Grip on Sports: The ending has to be just right to make fans happy

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Oh ya, I remember. In a galaxy far, far away. Finally got to see “Rogue One” yesterday. Which started Christmas Day off right. Then it was on to football, where almost every team I wanted to win, didn’t. How does that happen? Read on.

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• It was a cruddy football weekend as far as I was concerned. The Hawks played terribly on Christmas Eve and blew any chance they had of making noise in the playoffs. At least it looks that way at this point.

Then yesterday every football game I watched seem to make it a point to decide who I wanted to win, then turn the tables against said team. And it was the same way with the NBA as well, though there is only one team in that league I root for.

Yes, it’s all about me.

But isn’t that feeling universal occasionally? Doesn’t it seem as if the universe itself is conspiring against every team you like?

Heck, I can vividly remember the last time the Dodgers won the grand prize. I was in Louisville. I hit my head on the ceiling fan in the Galt House jumping up and down on the bed after Kirk Gibson’s home run. Los Angeles went on to win the Series and I still have a little scar.

Since then I’ve rooted for the M’s and the Dodgers. How many times have those two won the Series? That would be never. Nada. Zilch.

(Knowing my luck, when the M’s finally get there, they will play the Dodgers. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I would root for Seattle. I think.)

But, other than the Seahawks a few years ago, there really hasn’t been a lot of success around these here parts. Major success, I mean. Sure, I was pleasantly surprised with the Sounders’ recent title, but even MLS fans will admit the league may be the best the U.S. has, but is still a minor one in most of the world’s eyes.

Everyone sets goals. And oftentimes the local teams meet them. But fans want more. Always. So unless someone cuts down the Final Four nets or hoists the national title trophy or wins a major championship, then some folks are unhappy.

Heck, I loved the movie yesterday. But I heard some grumbling as I was leaving the theater. The ending wasn’t what some wanted.

Must be sports fans.

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WSU: Only a couple more days until the Cougars kick it off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Jacob Thorpe spent his Christmas Day with the team at the San Diego Zoo and has this notebook, which includes the zoo trip but really is about the seniors who will play their final game Tuesday. Tyler Tjomsland is in San Diego as well and has a bunch of photos from the zoo. … Jacob also went to practice and has video of interviews with Mike Leach, Dave Nichol and Clay McGuire afterward. … The field trip was also the subject of a Stefanie Loh story in the Times. … Around the Pac-12 football fields, this story about a USC alum brought back a flood of memories. Jim Hardy ran the Coliseum when I was young. His brother, Don, and his family lived behind me. My best friend for a few years was Steve, one of the Hardy’s 11 children. (Two houses down from the Hardys on Grandview were the Youngs, whose 12 children included Matt, the former M’s pitcher. Did I mention we all attended St. Rita’s Catholic school together?) Don was an end on brother Jim’s USC teams, and caught a touchdown pass in the Rose Bowl. He also taught me, and every other kid in the neighborhood, how to catch a football. … The Utes are using their bowl practices to get the youngsters up to speed. … Colorado will rely on its upperclassmen on defense in the Alamo Bowl. … Oregon received a commitment from a big Florida defensive lineman. … Alabama fans in the Puget Sound area aren’t keeping a low profile. Unlike Bear Bryant. … On the basketball court, Arizona is looking forward to the conference season beginning. … Utah won again to finish off its Hawaiian adventure.

Gonzaga: USF got to the finals of the Diamond Head Classic but fell to San Diego State 62-48.

Seahawks: About the only good that came out of Saturday night was Earl Thomas tweeting he would be back next season. … With Tyler Lockett out, Doug Baldwin becomes even more important. … How important was Saturday night’s game? It may be the most important of the season. 

Mariners: No, the M’s haven’t found another starting pitcher yet.

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• It’s time to get back to normalcy in some regards this week. But, really, the schedule doesn’t clear up until after the New Year, right? This last week of 2016 is pretty darn full of football, as it should be. And basketball too. Until later …