A GRIP ON SPORTS

There are certain jobs that don't seem too safe right now. Drummer for Spinal Tap. Justin Bieber security guard at a Heat game. Catcher for the Seattle Mariners. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Sometimes you can see a storm brewing from miles away. Other times it hits you before you have time to run for cover. The latest brouhaha in Seattle? It was visible from here. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Sometimes I have this vision of myself as a gold miner in California, circa 1850. A crusty old guy with a filthy hat, overalls, a bad limp and a pie plate from Marie Calendar's. Bent over the waters of the Internet, I picking up a bunch a mud, swirl the plate over and over again and, Eureka, a couple of nuggets appear in the bottom. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Three-run home runs are cool, sure, and oftentimes can be crucial to winning a baseball game. But catching a short flip from the first baseman very well may be more important. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Things you would expect to see in Cleveland: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the house where they filmed “A Christmas Story,” LeBron James haters. Things you wouldn't expect to see in Cleveland: a first-place baseball team, Kevin Costner, Felix Hernandez being knocked around like Eric Bedard. Yet all those unexpected things were available for viewing yesterday. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

When you sit down every day – and by every day, I mean every day – to write a sports-related blog post, you never know what occurrence will tickle your fancy and set you down the road to the finished product. You'll never believe what got me going this morning. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

There was a considerable amount of optimism in the Mariners clubhouse Thursday night. Then came Friday in Cleveland. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

It is the middle of May, right? Not September or October? Good. After reading about the atmosphere in the Mariners' clubhouse yesterday, I was afraid I had fallen asleep and awoken three or four months in the future. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

You are walking down the street. You come across David Stern's limo, which has a flat tire. He is standing outside the car, holding a dead phone in his hand. No one else is around. Do you: A) pull out your phone and call for help; B) ignore him and walk away; or C) tell him exactly how you feel concerning his treatment of Seattle over the years? Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

I'm pretty sure it was Yogi Berra who said, “it ain't over until it's over.” Or something akin to that. Whatever. That saying has a double meaning today. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

There have been some weird baseball injuries over the years. Joba Chamberlain on a trampoline with his son. Josh Outman throwing up and straining a muscle. Luke Scott pulling a hamstring in a home run trot. But last night I may have outdone them all. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

We're back, this time with our usual morning blog post. And if you love baseball, today's the day to read. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • UPDATED: 9:05 A.M.

The second Saturday in May doesn't seem like a traditional time to be thinking about professional football, but it is. At least it is this year. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Well, that's better. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

All over Spokane, people are pulling themselves out of bed, rubbing their eyes and putting their running shoes on. It's Bloomsday, the day the Inland Northwest pays homage to fitness – and sweat. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Are non-major collegiate sports important to you? I ask because tonight my alma mater, UC Irvine, plays for its second consecutive NCAA men's volleyball title. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

It only seemed as if the Mariners were going to play for 162 consecutive days. They actually do have a few off days, though, as far as I can recall – at my age, recall isn't total anymore – they had just one in April. But they had Thursday off. All they had to do following Wednesday's game was to travel from Seattle to Toronto and get situated for a road series that starts tonight. But don't worry, they'll be home in time for Mother's Day, and that's important. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Who were those guys? You know, the ones who inhabited the Mariner uniforms the past week or so? Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

It is the first of May. The fifth month of 2013. The beginning of the best time of year. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

You know how an NBA game usually comes down to the last two minutes? That's sort of how I feel about Chris Hansen's quest to move the Sacramento Kings to Seattle. It will come down to the final two minutes. And those two minutes might not occur for a year or so. Read on.