The Big Unit still is a big part of a lot of big Mariner memories
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Randy Johnson is a big man. A big man headed to the baseball Hall of Fame. Read on.
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• Johnson is already in the Mariner Hall of Fame, deservedly so. He was the most dominating pitcher in M's history and may still be – though most of you would probably make the argument Felix Hernandez has earned that moniker. He seemingly single-handedly pitched the M's to the playoffs in 1995 – he was 7-0 with a 1.45 ERA down the stretch and made the most famous relief appearance ever for an M's starter. And he tanked in the first part of 1998 so the M's would trade him. It's hard to forget the former and hard to get over the latter. Johnson wanted more money. He deserved more money. Seattle wouldn't give him more money. So he pitched poorly, forcing the Mariners' hand. It worked. He was traded to Houston, was 10-1 with a 1.28 ERA down the stretch and then signed with Arizona in the offseason. Johnson always denied he did anything untoward that year. Still does today. But the numbers don't lie – he was 9-10 with a 4.33 ERA when traded – even if people do. Johnson was, and is, a big part of Mariners' history. The tallest part, actually. He is still one of our favorite all-time Seattle players. But the sour taste of his last season in the Northwest lingers. He felt he was being disrespected (and said so many times). He craved respect, something the fans always gave him, up to that point. So he left. He earned respect, money, four Cy Young awards and a world championship in Arizona, so he'll rightfully enter the Hall on Sunday as a Diamondback. But to us he'll always be the young Big Unit, the guy with scowl, the dominating slider and the strong left arm that bailed the M's out again and again during the magical 1995 season. He won't be the first Mariner in the Hall of Fame. That honor will go to Ken Griffey, Jr. But he'll be the most intimidating. And always will be.
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• WSU: Jacob Thorpe returned to SportsLink yesterday with a post on the Cougars' summer and some links. ... The biggest story in Eugene is still the Ducks' quarterback competition. Everyone, it seems, has an opinion. ... It's Saturday, so we can pass along the mailbag from ESPN.com's Pac-12 blog.
• Idaho: The Vandals and Boise State's long basketball series is over for now. Sean Kramer has more in this blog post and story.
• Shock: The Portland Thunder roll into town tonight in what is basically a playoff game for both. Jim Meehan has an advance of the game between the two AFL playoff hopefuls.
• Shadow: Though the season isn't over, Spokane has already clinched the Evergreen Premier League title. Tom Clouse has an advance of the Shadow's final match this year.
• Golf: Jim is back with another column featuring conversations with local pros.
• Indians: A six-run seventh inning doomed the Indians in Everett last night. They lost 8-6.
• Seahawks: Ricardo Lockette still can't look at the final play of the Super Bowl Could it be because he knows he didn't run the pattern correctly? ... Which undrafted free agent has the best chance of making the Hawks?
• Mariners: Justin Smoak returned to Seattle in a Blue Jays uniform yesterday and told everyone he's a lot happier. So are we. ... The M's played baseball the way they expected to play it all season and defeated the Jays 5-2 behind Felix (pictured). That's two consecutive wins, something that hasn't happened in a while. ... The trade deadline is getting closer. What will the M's do? ... The Mariners seemed to have a thing about not drafting local players. It may bite them again.
• Sounders: Seattle plays in Montreal tonight needing a win desperately. ... Marco Pappa was over the legal limit by a wide margin when he was pulled over. ... The Sounders would like to produce more homegrown talent. ... Real Salt Lake is on a roll.
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• As we said yesterday and will remind you today, no post tomorrow morning. I'll be headed back to Spokane. Man, do I miss it. Until Monday ...
