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

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

Last night I ate a steak for dinner and watched an episode of “Columbo” prior to hitting the sack before 10. It's official. I have become my father. 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

We're going to keep it simple today. There is a reason for that. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Baseball is all about tradition. But even baseball has embraced the idea of instant replay to help officiate, albeit slowly and in a quite limited way. After what happened last night, however, maybe it's time for baseball to go back to a simpler time – or move forward. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Well, that's better. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

This time of year, when the flowers are blooming and the sun shining, an off day for the Mariners really cuts into our links for you. But we'll make do. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

As I looked out my window today, all I could think of were the lyrics to a Three Dog Night song. Isn't that sad? 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.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Monday's are supposed to be quiet little days. And, on the Internet, today is. But outside, the way the wind is blowing, it is anything but. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Are there better words to hear this time of year than “65 and sunny?” How about this: “Mariners handle woeful Astros?” We can tell you, one of those statements is applicable. The other, not so much. Read on.