As a Mariner, Beltre hasn't approached his '04 numbers, but he has averaged more than 20 homers over four seasons--the best sustained offensive performance by a third baseman in Mariner history.

But now, as Beltre inches into his thirties, his impatient approach isn't getting the job done. Plagued by a recurring shoulder injury, and perhaps slowed by age, Beltre's power has deserted him. He has just five home runs this year.

If Beltre's power loss is permanent, and he just keeps swinging away, he'll be just another no-bat, good-glove third baseman. And as a free-agent at the end of this season, he may find himself taking a multi-million dollar paycut--if he gets a job offer at all. If Beltre doesn't change his approach now, his career may be over.

And over at Lookout Landing, the Beltre line is gone. The site's tagline is now "The Official Website For People Who Dream Of Doing Naughty Naughty Things To Russell Branyan."

*Stan Musial

Kasey Keller Hates Goals

2009-06-22T13:35:00.000-07:00

Fredy Montero scored a tremendous goal in the Sounders' tie at New York on Saturday. He stole the ball from a Red Bulls defender in the corner, dribbled back toward the box, then unleashed a cannon of a shot. "I think it's got to be one of the candidates for Goal of the Week," said Sigi Schmid.

(In fact, it is, and Montero is leading the voting with 38%.)

Kasey Keller? Not impressed.

"It was a great goal but it was still a mistake...from the defender. I think sometimes we forget that the game is about results and I would love to have nice pretty football but sometimes the right thing to do is to kick it into the 10th row."

GOD DAMN STRAIGHT! Do you think the fans come out to see goals? NO! They want to see defenders cowardly hammering the ball deep into the stands! And then, more likely that not, collapsing as if they have suffered an Endy-Chavez-like knee injury.

Kasey Keller is such a defense-oriented hard-ass, he can't even enjoy his own teammate's goal.

Not that I'm surprised. There's a train of thought in soccer -- one which pervades hockey, football and basketball as well -- that any score by the other team is the fault of a defensive lapse.

More and more coaches in these sports are defensive-oriented; some don't have a clue about offense (see the Cavs' Mike Brown). Other coaches see the role of offense as mainly to not commit turnovers that could hurt the defense -- I hate to do it, but you have to lump Nate McMillan in with this group.

Fortunately for us, the Sounders are not afflicted with such a coach. If Sigi Schmid has a offense/defense bias, I suspect he tends more toward offense. Hence we get fast-paced games like last Wednesday's thrilling 3-3 draw with D.C. United.

If Keller were coach, we'd see just as many draws, except they'd be 0-0 ones.

The offense/defense dichotomy will be something to watch with this year's Seahawks. Going from an offensive-minded head coach in Holmgren to a defensive-minded head coach in Jim Mora will likely means less risks on offense. We've already seen some of the changes, as the new offensive staff is a run-first, pass-second one.

Meanwhile, we'd ask Keller to heed the wise words of Michael Cera's character in Superbad:

TwitWatch: Seattle Sports Folks on Father's Day Weekend

2009-06-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend brought a cavalcade of tweets from Seattle sports-types, letting us all know what they were up to this weekend. Read on for news of Craig Terrill's drug test, Nate Collison's Seattle bar outing, and why 46-year-old Detlef Schrempf's schedule puts yours to shame.

Matt Hasselbeck: Took the training wheels off his kids' bikes. Then, a few hours later, "Ran out of band-aids.... training wheels going back on."

Steve Sarkisian: Went to Sunday's M's game with his family.

Detlef Schrempf: Did a half-century on his bike, took his waverunner out on Lake Washington, played in a father/son golf tournament, and had dinner at the Waterfront Seafood Grill. Damn, Det!

Walter Jones: Supervised his annual youth football camp, then spent time "chillin with the fellas."

Nate Burleson: Finished his first week of workouts in Arizona. "Twice a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks... You do the math! For the slow folk..it equals 15 TD's." We can hope!

Nick Collison: Saw the Solstice Parade and, later that night, went to Pesos on Queen Anne.

Swin Cash: Dinner at Scottsdale Mall and "then relaxing w/my better half." (Then had 22 points in the Storm's big win over Phoenix).

Kevin Durant: Went to a rooftop party; watched Martin with his family, and saw his granddad "for the first time in a loooooong time..he's the reason why I'm so tall lol..."

Darryl Tapp: Went shopping for a dress with his ladyfriend. His comment: "Man I have come along way."

Craig Terrill: Got called for a random NFL drug test. "Have they ever actually seen me out there...not really the steroid type."

Ryan Moore, Golf's Emo-est

2009-06-20T12:08:00.001-07:00

Puyallup's own Ryan Moore is not only one of 12 golfers under par at this years U.S. Open, he's also sporting what's possibly the most emo look in golf history.

Seriously, when was the last time you saw a golfer sporting a beard like this?

Rounding out Moore's look: A pseudo Fidel army cap, a tight polo, low-rise khakis, and black shoes.

Moore, who'll be 27 in December, won a state title at Puyallup High and then attended UNLV, where he was named college's outstanding golfer in 2005. He's won more than $1 million each of the past three years, so he can certainly afford to keep up with the fashions.

Then again, so can Tiger Woods and...

As I write this, Moore's got a four-stroke lead over Tiger as well.

So strut, Ryan Moore! Strut!

Ichiro: Griffey's friendship is "close to a miracle."

2009-06-16T09:18:00.001-07:00

If you're looking for a reason why Ichiro has defied age and Nate Silver to post his best stats since 2004, Larry Stone sez try an afternoon in the M's clubhouse.

That's where you'll find Ken Griffey Jr. "messing with" Ichiro -- roughhousing with him, criticizing his emo-wear -- making him feel part of the team.

"This is the happiest I’ve seen Ichiro since 2001," trainer Rick Griffin tells Stone.

Ichiro sounds like he's about to give Junior a Nobel Peace Prize.

"It’s fun to come to the clubhouse every day and just watch him, listen to him. He’s like a different creature than the rest of us. It’s like he’s from a different planet. ... That’s what we’ve been missing here, that’s the hole he’s filled, that’s what he does. He brings a team together just by being himself."

As as for what Griffey has meant to him -- it seems incalculable.

"I always thought opening my heart would be close to impossible in baseball with so many differences between me and other players. It’s been close to a miracle with Junior. We have a special relationship – something I’ve never had before."

I guess we can't assess the meaning of the Griffey signing merely on his own meager contributions to the offense -- give him 15 of Ichiro's hits and suddenly it looks like a pretty good deal.

Four High School Hoops Revelations from the Quaker Summer Slam (And an Awesome Wroten Video)

2009-06-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

Anrio Adams, sophomore-to-be, Franklin
Adams showed he's ready to take the torch from his predecessors as outstanding Franklin guards, Venoy Overton and McDonald's All-American Peyton Siva. I'd heard about Adams talent last year, but he didn't get much chance to display it on a senior-heavy Quakers team. Now, Adams is the showpiece. One Adams play stood out for me. Against Garfield, he blocked a shot, controlled the ball, went coast-to-coast, and, at the basket, through a behind-the-head pass to a cutting teammate for a lay-in. The play showed Adams' strengths. He's tall, he's quick, he can dribble, and he has tremendous court vision. He lacks Siva's hops, but, I mean, that's like saying a singer lacks Aretha Franklin's pipes.

Jalen Ward, sophomore-to-be, O'Dea
In Ward, the Irish have their best point guard since Jamelle "Son of Nate" McMillan. Ward is incredibly fast with the ball in his hands and absolutely fearless. His physical style of play sparked frustration from Rainier Beach and a retaliatory elbow in the game I saw.

Lonnie Pearson, senior-to-be, Rainier Beach
Pearson is another player who, despite his talent, was a minor contributor on last year's team -- three Vikings from the Class of '09 got scholarships from DI schools. He's a rangy swingman who's deadly inside and outside. Think Quincy Pondexter. Pearson hit a three-pointer at the end of the first half that put a dagger in O'Dea.

Will Dorsey Jr., freshman-to-be, Garfield
Dorsey is small, but he's also in eighth grade, so that can be excused. He is very, very fast with the basketball, and he has handles too--a vicious crossover left a Franklin defender stumbling. With Dorsey and Glenn Brooks Bulldogs would seem to have two point guards that would be starters for 95% of the teams in the state.

In other high school hoops news, the Rose City Showcase was this weekend in Portland. Here's a full recap of all the activities from the Oregonian.

Here's video of Tony Wroten at the event, including a ridiculous pass, and a short interview.

Anthony Wroten is in a class of his own

Stanley Cup Game 7 Bumped by KING-TV

2009-06-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Though NBC is televising tonight's Penguins/Red Wings showdown, don't look for it on KING-5.

In yet another painful indication of just how unpopular hockey's become in the U.S., the NBC affiliate here in Seattle--the nation's 13th-largest TV market--will be showing local news and "Inside Edition" instead of the game that decides the NHL champion.

Not that our few local hockey fans (read: "Detroit or Pittsburgh transplants") will be deprived of the option of seeing the game. KING's moved it to their whimsically-named sister station, KONG, which usually hosts paid programming and re-runs.

Yikes, NHL...yikes. Sure, Seattle doesn't have an NHL team, but we don't have an NBA team either, and I don't see KOMO bumping Lakers/Magic.

Seattle was once a thriving hockey town--the minor-league Seattle Totems regularly outdrew the nascent Sonics. But as hockey's minor leagues shrunk away, interest waned. Even though our hockey history includes the first-ever U.S.-based Stanley Cup champions, and we're just three hours from Canada, KING figures (probably correctly) that more people will watch Evening Magazine than the deciding game of the NHL season.

Jack Zduriencik, the Anti-Sund

2009-06-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

What did I love about Jack Zduriencik's first baseball draft with the M's?

He picked guys who are actually good at playing the sport!

This would seem obvious, but more than a few Seattle GMs haven't understood it. Drives me nuts, when GMs focus on "tools" or "potential" more than what should be obvious. Can the guy f***ing play?

Like Rick Sund. Oh, God. He drafted Johan Petro, who'd averaged 2.1 ppg in France. And Sene, who may never have touched a basketball before the draft...BUT THAT WINGSPAN!

Or Tom Flores. He picked Dan McGwire, obsessed with the notion that McGwire's height (6-8) would make him an unstoppable NFL quarterback.

As it turns out, quarterbacking in the NFL requires several other talents besides "least distance from the sun." Doug Flutie, a full foot further away (and playing actual winning football in Canada), would come to the U.S. seven years later, at age 37, and still throw 84 more career TD passes than McGwire.

The guys Zduriencik took with his four top-60 picks aren't projects, they aren't freakish athletes. They are just good at baseball.

Dustin Ackley -- the best hitter in the draft, hit over .400 playing for a major conference team.

Nick Franklin -- Sez MLB's draft report: "Nothing jumps out at you tools-wise, but he just goes out and does a good job and can do a little bit of everything." I LOVE that nothing jumps out at me tools-wise. Give me a guy who can do actual baseball things over a guy with a strong arm any day.

Stephen Baron -- A high-school catcher with, again, according to MLB, "outstanding catch and throw skills." See that? Skills! At baseball! What skills did Sene have at hoops? As we learned, none.

Rich Poythress -- This guy does have a tool: Power. Can't field, can't run. Luckily, there's this position called "designated hitter" he'd be perfect for. I feel like this is sort-of like drafting a kicker. Poythress does one thing, hit homers, and he does it well. He was fifth in the NCAA DI in home runs, with 25.

Should they sign soon, Ackley and Poythress will likely start relatively high in the minor league system, and we'll soon see what they can do. In Ackley's case, you can watch him in the College World Series this weekend. His UNC Tar Heels play Arizona St. Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN.

Tomorrow's Quaker Slam Semis

2009-06-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

The semifinals of tomorrow's Quaker Summer Slam will be pretty awesome:

Franklin vs. Kentwood, 4pm, Franklin High court #1.

Rainier Beach vs. Jefferson (back-to-back Oregon state champs), 4:15pm, Franklin High court #2.

Two of the top seniors-to-be in the nation will be in action: Josh Smith of Kentwood, rated #7 overall in the class of 2010 by Scout.com, and Terrence Jones of Jefferson, ranked #43. Both are being recruited by Washington.

Also playing, Anrio Adams of Franklin, who's been terrific in the tournament. He's ranked among MaxPreps' 2012 players to watch.

In a consolation game that should be fantastic, Garfield will play Bellevue at 5:25pm on court #2.

The final is at 6:20pm on court #1.

Tickets are $6, and reasonably-priced concessions are available.

NBC Sports Classic

2009-06-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

NBC, UR doing it wrong.

The New York Times tells me that the French Open men's semifinal between Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro is the fifth set.

However, when I tune to NBC, I get the first semifinal, which concluded several hours ago. With NBC only showing tennis until 1 p.m., safe to assume we won't be getting to see all five sets of the Federer semi, which evidently has the makings of a classic.

Apparently East Coasters aren't getting to see any of the Federer match, just a tape delayed, edited version of the first semi between Robin Soderling (who?) and Fernando Gonzalez (howzits?).

This is not the 1970s, NBC. If you aren't going to show sports live, why bother?

Let the Seahawk Stalking Commence!

2009-06-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

Ever feel the need to talk to your favorite Seahawk, but can't because of all those pesky Qwest Field security guards? Fear not, as your gridiron heroes will be appearing in a far more collegial atmosphere over the next couple of weekends.

For example, Friday night (6/5), Seahawks defensive lineman cum musician Craig Terrill will be performing his unique brand of countrified rock at The Triple Door. Tickets are $25.

Terrill will also be performing Saturday June 13 at the Lake Chelan Riverwalk Pavilion. That show is free. Here's the deets.

Also on Saturday the 13th, former Seahawk Bobby Engram is holding a celebrity softball game to benefit his foundation. Tickets are $10-45. Expected to attend, among others, are: Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch, Marcus Trufant, Deon Grant, Seneca Wallace, Aaron Curry and Leonard Weaver. Most surprising guest? Longtime Colts backup QB Jim Sorgi. For God's sake, I hope they let the poor guy start.

Why I'm Glad My Mom Doesn't Manage the Orioles

2009-06-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

So I'm watching tonight's M's/Orioles game with my mom, when Adrian Beltre comes up with the bases loaded in the ninth inning against O's flamethrower Jim Johnson.

We had this conversation...

Me: So this is interesting--most teams get Adrian Beltre out by throwing curveballs, but this pitcher is only going to throw fastballs.

Mom: Why won't he throw a curveball?

Me: Because his strongest pitch is a fastball, he doesn't have a good curve.

Mom: Well why don't the Orioles bring in a guy who does?

Me: [long pause] I...don't...know.

My mom, in case you don't know her, is not even remotely a baseball fan, I think she's been to about two M's games in the past ten years.

Yet, she's right! Why the hell would you let Adrian Beltre, a pure fastball hitter, decide the game against a guy who can't throw a breaking ball? Especially when Beltre was having no trouble getting around on Johnson's heat.

I'm really glad the Orioles hired Dave Trembley instead of my mom, because if she were in charge we might be lamenting another close Mariner loss.

UW Recruits at Quaker Summer Slam

2009-06-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

With temps in the eighties and the sun shining, it can mean only one thing: Time to duck inside a musty high school gym and watch some basketball!

On the for-real tip though, some fantastic players--including two Lorenzo Romar has his eyes on--should be playing in this weekend's Quaker Summer Slam. If you can duck out of work early on Friday, check out this doubleheader:

Garfield (with Tony Wroten, Scout.com's #1-rated SG among juniors-to-be) vs. Eastside Cath., 4:15 p.m.

Kentwood (with Josh Smith, Scout.com's #2-rated C among seniors-to-be) vs. Bainbridge, 6:20 p.m.

Both games are at the Franklin High gym.

UW is recruting Wroten and Smith; so is practically every major program in the country.

In between those games, Franklin itself will be playing. Check out the next in that long line of stellar Franklin guards, sophomore-to-be Anrio Adams -- who MaxPreps lists #1 on their national list of 2012 players to watch.

Also making that list, and appearing in this tourney -- Seattle Prep's Mitch Brewe, O'Dea's Jalen Ward, and Garfield's Pierre Wright.

The other player of note who'll be competing is Bellevue's Aaron Bright; Bright is a recruiting target for Cal, Arizona, Stanford and Wazzu, according to Scout.com.

If you can't make it on Friday, each team will play two games on Saturday and a game on Sunday. Can't tell you the matchups yet, it'll depend on who wins in the first round.

I went to the first round of this event last year, the games were very competitive. Tom Wyrwich of the Times attended the final day, and wrote that the intensity rivaled that of state tourney games.

Below is the full list of Friday's games, held at Franklin and at Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club. Check my Twitter feed for updates about the tourney. Here's the full bracket.

Games at Franklin (map):
Jackson vs. Seattle Prep, 4:00 p.m., Court #1
Garfield vs. Eastside Cath., 4:15 p.m., Court #2
Franklin vs. Sammamish, 5:10, #1
Federal Way vs. Blanchet, 5:25, #2
Kentwood vs. Bainbridge, 6:20, #1
Kings vs. Lincoln, 6:35, #2
Jefferson vs. Wilson, 7:30, #1
Foss vs. Renton, 7:45, #2
Mead vs. Mark Morris, 8:40, #1
Bellevue vs. Eisenhower, 8:55, #2

Games at Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club (map):
Rainier Beach vs. Ballard, 5:00 p.m., Court #1
Enumclaw vs. West Seattle, 5:00 p.m., Court #2
O'Dea vs. Curtis, 6:10, Court TBA
Mt. Si vs. Bethel, 6:10, Court TBA
Lakes vs. Eastlake, 7:20, #1
Puyallup vs. River Ridge, 7:20, #2

Zach Greinke vs. Carlos Silva: I Report, You Decide

2009-05-04T22:50:00.000-07:00

After Zach Greinke shut out the White Sox tonight, his ERA is 0.40 for the season.

