A birthday is rarely perfect, but it can strike the right chord
A GRIP ON SPORTS
"It was 58 years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play" ... or something like that. Read on.
• Why the Beatles? I don't know. They were before my time (the Eagles were more my generation). But they were and still are the greatest rock band of all time and part of the soundtrack of any baby boomer's life. Speaking of that, today is the 58th anniversary of the best postseason pitching performance of any baby boomer's life, Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. The Dodgers lost that day, which is typical to a lot of all early October days in my life, including yesterday. But I digress, like usual. You're probably wondering why I am. Mainly because it's another birthday. Like the perfect game anniversary, it's also my 58th. (On the wall of my office is a plaque with a picture from Larsen's last pitch in that game the day I was born, a thoughtful birthday gift from my sister Linda and her husband Al a few years ago.) And so I was prepared to take the day off. You know, sit around the house all day in my shorts lamenting the passing of the years, that kind of stuff. Then I looked at today's sports page. Wow. There were way too many stories to skip. Football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey. A veritable cornucopia of sports news. I couldn't leave you guys hanging with so much to offer. So here I sit. Enjoy. And then, after you get off work tonight, raise a glass in Larsen's honor – and mine if you wish. He did something no one else has ever done. I've lived a long time. Seems about even.
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• WSU: You want validation? When it comes to Cougar football, Jack Thompson can bestow it. He did just that concerning Connor Halliday's performance the other night. And that's what kicks off John Blanchette's column today on Halliday. ... Jacob Thorpe keeps on schedule despite the Friday night game, offering up his Pac-12 notebook and power rankings on this Wednesday, as he usually does. Jacob also has a practice report on the blog along with one on more honors headed WSU's way as well as a morning post with links. ... Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan is dealing with what seems to be a minor leg injury. ... Halliday is now atop these quarterback rankings. ... As usual, we have some conference notebooks to pass along, including one on the Hail Marys around the Pac-12, which leads to a lot of wild finishes. ... California can solidify its hold on first place in the North this weekend. ... There is also a big game in the South. ... There are folks out there older than me – yes, it's true – who are shocked by what they are seeing in this conference every week – especially from Oregon. ... A Cougar recruit talks about his long trip to Pullman.
• Gonzaga: College basketball practice has been going on for a few days and Gonzaga opened itself to the media yesterday, with Jim Meehan covering the availability for the men and Tom Clouse doing the same for the women. There is a bit of a contrast in the two programs right now what with the changeover in the women's program as Lisa Fortier (pictured) takes over as head coach while Mark Few just keeps rolling along with the men. ... Jim also has a volleyball notebook which begins with special nature of the season for Gonzaga.
• EWU: With Vernon Adams on crutches, Jordan West takes over as the Eagles' quarterback this week at Southern Utah. Jim Allen takes some time today to introduce us to the new starter. ... Jim also has a morning post with some links.
• Chiefs: We've been passing along many of the results in the WHL this season and none have been more surprising then all the losses the Portland Winterhawks have been enduring. Chris Derrick uses those defeats to lead his league notebook.
• Preps: There was a showdown for the top spot in the Great Northern League volleyball race last night at East Valley and it was won by the Knights. Chris Derrick has the story. ... Greg Lee caught up with G-Prep's Laura Stockton, who yesterday gave her commitment to play hoops at Gonzaga University. ... We also have a roundup of Wednesday night's prep action.
• Seahawks: If you were handing out an MVP trophy for the first quarter of the season, you would have to give it to Russell Wilson, wouldn't you? ... On the defensive side, it might just go to Bobby Wagner (pictured), who missed much of the preseason. ... The Hawks were hit with a lot of penalties and that was discussed afterward. ... How would you grade the effort against Washington? ... Next up for Seattle? The Cowboys, who are playing well. ... Just about everyone in the Northwest watched Monday.
• Mariners: Taijuan Walker was on a roll when the season ended. He, and other M's players, continued to roll yesterday through the Arizona fall league. ... Kyle Seager may just win a Golden Glove.
• Sounders: The Sounders have a couple of spots to figure out as the MLS stretch run continues on. They have questions at the midfield and, this weekend, one big one on defense. ... The reserves ended their season on an up-note.
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• That's it for this morning. I have some plans. Nothing too exciting. This isn't my first birthday you know. Until later ...
