There must be priorities
A GRIP ON SPORTS
To be honest, I would rather have my feet up, a donut and cup of coffee nearby, the TV on the British Open. The last part of that sentence is happening, but that's it. Instead, my fingers are flying over the computer keyboard as I try to finish a jam-packed Sunday post. Then I can get to concentrating on the Open. Read on.
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• You know, as I write this, Tiger Woods could still win his 15th major today. Or Adam Scott his second. Or Hunter Mahan or Henrik Stenson his first. Who knows? But that's why we watch sports, right? Heck, the Mariners won a game last night in which they pounded out one hit. Yep, one. And they won 4-2. Heck, Eric Bedard (pictured) bailed out of the game with a no-hitter going. He had reached his pitch limit. And he wants to pitch three more years more than he wants to throw a no-hitter. OK, I get it. We wrote our thoughts on no-hitters earlier this week, so we understand three years of seven-figure paychecks are much more important than showing up on a crowded Wikipedia list. After all, he's only made $27 million in his stellar career. But Bedard's bailout just sort of smells bad. Just like his short-lived M's stint. Yet, he could still pitch a no-hitter before he retires. Heck, stranger things have happened. The Sounders didn't get a win over Colorado in Seattle last night. The 1-1 tie snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Sounders over the Rapids, a streak that, thanks to the vagaries of soccer, is almost Joe DiMaggio-ish in its length. Just the fact I know that is something of an upset in itself. Like lots of Americans, for a long time I was a soccer hater. But I have come to enjoy the beauty of the game. The ebb and flow. The enthusiasm of its fans. Today I can even enjoy watching it for a while, enjoy the baseball-like patience needed to score. It's just another example of how the twists of sports can surprise you over and over.
• By the way, if Tiger Woods self-destructs today, would you be surprised? Ya, me neither. He has never shown he could come from behind to win a pressure-packed tournament, as each major certainly is. And if Lee Westwood holds on? That would not surprise me either. After all, this has been the best sporting summer in British history since the war, what with Justin Rose and Andy Murray winning the two biggest events thus far. So why not another Brit in golf's oldest major tournament? It makes as much sense as anything else.
• One last thing. I didn't know where to put this story out of Utah. But as I loved "The Sandlot" as much as any one who doesn't wear a Benny the Jet T-shirt, I thought I would pass it along.
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• WSU: The two new basketball coaches in Southern California are running into each other on the recruiting trail. ... Oregon's off-season work is the foundation for in-season success.
• Gonzaga: Kelly Olynyk's basketball knowledge is feted in Boston.
• Indians: The trip to Hillsboro, Ore., got a bit better last night as the Indians earned their first win in the series.
• Golf: It's not the British Open (after all, Indian Canyon actually has some trees), but it's probably as important to the guys trying to win. Jim Meehan has the story of the Rosauers Open Invitational's Saturday round. Spokane's Corey Prugh (pictured) is tied for the lead going into the final round.
• Mariners: The M's lone hit? A game-deciding two-run double (pictured) from Michael Saunders. Too bad it couldn't have been a home run. That would have extended the team's consecutive games with at least one dinger. Instead, it ends at a club-record 23 games, sixth-longest in baseball history. But they will take a 4-2 win, as wins have been harder to come by. By the way, the four runs with just one hit and no errors by the opposition? That's never been done before. Of course, the hapless Astros had two passed balls, which aren't officially considered errors but are treated as such when figuring out a pitcher's earned run average. Go figure. ... Brad Miller enjoyed his power surge from Friday. ... The head of the major league players' union is battling cancer, along with other, more typical fights. He's the subject of Larry Stone's column. Stone also has his power rankings and awards. He also wonders about trades and such.
• Sounders: The Sounders were grateful DeAndre Yedlin's first MLS goal gave them a 1-1 tie with Colorado but they were disappointed they didn't get the expected three points a win would have earned. It seems like a sure thing when playing the Rapids. ... A playoff run is still possible, though the season is growing shorter and shorter.
• Seahawks: By this time next week the Hawks will be well into training camp. And some of the questions about the much-anticipated coming season will have been answered. ... Steve Christilaw's feature introduces us to one of the NFL's consultants, one who lives in the Inland Northwest.
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• OK, I'm done here. Now time to pick out a donut, pour a cup of Joe and watch the back nine of the Open. Perfect. Until later ...
