"Another Blog on the Fire"
Michael Dashiell
Contact Mike at miked@sequimgazette.com
Michael Dashiell (that's me) is editor of the Sequim Gazette. He has a Bachelor's Degree from Western Washington University, has worked at the Sequim Gazette for about 10 years and enjoys writing — occasionally. He and his wife Patsene live in Sequim; their two daughters are in college. He will write about anything, but particularly enjoys sports, arts, breaking news and news-of-the-weird. He also enjoys writing about himself in the third person.
Hope springs eternal … except for PNW sportsfans
Published on Fri, Mar 16, 2012 by Mike DashiellRead More Dashiell
I have a friend (who will remain nameless, until he makes me mad, and then I out him. Got that William?) who can’t stand soccer.
Hates it. Is bored to tears by it. Thinks it’s the worst idea you could ever have. And not just for a sport. The dude thinks it’s ant-American, inhuman, moronic… you get the point.
I bring it up because it may be the only reasonable sport to follow if you’re a Pacific Northwest fan.
Exhibit #1: The Washington Huskies basketball team
Played decent in a mediocre-to-depressingly-bad Pac 12 conference. Ate their own feet in the last two games of the season. Thinks that winning the NIT will soothe the fact that a major conference regular season champ was left out of the only college basketball tournament worth mentioning.
Ugh.
Exhibit #2: The Portland Trailblazers
Absolutely gave up/threw away/threw up on their next five seasons.
In recent days, the Blazers have: 1) Released former No. 1 pick Greg Oden, who’s been involved in more knee surgeries than the mob, 2) dealt rebounding freak Marcus Camby and athletic freak Gerald Wallace for draft picks and three sides of rice pilaf, and 3) fired Nate McMillan, the only decent human being in management and the scapegoat for all the unholy things going on in Blazertown.
Apparently, the curse of Sam Bowie is still alive and kicking. Mostly at Oden’s knees and McMillan’s stomach.
Exhibit #3: The Seattle Seahawks
Now, don’t get me wrong. The season hasn’t started yet. But they missed out on a few things I the free agent market: Like Peyton Manning. And G Steve Hutchison. And DE Mario Williams. And DE John Abraham. And QB Kevin Kolb. And apparently are not going to get Matt Flynn. Or anyone.
What they did do is resign Marshawn Lynch (good), Red Bryant (overrated), Michael Robinson (a fullback), plus Paul McQuistan and Heath Farwell (who?).
In other words, the same team that went 7-9 while the 49ers court Peyton Manning and the Rams got stronger (much!) by trading away their No. 2 pick.
Will fans be excited to see another year of Tavaris Jackson? Really? How about another 7-9 season? Yeah!!!!
Exhibit #4: What’s left of Seattle Supersonics memorabilia
(Weeps.)
Exhibit #5: The Seattle Mariners
So … resting our hopes on one pitcher and Ichiro again, huh? That’s worked out the past five years! To the tune of 274 wins … and 374 losses. Last, second-to-last, last and last in the division.
But we have a big bat in … Jesus Montero? Who has four home runs in his life.
But what about Dustin Ackley! Um … he of the .273 batting average. George Sisler, he ain’t.
To put it in perspective: Chone Figgins (.188 in 2011) may start for the M’s. So may Miguel Olivo (.224), Justin Smoak (.234), Brendon Ryan (.248), Frank Gutierrez (.224) and Michael Saunders (.149)
Well, at least we have great pitching! Nothing like watching a pitching duel while your offense swats at flies.
Exhibit #6: The rest
Seattle Storm? Still not interesting. The Huskies’ football team? Middling. Gonzaga basketball? They practically play in Idaho.
What’s left to love?
Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. Why because … that’s all we got.
Deal with it. Hear me, William?
Hates it. Is bored to tears by it. Thinks it’s the worst idea you could ever have. And not just for a sport. The dude thinks it’s ant-American, inhuman, moronic… you get the point.
I bring it up because it may be the only reasonable sport to follow if you’re a Pacific Northwest fan.
Exhibit #1: The Washington Huskies basketball team
Played decent in a mediocre-to-depressingly-bad Pac 12 conference. Ate their own feet in the last two games of the season. Thinks that winning the NIT will soothe the fact that a major conference regular season champ was left out of the only college basketball tournament worth mentioning.
Ugh.
Exhibit #2: The Portland Trailblazers
Absolutely gave up/threw away/threw up on their next five seasons.
In recent days, the Blazers have: 1) Released former No. 1 pick Greg Oden, who’s been involved in more knee surgeries than the mob, 2) dealt rebounding freak Marcus Camby and athletic freak Gerald Wallace for draft picks and three sides of rice pilaf, and 3) fired Nate McMillan, the only decent human being in management and the scapegoat for all the unholy things going on in Blazertown.
Apparently, the curse of Sam Bowie is still alive and kicking. Mostly at Oden’s knees and McMillan’s stomach.
Exhibit #3: The Seattle Seahawks
Now, don’t get me wrong. The season hasn’t started yet. But they missed out on a few things I the free agent market: Like Peyton Manning. And G Steve Hutchison. And DE Mario Williams. And DE John Abraham. And QB Kevin Kolb. And apparently are not going to get Matt Flynn. Or anyone.
What they did do is resign Marshawn Lynch (good), Red Bryant (overrated), Michael Robinson (a fullback), plus Paul McQuistan and Heath Farwell (who?).
In other words, the same team that went 7-9 while the 49ers court Peyton Manning and the Rams got stronger (much!) by trading away their No. 2 pick.
Will fans be excited to see another year of Tavaris Jackson? Really? How about another 7-9 season? Yeah!!!!
Exhibit #4: What’s left of Seattle Supersonics memorabilia
(Weeps.)
Exhibit #5: The Seattle Mariners
So … resting our hopes on one pitcher and Ichiro again, huh? That’s worked out the past five years! To the tune of 274 wins … and 374 losses. Last, second-to-last, last and last in the division.
But we have a big bat in … Jesus Montero? Who has four home runs in his life.
But what about Dustin Ackley! Um … he of the .273 batting average. George Sisler, he ain’t.
To put it in perspective: Chone Figgins (.188 in 2011) may start for the M’s. So may Miguel Olivo (.224), Justin Smoak (.234), Brendon Ryan (.248), Frank Gutierrez (.224) and Michael Saunders (.149)
Well, at least we have great pitching! Nothing like watching a pitching duel while your offense swats at flies.
Exhibit #6: The rest
Seattle Storm? Still not interesting. The Huskies’ football team? Middling. Gonzaga basketball? They practically play in Idaho.
What’s left to love?
Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. Why because … that’s all we got.
Deal with it. Hear me, William?
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