Lots of choices on this Sunday
A GRIP ON SPORTS
We've got a multiple-choice test for you today. Don't have a panic attack. It isn't as hard as that English exam you failed in 11th grade, starting you down the road to ruin. Where you ended up a sports writer. Read on.
• We're going to be quick here this morning because: A) It's a beautiful day and I know you are in a hurry to hit the Centennial Trail for your 6.3 mile run; B) There's not a lot going on in the world of sports; C) It's Sunday, you slept until noon and you really don't want to read anything until Monday; D) The bacon is almost done; E) We're lazy. As I said, this is your test. You pick the answer. We're not going to help (whispers choose B, choose B, choose B, no, no, not E). This is on you pal. We're too busy putting together links, including enough high school sports stories to choke California Chrome.
• Only a couple weeks left for you to send us your Father's Day memories. We want your memories of your dad and sports. Of times good – and bad – you spent with your father playing catch, watching golf, running Bloomsday. Whatever. The time he yelled at an umpire or told you he was proud of you or embarrassed the heck out of your brother. We'll put them together and run them in their entirety here on SportsLink. Some might even be featured in the Review. Don't worry about polish, just share what's in your heart. Send them to me at vincegrippi55@yahoo.com. I'll take care of the rest. Make sure to include your name, as the newspaper needs it for confirmation purposes.
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• WSU: The Cougars seem to be in line to pick up a highly touted prep football recruit. Of course, he'll be coming to Pullman a couple of years after he was a highly touted prep recruit. Jacob Thorpe has a blog post on the impending transfer of UCLA's Aaron Porter, a linebacker from La Harba High who never really found his place in Westwood. ... Bill Moos seems to be happy with a couple of his coaches, giving them contract extensions. ... I pass along this story just because it made the old Anteater smile.
• EWU: Montana has turned to an alum to replace Wayne Tinkle as basketball coach.
• Preps: I've been involved with prep sports at the Review for a long time but I can't remember the last time we had a dozen long stories on prep events. That's the case today, covering the spectrum of high school competition. ... Greg Lee has a story on the 3A state track meet and another on the 4A. We also have Chris Derrick's piece on the 1A/2B/1B girls meet and John Blanchette's story on the boys meet. ... Ferris fell in the State 4A boys soccer final, losing 2-1 to Snohomish. Jim Allen has our story. ... Jacob was in Lacey to cover the 3A softball. We also have a story on the 4A tournament, which was in Spokane, and a roundup of all the other softball action. ... Mt. Spokane finished third in the 3A baseball tournament. Tom Clouse has the story. In other baseball action, Colton won the 2B baseball title to go with their basketball crown. ... Finally, we have a roundup of the state tennis action. ... There will be a new sports award event in town.
• Shock: The Arizona Rattlers defeated San Jose 51-42 last night in Phoenix, clinching their division. Former Shock quarterback Nick Davila came off the bench to spark the win after missing most of the week to be with his father, who died Friday.
• Seahawks: The new contract with Doug Baldwin is just another example of the Seahawks getting something right.
• Mariners: Saturday night, the Mariners put on the field what was arguably the worst lineup in the bigs this year. And, thanks to stellar pitching from Chris Young and the bullpen, won. With guys like Willie Bloomquist (pictured), John Buck and Cole Gillespie coming through, the M's defeated the Tigers, 3-2. ... It was Robinson Cano bobble head night. Robinson Cano did not play. ... Ryan Divish shares his power rankings.
• Sounders: The two best teams in the MLS met in Seattle yesterday. Well, the best team in the MLS – right now – met an overpowered Real Salt Lake team in Seattle yesterday. The Sounders led 1-0 at the half – on another Gonzalo Pineda penalty kick – and then exploded after halftime for a 4-0 win. It was RSL's first loss of the season. ... Afterward, everyone seemed to have something to say about a win that tied a Sounders record.
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• Sunday morning in Spokane. June 1. A perfect day. Kim and I are headed to brunch – we're having a little alone time – and then back home for a relaxing day. If the lawn got mowed. We'll see. Until later ...
