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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Spokane’s doppleganger is right here

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Someone who shall remain anonymous, but who works at the newspaper, once told me Omaha is the Spokane of the Midwest.

If Spokane had 75 percent humidity. And an NCAA championship every year.

Though I will say I saw a lot of similarities today like …

• The airport's baggage claim area has the exact same design as the ones in Spokane – and no one checks that you have the right bag, just like Spokane. Mine set there for a (long) while as I got my rental car and no one took it. Hopefully, just like Spokane.

• The school-bus service is supplied by Laidlaw.

• There is a Starbucks every seven blocks. I stopped at one and asked a couple of customers for advice on an affordable steak house. They were nice – just like in Spokane – and helpful. They also came through with a decent place.

• Gas is $2.85 a gallon. OK, that one is different.

But so far the people are friendly, the weather fine and the town papered with College World Series ads. And tomorrow the baseball starts.

We'll be back early tomorrow morning with links on new EWU coach Kirk Earlywine, the M's and whatever else is happening in the Northwest.



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.






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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.