Grip on Sports: Before the week is half over, you may need to catch up on a few items

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Hold on to your Mariners’ cap. We’ve got a lot to pass along and not a lot of time to do it. So we’re going to go fast. Better clear the way, and the next few hours on your schedule. Read on.

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• We start in an odd spot. Eugene, Oregon, home of the Eugene (appropriate, no?) Emeralds.

The Ems, as they are affectionately known, are the Northwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, once lovable losers, but who turned years of adversity into victory last season.

So it’s appropriate the Cubs have Chris Singleton in their farm system.

Why?

That simple question has a complicated answer, one relayed beautifully by Austin Meek in today’s Register-Guard.

Suffice to say, Singleton lives his faith – and has turned the ultimate adversity into a victory of the human spirit.

This is a story you will want to read.

• Around these parts, college football season is getting closer and closer. So close, in fact, the Cougars began working on what Montana State might do during the Sept. 2 Martin Stadium opener.

It’s been a while since WSU has won its opening game – how does 2011, Paul Wulff’s last as head coach, sound? – so maybe it comes as little wonder Washington State would get started on the Bobcats.

Especially considering MSU runs an offense that can only be considered odd. How odd? Montana State won 24-17 at archrival Montana last season while completing just two passes.

Quarterback Chris Murray, the Big Sky offensive freshman of the year, had 37 yards passing and 142 rushing in that game. The Bobcats had 368 yards on the ground. If there was ever a team that is the antithesis of WSU, offensively, it’s Montana State.

• Yesterday was an anniversary of sorts. It was five years to the day from Felix Hernandez’s perfect game.

The Times’ Larry Stone did a wonderful piece looking back on the game, the best pitched one in Mariner history.

But the nostalgic aspect of the remembrance got my worried. Worried the M’s are about to embark on an Edgar’s-double-in-the-corner reverence of Felix’s perfection. Will we be re-living Rick Rizz’s call of the last out for the next 20 years, hearing it at least 50 times a season?

As we’ve said before, the best thing the M’s do as an organization is honor the past. It’s also, in a way, the worst thing the organization does. It too often seems the past, the highlights from 40, 30, 20 years ago, mean more than that present.

And as long as the present is as mediocre as it’s been recently, that will be the case.

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WSU: Theo Lawson has a piece on the Cougars’ practice yesterday, mentioning the preparation for Montana State. But that’s just part of his Pullman coverage. He delves into 12 players – one per game – who could give Washington State fits this football season. … There is also news, bad news, from the basketball court. Roberto Gittens, the athletic centerpiece of WSU’s recruiting class from Tacoma’s Foss High, didn’t qualify academically and will have to attend junior college. Theo has more in this story. … Elsewhere in the Pac-12 yesterday, San Jose’s Jon Wilner is expanding his coverage of the conference in multiple ways. And he will soon be looking at the Pac-12 Networks and whether the media entity is working correctly. … Washington still has some position battles to decide before the opener. … With one of Oregon State’s top receivers out, the Beavers will have to use multiple players to fill the gap. … As camp winds on, Oregon’s Royce Freeman prepares for his final season. … Stanford has a replacement for Christian McCaffrey. But Bryce Love’s backups are still to be determined. … California has gone through some transition recently and will again, as athletic director Mike Williams is stepping down. … Utah has a star in the secondary with the same nickname as a Washington State running back. … Colorado welcomed back a running back from injury. … USC is still trying to figure out who will back up its star quarterback. … UCLA’s star quarterback says he’s feeling more comfortable. … Arizona State’s secondary has to improve if the Sun Devils want to have a winning season. … Down in Tucson, the pressure on Arizona to win is growing. But it doesn’t look as if that will happen.

Gonzaga: Kyle Wiltjer has a new team. Jim Meehan has a story on the sharpshooter signing with Toronto. … Robert Sacre is headed back to Japan.

EWU: The Eagles have lost a lot since last season (including receiver Kendrick Bourne, who is in San Francisco) but the offensive line has an answer. Jim Allen tells us what that group is saying. … Jim also relays the news about Vernon Adams’ new home. … Around the Big Sky, Northern Colorado is starting to figure a few things out. … Idaho State hopes a long-awaited receiver is as good as advertised. … Southern Utah has a new kicker. … Northern Arizona has a new look on offense. … Montana State has a youngster who is ready to contribute. … Montana’s pair of safeties has the Griz backline covered.

Preps: Yes, riding BMX bikes fast is a sport. And it’s a sport we will be able to watch live around here this weekend. Ryan Collingwood has more in this story.

Hockey: The newest NHL team sees North Idaho has part of its footprint. Who would have figured? Dave Nichols has a story on the Las Vegas Golden Knights – great nickname by the way – making a goodwill trip through the area.

Indians: Sloppy is an adjective used pretty often in the low minors, as in “Spokane won a sloppy game last night at Eugene.” … Elsewhere in the Northwest League, Hillsboro fell in Tri-City again and Everett lost in Boise. … The last playoff spot in the North is up for grabs.

Mariners: When things look the bleakest, this Mariner team seems to answer the call. The M’s did it again last night, riding a strong outing by its 16th starting pitcher, Andrew Albers, and just enough offense to a 3-1 win over Baltimore. The victory snapped the M’s five-game losing streak. … Christian Bergman had his best outing in a while the other night. His reward? Jerry Dipoto designated him for assignment. The M’s needed the spot on the 40-man roster for Albers.

Seahawks: Pete Carroll walked a fine line yesterday. He supported his player, Michael Bennett, but also supported standing for the national anthem. Ever think of running for office Pete? … Bennett’s protest is still a hot topic and Jeremy Lane weighs in. … Kasen Williams has improved in many areas. … Maybe the offensive line has improved as well. … Paul Richardson might be OK sooner than suspected. But now K.J. Wright has a knee issue he’s dealing with.

Sounders: Seattle has an eight-match unbeaten streak. Still, the Sounders are trying to work in new players. … The U.S. World Cup bid mentions using Seattle for matches.

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• The Mariners play a getaway day game this afternoon, so your night is free. Want to come over and mow my lawn for me? It’s not my favorite chore, but one I don’t like paying for. It’s outdoors, it’s exercise and it’s a family tradition. So I keep at it. Someday, though, I’m going to have to pass the torch to a gardener. Hopefully it will be someone who enjoys this column. Until later …