One of those old days
A GRIP ON SPORTS
Some days it's really easy to feel old. Today is one of those days. The Sporting News is discontinuing its print edition. Read on.
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• OK, we're not going to dwell on the past here again today, but it is a pretty sad day if you over 40. The Sporting News, pre-ESPN, was the one way a baseball fan – it was called "The Bible of Baseball" when I was young – could keep up with what was going on in the bigs outside your area. It was a must-read, what with news from every team and – this was crucial for a baseball nut like myself – box scores from every game for the past week, including those of minor league teams as well. When it arrived in the mail I would sequester myself with it, turning page after page slowly, checking out what I wanted to read in more depth right away – oh, a feature on Joe Foy; that looks interesting – and what I wanted to skip until later. Though there was no fantasy baseball then, as we know it today, there was always the fantasy baseball I played. The fantasy of someday having my name in those box scores, in those headlines. And now, like a lot of print products, it is no longer going to be available. Yes, I feel old. And sad.
• Speaking of a lack of interest (nice segue, huh?), Kim and I attended the Eastern basketball game last night. If you're keeping score at home, that's three consecutive days attending a live basketball game. Sadly, the atmosphere at the Eagles game was the least electric of the three, even though Seattle University and Eastern flew around the court for 40 minutes. Every time I make the short drive to Cheney (it took right around a half hour to get home last night, starting at the time we got in the truck until we pulled into our driveway) I enjoy the experience. And wonder why I don't make the trip more often. And why others don't do the same. Maybe it's because I'm old. Seems to be the theme today.
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• Washington State: The Cougars are in finals and don't play again until Thursday, so the news is slow out of Pullman. Christian Caple has what there is today, including a story and blog post on Brock Motum earning Pac-12 player of the week honors. He also has his morning post. ... Bob Clark says there's little time for the conference to gain nonconference luster.
• Gonzaga: The Bulldogs will have to keep their guard up (couldn't resist, sorry) over the next few weeks, as Jim Meehan's story and blog post relate. ... The NCAA announced a trio of March Madness lists today, including the best players, the best teams and the best moments. Though UCLA dominates, there is a Gonzaga mention. ... Some out-of-area publications look back and ahead at GU games. ... USD will host always-tough Arizona Christian (who?) tonight.
• EWU: Jim Allen was sitting at center court last night and filed this story on the Eagles' loss to Seattle U. ... Jesse Tinsley also has these photos from the game, one of which is at left. ... Of course there is a crucial football game in Cheney this weekend and Jim has a story on that as well. ... He also has links this morning.
• Idaho: The Vandals' coaching staff is coming together, as Paul Petrino is reaching out to guys with some Idaho blood in their veins. Josh Wright catches you up on all the changes with this story and blog post. ... Speaking of change, Utah State has turned from a football also-ran into a power in the past few years. ... Where does San Jose State go from here?
• Seahawks: Sunday's rout has thrust Seattle into the national spotlight, but the past isn't what interests Pete Carroll and the Hawks. The chance to win the NFC West, the wild-card race, the upcoming schedule changes, fine-tuning the offense and defense in anticipation of the stretch run, that's what matters.
• Mariners: Welcome home – sort-of – Jason Bay. The M's introduced Bay and showed off the in-process changes at Safeco Field to the media yesterday.
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• Guess what. We'll be on the radio today and tomorrow. You can listen from 3 to 6 p.m. right here. Until later ...
