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

SportsLink

It’s easy to be already warming up to the M’s

Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Danny Hultzen said it felt great just to be throwing again following major shoulder surgery. (Associated Press)
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Danny Hultzen said it felt great just to be throwing again following major shoulder surgery. (Associated Press)

A GRIP ON SPORTS • I'm not sure whether it’s the weather – it's been warmer than normal all month – or what, but I'm excited about baseball this season. Specifically, I'm excited about the Mariners. I know, how different is that? Read on.

••••••••••

• I'm not excited about the M's because I think they can win it all – though I do, if about 101 things break right. And I'm not excited because they spent more money over the offseason – though about $10 million less than they should of because, really, would it have killed them to get one more bat? No, I'm excited because they seem to have a team that can compete all summer long. And probably into the fall. That's really cool. So my excitement level was ratcheted up to 11 long ago. Then, this morning, I was reading Ryan Divish's Seattle Times blog post from Peoria on yesterday's conversation with M's manager Lloyd McClendon. This was the last little section:

One of those starters who has a spot locked up is Felix Hernandez. The Mariners’ ace showed up having dropped some weight in the offseason through conditioning and leg strengthening. Not bad for a guy that traveled all over the world  (it’s good to be the King). “I was just shocked at how slender he looked,” McClendon said. ” He’s really worked hard this offseason.” It was mentioned that Hernandez has an impressive career resume and only the postseason seems to be missing, McClendon replied: “I think that other Cy Young is missing from his resume too. He’s a little (ticked) off about that.” McClendon wasn’t finished. “Not to take anything away from the kid in Cleveland (Corey Kluber), he had a fantastic year, but, my god, Felix doesn’t win the Cy Young?” he said. “With the numbers he put up? If you really think about 17 starts with at least seven innings and two runs or less in a row, that’s phenomenal.” Asked if that might be a motivation for Hernandez this year? McClendon said: “He’s motivated.”

• We all learn lessons in our youth, right? How to ride a bike, how to throw a football, how to get gum out of your hair. One of the lessons I learned, growing up in Southern California in the early 1960s, is how an ace of a staff can set the tone for the rest of the team. You think the Dodgers of the early '60s had great pitching staffs by accident? No. Sandy Koufax was the reason. He was the best pitcher in baseball. Heck, for a few years there he may have been the best pitcher of all-time. He set a tone. The rest of the staff followed. Right now, there are a lot of really good pitchers in baseball. Clayton Kershaw. Kluber. Felix. Who is the best? Well, we don't know. But it sounds as if one of them – the M's guy – is motivated to prove he is. Heck, he's in his prime. He's healthy. He's fit. He's going to have a monster season. And, just possibly, pitch the M's into the World Series.

•••

• WSU: The toughest job in college football? How about Nick Saban's PR guy? Or the guy who charts Ohio State's quarterback competition? Oregon uniform cleaner? Well, the toughest coaching job in the Pac-12 is easy. USC head coach. Way too many expectations in that job. Win "just" 10 games, lose your paycheck. For some reason ESPN.com's Pac-12 blog picked Washington State as the toughest coaching position. Really? Anyone can win there. If by winning you mean going to a bowl game every three years or so. That's seems to be enough these days. We're just kidding, of course. It is a tough place to win consistently. Jacob Thorpe has more links in his morning post and also has a story in today's paper about Xavier Cooper's interesting weekend in Indianapolis (pictured). ... The Cougars are getting a walk-on quarterback from Monroe.

• Gonzaga: The top of the polls didn't change again and Kyle Wiltjer was honored nationally. Pretty typical stuff. ... Jimmer Fredette's BYU scoring record didn't last very long.

• EWU: Jim Allen had a busy Monday. He caught up with the Vernon Adams' news – as we said last week, the story that wouldn't die – in this blog post. And he also examined the Big Sky's stretch run in basketball. Honestly, I believe Eastern is in trouble. No, I think the Eagles have a good shot at winning out. But, if Sacramento State doesn't lose, and I'm not sure it will, then it's all for naught. The Hornets host the Big Sky postseason tournament. In the schools' rec center. Nice. ... Melissa Williams shared the conference's player of the week honors with Idaho's Stacey Barr.

• Idaho: Last week we passed along the video of coach Don Verlin's rampage on the bench aimed at his assistant coach. We figured it was going to cost Verlin something, maybe even his job. That may still happen but right now it's a $5,000 fine, a leadership class and an apology. Sean Kramer has more in this story.

• Preps: There were some playoff games last night and a change in leadership at Priest River High.

• Seahawks: I love this story. Marshawn Lynch's reps are looking to trademark his "I won't get fined" comment. Why does he need a new contract again? He's finding money under every rock. ... If John Schneider ever wants to return to Green Bay for the general manager job, he reportedly can.... There will be more seats in CenturyLink next season. It's official.... How good is the draft class?

• Mariners: The guy in today's spotlight? Danny Hultzen. Who? Precisely. Once the biggest of "The Big Three" pitching prospects, injuries have derailed his ride to stardom. But he's back. And healthy. ... James Paxton (pictured) isn't, thanks to an "unathletic" moment. ... Felix gets to get ready at his own pace. Sort of of sounds like Koufax again. ... Baseball is trying to speed up the game. OK. But shrinking the strike zone is being discussed. Great. Walks are so exciting. And quick too. ... Catching some pitchers isn't easy. That I know from personal experience. ... You looking for a uplifting story this morning? Look no further than this piece on Spokane's Jeremy Affeldt.

• Sounders: There are reunions even in the preseason.

•••

• Do I really believe the M's are going to the World Series? Well, I wouldn't make book on it. But you never know. Once the postseason begins, it's anyone's ballgame. And I do think the M's will make the postseason this year. At least I'm hoping really hard they will. It's time. Until later ...



Vince Grippi
Vince Grippi is a freelance local sports blogger for spokesman.com. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.

Follow Vince online:






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.