For Carlos Silva to get his 2009 ERA down to 0.40, he would need to throw 447 consecutive scoreless innings.

The math of it: Silva's already allowed 21 earned runs, he'd need to have pitched the equivalent of 21 complete games just to get his ERA down to one -- 21 more to get it down to 0.50, and another 6 or so to get into Greinke territory.

Greinke becomes the 45th pitcher since 1954 to win his first six starts. One Mariner, surprisingly, is on that list. Even more surprisingly, it's a guy from the pre-Griffey era. Rick Honeycutt won his first six starts for the 1980 M's.

Today I Declare Independence Day

2008-07-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Well, not really. But I am moving the blog over to the magazine. This was always the plan, but I've been so busy getting the print pub out, I really haven't had time to do it.

All the stuff you've gotten used to on this blog will be over there--NW Sports in the Morning, me blathering--but there will also be other writers, who you'll get to know and love.

Now the caveat: the layout will be a little different. Like on Deadspin, practically every story will have a jump, the better to get more stories above the fold.

Also, the way the stories jump is not quite the way I'd like it (the layout is jerry-rigged from another site), but I've got the web dudes working on it.

If you read EtheE over RSS, you can read Sports NW the same way--here's the RSS link (it's also on the site, in the upper left hand corner):

http://sportsnwmag.com/feed/

For a while I've been duplicating stuff in the mag and here on this blog, but it takes too much time away from actually writing and editing. This way is better for everyone.

So--EtheE goes dormant for now, though you could still search for stories if you wanted. Come and join me (and others) over at Sports NW.

--Seth

Protesting the OKC Sonics

2008-07-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a sweet idea from a Blazers fan:

"The first home game the Trailblazers have against the new OKC team, we need everyone to show up to the game in green and gold. Not to root for the Sonics but to show solidarity with our North West brothers."

What about you? Will you root against the OKC team? Against the players who would've preferred to stay?

Or ignore them? Or what?

Gettin' Dusty at EtheE HQ

2008-07-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen this yet...get some Kleenex ready...

Former NBA Ref Bob Delaney Reading Tonight

2008-07-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

The Stranger's Paul Constant points out that former NBA ref Bob Delaney is reading tonight from Covert, about his infiltration of the New Jersey mob.

Writes Constant: "I figure that, in this first post-Sonics-abduction day, all the questions after Mr. Delaney reads are probably going to be along the lines of 'ThsssshhkplehSONICS! BlehthphttthhhhhGODDAMNOKIES!'"

If you want to watch the shitshow, it's tonight at 5pm at Elliott Bay Books.

Husky Football Can Revenge Sonics Fans Loss

2008-07-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

The Huskies already have two revenge games on their 2008 home schedule--Notre Dame on Oct. 25, when Willingham can revenge his unfair firing, and UCLA on Nov. 15, when Husky nation can return some pain to Rick Neuheisel.

But, first, on Sept. 13, the whole region gets a chance for revenge when the Dawgs host Oklahoma.

The University of Oklahoma, in Norman, is just 18 miles south of OKC.

And when David Stern and the NBA relocation committee make their tour of OKC, Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops and AD J oe Castiglione were there to greet them. Scumbags.

Said Stoops at the time: "There's a lot to be proud of, and they presented it and it's undeniable. Great things are happening for this state and for Oklahoma City."

Sonics Eulogies

2008-07-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

This is making me much sadder than I thought it would. I feel terrible for all the die-hards out there. Being more of a baseball guy myself, I think about how I'd feel if this happened to the Mariners, and I want to cry.

Trying to look on the bright side: We've still got UW, which isn't going anywhere, and Seattle U will be starting up their DI program soon. Garfield High has the amazing Tony Wroten, Jr., quite possibly the best player of his age in the world. So there's plenty of basketball, even if it's not NBA.

And if I must have NBA, I must admit that a part of me is quite happy to tether my fandom to the rising Blazers who--unless there's a divisional realignment between now and October, will have six shots at kicking the living shit out of the Oklahoma City Whatsits next year. I'll be rooting hard for the Blazers in those games, boy...

Percy Allen has the confused and sometimes angry reactions of Sonics players. Jim Moore has reactions from Sonics fans. The Times has an awesome historical photo gallery and the full text of the settlement [pdf].

Here are thoughts from the rest of the earth:

Brian Robinson, SonicsCentral and SaveOurSonics: "I am actually somewhat relieved that at least we do have hope of NBA basketball. Its a slim hope, and the hope of a new team, but it is hope nontheless. At least we are not sitting here with nothing...I’m taking some consolation in this but feel like I need to process the grief a little bit. Everybody will react differently and we need to work through it. Then we’ll regroup. Then we’ll figure out what to do next.

XSteve, SonicsCentral: I sit at this keyboard and find it difficult to type these words. It’s the end of an era...I am fortunate beyond words to share the friendship of the people behind Save Our Sonics and this site. It is a rare thing to see people achieving their dreams through hard work, sacrifice and their passion for this sport...If this sounds like goodbye, it isn’t … time to take a step back. I’m kind of a Renaissance sorta dude, ya know. I like my geeky comics and playing my guitar and other bad habits … I’ll always be there to tip the glass or party with ya at the drop of a hat...Bless you and your families. Right now the world needs moms and dads and brothers and sisters, boyfriends, girlfriends, buddies, homies more than it needs NBA fans.

Mr. Baker, SonicsCentral: We were screwed. That offer was not going to get worse with time, and with a court win, they took money from somebody that has money, but the mayor, Mayor Nickels, said it wasn’t about the money in his testimony; it was about enforcing the lease, and retaining NBA basketball in Seattle; neither happened....I hate Clay Bennett, I watched him lie, and now I watched Mayor Nickels let him get away with it...Thanks to Brian, Steve, Xteve, Grif, everybody that fueled SaveOurSonics.org...I have maintained that it has not, and is not, because of the fans that any of this is happening. The owners, the politicians, and especially the NBA, all have failed you. Shame on them.

Pete Nussbaum, SupersonicSoul: ...a small part of me hoped they wouldn't [move]. That small part of me that scoots to the edge of my seat when the Sonics are involved a close game; that small part that makes me pick up and phone Raf or Paul when the Sonics do something extraordinary; that small part of me that imitates Xavier McDaniel when I'm shooting hoops by myself....After what happened today, that small part of me isn't doing so well right now.

Constable Echelon, Hot Dog & Friends: I’m currently studying a little revolutionary era France. I’ll admit it’s always been a little hard to wrap my head around the idea of a society so unjust that the only recourse for the common man was to take to the streets, round up those responsible, and cut off their heads. I imagine that insatiable bloodlust started with those people feeling like I feel right now.

Brad Cassiday, Seattlest: "Seattlest is sad to see our team leave town. From Downtown Freddie Brown to D.J., to The Glove, to our latest assemblage of "talent," we enjoyed heading down to the Key, pondering how hot Squatch must be in that costume, and gettin' our groove on with the dance team during timeouts. Some will view the news of the settlement as the cup being half empty. Some will view the news as the cup being half full. But, we tend to agree with the late George Carlin: Maybe the glass was just too big.

Bethlehem Shoals, FreeDarko: Seattle didn't have interest in a losing team, especially once Bennett razed it. In OKC, the NBA will be the only show in town (like the Hornets once were). But all those wild crowds were feeding off of what the roving Hornets stood for, the initial novelty, and, oh yeah, Chris Paul. There will be a honeymoon, but if the team sucks or Bennett is an asshole to his own people—that's Charlotte all over again...So congratulations Clay, you stole a team. Now you've got the daunting task of actually running one.

Bob Condotta, Husky Basketball Blog: I took the whole family to the last home game against Dallas in April. We'd never done that before mostly because I have two young boys and it just hadn't seemed time yet. They really enjoyed it and wanted to go back to games next year, a chance they won't have now. They've already asked me who's to blame and I just told them what I really feel ---- everybody involved. They all blew it --- Stern, Schultz, Bennett, Gregoire, Nickels. Anything they say today rings hallow to me.

Derek Zumsteg, USS Mariner: This totally, totally sucks, and there’s so much blame to go around that it’s hard to know where to start. Well, no, actually, you start with Howard Schultz, but you get my point. No one in Seattle, including the other teams, wins here...And you people in Oklahoma City — I would hope you would be appalled enough by this to not participate in this shameful debacle, but I don’t have a lot of faith in that.

Matt Ufford, With Leather: Fuck that lying piece of shit Clay Bennett. Fuck David Stern, that collusive cocksucker. Fuck Howard Schultz for selling the team to Bennett, and fuck Starbucks, too. Fuck Seattle's limp-dick government. Fuck Hurricane Katrina. And fuck Oklahoma fans who get indignant and say that they're more deserving of an NBA team than Seattle, the victim of uncaring ownership and a city whose only crime was not shelling out more tax dollars so a carpetbagging son of a bitch could make more fistfuls of money.

A brand-new site: fuckyouclaybennett.com.

Steve Kelley, Seattle Times: "Basketball is dead, and don't look for any miracle resurrections. Chances are good that an entire generation will grow up in this town without the NBA to watch."

Art Thiel, Seattle P-I: As Nickels said on the witness stand during the trial's first day in explaining why he wanted the Sonics to stay two more years, "anything can happen." Apparently, anything included nothing.

John McGrath, Tacoma News Tribune: "As city of Seattle attorney Tom Carr, speaking to KJR a few minutes after the settlement-disclosure press conference, put it: “Having the NBA pleased with you is a lot better than having the NBA mad at you.”...In other words, suck it up, and try to consider David Stern less as the czar of an evil empire than a friend of the disenfranchised....Just a hunch, but I’m predicting an NBA team calling itself the Sonics tipping off at KeyArena for the 2011-12 season."

Bye-Bye Sonics

2008-07-02T17:06:00.001-07:00

Update...

So the settlement is this, however Nickels sugarcoats it: the team is gone, though we get the team colors and history.

Bennett is on the hook for $75 million, with $30 million of that payable in 2013 if Seattle hasn't gotten an NBA team by then. But that $30 million is only payable if the state legislature ponies up money to renovate KeyArena. So, Nickels is trying to shift the onus/blame back to the state legislature.

The NBA, according to Nickels, says that "renovated KeyArena is an acceptable solution." But that requires absolutely no commitment by the league.

Here's what the NBA has committed to, according to Nickels: "The NBA will notify us when teams are for sale, or when there are plans for expansion."

"We think we have opened a better door for a new team...but there is no guarantee."

"What we would like to do is have the basketball fans go to the legislature, get the funding we need, we have a committed local ownership, and we are the 13th largest market in Seattle."

"We think we would've won the case...but that would've just kept the team here for two years, and at the end of that time we would've had a very bad relationship with the league."

"We think [the settlement] is a better option for us to keep the team here."

City Attorney Tom Carr on the Schultz case: "If Schultz wins, then the team stays here and this deal goes away."

This thing about how "the NBA agrees that a renovated KeyArena is an acceptable facility" is silly. It doesn't matter what the NBA says--it matters what an owner says. An NBA owner could play in the Ingraham High gym if he felt like it (ok, not really, but you get the idea).

PRESS CONFERENCE OVER.

Don't Put Stock in Sonics Settlement Reports

2008-07-02T14:12:00.001-07:00

If you've seen the news from The Oklahoman today that the city has been exploring a settlement with Clay Bennett, consider the article's source.

The only source for the report is councilmember Richard McIver, who is facing ethics charges for allegedly awarding a no-bid contract, and is said to be stepping down next year.

If the city and Bennett were having talks, McIver would be the last to know about them--and that's reflected in his statement to The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry: "I hear that they were trying to work one up but I didn’t know whether they were successful or not. And I thought it was around something where (the Sonics owners) were trying to get Seattle to involve Schultz’s suit withdrawal and that didn’t come out, so I guess it fell apart."

So, basically, McIver is making a "guess" about something he "thought" he "heard" and that he "doesn't know" what happened. Decide for yourself whether that's really "news," but somehow the Bennett-owned Oklahoman saw fit to print it. Brilliant.

The Stranger's intrepid city hall reporter, Josh Feit, who's been covering the trial for them, has a call in to McIver's people, maybe they can find out what the hell he's talking about.

Um...I take it all back.
Settlement reached. Press conference at 5pm.

Update... The city council has been briefed on the settlement, and one of Josh Feit's city hall sources implies pretty strongly that the Sonics are gone.

Update... Sherman Alexie on KJR: "I'm terrified. From every indication it seems like their gone. There's a huge absence in my life...I'm jealous of Portland--I just checked and they only have 350 season tickets left."

Update... The Times reports that Howard Schultz is refusing to drop his lawsuit as part of the settlement.

Update... The Times reports that a source says the Sonics will move to OKC in exchange for a settlement that could be as high as $75 million. Bennett would pay less if the city were to get a new team.

Update... Kevin Calabro on KJR. He sounds absolutely devastated. "I never thought it would come to this." Calabro mentions that Steve Ballmer said that basketball was likely gone in an interview in the Sunday times. "It was tough to read that."

Mariners Can't Even Fight Right

2008-07-02T11:31:00.000-07:00

You'd think in this disaster of a season that the Mariners could at least manage a decent fight, but, no, just like they can't get in the pennant race or score runs consistently or pitch deep into games, they can't manage to punch each other, either.

From CBSSportsline's Scott Miller (via Geoff Baker):

Sexson and Rhodes had to be separated before things became physical at a team hotel.

According to club sources, the near-altercation started on a charter flight when the two players started chirping back and forth, with Rhodes disparaging the hitters' production. The words continued once the team arrived at its hotel, nearly escalating into something physical.

Though the incident was described as "not a big deal" and something that was "cleared up quickly," McLaren felt it necessary to hold a meeting with the two the next day.

Ah, a meeting. McLaren did love his meetings, didn't he.

Tim Lincecum Is Sports Illustrated Cover Boy (Third Time for a Husky)

2008-07-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

Three cheers for ex-Husky Tim Lincecum, who's on the cover of SI this week. Here's the terrific lead of the story from the mag's top baseball writer, Tom Verducci:

As if peering around a corner, the Freak tilts his head slightly to the left as he begins his explosive, homemade pitching delivery. What lurks around that corner is either greatness or danger, which makes tiny Tim Lincecum, all 172 pounds of him, the most fascinating pitcher in baseball. Not since Mark (the Bird) Fidrych spoke to baseballs, manicured mounds and baffled hitters more than 30 years ago has a pitcher been this consistent and this captivating from the start of his career. Lincecum does not throw a baseball as much as he launches it, 98-mph rockets somehow expelled, with finely tuned kinetic energy, from a batboy's body. He scares hitters and scouts alike.

Verducci's long profile prominently features Tim's dad Chris, a Boeing employee who I interviewed for a story on Tim in his UW days, and who is one of the more entertaining people in the universe--opinionated, profane, with the heavily-graveled voice of a longtime smoker.

Chris--a former minor league pitcher--developed Tim's unique pitching style. Verducci does a terrific job of describing how Tim's style is different, and what the ramifications are and could be for his arm. It ends up, satisfyingly, as a story about the violence of pitching and what it means for it's practitioners.

But of course you want to hear the painful part of the story: "Six of the first seven teams to pick in that draft selected pitchers. All of them passed on Lincecum, even the Seattle Mariners, who played it safe in choosing the strapping 6' 3" righthander Brandon Morrow -- a guy they use in relief at that -- rather than the Freak in their own backyard."

The Freak: Lincecum's had that nickname since his college days at UW, for his outstanding athleticism along with his amazing velocity.

Lincecum is, I think, the third Husky to be an SI cover selection.

Sonny Sixkiller and Bob Schloredt both appeared on SI's cover as Huskies. As far as I can tell, no Husky alum has ever been on the cover as a pro (I searched for Hugh McElhenny, Warren Moon, Brandon Roy, Steve Emtman...let me know if you think of anyone else). There was that regional cover that Ryan Appleby and Jon Brockman were on, but that doesn't count in my book.

People, Things or Entities Who Have Hit Fewer Home Runs Than Richie Sexson in July

2008-07-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

Me
George Stephanopolous
Glen "Big Baby" Davis
Your social security number
Prof. Dr. Bamir Topi, President of Albania
Alex Rodriguez
Miguel Cabrera
Manny Ramirez
Vladimir Guerrero
Ryan Howard
Derrick Lee
Adam Dunn
Josh Hamilton
FELIX HERNANDEZ
Alf

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-07-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

As you know, I'm sure, Marsha Pechman's decision in the Seattle v. Bennett case comes down today. I did an email interview about it with a blogger in BC. SonicsCentral isn't planning a rally, but say they will be at City Hall if anyone wants to join them.

Woo-hoo Sounders! They beat MLS side Chivas USA 2-0 (for the second straight year) and advance to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals (for the second straight year). Both goals were due to (as I predicted, ahem, ahem) the speed of Sebastian Le Toux, who forced a corner that led to a Taylor Graham goal in the 43rd minute, and outsprinted the Chivas defense on a counterattack and scored the clincher himself in the 80th. (Note--if this didn't clinch the Sounders FC job for current coach Brian Schmetzer, I don't know what would.)

The Sounders play another MLS team in the quarters, the Kansas City Wizards. The game is next Tuesday, at 7pm, this time at Qwest Field. Tickets: $17 at Ticketmaster (on sale at 10am), $20 at the gate.

Woo hoo Mariners! They come back from a 6-2 deficit to beat the Jays 7-6. Richie Sexson tied the game in the eighth with his first homer since May 25, Brandon Morrow struck out the side in the ninth to lower his ERA to 0.74 (start him, you nimrods!), and Willie Bloomquist won it with a walk-off single.

