Wandering around a reader’s paradise
A GRIP ON SPORTS
If you love to read, you have to love the Internet. Read on.
••••••••••
• Oh sure, there are always the videos of cats playing the piano and Russian car crashes cluttering the way, but the Net is a reader's paradise. Pick a subject, any subject and there are multiple stories to be found. But the best aspect of the Net is its ability to surprise us. When I started floating around today, there was no way I knew I was going to find a story on the Black Sox. But in my search for the best in Seattle Mariner coverage, I came upon this piece from the National Pastime Museum on the 1919 White Sox scandal. And though it only whets my appetite for more, it was a great way to spend a few minutes this morning. Who knew there was so much information available on the World Series betting scandal? And who knew people still had the time to dig it up? My guess is there will soon be another book on the Black Sox. And you'll be able to read it on the Net.
• Speaking of nets (with the lowercase "n"), we found this other fun story. It's another history piece, but this one on how the ritual of cutting down the nets after big wins came to be. There are two interesting aspects to it. One is the quote about how for so long, cutting down the nets was "an Eastern thing" and the picture at the end of the story (at left). It's of a Mead High girl cutting the net after the Panthers' state title this season. The latter – the ability to communicate information over a long distance – is part of the reason the former – regional differences – no longer exist.
• For previews of tonight's NCAA title game between Michigan and Louisville, we turn to the New York Times. Just thought it would be a good day to read stories from the mountaintop.
•••
• Washington State: There isn't a lot to offer locally today and what we do have comes from Christian Caple's morning blog post. It's just one of those light days. ... The California women's quest for a national title ended in the semis yesterday with a loss to Louisville.
• Mariners: The first week of the 2013 season is in the books and it looks a lot like some recent seasons, with a twist. The similarity is in the record. The M's are 3-4 after yesterday's walk-off defeat in Chicago. (By the way, if you are wondering how I ran across a story on a World Series fix from almost a century ago, realize who the M's were playing yesterday and you'll have the answer.) The difference is in how they got to 3-4. This year's team seems to have power, with all three runs yesterday coming via the long ball (Mike Morse and Kendrys Morales). But then there is another similarity. Despite the improved pop, scoring runs is still a problem. ... The rotation may be a problem as well, though the top two seem to be OK. ... This is the year the young players better step up and take care of business. ... The lineup is a changing thing each day. ... Well, no matter about the record. The M's are returning home and will be facing the woeful Astros. That will fix all the problems.
• Sounders: The Sounders head to Santos Laguna this week for the second leg of their CCL semifinal series. The Laguna star is a former Sounder.
• Seahawks: The Hawks need a backup quarterback. It seems as if they are going to audition a bunch of guys. Who would be the best fit? Heck, I don't know. I'll trust Pete Carroll and the Hawks' staff. They'll figure it out.
•••
• Short day, huh? Well, if you need more, you can always listen to me talk on the radio. I'll be in the 700 ESPN studio this afternoon with Dennis Patchin and Keith Osso chatting about all of the above subjects and more. Pop in between 3 and 6 p.m. if you want. Until then ...
