Summer is upon us in a few ways
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Welcome to summer, albeit a couple weeks early. Sunshine, highs in the 80s and a dearth of stories to pass along. Read on.
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• Another thing that happens this time of year? The sun begins streaming in the windows well before 5 a.m., making it tough to finish off a night’s sleep with any satisfaction. All that means is my search for stories to link begins a bit earlier, as does breakfast. Today, neither was too satisfying. Thank goodness the M’s won. And the Hawks have a handful of outspoken players. Without that, today might have been a total bust.
• For your enjoyment – and enlightenment – I bring you a couple of interesting thoughts on the NCAA’s proposed changes in the shot clock. I agree with both of these articles, mainly because I love that college basketball is different and the changes won’t make it better.
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• WSU: The Cougars aren’t anyone’s idea of a Pac-12 favorite going into next college basketball season.
• Gonzaga: Former GU catcher Mike Redmond is no longer the manager of the Florida Marlins.
• CCS: The CCS track teams have been the gold standard for Northwest junior colleges for a long time. Now Lane College wants to assume that mantle.
• Seahawks: No, really. Bruce Irvin was misinterpreted. He wants to be in Seattle. Yep, that’s Pete Carroll’s take and he’s sticking to it.
• Mariners: Want to know the two worst words an athlete can tell his or her coach during a competition? “I thought.” Thinking only gets in the way of doing. At least in Brad Miller’s case. ... James Paxton must not have thought too much yesterday, as his strong eight innings of work helped the M’s to a 5-0 win over the Red Sox and a series split. ... Now, this is funny. ... Felix Hernandez will be fine for his next start.
• Sounders: The MLS’ Western Conference standings are pretty interesting.
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• And if you are wondering what I had for breakfast today, I’ll spill the contents. A banana, a hard-boiled egg, some cottage cheese and some celery. I’m hoping if you see me at a Washington State football game in the fall, you won’t recognize me. Until later ...