Woo hoo Seattle P-I! Photos of all 80 Miss Universe contestants in swimsuits.

Woo hoo Blazers! They signed Rudy Fernandez. Said Kevin "God" Pritchard: "He’s an unselfish kid, he’s talented, he wants to win. In sitting down and talking to him multiple times, we felt like he was a perfect fit. We knew for a fact that he had many other offers in Europe at much bigger dollars, more years, more fanfare and all that, but the thing that makes us excited is that he’s a competitor, and when he steps on the floor he has that special ability to make everybody a little better. We were amazed at how well he was passing the ball. and he throws lobs. Our management group was kind of salivating – he’s going to have really good targets in Greg (Oden), LaMarcus (Aldridge) and Travis Outlaw..." I'm salivating, too.

Cesar Jimenez, just up from Tacoma, threw 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. He's here to atone for a crummy performance in an '06 callup, and after missing all of '07 with an injury, writes Tom Wyrwich. Jimenez has a high-80s fastball that he kept down and a really nice change.

The M's still need a starter for Sunday, writes Jesse Baumgartner of MLB.com.

Buster Olney writes that Riggsie ball includes a few small alterations in the M's pre-game routine and infield positioning.

Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider writes the Braves are interested in Ibanez, four teams have interest in Washburn, and that the M's will try to create a bidding war over Bedard and could, in the words of one assistant GM, "get 75 cents on the dollar" for him.

Yamauchi out? Scott Miller of CBSSportsline.com has heard this rumor: "Hiroshi Yamauchi, retired head of the game company Nintendo, is looking to get out of the baseball business and is intent on selling his controlling share of the Mariners. [M's minority owner Chris] Larson, it is said, wants to become the controlling owner." Pat Gillick would take over Chuck Armstrong's role, and pick the new GM.

Two locals were swimming for an Olympic berth in the 100 meter breaststroke, and Megan (Quann) Jendrick beat Tara Kirk by one one-hundreth of a second. Said Kirk's coach: "I was sure Tara had hit the wall first, that's how close a race it was. That's a race we'll all want to see again, and I'm sure it's a race Tara will replay over and over again in her head." I'll bet...man, how do you deal with losing an Olympic berth by that small a margin? Painful.

The fact that four Huskies are in the U.S. women's 1500 meter olympic trial shows how good Husky track has gotten, writes Art Thiel. This includes incoming freshman Christine Babcock, who was the L.A. Times female track athlete of the year last year.

Speaking of Husky glory, did you know that both the coach and best player from the Dawgs' only Final Four team, in 1953, are still alive? I sure didn't. But coach Tippy Dye and player Bob Houbregs met (quite possibly for the last time, as Dye is 93 and lives in California) at the UW's Founders Club recently. Dan Raley was there and has this report.

In Sonics news: Earl Watson broke his thumb and is out until the end of training camp, writes Percy Allen. Also the Supes didn't offer Mickael Gelabale a contract. Gelebale's two-year career as a Sonic is over, and maybe his NBA career, says Allen.

Eric Williams of TNT has the Sonics' summer league roster. Russell Westbrook, D.J. White and Jeff Green will play, Kevin Durant will not. The league runs from July 7-11, and you can watch the games live at orlandomagic.com. Here's the info.

The Storm, who desperately need some perimeter shooting, have signed former UW and Meadowdale High standout Kristen O'Neill. O'Neill was once the roommate of my current roommate's sister, which I believe makes us roommates-in-law. (I actually said that once to her at a party. Fell flat.) If the injury Sheryl Swoopes suffered in practice just after O'Neill signed is serious, she suddenly jumps into the rotation.

Cal's new FB uniforms have bear claws. [HT: EDSBS] Also from EDSBS, the Arizona football team will be training with troops at an Army base. "Maj. Gen. John Custer called the UA and U.S. Army 'two great teams'" Yeah, two great teams that can't win. (Sorry, sorry.)

One Notre Dame fan speculates about Jake Locker: "He's very involved with the community and helps cancer patients, which seems like a perfect smoke screen for a defrosted Nazi supersoldier ready to entrance the minds and hearts of America with his goodness, only to turn that cache of adoration into a potential new fascist superpower, like in that Lois and Clark episode. Jake Locker: All-American guy with a heart of pure, unadulterated evil, and we don't even have Dean Cain to protect us."

Nate Robinson's hosting a basketball camp on Mercer Island from July 29-Aug 1. He hosted one last year near NYC, which I of course had some fun with. God knows we all love Nate Robinson, but unless you are as strong as an ox and have a 42-inch vertical, emulating his game is probably a bad idea.

Your Chance to Establish Sounders Cred

2008-07-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

You know how people are always like, "oh, I saw Nirvana play at the OK Hotel with Andy Wood, blah blah." That's annoying, but also, you get a little jealous, because they have grunge cred and you don't.

Today, the Sounders have 16,000 folks on the hook for season tickets. I suspect they'll draw at least 30,000 to their opening game next year. If the team's deep-pocketed ownership group comes through on their promises to make the Sounders a world-class team, they could end up as the most popular franchise in town.

And it will be nice if you can say that you were one of the people who saw them before they were big, back in the USL days.

And if you want that cred, tonight's the night to get it.

The Sounders play in the U.S. Open Cup against MLS club Chivas USA tonight. In the weird way that soccer works, it's probably their biggest game of the season, even though it's not a league game. Winning the U.S. Open Cup would mean more to the Sounders than winning the USL title, if only because the Sounders already have several of those.

If you head to the game, Matt Massey of the Times has written a terrific preview about the matchup to watch: Sounders midfielder Kenji Treschuk vs. Chivas striker Sacha Kljestan.

Says Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer: "Kenji is going to have his hands full tonight. I doubt just physical play is going to be enough. There needs to be some cleverness and a little bit more doggedness ... Kenji will have to be on him [Kljestan] the entire game and wear him down."

Meanwhile, Sounders striker Sebastien Le Toux will be trying to find space against legendary but superannuated Chivas defender Claudio Suarez. Le Toux's speed will work to his advantage here.

The Sounders beat Chivas last year in the U.S. Open Cup, then another MLS team, Colorado, advancing to the semis before losing on penalty kicks.

According to Matthew Gaschk of the P-I, Chivas coach Preki (yes! that Preki!) is bringing his full squad, determined to avoid a repeat of last year's loss.

The Sounders tell me they're expecting a near-capacity crowd--the game is at 7pm at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila (right near where I-5 and 405 intersect), which has grandstand seating on both sides of the field. It should be a fun time.

Shawn Kemp's New Hobby

2008-07-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

Shawn Kemp's greatest moments took mere seconds--those brief moments when he'd transform a fast break or a baseline move into something unforgettable with his amazing power and leaping ability.

But now, Kemp tells the Times' Jerry Brewer, he's interested in a sport where success comes from not from moments of brilliant improvisation, but from hours of repetition.

"I'm actually thinking about running some marathons. My goal is to run the New York City Marathon in about two years. That's a big challenge for me."

It would be an even bigger challenge because of Kemp's height--as much as it worked for him in basketball, it will work against him as a runner.

Says running expert Jim Fortner: "Taller runners are generally at a disadvantage because of weight (body mass)."

Body mass increases exponentially as we get taller, so the taller you are, the more mass you have to move. You're also generating more heat, which your body has to dissipate.

There's some precedent for tall ex-ballers turning into long-distance runners.

Former Rockets center Pete Chilcutt, who matched up against Kemp in the '96 playoffs, has run a few marathons.

Perhaps the two can match up again, in what would be the craziest-looking marathon in history.

People, Things or Entities Who Hit as Many Home Runs as Mariners First Baseman Richie Sexson in June

2008-07-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Me
George Stephanopolous
Glen "Big Baby" Davis
Your social security number
Prof. Dr. Bamir Topi, President of Albania
Lauren Conrad of "The Hills"
~~Felix Hernandez~~
Willie Bloomquist
Mrs. Newingham's third grade class at Hill Elementary School in Troy, Michigan.
The banana chip I just ate
Alf

Note: Sexson was briefly on pace to have one of the greatest "two true outcomes" (that's homer or strikeout) seasons of all-time. I wrote about it in the magazine--click here to see the e-version then go to page 31.

July Issue of Sports Northwest

2008-07-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

The July issue is looking for you with a cover story about kiteboarding, the previously scary sport that's now so much safer even I'm thinking about trying it.

You can read an e-version of the mag here.

Also in the magazine:

--Geoff Baker asks and answers one of the pressing questions of this Mariners season: Do Managers Matter?

--Local pro cyclist Tyler Farrar submits to one of the most rigorous drug testing regimens in sports, along with his cycling team, Garmin. Can cycling clean itself up?

-- KJR's Gasman thinks the hydro races need more hype--he gets some ideas from Chip Hanauer and Pat O'Day.

-- The Fish interviews new Seahawk T.J. Duckett.

-- With Dave Niehaus set to finally enter the Hall of Fame this month, Dave Grosby shares his favorite Niehaus moments.

-- Speaking of Mariner voices, meet Tom Hutyler, the underappreciated (in my view) P.A. voice of Safeco Field. He's featured in Walk-Off.

-- A new section, "Game On," that's more sports/lifestyley--we've got a Q&A with a surfboard sculptor, info on destinations like the Gorge Games and Evel Knievel Days, fashion, nearby hikes, and other good stuff.

In case you missed it, we're offering a free trial subscription--if you want one, send your name and address to freetrial@sportsnwmag.com. You don't have to give a credit card or anything.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-07-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

Felix Hernandez goes on the 15-day DL--it's retroactive to that Mets game, so he could come off July 9. Cesar Jimenez, who pitched in four games for the M's in '06, takes Hernandez' spot on the roster. Jimenez has a 47/8 K/BB ratio and a 3.55 ERA in 29 games--all in relief--with the Rainiers ...

R.A. Dickey pitched into the seventh inning for the second consecutive game, but the M's got only four hits off Roy Halladay and lost 2-0. Jeff Clement had it especially tough, striking out looking three times. The AP got a pretty rad picture of Dickey, showing his scream as he releases the ball. ...

The M's are going starter-by-committee for today's game, with Ryan Rowland-Smith first to the hill. After Rowland-Smith, it's "Johnny Wholestaff", according to the old joke that Mel Stottlemyre told Dave Sims. It's no joke to Rowland-Smith, writes Gary Washburn. Rowland-Smith wants to be a starting pitcher, and this'll be his first career start. ...

The M's like playing for Jim Riggleman, writes Jim Moore, citing his hard-nosed attitude and open communication. ...

Junior had a pinch-hit, walk-off homer last night to lift the Reds over the Cubs. Here's the video, featuring that classic Griffey swing. ...

Homeless ex-NBAer Joe Pace is homeless no more, as the NBA retired players association Legends of Basketball found him low-income housing, writes Dan Raley. Pace will also volunteer as a coach for the Ingraham boys' basketball team. Pace's situation had been written about by Raley in May, and by Mike Seely of the Seattle Weekly last August. (Back in August, Pace did have an apartment.) ...

Don't try to handicap the Sonics case based on who the judge was more of a hard-ass to, writes Greg Johns in an interesting recap of the case: "Sometimes judges will actually ask more questions of the side they're favoring, looking for the attorney to help fill in the gaps on any uncertainties before writing their decisions. Or judges ask more questions because they are troubled by one party's position and want to explore holes in their case." ...

If you, like my friend Kristin, are one of the people who didn't get to run the Seafair marathon because of poor planning by race organizers (they ran out of shuttle buses, and 5,000 people didn't get to the starting line on time), you won't get your money back, writes Sara Jean Green. You will be able to run next year's race for free, and they're donating half of your race fee to charity. ...

Former Husky RB Shelton Sampson is still hoping for an NFL career, writes Sandy Ringer--he's playing semipro ball for the Seattle Stallions. ...

Recent US citizen and former Wazzu runner Bernard Lagat won the 5000m at the US Olympic Trials. Two Oregon runners qualified in the 800 meters. Also, Kara Patterson of Vancouver, WA, won the women's javelin. Here's the AP wrapup. ...

Megan (Quann) Jendrick, of Tacoma, and Tara Kirk, of Bremerton, had the second and third best qualifying times in the 100-meter breaststroke at the US Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha. They'll race tonight. Rebecca Soni was the fastest in qualifying. Only two swimmers will make it to the Olympics. The trials will be shown on tape delay on USA Network at 8pm. ...

There was some question whether Metro shuttles to Mariner games would continue, thanks to some retarded "pro-business" regulation enacted by the Bush Administration. However, the officials in charge decided to let Metro continue the service, writes Susan Gilmore. ...

YouTube Nostalgia of the Day: Walton vs. Abdul-Jabbar

2008-06-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Again, we have a foreign language backdrop to this US TV footage of the 1977 Western Conference Finals.

The clip shown here features nine minutes of Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar locked up against each other on both sides of the court.

Shaun Alexander: Blackballed Because He Loves Jesus?

2008-06-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

It's not that hard to get a job--hell, even Brownie's got one--but Shaun Alexander, less than three years removed from being the NFL's MVP, is unemployed.

How can this be? Shannon J. Owens of the Orlando Sentinel thinks Alexander's religious fervor may be the reason. She writes:

Alexander said his critics, at times, have drawn wrong conclusions about his relationship with football because of his faith.

"Because I don't carry a football around everywhere I am, it kind of throws people off. They're never really sure," Alexander said. "I've never made football my identity, and that's where God has graced me."

Owens has a larger point here, which is that athletes get criticized for not being serious about their sport when they have outside interests--like Jason Taylor and his dancing, or Serena Williams and her designing, or PacMan Jones and his strippers.

Mike Sando of ESPN isn't buying it. Alexander's faith isn't keeping GMs away, writes Sando, it's more that Alexander "is almost 31 years old and coming off two down seasons. Alexander also has questionable appeal as a backup because he doesn't excel on third down and he doesn't play special teams."

Being outspoken about religion didn't stop Reggie White from playing fifteen NFL seasons, nor have other openly religious players like Andy Pettitte or David Robinson faced discrimination.

Besides, if no NFL teams want to sign Alexander, I'm sure it's all part of God's plan.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-29T10:01:00.001-07:00

The Mariners had 39 hits--18 on Sunday in a game Jake Peavy started--in a three game sweep of the Padres. Jose Vidro started at first in the last two games, increasing speculation that Suddenly Singles Sexson (1 XBH in June) will be released. Bedard and Morrow both pitched well in the series.

The Mariners won't have a traditional starter on Tuesday, Riggsie will mix and match relievers instead, writes David Andriesen.

M's prospect watcher Jason Churchill updates his top ten Mariner prospects.

M's prospect Michael Saunders (#5 on Churchill's list) is now up at Tacoma. The 21-year-old was 6 for his first 13. A BC native, he'll play for Canada in the Beijing Olympics, writes John McGrath.

USS Mariner breaks down the trade value of the M's roster, and comes to the surprising conclusion that the time may be ripe to trade Felix Hernandez.

The Storm tightened up their D, writes Jayda Evans, and held Washington to just 49 points, winning only their second game in their past six. Storm attendance hasn't been what ownership hoped for--at 7,591, it's the lowest since '03. Still, 7,591 is nothing to sniff at, and it'll pick up once the team gets into the playoff push.

The Storm cut rookie PG Kimberly Beck--big mistake in my view, as Beck was the only player on the roster with disruptive speed on the court.

Shawn Kemp to the Times' Jerry Brewer on Sonics' ownership: "They can't complain about a new arena because they're not winning enough games, period. They need to put up or shut up. When I got into the NBA, the thing of it was, if you won, you got a new arena. But if you lost, you had to work to get the arena. You can't be a losing team and get a new arena. That's not fair. That's not fair! That's how I see it."

The Sonics made a $3.6 million qualifying offer to Robert Swift, reports Percy Allen. The Supes will also be able to match any offer from another team. I ask the question again: What aspect of basketball is Robert Swift good at?

Joel Smith won't play for the Huskies next year, reports Bob Condotta, which answers the question of how the Dawgs were going to get under their scholarship limit. Smith, who has one year of eligibility left, did get his degree. Condotta also says another change--an addition--may be forthcoming.

Kim Grinolds reports on the Dawgman messageboard (subs.) that Jamaal Williams will be in camp with Miami.

J.R. Hasty and Jordan Murchison are off the football team for good, writes Condotta. Hasty, you'll remember, holds the Washington state high school record for rushing TDs in a season, and was recruited to UW the same year Jonathan Stewart went to Oregon. They've gone in different directions, huh?

Derrick Low has an invitation to play on the Dallas Mavericks' summer league team, reports the Honolulu Advertiser via Stadium Way.

Seahawks blog Dave Krieg's Strike Beard names the top-ten single season performances of all-time by a Seahawk.

Former Hawks special teamer Isaiah Kacyvenski is still looking for a path back to the NFL after suffering a knee injury in Raiders' camp last year, reports his hometown upstate NY paper, via Seahawks Addicts.

Renton High and UW grad Aretha (Hill) Thurmond qualified for her third Olympics in the discus. Another former Husky, Brad Walker, whose expected to be a medal contender in Beijing, qualified in the pole vault.

The Times put together a nice list of locals who are trying to qualify for the Olympics at the U.S. Track and Field trials in Eugene.

OSU football recruit Jordan Bishop put on an impressive show at an all-star game over the weekend.

Bellingham will host the International Basketball League championship game on July 19 after beating Vancouver in the Western Conference finals yesterday.

A Kenyan man and Oregon woman were the winners, respectively, of yesterday's Seafair marathon.

King Felix Named "Most Dominant Starter"

2008-06-27T13:44:00.001-07:00

ESPN's Buster Olney polled 25 baseball players, scouts and execs asking them to name the five most dominant starters in baseball. The winner: Our King Felix, who was named on 16 ballots.

