Scooter Chapman
Fall sports are upon us
Published on Wed, Sep 1, 2010 by Scooter ChapmanRead More Chapman
My goodness, sports fans, is summer over already?
Just back from a month away from the old desk and is it crowded with stuff going into the last 21 days of summer.
It's been a busy month and a wild sports month, what with the Mariners changing managers, the Longacres Mile finished and the Seattle Seahawks getting ready for NFL action for real.
Mariner's woes continue
It wasn't that much of a shock when Don Wakamatsu was sent down the road, but I still like the guy and think he will become a big league manager again.
The general manager can't fire the whole team, so the skipper gets the pink slip and it wasn't his fault.
General manager Jack Zduriencik and the brain trust made three bad moves.
The first was to re-sign Ken Griffey Jr. He didn't have a good spring but when the regular season came he found out that, at 40, that sweet swing was just a little late when a 90-mph fastball crossed the plate.
Not only didn't he hit his weight but also his signing kept other guys off the roster. Some players singled out the former all-star, it was said, for sleeping in the clubhouse during a game, but that proved unfounded.
It did create a rift between Griffey and his manager and those in the know told me the two did not speak for weeks after he was benched.
He left in a huff, but the club was fractured.
Mike Sweeney was re-hired after hitting over .500 against AAA pitchers in the spring and he only had one good week. He's now with Philadelphia.
Milton Bradley was signed and seen as a left fielder who could switch-hit and provide some power. That didn't happen and he's been on the disabled list and was even off two weeks for personal reasons.
Add to that, Jose Lopez has been struggling all season, Chone Figgins hasn't been the same guy who killed the Mariners while an Angel and the catchers haven't been able to produce, and the record is bad.
Pitching has been solid for the most part. David Aardsma struggled early in his closer role but maybe this past season might turn out to be his best.
So here it is September. The team can call up players from Tacoma, but who can former Rainier skipper Deron Brown call up? Most of those who would have been called already are on the roster.
Yep, it's wait until next year for Mariner fans.
One more warm-up for Seahawks
Seattle finishes out the preseason Thursday night in Oakland, then will rest before opening the campaign at home Sept. 12 against NFC West rival San Francisco.
I saw the Hawks against Green Bay and only saw the regulars for two quarters.
My observation? If the Seattle offensive line cannot keep intruders from quarterback Matt Hassellbeck, it's going to be a long, long year.
With top-draft-pick left tackle Russell Okung out for who knows how long with a high ankle sprain, the offensive line is really suspect.
The defense looks solid, the kicking game is good, the receiving corps has some depth, but a solid running game is needed before an 8-8 season is possible.
Wednesday Whirl
_ Preps
Prep football is ready to go and the Sequim Wolves open at Forks Friday night. Hear the game on www.KONP.com at 7 p.m. Port Angeles makes its longest road trip of the season Friday to Seattle to play Chief Sealth. Hear that game on 1450 KONP, 102.1 FM and www.KONP.com.
The 'Riders host Forks next week, so the first two games will give an indication how the Wolves and 'Riders stack up.
Many are predicting an Olympic League championship showdown for Oct. 22 when the Wolves host tough North Kitsap.
_ Horses
I had two of the top-four finishers in the Longacres Mile on a trifecta but did not include the winner Noosa Beach because favorites have not fared well in the richest Pacific Northwest's premier race at Emerald Downs.
If you haven't visited the track yet, the season ends Sept. 27.
_ Senior Games
Kudos for all the volunteers at the Port Angeles Senior Center for a well-run, sixth-annual Senior Games. There was everything from bowling to softball and cribbage to track and field. Nice job to all those who worked and took part.
Columns by KONP 1450 AM sports announcer Scooter Chapman appear weekly in the Sequim Gazette. He can be reached via e-mail at scooter@olypen.com.
Just back from a month away from the old desk and is it crowded with stuff going into the last 21 days of summer.
It's been a busy month and a wild sports month, what with the Mariners changing managers, the Longacres Mile finished and the Seattle Seahawks getting ready for NFL action for real.
Mariner's woes continue
It wasn't that much of a shock when Don Wakamatsu was sent down the road, but I still like the guy and think he will become a big league manager again.
The general manager can't fire the whole team, so the skipper gets the pink slip and it wasn't his fault.
General manager Jack Zduriencik and the brain trust made three bad moves.
The first was to re-sign Ken Griffey Jr. He didn't have a good spring but when the regular season came he found out that, at 40, that sweet swing was just a little late when a 90-mph fastball crossed the plate.
Not only didn't he hit his weight but also his signing kept other guys off the roster. Some players singled out the former all-star, it was said, for sleeping in the clubhouse during a game, but that proved unfounded.
It did create a rift between Griffey and his manager and those in the know told me the two did not speak for weeks after he was benched.
He left in a huff, but the club was fractured.
Mike Sweeney was re-hired after hitting over .500 against AAA pitchers in the spring and he only had one good week. He's now with Philadelphia.
Milton Bradley was signed and seen as a left fielder who could switch-hit and provide some power. That didn't happen and he's been on the disabled list and was even off two weeks for personal reasons.
Add to that, Jose Lopez has been struggling all season, Chone Figgins hasn't been the same guy who killed the Mariners while an Angel and the catchers haven't been able to produce, and the record is bad.
Pitching has been solid for the most part. David Aardsma struggled early in his closer role but maybe this past season might turn out to be his best.
So here it is September. The team can call up players from Tacoma, but who can former Rainier skipper Deron Brown call up? Most of those who would have been called already are on the roster.
Yep, it's wait until next year for Mariner fans.
One more warm-up for Seahawks
Seattle finishes out the preseason Thursday night in Oakland, then will rest before opening the campaign at home Sept. 12 against NFC West rival San Francisco.
I saw the Hawks against Green Bay and only saw the regulars for two quarters.
My observation? If the Seattle offensive line cannot keep intruders from quarterback Matt Hassellbeck, it's going to be a long, long year.
With top-draft-pick left tackle Russell Okung out for who knows how long with a high ankle sprain, the offensive line is really suspect.
The defense looks solid, the kicking game is good, the receiving corps has some depth, but a solid running game is needed before an 8-8 season is possible.
Wednesday Whirl
_ Preps
Prep football is ready to go and the Sequim Wolves open at Forks Friday night. Hear the game on www.KONP.com at 7 p.m. Port Angeles makes its longest road trip of the season Friday to Seattle to play Chief Sealth. Hear that game on 1450 KONP, 102.1 FM and www.KONP.com.
The 'Riders host Forks next week, so the first two games will give an indication how the Wolves and 'Riders stack up.
Many are predicting an Olympic League championship showdown for Oct. 22 when the Wolves host tough North Kitsap.
_ Horses
I had two of the top-four finishers in the Longacres Mile on a trifecta but did not include the winner Noosa Beach because favorites have not fared well in the richest Pacific Northwest's premier race at Emerald Downs.
If you haven't visited the track yet, the season ends Sept. 27.
_ Senior Games
Kudos for all the volunteers at the Port Angeles Senior Center for a well-run, sixth-annual Senior Games. There was everything from bowling to softball and cribbage to track and field. Nice job to all those who worked and took part.
Columns by KONP 1450 AM sports announcer Scooter Chapman appear weekly in the Sequim Gazette. He can be reached via e-mail at scooter@olypen.com.
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