Marco Gonzales

I am  sure  Mariner fans are hoping 

for a rebound year by Marco Gonzales.

Marco  got off to a slow start then was

hurt at beginning of Mayand not returning 

until  June.  Didn’t see the old Marco until 

August  and September when he pitched 

well.

This year with Robbie Ray becoming the

ace and Logan Gilbert hopefully being

the number two pitcher Marco Gonzales 

will likely be in the number three slot. On

many  teams he would have been the

number three starter instead of number

one.  The Mariners haven't had an ace 

since Felex Hernandez was in his prime.

One thing  we know  Marco when pitching 

well he leads with passion. Though he

doesn't have the most talent he does well 

with what he has. The Mariners need a

player like him in a leadership role. Go M's!

Gonzaga Upset and More

The Gonzaga Bulldogs  lost the last

game of the regular season to St. Mary's 

Saturday  night on the road 67-57.

One of the lowest scoring  games of the

season by Gonzaga. Center Chet Holmgren 

who had 21 points against San Francisco 

had only six points  in  this one. Also, Drew

Timme had six points.  Both players down

below normal  production. 

Number two Arizona  also lost on Saturday 

to Colorado 76-63. Not only that number 

three thru six all lost as well. This means 

the rankings won't  likely change except 

maybe five and six.

If a team is going  to lose going into the

tournaments is better than in the tournament.

We wish Gonzaga  the best the rest of the

way.

In baseball  news it looks like spring training 

and games will not happen on what was the

ending of February to start the season on time.

According to  Sports Illustrated progress has

been made toward the new CBA. You think 

the owners  could end the lockout on good 

faith but I expect not to  happen. 

Anyway I  hope  resolve before March ends.

At least  in some parts like in Washington state 

we will be able to see minor league baseball. 

Mariners Julio Rodriguez

As we get  ready  for the major

leaguers to report whenever 

that is  Julio Rodriguez will be

the talk of  spring training  in

Peoria Arizona. 

Most likely  Julio will start the

season at Tacoma.  This won't 

make a difference whether the

major leagues start on time or

not.

I am sure the Mariners will have 

Julio in Seattle when he is expect

to  be playing  as a regular. If  he is

in the lineup he will probably play

some left and some right field. This

could  depend how healthy Kyle 

Lewis is  as well. 

We could see Lewis and Mitch Haniger 

share the dh spot though Lewis maybe 

there  more frequently. I hear those so

called experts for the Mariners to pick

up a dh but  my opinion a waste of time

unless Lewis isn't  healthy to start the

season. The Cougars on the other hand 

take on 

In other local sports  the  Washington 

Huskies beat the Washington State 

Cougars 78-70 on Saturday afternoon 

in Seattle. The same score when Cougars 

beat the Huskies Wednesday night.

The Cougars were ahead by six points at

halftime, however,  the Huskies went man

to  man on defense in the  second half to

make the difference. Terrell Brown Jr  scored

25 points to  lead the Huskies with 21 coming

in the second half. 

Emmitt Mathews Jr  who was out for a few

games returned scoring  15 points. He might

have been unrecognizable as he returned with 

a haircut. Jamal Bey third with 13 points. Michael 

Flowers led the Cougars with  30 points. Flowers 

made 7 out of 12 behind the 3-point  line. He was

the one primary Cougar to keep them  in the game.

The Huskies will be at home Monday night against 

UCLA in a makeup  game followed by Oregon on

Thursday night and Oregon State Saturday afternoon.

The Huskies  have had  hard time against the Ducks 

in recent years. The Cougars will  take on Oregon State

Monday night  in Corvallis followed in Pullman on

Thursday night. End the regular season against the

Oregon Ducks Saturday afternoon in Pullman.

Gonzaga Bulldogs continuing being number one

in the country  beating San Francisco  89-73 on 

the road Thursday night. The Bulldogs had four 

players  in double digits  led by center Chet Holmgren 

with 21 points.  Also, had 15 rebounds. The Bulldogs 

have one game left against St. Mary's Saturday night.

Minor Leaguers In Camp

Thursday I  read an article in the 

Seattle Times by Ryan Davish

where many of the  minor  leaguers 

are in camp for the Seattle Mariners.

They are not required to  be  there

until  March 4, however,  many of

the Mariners  top prospects are 

already. 

Since  major league lockout is 

still happening the Mariners 

 coaching staff including manager

Scott Servais are working with

the youngsters. What a nice benefit 

for both the players and  coaches.

We do hope the lockout is over 

soon  with  deadline of Monday 

February 28. It would be nice if

the major leaguers can be in

camp on March 4 too. Go  M's.

Huskies lose to Cougars

In the first game of two this

week the UW Huskies lost

WSU Cougars 78-70 in Pullman.

See if Huskies reverse on Saturday.

The Cougars had three players in double figures with two over 20.

PJ Fuller had his best game for 

the Huskies with 23 points. Terrell 

Brown and Bajema had 11 points

each.

I have been impressed with Fuller 

coming off the bench though he is starting for Demon Davis who is 

hurt. Also Emmitt Mathews Jr is

out as well. Though he didn't start

Bajema played 32 minutes.

The Huskies and Cougars are tied 

for sixth in the Pac-12 with 8-8 record.

Colorado is right ahead of them both

at five with record 10-7.

Both teams have four games remaining so making the NCAA

tournament is unlikely unless

win Pac-12 tournament.

Right now looks like Arizona will

win the conference with 14-1 

record. USC and UCLA are at 12-4.

Original Mariner passes away.

On Wednesday  morning  Julio Cruz

the first second baseman the Seattle 

Mariners  had passed away  from  cancer.

He was only 27 years old.

Cruz along with Rupert Jones were the 

heart and soul of the early  years. Cruz

had a great sense of humor keeping the

team loose. He lead the  Mariners  in

stealing bases as well.

After his career over he was baseball 

announcer for the Mariners on Spanish 

radio.  I am sure his humor there was

a relief as well. We will miss you Julio

Cruz.  Our thoughts  with your family.

Mariners Logan Gilbert

I am sure  as we hear about 

the baseball lockout is over

we will hear the sound of bats

and mets.

I  am  sure pitchers are throwing 

somewhere as well as the hitters

in some bat cage.

Logan Gilbert going into his 2nd

season  with the Mariners will 

have a breakout year. 

If things workout he should be 

the second  best starter behind

Robbie Ray. How many wins do

you think Logan will have?

Of course it will  depend on when

the season begins.  We hope the

players and owners will iron things

out by February 28th.

Both sides  need to realize they

are not bigger than the game or

the fans. Who gives  both the

money  they get. I do believe the

minimum salary should go up

and free agency start earlier.

Let  baseball get going.