A GRIP ON SPORTS • The answer is: It’s the norm in baseball and professional basketball, at least in the playoffs. Football? Hardly ever. The same with college basketball. The question: How often do we see back-to-back games with the same opponent. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • One of the myriad New Year’s resolutions I made this year involves staying on top of the news. Not just the sports news, but all news. After less than three weeks I’m ready to quit. Too depressing. But thankfully, I get to wake up each morning and lose myself in the happy stuff. Stories about basketball and baseball and football and the like. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • One thing about Thursdays this time of year: There is a lot going on. College basketball is the main element, of course, but today also features college football news as well. And a little bit of baseball. Read on.

Edgar Martinez continued his steady climb toward becoming the first player who was primarily a designated hitter to be elected to the baseball Hall of Fame. Now, is there enough time remaining in Martinez’s two years eligibility to make up the remaining gap to reach the needed 75 percent of the vote?

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Today Edgar Martinez will watch the baseball Hall of Fame voting announcement. For the eighth consecutive year, he won’t earn the needed 75 percent for induction. But he will be a lot closer than he’s been in the past. And will immediately become one of the favorites for next year. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • So what are your holiday plans? You have any sporting events you must see? Or are you still in mourning, professional football variety? And I’m not just talking to the Seahawk fans. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • There is a matchup in Spokane tonight pitting two of college basketball’s top 25 teams and, no matter who is participating, such an occurrence will never get old. When it happens to be Saint Mary’s visiting Gonzaga, two schools who don’t like each other much, it’s even better. Read on.

The Seattle Mariners have agreed to terms on 2017 contracts with left-hander Drew Smyly and outfielder Jarrod Dyson after acquiring them in trades earlier this month. The Mariners also reached deals with outfielder Leonys Martin, infielder Danny Valencia, left-hander James Paxton and right-handers Evan Scribner and Nick Vincent.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • When there are four Division I basketball teams in one geographical area, it’s pretty common to have a night filled with ups and downs. It’s just the stark nature of Thursday that was a bit surprising. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • The Mariners got better yesterday. The Cougars did too. Maybe even the Seahawks. In other words, it was a good day for Northwest sports. Which, no matter how cold and ugly it was outside, made it a good day in most area households. Read on.

The Mariners have made a pair of trades, landing left-handed starter Drew Smyly from the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander reliever Shae Simmons from the Atlanta Braves. Seattle completed the two deals on Wednesday.