A normal day – as it should be
A GRIP ON SPORTS
I don't know about you, but we spent the holiday enjoying a quiet, relaxing day. You know, mowing the lawn, weeding, barbecuing, listening to the M's win, reading, playing with the dogs, watching the Heat, eating ice cream, taking in a few minutes of hockey. All those things the people we were honoring sacrificed so we could enjoy. It seemed right. Read on.
• Everyone else must have been doing pretty much the same thing, because I don't remember a day when there were fewer links to pass along. Which gives us a chance to remind you of something we brought up yesterday. If you are a faithful reader of this column you know a year ago on Mother's Day we asked for your sports-related memories of mom. And you folks come through. Well, we're doing the same thing this year for Father's Day. Share with us your memories of dad and sports. Of times good – and bad – you spent with dad playing catch, watching golf, running Bloomsday. Whatever. The time he yelled at an umpire or told you he was proud of you or embarrassed the heck out of your brother. We'll put them together and run them in their entirety here on SportsLink. Some will be featured in the Review. Don't worry about polish, just share what's in your heart. Send them to me at vincegrippi55@yahoo.com. I'll take care of the rest. Make sure to include your name, as the newspaper needs it for confirmation purposes.
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• WSU: The Cougars are eighth in the summer power rankings from ESPN.com's Pac-12 blog. That would put them on the cusp of a bowl bid. And also led us to today's poll question. Where do you think the Cougars should be in a Pac-12 power ranking? In the top four? The bottom four? Or somewhere in the middle?
• Preps: The State golf tournaments begin tomorrow in Washington, with many local athletes among the favorites. Jim Meehan has an advance of the GSL's teams and players.
• Seahawks: Organized training activities begin today for the Hawks and though this year's OTAs aren't as question-filled as some years, there are still plenty to begin answering. There is also plenty to watch. ... Wondering what the depth chart looks like among the Hawks' receivers? How about the defense and special teams? Wonder no more.
• Mariners: Chris Young (pictured) has played as important a role in the Mariners reaching 50 games at .500 as anyone on the squad. A late-addition, the soft-throwing right-hander has been lights out at Safeco and was again Monday afternoon. He gave up just two hits in the M's 5-1 victory over the Angels, ensuring the M's would be at the break-even point nearly a third of the way through the season. It seems it was sort of a goal to be at least even at this point, so there's that. ... James Paxton was a little sorer than the M's expected yesterday, so his return to the starting rotation is a little more up-in-the-air than expected.
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• It looks to be another nice day in our Inland Northwest paradise. I hope all is well with you. It is with me. Thanks for wondering. Until later ...