Writes Olney: "He has pitched well this season and early in his career, but there is a still a sense that he has much more to offer as he gains consistency. He has 95 strikeouts in 107.2 innings, with a 2.83 ERA."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe "most dominant" was an idea popularized by Shaquille O'Neal, who would call himself the "MDP" when he kept getting slighted for MVP awards (even though he was clearly the top player in the league).

But, I digress from the main point, which is:

GOD BLESS KING FELIX! LONG MAY HE REIGN!

How the Mock Drafters Did

2008-06-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Dave Niehaus' First Visit to Cooperstown

2008-06-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow at 6pm, before FSN's telecast of the M's/San Diego game, they'll debut the program Niehaus: My first trip to Cooperstown. The M's play-by-play legend hadn't been to the Baseball Hall of Fame until the M's trip to NYC in May.

I saw a trailer-like sneak preview--it looks like Niehaus will basically be your tour guide through the BHOF, which is pretty awesome.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

First, the litigation news. The Seattle v. Bennett trial is over. Judge Marsha Pechman says she'll post her decision on the Internet at 4pm Wednesday.

DRAFT! Crazy! I live-blogged the first 33 picks, but there were so many trades I find myself pining for a simple explanation of what happened. So here it is (thanks for the idea and the PDX info, BlazersEdge):

Sonics acquire: Russell Westbrook, G, UCLA; D.J. White, C, Indiana; Serge Ibaka, C, Congo; Devon Hardin, C, Cal.

Sonics lose: Nobody

Presti on Westbrook: "Russell Westbrook is, in our opinion, the best perimeter defender in the draft. We had him targeted from early in the year. He is a competitor, and he is the ultimate teammate."

Blazers acquire: Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona; Ike Diogu, F, Pacers; Nicolas Batum, F, France.

Blazers lose: Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts.

The Blazers had Bayless #4 on their draft chart, reports Joe Freeman.

Interesting--I suspect Bayless and Westbrook will always be measured against one another--they'll likely play in the same division for a long time.

So the Blazers' top seven are, in no particular order: Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless, Ike Diogu, Travis Outlaw. Yeah, that'll work.

If you want detailed info on how this all went down, I recommend BlazersEdge or Sonics Insider. here are all the draft day trades from ESPN.

If you haven't heard, the Timberwolves and Grizzlies made a post-draft trade swapping Mayo and Love; a bunch of other players were involved as well--here are the details.

Both Malik Hairston and Marty Leunen were drafted. Seven Pac-10 players were taken in the first round and ~~eleven~~ twelve overall. Here's the full draft board.

There was another draft happening yesterday--the CHL import draft. The T-Birds, who are trying to make a good impression in their first year in Kent next season, drafted two players and made a trade to pick up two more. The T-Birds first round pick was Stefan Warg, a Swedish defenseman who was a 5th-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks.

Larry Stone profiles M's interim GM Lee Pelekoudas, whose father was a major league umpire, and who began with the M's as traveling secretary.

Sign of the apocalypse: Lookout Landing argues that Willie Bloomquist deserves more playing time.

Former Issaquah hoops coach Jeff Patrick is the new head man at Juanita. He quit Issaquah after last season, citing the long commute from his home (near Juanita) as the reason.

Former UW Husky golfer Louise Friberg is two shots off the lead after the first round of the U.S. Womens Open.

The opponent for Gonzaga's annual Battle in Seattle is set: UConn. Awesome! They'll play December 20 at KeyArena.

Darryl Tapp is a humble hard worker from a strong family, writes Tom Robinson in Tapp's hometown paper. When he goes home, he sleeps on the couch. [HT: Seahawks Addicts]

2008 NBA Draft Live Blog

2008-06-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

I'm here a little later than I'd like because our toilet is broken and I had to run to the hardware store to get the part to fix it--I actually did manage to fix it, much to my surprise. Here we go!

4:30 Ah, sweet schaudenfraude, as David Stern is getting booed and heckled visciously.

4:37 Derrick Rose to the Bulls. According to Stuart Scott, his nickname is "Pooh." Yeah, that's great. All the casual basketball fans who take two hours out of a summer afternoon to watch the draft really wanted to know that.

Now they're showing highlights from Derrick Rose in high school, hitting the winning shot in the state title game, in overtime. But I look at the score--31 to 29. 31-29? Either Illinois state basketball play two minute quarters, or it's the most boring basketball in history.

My roommate David as Rose's mom is interviewed: "I think it's safe to say that the only think Derrick Rose and I have in common is that our mothers have the same name."

4:42 Michael Beasley to the Heat.

4:44 ESPN shows the Heat roster which includes, at point guard, "Jason Williams (unrestricted free agent)"

Me: They've gotta sign Jason Williams, he's the linchpin of that team.

David: I'm sure he's calling his agent every five minutes. "Any offers yet?"

4:46 My friend Frank argues that Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley look a little bit alike. As Obama voters, we are afraid to answer.

Meanwhile, ESPN is running a poll asking "what grade to you give the Heat's pick." WTF?

4:48 OJ Mayo to the Heat. Stu Scott: "For the first time ever, freshman have gone 1-2-3." And Minneapolis headline writers begin an three year battle against using easy sandwich puns. These interviews with Stephen A. Smith are great--he really did his research--and his research led to him asking every player variations on the exact same question: "What do you think you can bring to the Heat."

Wait--no interview with O.J. Mayo's mom? What gives? Stu Scott: "Dwayne Wade, Shaun Marion, Michael Beasley--that's quite a threesome." Not exactly my taste, but whatever.

"Sonics" on the clock!

4:54 Russell Westbrook to the Sonics. "I feel like a ghost--is it my team, or not my team? Should I be upset? Or not care." I don't like this pick one bit. How do you take a guy #4 in the draft who wasn't the best player on his own team?

Doris Burke with Kevin Durant, who says of Westbrook: "He's a great defender, and a great guy to be around I've heard."

4:59 Kevin Love to Memphis, and Frank says he doesn't like the pick because Love isn't that good an athlete. I don't really buy that, he's plenty athletic, and he'll start so many fast breaks to help the rest of the team. Meanwhile, Memphis fans' two best players are "Love" and "Gay." Not a lot to like in the replica jersey world.

5:06 Danilo Gallinari , welcome to New York! He's being roundly booed (a few cheers). Stu Scott: "Remember, his dad, Vito, played professional ball in Italy with Mike D'Antoni." Oh--I'd forgot! Fran Frischilla: "I told Gallinari two weeks ago, he'd be booed." Gallinari, who'll be getting passes from Nate Robinson (maybe) has already played with a former Husky--Will Conroy was on Gallinari's Italian League team, Armani Jeans Milano, briefly last year.

Stephen Smith asks Gallinari to speak directly to Knicks fans: "I will try to help the team." Even guys from Italy know to say that. A parrot could conduct an interview with Stephen A.

Jay Bilas says Gallinari is "not laterally good." What the fuck? You take a guy to play basketball who's "not laterally good?" What is basketball other than lateral movement? I repeat: If Marcellus Kemp was from Congo, he's be a #1 pick with tremendous upside.

5:12 Eric Gordon to the Clippers. You know he's thinking "can I go back to college?" That's one hell of a white suit, though. Jay Bilas talks about him like he's Dale Ellis--can't dribble or pass, turns the ball over too much.

5:15 They're showing Gallinari highlights, and I'm starting to come around--they show him doing an up and under move, taking contact, and finishing with a left-handed scoop. Pretty hamn imp

5:17 Joe Alexander to Milwaukee. I feel like this is the trendy pick. Alexander looked good at #13, but up here? I'm not so sure. Bilas: "He works really hard and he wants to be good." Oh, ok then.

5:24 D.J. Augustin to the Hornets.

5:25 We're talking about the Westbrook pick, as my roommate Jason came back.

Me: "How can you take a guy who wasn't the best player on his team?"

Jason: "The Sonics don't need a guy who's the best player on their team."

True enough. Everyone says he's a great defender--he was great in COLLEGE. And I feel like great defenders aren't hard to find--if the Sonics want a great defender, why don't they just grab Bobby Jones?

5:29 Brook Lopez to the Nets. Yi and Brook Lopez on the blocks...

David texts: "What if they picked the wrong one?"

5:34 Jerryd Bayless to the Pacers. He's also wearing a white suit. They show a highlight of Bayless driving around Russell Westbrook like Westbrook isn't even there.

5:37 With Portland coming up next, I check their salary situation. Check out their top three salaries for next season. Yikes.

5:40 Jason Thompson to Sacramento, the first guy picked who isn't at the draft. "Nothing spectacular about his game, he's just solid," says Jay Bilas. Bilas says Thompson grew up playing guard. Mark Jackson wonders why you take this guy when you already have Spencer Hawes.

5:42 Stu Scott attempts a joke that falls flatter than any joke I've ever heard before. "Jason Thompson wants to be a television anchor when he gets out of college...in related news, Thompson will be hosting the second round of the draft here on ESPN..." Problems with that joke: 1) Long, nonsensical setup (obviously he's not going to be an anchor if he's a first round draft pick). 2) Use of hackneyed "in related news" segue (you may as well say "and here comes a joke I just thought of") 3) Non-funny punchline. Humor depends on surprise, and, really, would it surprise anyone if ESPN did pick some random college draftee to host the draft? Or some random college draftees' mom?

5:46 Brandon Rush to the Blazers. Like Blazers' GM Kevin Pritchard, a former Kansas guard. A 6-6, 210 guard in the backcourt with Brandon Roy? Good luck penetrating, guys. "Your only question with him is his assertiveness." Now that's a weakness I can deal with, as opposed to "bad lateral movement." Besides, who the hell needs assertiveness when you have Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, and Travis Outlaw.

Andy Katz says Reggie Theus told him they picked Jason Thompson because "we desperately need help around the basket." I assume that means they're going to make Spencer Hawes a guard?

5:50 Anthony Randolph to Golden State. He's the only guy in the S.A.S. interviews who says anything interesting. Smith asks whether his strength will be a problem, he says "Watch my film. I guarded the biggest strongest guy on every team." Then Stu Scott repeats the same thing.

5:53 Dick Vitale hates the Russell Westbrook pick. "I think they're really gonna regret taking Kevin Love." Now he's comparing Gallinari to Darko Mlicic. "They bypassed on guys like Bayless, Augustine, Brook Lopez, guys who can really play." I find myself nodding along with Dick Vitale...I'm a little terrified.

5:56 Robin Lopez to the Suns. As I was telling my roommate earlier, knowing that his brother has the exact same DNA, and isn't as good, doesn't that give you pause--that a guy just obviously didn't work hard enough on his game to be as good as his exact copy? Jeff Van Gundy: "This pick shows you a shift in philosophy by Steve Kerr--going to more defensive-oriented players to give their team more balance."

6:02 Marreese Speights to the Pacers. "He did not dominate anybody in the SEC, but he didn't get dominated either." Scott on Speights: "He shot 62% from the field, that's ninth in the NBA." The NBA? Stu sounds tired. I hate to keep railing on him, but he's been terrible.

6:05 An ad for some new Eddie Murphy movie called Meet Dave, where Eddie plays, apparently, a miniature person who lives in his own body. There's a scene where they stand--chuckle, chuckle, under a FIRE HYDRANT! Guess what happens when a dog comes by!!! It's called a "family comedy" which apparently means that it's "terrible."

6:07 Roy Hibbert to Toronto, though he'll probably end up in Indiana.

6:08 They show Darrell Arthur, the only guy left in the green room. "Is he nervous?" asks Stu Scott, as we see Arthur rocking back and forth, demolishing a piece of gum, like a larger, better-dressed version of Leo Mazzone. Yeah, I'd say he's nervous.

6:11 They just showed Brook Lopez "wired." Just as the Nets are about to pick him, he asks his agent, "who's the management at the Nets." The agent tells him, finishing with "their coach is Lawrence Frank." Says Lopez "their coach is Lawrence Frank?" I guess Lopez isn't much of a basketball fan.

6:13 JeVale McGee to the Wizards. Based entirely on my overwhelming bias for Garfield players, I feel confident in saying that Washington picked the wrong Nevada Wolfpack. Stu tells us that McGee's mom used to play in the WNBA.

6:14 A Blazers trade! Ike Diogu and Jarryd Bayless to Portland for Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush! So Bayless is the Blazers' point guard. Nice! The Pacers, according to Mark Jackson, "Get Jarrett Jack, a veteran, so you know what you're gonna get." Yeah, a mistake-prone guard who can't shoot!

6:16 Brandon Rush, still wearing his Portland hat, says that he likes Indiana because they have a more defensive-minded coach. Stu points out that Kareem, Brandon's brother, also plays for the Pacers. I can't think of a time when two brothers who played on the same NBA team...(I'm probably forgetting some very obvious team).

6:19 J.J. Hickson to the Cavs. According to Stu Scott we've broken the record for most freshman selected in a draft.

6:25 A break to get some water--no beer in the fridge, apparently I said we shouldn't drink in the house anymore.

6:26 Alexis Ajinca to the Hornets. He is so long and skinny, he looks like Frankenstein. Fran Frischilla thinks he should stay in Europe for a couple of years. Huh.

6:27 Ric Bucher says Josh McRoberts also goes to Indiana. Andy Katz is talking to Jerryd Bayless, who thinks that Portland just needs a few pieces.

6:31 The scene at Darrell Arthur's table is terrible. Nobody's talking to each other, some kid is actually asleep, everyone looks miserable.

6:32 Ryan Anderson to the Nets! That's the eighth Pac-10 guy picked!

6:34 Courtney Lee to the Magic. Jeff Van Gundy was just saying that the Magic need guard help, and here he is. Bonus in the footage--the Western Kentucky mascot appears.

6:38 I think Kiki Vandeweighe just said that if you look at the stats, Yi is one of the best shooters. He shot 42% last year. Hrm.

6:41 Kosta Koufos to the Jazz, and now the Sonics are on the clock!

6:43 A new Mr. Bill "Priceless" ad that's pretty funny; but how many people under 30 know who Mr. Bill is?

6:46 Stu Scott mentions what I'd completely forgotten, which is that the Sonics got this pick, along with Kurt Thomas, from the Suns. Nice! The Sonics are taking a long time to pick, Stuart Scott has to improvise, and starts displaying how woefully uninformed he is about the Sonics situation. "Some people in Seattle want them to stay there, the vote was actually going to happen tonight." Huh? Vote? What is he talking about? The court case ended tonight, but vote?

6:49 Serge Ibaka to the Sonics. "Forget this name for about three or four years. He is one of the most athletic players in this draft." So this is about stockpiling talent that might be good someday, like the Blazers do. Apparently Ibaka has 17 brothers and sisters.

Nathaniel Friedman of FreeDarko saw Ibaka at Nike Hoop Summit, and has this to say: "I'm in love with the guy. But his agent told team not to draft him first round. Ibaka is an athletic freak who has been coached some and cares about learning."

6:58 Ric Bucher reports that no-one's picking Darrell Arthur because of a kidney problem discovered in workouts.

6:58 Mike D'Antoni talking about the Gallinari pick. On why they didn't take a point guard: "Point guards a hard position...we were drafting on potential, and we think he has the potential to be a star."

7:00 George Hill of IUPUI to San Antonio. Never doubt the Spurs. Stu Scott says he (Hill) has 3% body fat...is that even possible?

BLAZERS ON THE CLOCK! (ESPN shows the pick as New Orleans' but Portland bought this pick.)

7:05 Darrell Arthur! to the Blazers. Maybe out of the goodness of their hearts? And he gets a standing ovation. Blazers have got to be happy about getting a talent like this that late in the draft...and all because of some kidney problem that Bill Self says isn't even a problem.

7:11 Doris Burke interviews Darrell Arthur's mom, and asks one of those long-winded "I'm now asking a very important question" questions, and Mama Arthur doesn't understand what she's saying.

OKAY, that's quite enough of this. Time to eat!

7:41 Back now, with the Sonics on the clock, and the Blazers next.

7:41 Aw hell, not really, this pick is for Detroit, who traded #29 pick D.J. White to the Sonics in exchange for this pick and the #46 pick. White, a 6-9, 251lb. forward, averaged a double-double as a Big-10 post player last year, no small feat. He also shot 60.5%, 13th-best in the NBA.

Blazers on the clock!

7:44 Joey Dorsey to the Blazers. And his mom (or somebody) starts screaming. Dorsey looks angry. Bilas "He doesn't have an NBA body, he has an NFL body...he can rebound." That's something the Blazers need--rebounding--for sure.

Blazers again in a couple of picks.

7:51 DeAndre Jordan finally gets picked, going to the Clippers. An ESPN clip shows him abusing Jon Brockman. Jordan had 8 points and 11 boards against the Dawgs last November, right there at MSG.

BLAZERS ON THE CLOCK!

7:58 Omer Asik to the Blazers. Hollinger's stats projected him as a first-round pick--Frischilla says this guy is going to sign a five-year deal with a Turkish team, so the soonest he'd put on a Blazers' uniform is 2013? Is that right? Wow. Well, it worked with Sabonis...

8:00 Kyle Weaver to the Bobcats! "His greatest strength is as a defender...he's a specialist...really love his defensive ability." Just wondering--how is Weaver that much different than Russell Westbrook? I guess Westbrook is younger, and more athletic, but Weaver is longer, and maybe just as good of a defender.

Sonics don't pick again until #50, so I'm done. Night, night!

YouTube Nostalgia of the Day: Mario Bailey Frankfurt Tribute Video

2008-06-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

This actually made me a little emotional: all the great football plays that Mario Bailey made in the World League, set to a stirring score...and the whole time I'm watching it, I'm thinking "Yeah, he made all these amazing plays...but nobody cared."

