May the month be with you, always
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Believe it or not, today is the last day of May. A good month, gone way too soon. Read on.
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2015
Shock can't finish comeback, fall to Rattlers
In front of the loudest crowd of the season, and maybe the loudest in a couple years, Spokane had a golden opportunity against Arizona but came up empty in the final minute. Arizona made the big plays and claimed a 59-47 AFL victory at the…
Missouri transfer Williams picks Gonzaga
Missouri transfer Johnathan Williams announced via social media Saturday night that he will transfer to Gonzaga for his final two seasons of eligibility. I conducted a short phone interview with Williams earlier tonight and put together the story below for Sunday's S-R. Read on for…
Rattlers, minus Davila, take on Shock
Arizona will be without quarterback Nick Davila and backup B.J. Coleman for tonight's date with Spokane at the Arena. More on the matchup here.
Spokane-area alums making noise in the pro ranks
A GRIP ON SPORTS • It was an interesting day around here Friday for Spokane-area alums. Especially those playing professionally. Read on.
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015
Summer can get crowded for everyone these days
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Let’s get this straight. It’s not summer yet. If it were, you think the NBA and NHL would still be on the TV? Read on.
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2015
Athlete Renard Bell commits to play at WSU
In the early afternoon on Thursday, Renard Bell of Cathedral HS in Las Angeles called WSU assistant Roy Manning.
It's a world I wouldn't want to live in
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Really, isn’t that what we’ve all come to expect from Felix Hernandez and Nelson Cruz these days? OK, Wednesday’s early afternoon performance was even a bit better than usual for Felix. And Cruz’s game-clinching home run was a power display, even for him. Read on.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
WSU men's basketball avoids APR restrictions
Washington State's women's golf, rowing, women's basketball and both cross country teams posted perfect Academic Progress Rates in 2013-14.
WSU makes another change in coaching staff
A GRIP ON SPORTS • There is a truism in college sports these days that everyone seems to want to ignore. But it happens more often than not. Read on.
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015
WSU ranks last in 2014 Pac-12 athletic revenues
Washington State's overall athletic revenue went up more than $7 million in 2014. However, that still left the Cougars last in the Pac-12.
If Cano comes around, so will the M's
A GRIP ON SPORTS • This was the way it was supposed to go all season. Good pitching from start to finish and a key Robinson Cano hit or two. The question is, then, will it continue? Read on.
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
Memorial Day has always been about honor
A GRIP ON SPORTS • It’s a day of remembrance, isn’t it? Of those who left to defend their country and never returned. Read on.
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015
Cougars losing a key battle in baseball
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Let’s get right to it. You have places to be and things to do. So do we. It is a three-day weekend, of course. Read on.
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015
Shock hang on to defeat Las Vegas
One week after the biggest loss in franchise history, Spokane looked like it would post one of its easiest wins. However, a 35-point fourth-quarter lead dissolved quickly and the visiting Shock had to hang on for a 63-56 victory Saturday over Las Vegas. More below.
At least the weather is nice
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Is this the poorest holiday weekend of the year for sports watching? It may just be. Read on.
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015
There is plenty of blame to go around
A GRIP ON SPORTS • The headline says one thing. I believe another. Read on.
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015
Klay Thompson is first All-NBA Cougar
Klay Thompson was named to the 2014-15 All-NBA third team on Thursday, the first such honor for a graduate of Washington State University.
This weekend just won't be the same
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Clear your mind. A beautiful weekend is ahead, full of exciting possibilities. Looking behind isn’t worth as much effort. Read on.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015
Kraft, Pats surrender
A GRIP ON SPORTS • There is sort of a “Game of Thrones” battle going on in the NFL these days, though Robert Kraft yesterday acted more like Tyrion Lannister than Jamie. Read on.
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015
The M's need to answer the call with men on base
A GRIP ON SPORTS • There is a not-so-exclusive club in America right now. It’s a club populated only by people who have received scam phone calls purporting to be from the IRS. I’ve been inducted, I don’t know, a thousand times? Read on.
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015
Bill Pierce's almanac: GSL softball history
When the Greater Spokane League started back in the 1970s, fastpitch softball was not offered fo girls. The league began competition with slowpitch and it remained that way until 1985, when the GSL decided to switch to modified fastpitch.
Summer is upon us in a few ways
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Welcome to summer, albeit a couple weeks early. Sunshine, highs in the 80s and a dearth of stories to pass along. Read on.
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2015
Saturday got lost in the shuffle a bit
A GRIP ON SPORTS • If there ever is a lost Saturday, it was yesterday. Tucked between the weekend that hosts Mother’s Day and the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, this is the forgotten weekend. And there are many who would like to forget yesterday. Read on.
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015
Shock blown out by SaberCats
About the only thing Spokane got right Saturday was Raul Vijil's jersey retirement ceremony at halftime. Vijil gave an emotional speech and he received a standing ovation. His No. 15 now hangs next to Spokane's division, conference and league championship banners. The rest of the...
SportsLink is your portal into sports news around the Inland Northwest and beyond. You'll find updates, notes and opinions, and plenty of reader feedback.
Looking for a Grip on Sports?
Vince Grippi's daily take on all things regional sports has been moved to our main sports section online. You can find a collection of these columns here.
Blog Archives
| May 2015 | ||||
| 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
| 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
| 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
| 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| 11 | 10 | 09 | 08 | 07 |
| 06 | 05 | 04 | 03 | 02 |
| 01 |