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

We're officially unofficially into summer. And it is raining outside. But not inside, where it's pretty darn dry. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Of all the holidays we celebrate each year, this is the one where the words “happy” or “merry” just don't fit as an adjective. Memorial Day is just that, a day for memories. Memories of those who gave their last full measure, to quote Abraham Lincoln once again, for our freedom. It's a day to reflect, a day to remember, a day to be thankful. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Really, I am at a loss. It's not that bad, though. Not as bad as an eight-game losing streak. Not even close. But therein lies the problem. It's May, late May actually, and the local major league baseball team is once again in a funk. And there is only so much you can write about a franchise that seemingly every year hits a stretch that ensures a long slide to the lower reaches of the standings. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

An unimportant play in a completely forgettable season. That's what traditionalists – or apologists – might say about another obviously blown call in the Mariners' loss to the Texas Rangers. But there is another view, even if baseball may have trouble seeing it. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

It is hard to be labeled. No matter what that label is. But for a professional athlete, one of the hardest labels to live up to is potential. The word may have claimed another casualty yesterday. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Social media is an interesting beast. Sometimes it can bear sharp teeth, ripping into, say, Sergio Garcia, after his ill-advised comments about Tiger Woods and a dinner entrée. And other times it can be a beauty, as it was yesterday when the Chicago Bears' Brian Urlacher announced his retirement from football. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

Want to know when it is going to rain? Just check with me. If I've scheduled a golf outing, it will rain. Been perfect 100 percent of the time this spring. I'm beginning to think the big guy upstairs doesn't like me. 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

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.