Actually, at least one person cared--the person that made this video. WHY DID MARIO BAILEY NEVER GET IN THE NFL??? Ok, I know why, but I'm still calling bullshit. Anyway, here's the video.

Free Trial Subscription to Sports Northwest Mag

2008-06-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Hey--wanted to let everyone know that we're offering a limited number of free trial subscriptions to the magazine I'm editor of, Sports Northwest.

You don't have to provide a credit card # or anything like that, just send your name and address to:

freetrial@sportsnwmag.com

If you have any friends who you think might like the magazine, let them know. Or, hell, just send their address along with yours, it'll be like a gift subscription.

The trial will begin with the July issue, which we're supposed to get back from the printer today, and which I think is the best one yet.

Ok, back to refreshing ESPN's draft page.

Mock Draft Jamboree

2008-06-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize until this morning that, between the Sonics and Blazers, Northwest teams have eleven picks in this draft. That's more than 1/6th of the picks! Should be a fun afternoon.

Here's a chart I made showing what various mock drafters think will happen:

(I guess I was reaching by including Garfield's Marcelus Kemp--he went to some pre-draft workouts, but nobody thinks he's going to get picked. Though I'm sure if he pretended he was French or Congolese, he'd be in the top ten. (This is why you can't make me an NBA GM--I'd pick all Garfield guys and former Huskies...you'd have Anthony Washington as your starting center for sure.))

Looks like Brook Lopez is the consensus pick for the Sonics. As SonicsCentral points out, it's not a sexy pick, but, then again, Lopez' NBA doppelganger is Tim Duncan, so you can see former Spurs dude Sam Presti wanting him in the fold. Also, Lopez is pretty goddamn good, carrying a talentless Stanford team to a 2nd-place finish in the toughest conference maybe ever, and nearly to the Final Four.

The draft begins at 4pm.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Thierry Henry, in NYC for a charity soccer match, says he'd like to play in MLS someday.

Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard is so involved in trade talks that he goes through three cell-phone batteries a day, writes Jason Quick, in a must-read insider profile of the dealingest GM in the NBA as draft day nears. Paul Allen respects Pritchard's instinct for players, saying he has "the Golden Gut." (Pritchard lobbied hard for the Blazers to select Chris Paul in the '05 draft, but he was overruled by the GM at the time, and the Blazers took Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack instead. Whoops!)

That sound you're hearing is the world's tiniest violin, playing just for Miguel Batista, whose return to the starting rotation ended after 8 R in 2.2 IP. After the game he told ~~Geoff Baker~~ Larry Stone: "I have to make sure I get myself healthy before I go out there again, because I'm the only guy trying to pitch through it. Everybody else, every time they feel pain, they go on the DL, or they take a rest, and I haven't." Felix Hernandez is unlikely to make his next start, and Putz probably won't pitch until the All-Star break. Bedard will likely pitch on Sunday, when Felix would've.

Chris Paul to the Clay Bennett-owned Oklahoman on the Sonics situation: "It was on the news the night before last. I think I saw Gary Payton there and stuff like that. Me, I actually kind of hope the Sonics come here because it would give me an opportunity to come back to the city. Hopefully we’ll play them twice a year here in Oklahoma City."

Also in the Clay Bennett-owned Oklahoman, this completely inaccurate headline: No NBA Draft party in Seattle. Actually, Jeff Green is hosting a party at Fox Sports Grill. Ain't freedom of the press great? God, Oklahoma is like a third-world country.

It's the last day of the Sonics' trial, with Nick Licata and Tim Ceis scheduled to testify.

Eight Pac-10 players could go in today's first round, which would demolish the old record of five (ACC, 2005), writes Percy Allen. All the fairweather season-ticket holders who didn't show up for Husky games last year missed a great show.

Ryan Appleby is evidently impressing European scouts in a showcase, writes Bob Condotta.

The Seattle T-Birds released their exhibition schedule, which begins with the Everett Silvertips Preseason Tournament at the Everett Events Center, August 29.

YouTube Nostalgia of the Day: Ken Griffey Jr. Bitches Out Japanese Ump After Kaz Sasaki Strikes Him Out

2008-06-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

During an MLB all-star tour in 1992, Ken Griffey Jr. was up against Kaz Sasaki.

Can You Believe It? The Mariners' Final Game at Shea Stadium?

2008-06-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, the wrecking ball will demolish many Mariner memories. Not really. The M's have played just two series at Shea. Though, after yesterday's blowout, they've outscored the Mets 38-6 in games at Shea.

I'm not going to bother to check, but I'd imagine it's the only park at which the M's have six times the runs as their host.

Since there aren't many Mariner memories at Shea (except Felix's homer! YAY!), so you're going to have to bear with mine.

I went to NYU (Class of '98! Boo-ya!) and then lived in NYC for five years after that. So I had occasion to hit Shea up many times.

My first game there was the Mets' '95 home opener, their first home game after the strike. I'd bought tickets for that game before the strike had ended, back when there was still the possibility of replacement players. Suffice it to say they were pretty good seats, to what ended up being a complete shit show. About six different times, fans ran onto the field, including two guys wearing t-shirts that said "Greed", who threw a bunch of slips of paper on the field which I later learned was actual money.

I soon learned how tough NY fans could be on their own players (that's not a stereotype, it's true). Once when John Franco came in to try to finish a game that his bullpen mates had nearly blown, two fans behind me speculated that Franco had told them to pitch badly "so he could get the save." Interesting.

Not sure if this is still true, but back then you could sit where you wanted if you greased the usher's hand with a little bribe. When he asked to see your tickets, you slipped him a twenty, and he'd put you in seats where (presumably) he knew no one else was using. A nice little system, one that was also in place across the street at Flushing Meadows for the U.S. Open.

(Speaking of the U.S. Open--you get off at the same subway stop for both, and it was fun to play a game on the 7 train on the way out "Tennis or Mets fan." It was a pretty easy game, actually.)

I'd adopted the Mets as my New York team, for obvious reasons. When they added local boy John Olerud, that cemented the bond. For some reason, when Olerud batted, the Mets played "Beast of Burden" by the Stones. I never figured that one out.

In '98, the Mets were in the thick of the pennant race with newly-acquired Mike Piazza and Bobby Valentine's six-man rotation, necessitated by a selection of pitchers that were either too old or too used to bullpen work to go deep into games every fifth day.

This is where I began to cultivate my deep and abiding love for Bobby Valentine, who I fervently hope will be the M's next manager. Valentine isn't afraid to do the unexpected, and that six-man rotation kept the Mets in a pennant race both in '98 and '99--resting arms for the September push.

Valentine also got the 2000 Mets to the World Series by having a sixth sense for getting the most out of his players. The Mets' outfield for that postseason was Timo Perez, Jay Payton, and Benny Agbayani. How he coaxed an NL championship from those guys is beyond me (though certainly Mike Piazza helped).

That year I had season tickets--down the leftfield line, in the second row. Best tickets I've ever had for anything, even though the $30/game ticket price stretched my budget to the breaking point. Past the breaking point, actually--that was the summer I was regularly putting groceries on my credit card...I was paying for those Mets tickets for years and years afterwards.

I saw my first and only World Series game that year, which, like the epic 1946 game seven, featured a pre-game appearance by The Baja Men.

During the 2000 postseason, the Mets installed two rows of "temporary" seats in front of the leftfield wall. The next year, those seats were still there--and the Mets raised ticket prices to $37/game. I cancelled and bought tickets to the A-Ball Brooklyn Cyclones on Coney Island--about which, thanks to the patronage of my friend and future USS Mariner founder Jason Michael Barker, I wrote my first published sports article.

After describing the very cheap Cyclones' ticket prices ($10 for the best seats, compared to $1600 for a Knicks' game courtside) typical pre-game meal (Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs) and view (the Atlantic Ocean) at the Cyclones' park, I seemed to have it in for Shea Stadium a bit: "You can't even get in to Shea Stadium for 10 bucks. Shea Stadium -- where the seats mostly point away from home plate, where the only pre-game dining spot within walking distance is the hot dog stand in the parking lot, and where the most compelling visual beyond the outfield fence is a giant U-HAUL rental center."

One Mets game I did attend in 2001 was one of the most memorable events of my life--the first baseball game in New York City after 9/11. It was VERY dusty that day at Shea, even as Liza Minnelli stumbled through her lipsync of "New York, New York." Lots of NYFD gear everywhere. Mike Piazza hit a two-run homer in the eighth to give the Mets the lead, and I don't think I've ever heard it louder, anywhere. We all needed that emotional release.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

The Sounders shitcanned lower-division Hollywood United 6-0, whose tiny fan contingent were reduced to shouting "Pearl Jam sucks" as their team was eviscerated. Sebastian Le Toux scored four goals--he was able to dribble at will inside the goal box to get open shots. "I missed some opportunities, but I'm happy with four goals tonight," Le Toux told Matthew Gaschk. Tickets for the Sounders' third-round U.S. Open Cup game, which will be next Tuesday at Starfire at 7pm, go on sale at Ticketmaster today at 10:30 am. $17 now, $20 at the gate (though, if you consider Ticketmaster's fees, you're better off buying at the gate).

Candace Parker had 22 and 11 as the Sparks killed the Storm, 76-62. The Storm gave up 17 offensive rebounds. "Seventeen offensive rebounds is border line of what people get defensively," Tanisha Wright told Jayda Evans. It was the sixth consecutive road loss for the Storm, who dropped to 8-7 on the year. Their next game is Sunday at 6pm, vs. Washington.

SupersonicSoul rates the best and worst Sonics draft picks. Rumor has it that Beasley could fall to the Sonics at #4, writes Percy Allen. There's also the possibility that the Sonics trade up.

Both Chad Ford and NBAdraft.net have the Sonics taking Russell Westbrook. Sorry, but I don't see how you take a guy there who wasn't even the best player on his college team.

Sam Presti held a press conference yesterday, and TNT's Eric Williams has a partial transcript.

Here's Presti on working during the trial, which, coincidentally, writes Percy Allen, will conclude at the same time as the draft starts (4pm tomorrow): "It's not as if we don't know that's going on or pretend that's not going on. We understand that it's there, but as professionals and as leaders we have to be doing our job every day that we're here — to try and improve and get better as a basketball team."

Down in PDX, Paul Allen bought another draft pick, #27 overall. The Blazers, who have 13 men on their roster, now have five picks in the draft. Joe Freeman says the Blazers are considering three options: 1) Trade picks for a veteran; 2) Package their picks to move up; 3) Stand pat.

Chad Ford says the Blazers are very likely to trade their #13 pick, but has them taking French center (noooo!) Alexis Ajinca if they keep it. NBAdraft.net predicts they'll take Robin Lopez.

Here's the Blazers' summer league schedule. All five games will be on Comcast SportsNet.

Some Husky football players are bigger than they were in the spring, writes Bob Condotta. Also from Bob: Will Conroy has accepted an invitation to join the Nets summer league team.

The Cougs scored a big recruit--Xavier Thames, a 6-3 PG out of suburban Sacramento, who's the #19 PG in the country according to Scout.com. Let's hope he works out a little better than the other Xavier.

Speaking of Cougars, Kyle Weaver looks like a lock to get drafted. Chad Ford has him going in the second round to the Sonics, and so does NBAdraft.net.

R.A. Dickey, probably needing a good start to stay in the Mariners' rotation, delivered seven innings of shutout ball.

Dickey got some tips from Tim Wakefield, he told John Hickey: "Wake is a great guy, and he was able to access video on me on his computer. And what he said helped. I was able to implement my pitches in a way that was effective."

Raul Ibanez likes Riggsieball, telling Larry Stone: "I think we've been having better approaches at the plate. There's definitely more energy, the energy that only winning can bring. I've been seeing more intensity on the field. I'm happy with what I've seen."

Whoever loses the Sonics case will also pay most of the legal bills, writes Greg Johns, a tally that could reach millions. For this reason, I suspect that if the city loses, they won't appeal.

The P-I's Dan Raley catches up with former boxing champ Greg Haugen, who's now--get ready to feel old--a grandfather.

YouTube Nostalgia of the Day: Frank Brickowski Tries to Incite Dennis Rodman

2008-06-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

From the 1996 Finals, here's Frank Brickowski trying to get Dennis Rodman to freak out. Rodman doesn't take the bait, and has a very comical way of showing it.

I'm Visiting Lecturer at Every Day Should Be Saturday

2008-06-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

Don't know if you read the college football blog Every Day Should be Saturday. If you don't, you should, if only for their hilarious Friday Corrections and the Photoshop genius of LSUFreek.

They are doing a "Visiting Lecturer" series, where a writer previews his team based on some standard questions. I asked if I could contribute a UW lecture, they agreed, and here it is.

I had fun writing it, and I hope you'll like it (though, based on my stance re: Ty Willingham, I know half of you won't).

Sounders Play Hollywood in US Open Cup

2008-06-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hollywood United is best known for being the team that Anthony LaPaglia and Vinnie Jones play on. But the team the Sounders play tonight in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup isn't that team, sadly.

Instead, they are playing the "Hollywood United First Team," which was assembled from the ashes of a very successful SoCal amateur squad.

Hollywood United's best player is Matt Taylor, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 MLS Superdraft. Like another 2005 fourth overall pick, Cedric Benson, Taylor's career hasn't gone as planned. He suffered through a broken tibia and double hernia surgery; he dropped into the USL and ended up getting released by the Portland Timbers (it was probably quite satisfying for him to beat the Timbers with two penalty kicks in Hollywood's first-round game.)

The celebrity team is Hollywood United's over-30 team. But, the team president is Anthony LaPaglia, so perhaps there will be some star power, however dim, at Starfire tonight.

The Sounders had a terrific run through the U.S. Open Cup last year, defeating MLS teams Chivas USA and Colorado (that last one a 5-0 romp at Qwest) before succumbing in the semifinals to FC Dallas.

Winner of tonight's game will play ~~an as-yet-undetermined opponent~~ Chivas USA [here's the tourney bracket] on July 1.

Sounders vs. Hollywood United, 8pm, Starfire Sports Complex

An Open Question: Where do you watch NFL on Sundays?

2008-06-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

For the August issue of the mag, we're planning a sort-of "best bars to watch NFL on Sundays" guide. So, an open question--where do you/have you watched NFL games?

I'm thinking of places that have Sunday Ticket, for the gamblers and fantasy addicts among us.

If you'd rather not comment, for some reason, please feel free to email me at seth (at) sportsnwmag (dot) com.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

Felix Hernandez provided what will assuredly be the best moment of the M's season last night, when he hit the first grand slam by an American League pitcher in 37 years. It was so unexpected, so sweet, so wonderful, that I'm shoving aside all those obvious "heh--Felix has more homers in June that Richie Sexson" thoughts that are going through my head in favor of remembering the pure joy of the moment. Here it is (Mets broadcast, unfortunately.):

Then Felix got hurt by a Carlos Beltran slide, causing Lookout Landing to go over the edge, and me and my roommate to stop watching the game.

Felix is fine and should make his next start. Morrow is available tonight. Bedard may go on the DL. All from Larry Stone.

Pearl Jam's playing MSG, they dropped by Shea Monday and invited some of the Mariners to go see their show, writes John Hickey.

The Storm face the conference-leading LA Sparks tonight--getting a win will be tough, writes Darren Fessenden.

Gary Washburn looks at what the Sonics might do in the draft. Brook Lopez is prominently mentioned.

Bob Condotta has brief reports on the pro careers of former Husky footballers Charles Frederick, Isaiah Stanback, Marques Tuiasosopo, Dashon Goldston, Stanley Daniels, and Cody Pickett.

Condotta also has some hydro news--the top boat, the Miss Elam Plus, will skip a few early races to conserve resources for a planned exhibition in Dubai, which might hold races at some point. The Miss Elam will race in Seattle, though.

Jeff Graham of the Kitsap Sun talks to Detlef Schrempf, Steve Scheffler and Jim McIlvane about the Sonics possible move. Schrempf: "It doesn't look good. It's not a matter of if they'll leave, but when."

Jim Moore went to the same golf tournament and talked to a few people, including Kato Kaelin, who was paired with John Clayton. Huh?

Juan Garcia tells Molly Yanity his foot feels great, and that his rehab is ahead of schedule.

The Sounders signed former Costa Rican national team player Michael Rodriguez, a defender, for the rest of the year.

TNT's Frank Hughes talks to new QB coach Bill Lazor about working with Matt Hasselbeck. Asks Frank: "Have you ever worked with a player as intellectually combative at Matt?" Says Lazor: "I went to a university where it was highly competitive intellectually. Sometimes dealing with Matt is like my fraternity house, nobody wants to be wrong. But it is fun."

Josh Fields, the M's first round pick, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth as Georgia beat Fresno St. in game 1 of the College World Series Championship. Jason Churchill, the M's Prospect Insider, thinks Fields may not pitch at all in the M's system this year. That game was Fields 36th appearance of the season--but he's only thrown 37 innings.

YouTube Nostalgia of the Day: Leonard Weaver Stiff Arm

2008-06-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

Leonard Weaver may end up being the odd man out in the Hawks' running back equation, but how many men can say they've unleashed a stiff arm like this on an NFL defender...This from that '05 blowout of the Texans on the old Sunday Night Football.

Hernandez vs. Santana II: Highlight of the Year for Two Nations

2008-06-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

The last time the Mariners were this bad, in 2004, we at least had Ichiro's hit record and Edgar's last game to look forward to. This year--what? I mean, we all look forward to Richie Sexson's inevitable release, but what about good things on the field?

Today's game--Hernandez/Santana II--might be it for Mariner Nation.

Meanwhile, in Venezuela, times are better. President Hugo Chavez (right) shares our own president's love of baseball and tendencies toward dictatorship, but seems to have a certain flair Bush lacks for making correct decisions--nationalizing the oil industry seems particularly prescient, now that we're all paying $4.50/gallon for gas.

