Seahawks Dive

In keeping with the Northwest Corner's tradition of giving some notice, but only passing notice, to the local sports scene, I'll just observe that the Seahawks abruptly removed themselves from the NFL playoffs today. In a display of utter fecklessness before a national TV audience, the sort of stunned performance that endears Northwest teams to those of us here in Seattle, they swiftly surrendered an early 14-0 first quarter lead. Seemingly dazed by the onslaught of Wisconsin snow, Packer defenders, and Brett Favre passes, they come limping back to Seattle at the short end of a 42-20 final score. Wait 'til next year.

This result is worth noting only because of its consistency with other sports events this year

Seattle Mariners. An 88-74 season and second place AL West finish don't sound all that bad, but they hide a truly remarkable fin-de-saison collapse. From August 25 to September 11, the Mariners won 2 and lost 15 games, decisively dealing themselves out of contention for the division pennant, as well as the wild card and the playoffs. At least we still have Ichiro.

University of Washington. The once mighty Huskies ended up at the very bottom of the Pac-10 standings with a 2-7 conference record (4-9 overall). No bowl game for these Dawgs. Grumblings became audible as some alumni sought the scalp of one of the classiest coaches in college football, Tyrone Willingham. Meanwhile, the disgraced coach who contributed to this sad state of affairs was hired as head coach by UCLA. "Bow down to Washington ... heaven help the foes of Washington!" Yeah, right.

Seattle Supersonics. Yeah, they are still around, barely. At present, their win-loss record is 9-27, making them the 27th best team out of 30 in the NBA. Oh well, good enough for Oklahoma City, I guess.

All this, and months of rain as well. It's enough to keep Californians down there south of the Siskiyous where they belong. Me? I think I'll go see a good movie.

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

Admittedly, I'm a fair-weather sports fan. I do usually keep my eye on my college football team, and the team of the U.W., where I went to law school. When those two meet each year, I cheer for the one with the brighter Bowl prospects. This year, they seem destined to fight for 9th and 10th place in the Pac-10, so it's all pretty much academic. (Although the Huskies' decisive win Friday night over Syracuse has caused a bit of a stir in the Seattle area.)

When the Seahawks catch fire, I get enthusiastic. The same with the Mariners. I long ago lost interest in the Sonics, win or lose, and await their imminent departure to a bright red state with equanimity.

I am thus very unlike my friend Pat, who's going to a Mariners' game with me next Monday. Pat follows his teams religiously, through thick and thin, win or lose, triumph or humiliation. If he lived anywhere near Chicago, he would be the archetypical Cubbies fan, a team of losers for which we both actually feel a certain sneaking fondness.

But this brief posting is about the Mariners. About two weeks ago, I mentioned that the Mariners didn't look all that impressive, but, even so, were only two games out of first place in the A.L.West, and were in the lead for the wild card in the play-offs. I also suggested that nothing good would come of anyone's being optimistic about their chances.

Fall down and worship me, for I foresee all, and I tell all.

Last night, the Mariners lost 6-4 to a mediocre Toronto team, concluding a 0-3 sweep. The hapless Seattle team has now lost nine (9) straight games during the crucial last month of the regular season. They have struggled downward to the point that they now are 6 1/2 games behind the Angels in the race for the division pennant. They have fallen 2 full games behind the Yankees in the fight for the wild card position, and would be in even worse shape if the Yankees themselves hadn't been bumbling around recently, losing a series in Tampa Bay.

Push comes to shove. The Mariners will butt heads with the Yankees in a few minutes at Yankee stadium. I won't be watching. I just plain can't bear it.

I'll be out somewhere hiking. I'll read the obituaries tomorrow!