Since baseball is the national sport, you'd imagine all eyes and ears will be on this game.

King Felix and Johan last met last August 13, at Safeco Field. The match ended in a draw: Santana gave up three runs in seven innings, Felix one run in six. The game was decided by the bullpens--actually, more by Richie Sexson, who hit a walk-off homer to lead off the ninth inning.

Santana is one of only five active (or recently active) pitchers who've won multiple Cy Young awards. Hernandez has also faced Roger Clemens (beat him last September in what now stands as Clemens' 184th and potentially last MLB loss) and Randy Johnson (lost to Big Unit in August '05, it was Felix' 2nd career loss). He hasn't faced Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine.

Of course, the matchup with Santana has a little more significance since both players are from the same country.

If Venezuelans have MLB.com, and you assume they do, this is a game of Ichiro/Dice-K proportions.

Guys Who've Hit Three Dingers vs. M's Pitching

2008-06-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Mark Teixiera became the twelfth player to hit three homers in a game against the Mariners.

Just because I love history, here are the rest.

Doug DeCinces, 8/8/1982, CAL 9, @ SEA 5. Two off Mike Moore, one off Rich Bordi.

Dan Ford, 7/20/83, BAL 4, @ SEA 2. Two off Matt Young, one off Mike Stanton.

Dave Kingman, 4/16/84, OAK 9, @ SEA 6. Two off Matt Young, one off Ed Vande Berg.

Albert Belle, 9/6/92, @ CLE 12, SEA 9. Two off Brian Fisher, one off Rich DeLucia.

Jose Canseco, 6/13/94, @ TEX 17, SEA 9. Two off Greg Hibbard, one off Jeff Darwin.

John Valentin, 6/2/95, @ BOS 6, SEA 5. Two off Chris Bosio, one off Ron Villone.

Cal Ripken, 5/28/96, BAL 12, @ SEA 6. One each off Bob Wolcott, Mike Jackson and Scott Davison.

Tino Martinez, 4/2/97, NYY 16, @ SEA 2. All off Scott Sanders. Ugh.

Nomar Garciaparra, 5/10/99, @ BOS 12, SEA 4. Two off Brent Hinchliffe, one off Eric Weaver (?).

Chris Woodward, 8/7/2002, SEA 5, @ TOR 4. Two off Joel Pineiro, one off Kaz Sasaki. (Note: this was one of 62 times since 1956 that a team lost when one of its players hit three homers.)

Victor Martinez, 7/16/04, CLE 18, @ SEA 6. One each off Julio Mateo, Ron Villone, and Travis Blackley. (Note: The Indians hit eight homers in this game, still the record for an M's opponent.)

Notes on Teixiera: You'll notice that he's the first National Leaguer to hit three homers against the M's. It's the 11th time someone's hit three homers in interleague play (14th if you count the World Series).

You can buy that 1984 Donruss Matt Young rookie card for 75 cents at CheckOutMyCards.com.

Humor/Sports Piece in Today's P-I

2008-06-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

The P-I assigned me to check out the singles scene at Safeco's Hit It Here cafe. I discovered that there wasn't one, so I had to play the situation for laughs.

As of 9am, it was the "most-read" piece on the P-I's web site, but it's since been displaced by "Nanny saves child from coyote's jaws." Damn do-gooding nannies!

Thanks to my friends Mark and Sophia for being my wing people.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

That Times piece on Wazzu's troubles came out, and contained what I believe is new information about Cougar defensive stalwart Andy Mattingly, who was charged with two felonies last year after hitting a guy with a frying pan.

Also in the piece is this instant classic of a quote from Wazzu dropout Courtney Williams, a DB recruit from LA: "WSU is a hard school to go to, man. You ain't got nothin' to do but get drunk and smoke weed, and not go to class because you're too tired from doing what you're doing."

Two anonymous Mariner coaches called out the players to TNT's Larry LaRue: "You’ve got players in that clubhouse who should be team leaders--guys like Richie Sexson, Adrian Beltre, Erik Bedard, even Ichiro--who care only about themselves."

Longtime baseball writer Tracy Ringolsby suggests that the M's should consider trading Ichiro because he "has become bigger than the team." And here the WaPo suggests that the M's "appear ready to cut their losses" with Bedard. I love this--the team is bad, so trade the good players...yeah, that'll fix things. USS Mariner has an almost infinitely more intelligent look at what the Mariners ought to be doing.

The dissension the M's face is nothing compared to that of the '67 Twins, who nearly had a gun battle on a team bus yet still won 91 games, writes John McGrath.

Mark Teixiera hit three homers off M's pitching yesterday, including two off struggling Carlos Silva, who told Larry Stone: "It was like he was playing golf with me."

Kenji Johjima won't play much in the Mets series, writes John Hickey. Jeff Clement, who had a nice game yesterday, including an opposite-field homer, will.

The Storm, needing better post play, cut rookie C Florina Pascalau and traded their 2009 second-round pick for F Camille Little. The Storm beat Indiana on Friday and are 8-6, third in the WNBA's Western Conference. They play at conference leaders Los Angeles (and Candace Parker) tomorrow night in a Possible Playoff Preview.

M's farmhand Rich Dorman made his first start at AAA Tacoma after a lights-out first half at AA West Tennessee, and continued his winning ways, striking out eight in a scoreless 7.2 IP in his first home start. The Rainiers won 1-0. Jared Wells got the save, his 13th.

After former UW QB Johnny DuRocher threw 5.2 innings of no-hit ball at Everett, the M's promoted him to Wisconsin.

Dave Deckard of Blazers Edge (who also contributes to Sports NW) explains that salary cap issues will likely force the Blazers to trade of one of Martell Webster, Channing Frye or Jarrett Jack this year.

Kasey Kahne started on the pole at the Toyota/SaveMart 350 in Sonoma, CA on Sunday, but finished 33rd because he had trouble with his clutch. Kahne's finish dropped him two places to ninth in the NASCAR standings.

The Sounders played a 0-0 draw against Miami Friday night, which has shutout its last six opponents. The Sounders are 4-2-6, fourth in the USL standings, five points behind leaders Vancouver. Seattle plays Hollywood United tomorrow in the US Open Cup at Starfire.

A gunfight broke out after a soccer game in Lakewood on Saturday night, and two men are dead.

My Submission for Jay Leno's Monologue

2008-06-20T16:26:00.000-07:00

Didja hear about the 7-foot-3 sex offender who got beaten up with a baseball bat?

His lawyers want to make sure that never happens again, so they've moved him into the Seattle Mariners' clubhouse.

Catching Up With the Zorn-Gent Family

2008-06-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Jim Zorn and Steve Largent have stayed friends for thirty years and their families have practically merged, writes the Washington Times' Bob Cohn.

In Zorn's house on Mercer Island, two Zorn girls, both in their twenties, and their 13-year-old brother live upstairs, while two Largent boys, both in their twenties, live in the basement.

Joy Zorn tells Cohn: "They feel like they're in the Greek system. They feel like they've got a fraternity and sorority all in one place."

Zorn's wife also tells Cohn how, after Jim lost his coaching job at the University of Minnesota, then-Congressman Largent lifted his spirits by showing him off in D.C.: "Steve was so proud to introduce Jim to Newt Gingrich and all the others. I think it was such a boost for Jim. It was like, 'Even though I don't have a job, I'm not a failure.' It was one of the kindest things."

It's a bit of an odd couple, since Zorn is a bit of an odd duck by football standards (he enjoys pottery) while Largent is pretty much Ward Cleaver, but they get along.

The happy thing is that with Zorn coaching the 'Skins, and Largent still working in DC as a lobbyist, the two couples will be living in the same place for the first time in more than twenty years.

Ah, The Running Game

2008-06-20T10:54:00.001-07:00

Just combing through my Picasa account and came across this...remember this? When they couldn't convert on that overtime 4th down? Oy. I think they cut Shaun Alexander not to save the running game, but to stop from giving Holmgren a coronary.

A Plausible Excuse to Buy that Vanity Fair with Angelina Jolie on the Cover...

2008-06-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

...has been provided by commenter Brad:

"Michael Lewis (yeah, that Michael Lewis) just wrote a piece for Vanity Fair about Yuni's actual coach in Cuba."

Here's the link, and here's Brad's take on the piece.

Still, I think I'm going to buy the physical magazine, now that I have an explanation when my girlfriend finds it ~~under my pillow~~ on my bookshelf.

(Note: True fact...that script tattoo on her back is the formula for OPS+)

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

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.

Exclusive Video: Jim Riggleman's First Speech to the Mariners

2008-06-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

The Onion Makes Us Cry

2008-06-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Onion's weighed in on the Mariners' struggles before McLaren's firing with: Cuban Refugee Yuniesky Betancourt Prefers Castro To M's Manager John McLaren.

A taste: "For Christ's sake, [McLaren] starts Miguel Cairo at first base sometimes. If this were the Villa Clara Industriales, Castro would have had Miguel Cairo beaten with a boot."

Missing my notice last week was Mariners Fire Whiffing Coach, with this quote from Bavasi: "Sure, we've excelled in areas such as hitting soft fly balls directly to the left-fielder and grounding weakly into double plays, but that only gets you so far. We need to get to a point where our team is able to whiff with the game on the line"

Previously in satirical coverage of Northwest sports:

Ichiro: 'The Best Part About Playing For My Country Was Not Playing For The Seattle Mariners'

African Child Loves His 'World Champion Seahawks' T-Shirt

Portland Trail Blazers Get Hint After Being Left Off 2006-07 NBA Schedule

AL West Preview: Mariners ready to reign?

HT: USS Mariner

McLaren Firing Press Conference

2008-06-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Note: This isn't a full transcript--I just jotted down the quotes that answered the questions.

On why: "John worked extremely hard, but our team continued to underperform compared to our expectations of them. With 90 games left on our schedule, we owe it to ourselves and our fans to do everything we can to win as many games as possible. At the same time, as we move towards the trade deadline and decisions have to be made on the futures of the players on our ballclub, I wanted to see if a different voice could make a difference in their performance."

On new ~~captain of the Titanic~~ manager Jim Riggleman: "Jim is an experienced baseball man with broad experience as both a Major League manager and coach. He is intimately familiar with our club and I believe he will do a fine job."

"On a personal level, this is a very difficult decision to make. I felt this was the right thing to do for the ballclub and for the organization. This club was underperforming, we hadn't shown any improvement, in fact we were regressing.

John did everything he could. There's 90 games left in the season, we felt we owed it to our fans and ourselves to win as many games as possible.

To give the players a chance to improve themselves, we felt a different voice was needed, to give us a better chance to evaluate the players."

Riggleman isn't at the press conference.

What different style?
"I think everybody's got a different style."

What did McLaren do wrong?
"To second-guess what John was or wasn't doesn't serve any purpose."

How did McLaren take the news?
"John took it hard...but he also took it very professionally."

Did you and Bill Bavasi talk about firing McLaren?
"Blah blah...Yes."

Do you think McLaren's biggest problem was the roster?
"We think the players have underperformed."

Will there be any roster moves between now and the trading deadline?
"There certainly could be more roster moves -- I don't think we have the truest estimate of what these players can do. We can get a better idea of what we have befor e we make any drastic decisions."

Do you think the players are being held accountable?
"They are accountable every day."

What about Lee Elia?
"Lee Elia will take over as the bench coach. He will supervise the hitting program. Our new hitting coach is Jose Castro." Note: Jose Castro was previously the M's minor league hitting coordinator.

What's Riggleman's future?
"Jim will be the manager until the end of the season."

What have the last 72 hours been like for you?
"Lotta work, not much sleep. Lotta help from people in the office. But it's a challenge that we're up for. We've accomplished some things that we needed to accomplish, and we're working on some other things."

Will Ichiro stay in rightfield?
"Yes."

Will a manager not be hired until a new GM is in place? (Question to Chuck Armstrong.)
"Yes, that's fair to say."

McLaren Fired

2008-06-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

Just reported on KJR. McLaren finishes 68-88 as Mariners manager, 6th-worst in M's history.

Jim Riggleman replaces McLaren. Here's Riggleman's career major league managerial record.

Press Conference at 11am, via Geoff Baker.

I'll update this post as events warrant. Let the Bobby Valentine for manager campaign begin.

UPDATE (10:41 AM): The M's official press release is out, with quotes from Lee Pelekoudas.

Brace Yourself for Muckraking, Coug Fans

2008-06-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Times is planning an expose on problems in the Wazzu football program, according to a pre-emptive email from Cougar AD Jim Sterk that was obtained by the blog Stadium Way.

From Sterk's letter: "From our understanding the story is an in-depth look at the WSU football program, perhaps focusing on negative issues that have occurred over the past few years. My belief is they may combine the off-field incidents of some of our players with the recent APR news as the focus of the story."

Stadium Way speculates that this may be an attempt by the Times to get back in the good graces of Husky fans after the Victory and Ruins series in January that tore the UW a new one.

Well, maybe, but the Cougs have also had a player charged with putting rubbing alcohol in his roommate's contact lens case (the player later violated his work release), another player charged with six counts of assualt, dropped a recruit who was facing "legal issues", and lost eight scholarships because of a poor graduation rate. Their fifth in EDSBS' Fulmer Cup standings for football malfeasance.

In fact, a piece about the Cougs' troubles will only dig up the Victory and Ruins series news again, if only as a comparison (and it's clear that what the Cougs have done pales in comparison to the alleged raping, wife-beating and attempted murders by the '00 Dawgs).

Unless...as Stadium Way asks: "The big question is, can the Seattle Times reveal anything we don’t already know?"

Stay tuned.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

The Sonics trial continued yesterday, with Clay Bennett and Sonics CEO Danny Barth on the stand. The Times' Jim Brunner identified the contention that the Sonics would lose $60 million if they played here the next two years as the major point of the day. Transcripts here, thanks to the Times [pdf].

Don James is the "face" of the Husky football program, according to ESPN. Next year's high school seniors were either in diapers or in utero the last time James coached a game. So....yeah.

Brilliant college football blog Everyday Should be Saturday is allowing you to vote on the pressing question: What Is HIS COACHNESS SIR RICK NEUHEISEL More Beautiful Than? Your choices: "Every pony ever born," "A Tahitian sunrise," "Mena Suvari's buttocks," "Gerard Butler's abs in 300," and "Trick question, nothing is more beautiful than Rick Neuheisel."

The Mariners lost again, and Richie Sexson, who may have played his last game at Safeco Field, hid from the media, writes Geoff Baker. Dickey was dreadful, allowing five runs in 3.2 innings. "I had a good knuckleball, I just didn't have a very good release point with it. It was moving good, I just couldn't keep it in the strike zone enough," Dickey told the P-I's David Andriesen.

The fact that Ichiro's move to rightfield came the day after Bavasi was fired was pure coincidence, John McLaren told David Andriesen: ""Nothing whatsoever has been dictated from up top. Nothing. Ever. They've left me alone, and I respect that and I appreciate that. The Ichiro thing is something I've been thinking about a long time, and I just went with it."

M's tragic number (for clinching 1st pick in 2009 draft): 89 (combined losses by M's, wins by Nationals).

USS Mariner has a well-reasoned open letter to McLaren about how to pick his lineups.

The debate over who caught Junior's 600th homer gets weirder--now there's talk of a decoy ball. Pretty soon they'll be arguing that Griffey didn't hit the ball, instead it was two guys on a grassy knoll.

Storm starting center Yolanda Griffith hurt her knee and missed Monday's game. If she plays during tomorrow night's home game against Indiana, she'll be playing in pain.

Malik Hairston's no cheese diet has helped him lose 15 pounds. He worked out for the Blazers yesterday, and they liked what they saw. Mac-10 told John Hunt: "(Our scouts) like him. They feel like he's going to be a solid NBA player. I agree with that. I think he does have a feel for the game. He will one day be in someone's rotation." Texas PG DJ Augustin also worked out for the Blazers, who have the 13th pick. Here's a mock draft.

Brian Scalabrine Turns Insult Into Laughter

2008-06-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

True, former Enumclaw High and Highline CC player Brian Scalabrine was not instrumental in the Celtics' NBA title run. But, just as true, is that Brian Scalabrine would demolish you and anyone you know in any facet of basketball--let alone what he'd to do a European reporter. When a member of this latter species asked him a very insulting question, though, Scalabrine flipped it around and had some fun with it.

We were happy to see Scalabrine trade in his suit for a warmup late in the game. No use ruining a good suit in a champagne celebration if you can avoid it.

Via With Leather

Dave Fleming, Once the M's Only Bright Light, Is Still One Man's Hero

2008-06-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

Felix Hernandez may be the only thing worth rooting for in this dismal M's season. That's how Jeff Sullivan of Lookout Landing sees it, anyway: "Trying to win as many games in 2008 as possible may indeed do more harm than good. However, every five days I make the Felix Day Exception. Every five days, I root for this team every bit as hard as I did a year ago when we were gunning for the playoffs."

Sixteen years ago, during another Mariners season that started with high expectations and ended in flames, the situation was eerily similar: the only bright spot was a 22-year-old pitcher.

That 22-year-old, Dave Fleming, is now a 38-year-old math teacher in Connecticut, and the subject of a profile by ESPN's Jeff Pearlman (better known as the guy who did the John Rocker interview).

Turns out that Pearlman is, like Fleming, a graduate of Mahopac High in Putnam County, NY, and idolized Fleming throughout his exceptional college career at Georgia (Fleming cinched Georgia's 1990 CWS title) and his early success with the Mariners.

After throwing a 1-0 shutout over defending world champion Minnesota on June 19, 1992, Dave Fleming had a 10-2 record in his first full season. "He changed speeds and moved the ball in and out. It just shows that you don't have to throw like Roger Clemens to be successful," said Kirby Puckett. "If this game doesn't get him in the All-Star Game," M's second baseman Harold Reynolds said, "then there is no justice."

Fleming didn't make the All-Star team (instead, Edgar Martinez got the first of his seven career selections), but he did finish the season 17-10 for a team that lost 98 games. The M's were 19-14 when Fleming pitched, 45-84 without him.

He also threw 228 innings, throwing more than 110 pitches 20 different times. USS Mariner speculates that this overuse contributed to Fleming's breakdown later in his career--he was out of the majors for good after the 1995 season. He later discovered he'd been pitching with a rotator cuff tear.

Fleming tells Pearlman: "I wanted to keep going as long as I could. I certainly tried. But there comes a point where there's nothing left. I reached that point."

And he has something else to say, something that we'd all do well to remember--he wishes he'd enjoyed his success more than he did: "The problem with dreams is what happens after they come true. I had always wanted to pitch at the highest level -- that was my dream. Well, I made it. I accomplished something big. But then I wanted more. I wanted a long career and the playoffs and World Series. You don't really settle for less -- you crave bigger."

You can buy that 1992 Dave Fleming Mariners Mothers' Cookies card for 15 cents at CheckOutMyCards.com.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-18T07:59:00.001-07:00

Congrats to Ray Allen. I'm told that on the Mike & Mike show this morning, they asked Allen who was the first person he thought of when they won, and he said Sam Presti.

Time for a cheap shot at Kobe? Why not.

Boston fans show their class by rioting. Went to St. Andrews Bar in Greenlake just after the game--there were two meatheads in Celtics jerseys, and one had a girl in a hot pink miniskirt sitting on his lap, making out with them. It was like I'd been beamed to Sully's in Newton.

The best Sonics trial coverage comes from Percy Allen at the Times (though ignore that stuff about the economist getting slammed, that wasn't as big a deal as people think it was). Clay-Clay is back on the stand this morning. Also testifying today--Sonics Death Watch author Sherman Alexie!

The funniest coverage though, is this brilliant piece by SupersonicSoul, imagining if Clay Bennett were testifying in Judge Judy's court.

Felix Hernandez struck out the side on nine pitches yesterday, that's only the 13th time in AL history someone's done that. Hernandez got his sixth win of the year after Morrow blew away the Marlins in the ninth.

Jeff Clement will catch at least 60% of the time, John McLaren tells Geoff Baker.

The M's will release Richie Sexson soon, according to Kirby Arnold of the Herald, who heard it from a source in the organization.

When the M's play the Braves on Friday, it'll be the debut of a huge mechanical cow in the Turner Field outfield.

John McGrath of TNT presents his list of GMs who were worse than Bill Bavasi. He has to reach out to football to get ten of them, so...

USS Mariner has an exhaustive list of the potential Bavasi replacements.
Maybe we don't want Thierry Henry.

Lofa Tatupu pled not guilty to a DUI today--not because he's denying the charges, said his lawyer, but to keep his options open as far as settling the case.

Former Sealth star Regina Rogers, who's left UCLA, to is transfering to Washington, writes Molly Yanity. Regina is the daughter of former Husky and NFL linebacker Reggie Rogers.

You may celebrate the career of Seattle-born Charlie Greene, who won a gold medal in the 4x100 at the 1968 Olympics, but I prefer to hold a grudge because he chose O'Dea over his neighborhood school, Garfield.

Joe Alexander worked out for the Blazers yesterday and professed his love of Portland. Roy, Fernandez, Alexander, Aldridge, Oden. Holy shit.

Replica Jerseys/T-Shirts I Saw Fans Wearing at the Sonics Rally (In no particular order)

2008-06-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

Kevin Durant
Ray Allen
Rashard Lewis
Hersey Hawkins (!)
Kendall Gill (!?)
Dale Ellis
Luke Ridnour
Vladimir Radmanovic
Nate McMillan
Clay Bennett (#666)
Gary Payton
Chris Wilcox
Robert Swift (!!???!!!!???)
Gus Williams
Jeff Green

Made me wish I hadn't chucked my Frank Brickowski replica tee.

Bennett Sticking to His Story And Getting Reamed

2008-06-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

Before lunch, the city's attorney tried to help Clay Bennett remember what he meant when, after his partner Tom Ward wondered if the Sonics might play in OKC this year, wrote back "I am a man possessed! Will do everything we can."

This from Percy Allen's blow-by-blow account:

Bennett said he meant he was possessed to keep the team in Seattle. Lawrence hammered away at this point. Lawrence pointed to the responses from Ward and McClendon who said they wanted to watch basketball games in Oklahoma City.

Lawrence asked: "Did you respond back and say 'I meant I want to keep the team in Seattle?'" Bennett said: "I did not."

Lawrence submitted an e-mail between Bennett and NBA executive Joel Litvin in which Bennett asked if there was any way he could move the team to Oklahoma City next season. Said Lawrence: "So the man possessed to keep the team in Seattle is asking how he can move the team to Oklahoma City."

Burn.

This Is How Sports Fans Were Meant to Buy Tickets

2008-06-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Sounders have sworn up and down that they are going to be the organization that cares about the fans. They are off to a rousing start. (Or, if you're a soccer fan, "cracking.")

I placed a deposit on season tix earlier this year, and I just got my invite to the Sounders seat selection process. Oh. My. God.

For every section, the Sounders give you the price per game and the amenities that accrue to each seat, but also how full the section is, what percentage of people who've bought tickets there like to chant and sing, or stand. It tells you who their favorite soccer team is (almost every section picks Sounders FC) and where they play rec league ball. Click that thumbnail to see it in all its glory (obviously, it won't be functional, though you can see for yourself at tickets.soundersfc.com).

I took the screenshot with the general admission section highlighted. It's only 10% full, which is an anomaly. Many sections--notably the below the aisleway seats along the sideline, are either 100% or 95% full. Another popular area is the $24 seats on the north goal line, which come with food and non-alcoholic beverages included. The seats directly behind goal are nearly gone.

Only two sections don't pick Sounders FC as their favorite team--section 136, along the west sideline, which names Man U (Sounders are 2nd), and 119 on the south goal line, which names the US National Team, then Tottenham, then West Ham. That's the section I signed up for--those people seem like independent thinkers.

You get to rank four sections as your preference, and you can see these stats for any of them. Awesome stuff, Sounders. Bless you.

What's even better is that they haven't restricted this information to depositers. You can see it for yourself at tickets.soundersfc.com. Click Ticket Info, then If You Have Not Placed A Deposit and you can see all the info that any depositer saw. Sweet.

Please report back with any interesting statistical anomalies and, for God's sake, get tickets now to this organization that obviously knows how to give fans what they want. (See if you can detect the barely hidden subtext).

Clay Bennett Testifies

2008-06-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

Between about 9:30 and 10:45am, city lawyers tried to establish that Clay Bennett was fully aware of the terms of the lease when he bought the team.

The Times' Percy Allen has the blow-by-blow.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

Well that was quite the day, wasn't it? After spending the morning listening to court updates, and the afternoon listening to Howard Lincoln and Chuck Armstrong try to save their jobs, I snuck out early and went to the Sonics rally--which was much larger than expected. I walked to the event from the North, and I could hear chants of "Save our Sonics" from as far away as 6th and Lenora. That's when I knew it was gonna be big. Crowd estimates range from 400 (waaaay too low) to 4000. I'd say at least 1,000. Payton and X-Man spoke, mostly unintelligibly, very briefly. I saw Spencer Hawes in a GP shirt.

After fending off an invitation to watch the Mariners lose, I decided to go to the Storm game--you know, the good pro team in town. But they lost too, sullying their heretofore spotless home record.

Sonics Trial:
Jim Brunner's recap of day one. The important points:
--Sonics fans jeered Clay Bennett as he walked into the courtroom. Yay!
--Greg Nickels was eviscerated Bennett's attorneys.
--Former Seattle Center director Virginia Anderson turned the tables.
--That video of Stern lauding KeyArena was ruled inadmissable.
--Clay Bennett takes the stand today, then Aubrey McClendon. HA HA HA!

Lester Munson, ESPN's legal expert, has a good primer on the case. "It is hard to see how Bennett and his OKC crew could avoid playing two more seasons in Seattle," he writes.

Here's Monday's full transcript [pdf], via the Times.

Sonics Rally:
A Times photo gallery, photos from the always fantastic Rod Mar.
Roger van Oosten, who wrote the trial primer for the mag, checks in with photos and a rally recap.
Sports NW mag illustrator Rafael Calonzo's report on SuperSonicSoul.
SonicsCentral, the rally organizers, say this: "There is no “yawning indifference” to the Sonics staying in Seattle, there are large numbers of passionate fans that step up every time they are asked to support the team, and for that we are amazed more and more each day."

Bavasi Fired:
Geoff Baker's coverage of the Lincoln/Armstrong press conference and the Bavasi press conference. Bavasi has harsh words for the players and especially for Erik Bedard--hey, no-one forced you to take those players--you signed them! All of them!
USS Mariner makes their pitch to their longtime lust, Indians assistant GM Chris Antonetti.
Prospect Insider has an exhaustive list of potential GM candidates.
Jim Moore says having Chuck Armstrong in charge of the search (once again) makes him nervous. Join the club.
John McGrath says Mariner lifer and interim GM Lee Pelekoudas deserves a shot at the job. Here's my question: How in hell could the M's possibly think about employing someone who was complicit in the series of player personnel decisions that led to this $118 million shit sandwich?
If you want to torture yourself with a recap of the Bavasi years, Dave Cameron wrote a great one.
Lookout Landing: "Today the organization released one of its heaviest anchors. That's good news. But until we know who comes next, I don't think it would be wise to party too hard. In the event that Armstrong and Lincoln stick around, are they going to interview some fresh new blood, or will they stick with the same pool of retreads that can't find work anywhere else?"
The team's reaction? Says Jose Vidro: "[Bavasi] put a great team together and we just did not follow what we are supposed to be doing."

Press Conference with Lincoln and Armstrong

2008-06-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

Caveat: it's tough to tell these guys apart sometimes, so I did the best I could. This isn't a full transcript, just the stuff I thought was interesting.

Howard Lincoln's opening statement:
"[The team's performance] is simply not acceptable. We have tried to be patient. Given this team's record, change is in order."

Lincoln says that the search for a new GM will be led by Chuck Armstrong (who led the search for the last GM).

"We are sorry that we have dug ourselves into such a deep hole."

"I expect that our manager coaches and players will get going and turn this thing around."

"The time has come and gone for these players to get going."

"It seemed to me and to Chuck that given the momentum that it made sense to continue on with Bill. All of us had that expectation that things would get better. Very frustrating, very exasperating."

How far away are you from having a winning team?
"I'm not gonna sit here and pull your leg and say that two or three players will turn this around."

Lincoln on whether he's happy with McLaren's performance:
"Frankly as I sit up here I'm not in the mood to sing the praises of anyone in our clubhouse."

Chuck Armstrong said that his speech to the coaches was to quote John Paul Jones, including a bunch of naval history. Then he tries to inspire the media:
"We have not yet begun to fight. We're determined to turn this thing around and we're not going to rest...until we're back in the playoffs."

Howard Lincoln on whether the search for GM will include a philosophical change:
"I don't know that it would be a philosophical change. I think there are a lot of myths out there about how we consider players. Let me just say that we are open to anything."

On what will change:
"I certainly don't have all the answers, I'm trying to formulate what the best answers are."

"Success and winning are contagious ... From 2000-2003, the Mariners had the best record of anybody in baseball."

On how they might turn it around:
"If we continue like this till the end of the year, we're gonna have one of the top draft picks."

Do you want the players to feel like they are playing for their jobs in the next few weeks?
"Yes."

Chuck Armstrong on the perception that the owners care more about money than winning:
"If this ownership group was focused on the bottom line, we would not have one of the highest player payrolls in all of baseball. In the past few years, the Mariners have made money. All of that money has gone back into the franchise. Since 1992, not one single owner has got one single penny in distribution."

Here's the question I would've liked to have heard answered, but didn't hear asked:
"Chuck Armstrong, you led the search for the GM in 2004, the search that picked Bill Bavasi. What specifically will be done differently in this search?"

Howard Lincoln on General Managers

2008-06-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

"Any fool can fire a general manager. It's a very easy way out. It makes some of the fans feel good. But it's not how I look at it." --Howard Lincoln to the Seattle Times' Jerry Brewer, February 2008.

"The entire organization, and especially me, is on the hot seat. I thought long and hard about continuing with Bill and Mike. I'm putting my neck out on the line because I believe in them. I've made it clear to the ownership group that, having made the decision, I'm fully responsible for it." --Howard Lincoln, to the P-I's Art Thiel, October 2006.

"We didn't do as many interviews, but we did our homework, and without question we got the right man. I'm confident Bill will demonstrate that to our fans." --Howard Lincoln on hiring Bill Bavasi to the P-I's Art Thiel, October 2004.

Bill Bavasi Fired

2008-06-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

Here's the official press release.

Lee Pelekoudas is interim GM.

Quote from Howard Lincoln: "Change is in order. We have determined new leadership is needed in the GM position. With a new leader will come a new plan and a new approach. A search will begin immediately for a permanent GM, and Lee will be a candidate for the position."

Obviously, the below post is a little dated.

John McLaren, Save Yourself

2008-06-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna do this "Keith Olbermann Special Comment" style.

John McLaren, you deserve credit for the way you've handled this disastrous season.

Sure, we can quibble about some of your moves, but no one would argue that the majority of the blame falls not on you, but on your players and the GM who picked them.

Yet, through all the losses, you've done the honorable thing and absorbed the blame for the sake of your players, and the sake of your employers.

It's time to start thinking about yourself.

If you let yourself go down with this flaming poo pile of a ship, you'll forever be known as the architect of one of the most disappointing teams in major league history. And unlike Jim Leyland, you don't have a World Series ring to point to.

Step aside now--allowing some excuse like "I'm not able to motivate this team, maybe someone else can"--and let the world see that it wasn't your fault, that no one could've managed this collection of over-the-hill groundout machines.

Another manager will take over, will see similarly terrible results, and we'll all know once and for all that it was the ingredients, not the cook.

It might cost you in the pocketbook, but will buy back some respect in the baseball world.

Otherwise, you'll be like another former Mariner manager who got his shot at the helm with a flawed team, Bill Plummer.

After Plummer's disaster of a season, the then 45-year-old found himself deeply unemployable. Only now, sixteen seasons later, has Plummer worked his way back up to the AAA level as a manager (he's the skipper of the Tucson Sidewinders).

In another circumstance, with a different team, your player's manager style might work. For this team, I don't think anything would (and I'll bet you feel that way, too).

Let Bill Bavasi go down with the ship--save yourself, while you still can.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Bennett v. Seattle begins today.

Save our Sonics is having a rally at 4pm outside the courthouse. By pure coincidence, this is the same time Clay Bennett will be testifying. Should make for an interesting atmosphere. Gary Payton, Xavier McDaniel, Jamal Crawford, Will Conroy and Spencer Hawes are all planning to be there, according to SonicsCentral.

Greg Nickels testifies today. The Times promises live updates throughout the day.

Greg Johns of the P-I has an interesting look at how things might play out, including this, which I haven't heard before--if Bennett wins, and Schultz files an injunction to stop him from moving the team, he (Schultz) would have to put up a bond to cover the Sonics losses if he lost the case. That bond could be in excess of $40 million.

The Times' Jim Brunner profiled Judge Marsha Pechman, who, according to colleagues, "could give a rip" about sports. This is bad news for us--I think we'd be better off with a judge who understands what it's like to live and die with a sports team.

What can you say about the M's? Swept at home by the worst team in the NL--not only that, but a team without their top two hitters (Zimmerman and Johnson), the M's are 21 games under .500 and 17.5 back of the Angels.

Here's one thing: if there were a division for last place teams, the M's would be 10 games back in that division. (Toronto's last place in the AL East at 35-36).

"We should be booed," Jarrod Washburn told John Hickey.

Willie Bloomquist tells occasional mag contributor Howie Stalwick in the Kitsap Sun that he's going to explore a move to the National League. This garners the predictable amount of derision from USS Mariner commenters, but Willie Ballgame's point is taken--his skills are better suited for the NL, and he probably would play more on an NL team.

Also, Bloomquist has an interesting comment on the "chemistry" issue: "I hate even talking about chemistry. What is it? Do you mesh well together, don't mesh; I don't know. I've been on the team where guys hated each other, but you know what? When it came time to play, we were good. I've been on teams where everyone seems to get along and like each other, and we don't play well. I think that 'chemistry' is an overrated term. I know this team gets along well together. I don't know of anyone who dislikes anyone else on this team. We're all a bunch of good dudes, I think."

As badly as they've struggled on the road, it's even more important than ever that the Storm maintain their undefeated home record, writes Jayda Evans. The Storm host Connecticut tonight. The 8-2 Sun have the best record in the WNBA. Former Storm forward Barbara Turner is flourishing with the Sun, writes Darren Fessenden.

Seattle Rotary (Peyton Siva and Tony Wroten's AAU team) had an amazing game against Northwest Panthers (Abdul Gaddy and Avery Bradley) at the Rose City Classic over the weekend. The Oregonian provides this play-by-play.

Ready for a possible recruit from the Class of 2013? I'm not sure I am, but decide for yourself: Meet Nigel Williams-Goss, a Portland 7th-grader who is playing 17-and-under AAU ball.

Romar signed another relatively unknown recruit, Charles Garcia, Jr., a JC forward.

That US Open playoff is on, you can watch it live here.

Finally, here's a team that has fun at the ballpark...the Texas Rangers, slipping and sliding on the tarp during a rain delay.

Via With Leather

Tim Russert On Ty Willingham: He'd Make a Great President

2008-06-13T17:01:00.001-07:00

The Denver Post used the occasion of Tim Russert's death to re-run an interview their Adam Scheffer did with Russert in 2002, mostly about sports. In the interview Russert (who was Catholic and a big Notre Dame fan) had something very kind words for Tyrone Willingham.

AS: Which coach would make the best president?

TR: Ty Willingham. He is the most focused, disciplined, natural leader I've seen on the field. He took a program and convinced the (Notre Dame) players to believe in themselves, to return to glory, to understand that there was something bigger than themselves--a larger common purpose.

Mind you, this is just after (or during, it's unclear when exactly the interview was conducted), Willingham's 10-3 initial season with Notre Dame. Russert would likely not give the same answer now.

That said--I'll bet if you could've bet then who would be a presidential nominee in 2008, Willingham would've gotten more favorable odds than a second-term Illinois state senator named Barack Obama.

How Bad it Got for the Sonics

2008-06-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Greg Johns of the P-I went through a recent Bennett court filing and found some really fascinating stats about how poor the Sonics' ratings and ticket sales were. Bennett is trying to use this to support his claim that the city won't miss the team if it leaves.

Some of what the deposition says:

Sonics TV Ratings
2004-05: 3.12
2007-08: 1.24

Writes Johns: "The 1.24 rating indicates that out of a potential 1.5 million households in the Seattle market, only 19,000 were watching the Sonics on average. That figure dropped to a low of .59 for an April 4 game against Houston, meaning only 11,700 households were tuned in that Friday night."

The deposition also states that the Sonics sold only 2,933 season tickets last year, down from more than 5,000 in '04. Plus, there was a 28% no-show rate.

The team argues that this shows that fans don't care about the team--obviously the city will argue that people didn't come out because the team sucked...shouldn't be a particularly difficult argument to make.

Kneejerk, Unfair, and Completely Irresponsible First Reaction to a Headline on Mariners.com

2008-06-13T10:15:00.001-07:00

Washburn, dad share unique bond

What, they both suck?

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

JJ Putz' MRI didn't show anything bad--he's been diagnosed with a hyperextended elbow, and the prescription is rest. He's unavailable until Monday, which means Brandon Morrow is the closer for the Washington series.

RA Dickey starts tonight!!! Also, it's Adrian Beltre bobblehead night; show up early if you want one of those...

Larry Stone surveys the Mariners' options re: Erik Bedard--trade him at the deadline, trade him in the offseason, try to sign him, or let him go for a compensatory draft pick. Stone's choice: keep him.

Mike Holmgren returned for the last day of minicamp practice for a closing address that Matt Hasselbeck described thusly to the P-I's Clare Farnsworth: "Mike chewed us out a good amount at the end of practice. If he spoke for 10 minutes, nine of it was ripping us and the last minute was, 'Well, with that being said, I can tell you guys care about one another and we've got something going here.'" Do you get the feeling that Holmgren's pretty much a teddy bear?

UW's Nick Taylor shot a +6 77 at the US Open yesterday (but, then, so did Sergio Garcia). Taylor's even through seven holes as I write this--you can follow along here. He'll need to be in the top 60 or within ten shots of the lead to make the cut--looks like it will be a close thing.

The Sounders belted Juventus Primavera 3-0, it's the first loss for Juventus' junior team on their US trip. Starting for the Sounders was Josh Coulson of English side Cambridge United, a 5th-division team part-owned by Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer.

Two local rowers, Anna Mickelson Cummins and Portia Johnson McGee, won the women's pair at the US Olympic Trials and are therefore confirmed for Beijing.

The new principal at Cleveland High, Princess Shareef, replaced most of the athletic coaches, including the boys b-ball coach who'd been there for 30 years. Her replacement hire had a record of 2-38 at Shorewood. "I want everybody to understand that this (athletics) is an extracurricular activity and academics come first," she told the Times' Craig Smith. Fair enough. Shareef is a Garfield graduate, and therefore gets slack...but if she tried that at Garfield? It would not fly.

Yesterday, All Our Troubles Were So Far Away

2008-06-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

With very little left to look forward to in this Mariner season--R.A. Dickey's attempt to make the '09 rotation, the inevitable firing of Bill Bavasi, Hanley Ramirez coming to town next week--our sage leaders in the blog community are gonna look back. Way back. Back into time.

Damon Agnos, writing in Seattle Weekly's Buzzer Beater, tells the story of a Kingdome evening spent hassling the Brewers bullpen--including hijacking the bullpen phone

: "Errrrrggghh, my nuts itch!”
“What?!!”
“My nuts itch!!”
“Goddamnit!”

The guy on the other end hung up. My friends didn’t believe that I’d talked to someone until we saw an old dude in walk out of the Brewers dugout and stare in our direction. As should have been obvious to us all along, we had a direct line, Commissioner Gordon-style.

As you can imagine, hijinks ensue.

At USS Mariner, they've pledged to debate the All-Time M's 25-man roster, beginning with catcher: 1996 Dan Wilson, or 2006 Kenji Johjima? If you think this debate won't include discussion of "park factors," then you obviously don't know USS Mariner very well. The commenters have joined in the debate, and are already making pitches for their favorites. 1995 Bill Risley for all-time righty bullpen specialist? Where do I send my campaign contribution?!!?

Because I want to join the remembrance, here's an old post I did for Seattlest that should bring back some memories: The Greatest Moustaches in Seattle Mariners History. Featuring long-forgotten names like Rick Sweet, Gorman Thomas, and Steve Henderson. Ah...good times.

Is Travel Why Seattle Teams Never Win a Championship?

2008-06-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

If you believe a study on how jet-lag affects baseball teams, we Northwest fans may just be naturally fucked. Writes Nikhil Swaminathan for Scientific American:

Betting on your favorite Major League Baseball team? You might want to reconsider if it has to cross three time zones to play. A new study shows that MLB teams that travel such distances to play a game could have up to a 60 percent chance of losing.

The study, from poindexters at the Martha Jefferson Sleep Medicine Center in Virginia, is based on analysis of the results of more than 24,000 MLB games between 1997-2006.

The researchers say the effect is so pronounced that major league baseball should consider eliminating games in which one team has traveled over three time zones to meet the other.

The Mariners have already played seven such games this season--either traveling east to meet a team that was already there, or traveling back west to meet a team that was already here. The M's are 4-3 in those games, much, much better than they are overall. So there hasn't been an effect for the M's this year. (On the other hand--small sample size).

Because we're stuck up here in the Northwest, our teams will always have more rigorous travel schedules than those in other cities (this was an issue last year after the M's had to play all those makeup games after the Cleveland whiteout).

Just yesterday, Lakers and Celtics players said that jet lag contributed to that sloppy game three.

If this research is true, Seattle teams will always have a built-in disadvantage. But that will make winning a championship that much sweeter, right? Right?

HT to Deadspin

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

J.J. Putz left yesterday's game with elbow soreness, we'll know more about the injury today. This Lookout Landing classic pretty much sums up Putz' season. In the game, Brandon Morrow took over for Putz and got his first career save.

Miguel Batista is a $9.5 million reliever for now, as the M's are putting R.A. Dickey in the rotation. Dickey starts tomorrow night against Washington.

Plan to be bored at work today? Why not follow the U.S. Open progress of UW golfer Nick Taylor, who qualified for the tourney as an amateur. Taylor tees off at 12:41 our time, just eleven minutes ahead of a group that includes Sergio Garcia and Vijay Singh.

Sheryl Swoopes has shook off the rustiness of a year away from the game, writes Jayda Evans. Swoopes had 17, including the dagger-in-the-heart three, as the Storm survived 37 points by Diana Taurasi to beat the Mercury. It was Dads & Daughters night, and Hawks holdout Bobby Engram was there with his kid. Engram threw t-shirts to the crowd during one break in the action. He was cheered by Storm fans, who either don't know that Engram's holding out, or don't care.

Mt. Rainier park rangers say the climber who died on the mountain during a blizzard yesterday sacrificed himself for his wife, laying in a snow trench and protecting her from 70-mph winds.

You'll find it hard not to like South Sound prep athlete of the year and UW recruit Jermaine Kearse after reading this Doug Pacey piece.

The NBA lobs a little fuck you at the Northwest, relocating the Sonics' D-League team from Idaho to Tulsa.

The city has spend more than $1 million in legal fees on the Sonics case, writes Jim Brunner. Slade Gorton charges $685/hour, and that's with a 10% discount! Wow.

The Sounders play Italian powerhouse Juventus' junior team at Starfire tonight. At least a few of the visitors will end up with the big club someday, writes Matt Massey.

The issue over who caught Griffey's 600th homer has ended up in court. America is the most retarded place in the universe!

Husky softball coach Heather Tarr once again refused to divulge why she fired her two top assistant coaches, saying "there's no scandal behind it. I made a decision, that's all. It is what it is." Sorry, but when you've taken over a program that has as much scandal as UW softball, that's not gonna cut it.

Jim Moore follows Patrick Kerney to the dog park. Kerney has a yellow lab named Rivers.

Nate Burleson's lesson to the younger Hawks receivers--forget about pressure: "We were all ‘the man’ at some point in our lives, whether it is high school, college, whatever. And now it is all the same college guys we are playing against, we all just have NFL jerseys on. So we can do it at this level too." This from Frank Hughes.

The Sounders added former MLS #1-overall pick (and Maple Valley native) Nik Besagno to their back line--he's on loan from Salt Lake.

2008-06-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Former Seahawks DC Tom Catlin died--Mike Sando has a neat piece about him.

The M's managed just a Jeremy Reed homer off of Dustin McGowan (and his terrible facial hair). Silva pitched well, but it was for naught, and John McLaren is back to his typical calm demeanor, telling Geoff Baker: "It's been a tough go for us. We know we need to do a better job [with runners in scoring position]." USS Mariner points out that it's not that the Mariners don't have clutch hitting, it's that they don't have any hitting.

Super-prospect Carlos Triunfel hit his first pro homer--he's had 604 plate appearances. It was a line drive to left field, according to the game story in the Victorville Daily News. Why is a guy such a big prospect if he's only hit one home run? I guess because he's so young? I'm unclear.

Ok, ok, Junior, you got your 24 hours of celebration. Now it's time to start up those trade rumors again.

In an attempt to stop Brandon Morrow's shoulder from continuing to flare up, the M's have asked him to change how he sleeps. Morrow tells Geoff Baker: "I've been sleeping on my back like a pencil. I've been trying to. I like to sleep on my stomach ... it's tough."

In this John Hickey notebook, news that the M's will be wrapping up negotiations for their radio deal for 2009 and beyond this week. Rumors: that the deal will be for much less than the $10 million/year that KOMO pays (thanks, Bavasi) and that KIRO owner Bonneville may use the rights to start a new all-sports station.

It was 105 degrees at gametime for the Sounders' first-round US Open Cup game at Phoenix. Of course, the game went into extra time, then extra-extra time. Seattle's Kenji Treschuk scored a goal in the 118th minute (just two minutes before there would've been penalty kicks) for the game-winner. The Sounders will play Hollywood United, who upset Portland on penalty kicks, in the 2nd round on June 24 at Starfire. Last year, the Sounders made the semis of the US Open Cup.

College football wizard Phil Steele says the Huskies' schedule is the toughest in the nation, writes Don Ruiz of TNT.

One climber is dead and two others are suffering from severe hypothermia after getting caught in a snowstorm on Mt. Rainier.

It's Kevin Hobbs day in the local papers, with both the P-I and Times focusing on the undrafted DB, who's in his second stint with the Hawks.

If you want to go see the Sonics trial, you'll need to win a daily lottery for one of 40 seats.

The Blazers can't help but eye the Seattle market, writes the Columbian's Brian Hendrickson.

Bryce Taylor worked out for the Blazers yesterday, here he is talking about how his experience at Oregon helped him:

Bryce Taylor works out for the Blazers

The Husky softball coach fired her two assistants, and won't say why. If any program needs transparency, it's Husky softball, which was essentially a pharmaceutical lab in the early 2000s.

The Storm play defending WNBA champs Phoenix tonight. The Mercury have one of the WNBA's best offenses, the Storm one of the best defenses, writes Darren Fessenden. So, as they say, something's gotta give.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Griffey's 600th!!! He hits it off of ex-Mt. Vernon star (and former NBAer) Mark Hendrickson, and I gain some small measure of revenge for Hendrickson's 16-point, 11-rebound performance that knocked my Garfield Bulldogs out of the 1992 state AA basketball tournament. Yay Griffey!

Everyone is writing about Griffey today--two of the best pieces I've seen come from Joe Posnanski (this one is required), and a look at Griffey's very first spring from Tim Kurkjian. Says former M's catcher Scott Bradley in the Kurkjian piece: "When he came to camp in 1989, he had no chance to make the team. But he got a lot of at-bats early that spring because a lot of veterans don't like to play a lot early. After 20 games, he wasn't just the best player on our team, he was the best player in the league that spring. The Mariners basically said, 'We don't want this to happen, we don't want to rush him, we don't want him to make the team.' So they started running him out there against every elite pitcher, against all the nastiest left-handers they could find in hopes that he would stop hitting, and they could send him out. It never happened."

The Times is on it with a full list of Griffey's home runs, a Griffey photo gallery, and Larry Stone's list of Griffey's top home runs.

Lookout Landing sings the praises of Miguel Cairo, sort-of: "I think every single one of us understands that Miguel Cairo blows, but yet he's managed to win us over because he provides easy material, because he's not Richie Sexson, and because he does things like lay down squeeze bunts and make unfathomably awesome throws from first base to get lead runners whose easy advance we'd already conceded. While the Mariners are terrible, they've had a few exciting moments every now and then, and Cairo's been in the middle of quite a few of them."

Here's Richie Sexson's comical relay "throw" from yesterday's game:

The Seahawks are trying out new blocking schemes, says Rob Sims: "Last year, we did a lot of man-on-man stuff. This year, we're doing more zone stuff, and that's what (the players) wanted to do last year anyway." This from Scott M. Johnson of the Kitsap Sun.

Husky recruiting shenanigans: Some dude committs to Wazzu, and the next day gets what he calls "a lecture" from UW coach Chris Tormey.

Times and networks for the seven 2008 Husky football games that will definitely be on TV.

Ryan Plackemeier tore his pec lifting weights. Ouch. He'll have surgery today...but here's what I'm wondering--what the hell does a punter need good pecs for?

The Sonics will be allowed to present evidence of their attempts to get a new arena, and about the "Machiavellian scheme" they charge that the city's engaged in, writes Jim Brunner. In another ruling, Sherman Alexie will be allowed to testify.

Jerryd Bayless, Eric Gordon, and Brook Lopez, among others, will work out for the Sonics this week.

And here's why I'm buying the new iPhone--real-time baseball highlights:

Pentland Out, Elia In, Excuse to Run Cubs Fans Rant Supplied

2008-06-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

Lee Elia is the Mariners' new hitting coach, tasked with jumpstarting Richie Sexson's bat. And Jose Vidro's. And Raul Ibanez's. And Ichiro's. And Adrian Beltre's. And Wladimir Balentien's. And Kenji Johjima's. And Jeremy Reed's.

Euro 2008 World Tour: France v. Romania at Cafe Presse

2008-06-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

Here at Cafe Presse on Capitol Hill, there are about 10 people watching the France/Romania game. (Another group of 10 people who are watching the game--the French team.) inIt's a subdued crowd--you'll hear some emotive grunts when France puts a ball on goal, but other than that, just light conversation.

Presse (started about a year ago by the owners of Le Pichet) is showing all of the Euro 2008 games on the HDTV that's suspended at a strategic angle at the end of the bar. I figured, it being a French place, that this was the day to stop by.

They serve soccer regularly here--check out their weekly schedule--along with a selection of light, inexpensive French dishes.

It also has high ceilings and a windowed front--so you can sit inside and not feel like you're missing a nice day. This is not the case at the cavernous George & Dragon. Although that's where the passionate fans will be.

Northwest Sports: In the Morning

2008-06-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

Jake Locker played baseball over the weekend--after two years away from the sport, he hit a line drive over the centerfielder's head in the second inning. He was thrown out at third on the play, attempting a head-first slide--when I read that I nearly had a heart attack, but it turns out Locker thinks that's the safest method, telling Bob Condotta: "I figured if I slide that way, it's not my ankle, not (any chance of) catching my ankle."

Save Our Sonics is holding a rally outside the U.S. Courthouse when the Sonics trial starts one week from today, a rally that will include speeches by Xavier McDaniel and Gary Payton. Steve Kelley says a big turnout is critical: "The league doesn't like getting embarrassed and if a huge crowd gathers at the courthouse, the rally will rate ESPN airtime and it will be a signal to the rest of the country that Seattle still cares. If thousands, instead of hundreds, show up it will be another example that the NBA is dead wrong about this city."

Spanish sensation Rudy Fernandez confirmed that he'll play for the Blazers next season. Blazers fans are psyched. (Though this is bad news for Seattle Prep's Martell Webster, who'd seem to be the odd man out.)

Here's video of Fernandez set to Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal...

Erik Bedard got through just five innings yesterday, due in large part to Dustin Pedroia's tenacity and some iffy calls by umpire C.B. Buckner, writes Geoff Baker. M's lost 2-1, in case you hadn't heard. Saturday's loss was the 40th of the season, fastest any M's team has reached that mark, writes John Hickey. The 1978 team's payroll? $1,462,000.

The M's probably won't be on KOMO next year, writes Hickey.

Kasey Kahne won the Pocono 500, his third win in the last four races. He's now ninth in the NASCAR standings.

Ex-Husky Brad Walker set a U.S. record in the pole vault.