SeaTown Sports

Seatowning 7/11/09, Pirates and Mariners are Trade Flirting

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Mariners
+Mariners and Pirates have something going on....[Pro Ball NW]
+Exploring Mariner bullpen options [USS Mariner]
+Ichiro declines another offer to compete in this year's Home Run Derby :( [Seattle pi]

UW
+Reasons to be optimistic if you are a UW football fan [ESPN]
+UW football cornerbacks preview [UW Dawg Pound]
+Top 5 reasons the Seahawks will win the NFC West in 2009 [My NW]

Local
+Patrick Kerney season retrospective [Field Gulls]
+Top 10 Seahawks who need to step it up in 2009 [NSS]
+Josh Smith and Tony Wroten crack the Top 50 rankings [High School Hoop]
+Smith will make his decision in early August after he makes trips to the schools he's interested in [husky digest]
+Bobby Jones will be playing with the Blazer summer squad, hopefully he can make the team [Seattle Times]

Yuniesky Betancourt Traded to Kansas City

noreply@blogger.com (James) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:07:00 +0000

Today, the rumors circulating Yuniesky Betancourt have come to fruition as he has been traded along with cash considerations to Kansas City for two minor league pitchers, Dan Cortes and Derrick Saito. Cortes will go to AA and Saito will go to high A ball.

Yuniesky Betancourt was a player who was holding the Mariners back this season with his poor hitting and terrible defense. As arguably the worst player in the majors, Yuniesky made little effort to improve and get in shape, resulting in multiple benchings this year. Though shortstop remains a black hole in the Mariners lineup, that the Mariners have rid themselves of Betancourt is cause for celebration.

However, it doesn't stop there. Amazingly, Royals GM Drayton Moore actually gave us one of their best pitching prospects in Dan Cortes. Although Saito is not considered a big prospect, Cortes was ranked at #3 in the Royals system by Baseball America. A big guy at 6'6 and 205 lbs, Cortes throws his heater around 92-95mph, but needs to refine his offspeed stuff and his command. His stats thus far this year aren't overly impressive but with pitching prospects, who knows when/if he could make the next step.

Getting rid of Yuniesky Betancourt is good enough, but getting something of value for him is more than I could have asked for as a fan. Zduriencik continues to show that he is one of the major leagues best GM's.

"New Day" Mariners Showing Some "Sodo Mojo"

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Remember that Mariners’ slogan back in 2002? “Sodo Mojo”? The one that never seemed to hold true for a struggling Mariner team?

Well, these “new day” Ms have shown a bit of that magic the team of old was lacking. In fact, this rediscovered “mojo” is perhaps the main reason that the Mariners somehow find themselves in the playoff picture this year.

I mean, really, just the fact that the Mariners are in contention is magical in and of itself. The team picked to finish last in the AL West now sits three games above .500 and 3.5 games out of first place.

Look beyond this, and you’ll find other ways this year’s Ms have the magic. There’s magic in Ken Griffey Junior’s nostalgic return to Seattle. In the resurgence of Jarrod Washburn. In the emergence of Felix Hernandez, Russell Branyan, and David Aardsma.

But most of all, this team has the mojo in the way it finds ways to win games. The 2009 Ms have some of the traits of the 1995 “Refuse to Lose” Ms. The magic is there in their small-ball style, the comeback wins, the late inning rallies and gutty play. These Mariners seem to always find a way to squeeze out close games.

Look at the stats. The Mariners have won 21 games decided by a single run, most in the majors. Only halfway through the season, this stat shows their grittiness: last year, San Fransisco had the most one-run wins with 31. The Mariners’ 21-13 record in one-run games is remarkably better than last year’s record of 18-30.

What could be the cause of this extraordinary turnaround? There could be many reasons.

Part of it has to do with the improved chemistry in the clubhouse. Last year’s dysfunctional clubhouse, with lots of finger-pointing and little cooperation, adversely effected the team.

Conversely, this year’s team holds a much improved chemistry brought about by the veteran presences of Griffey and Mike Sweeney. As a result, the team is likely much more willing to fight in close games and less likely to put their heads down and accept a loss.

Furthermore, new manager Don Wakamatsu has been a part of the team’s ability to win close games. He seems to have an uncanny knack for manufacturing runs in tight situations.

But for whatever reason, this year’s Mariners has been able to win the close ones. They have the “mojo”, the magic that has been missing in Seattle for years. This magic is among the main reasons for the Ms’ success this year, and the team would do well to ride it into the post season.

Photo Source

All-Star Futures Game: Mariners Prospects Preview

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

This post was written by Tim Chalberg, founder of Mariners Musings, a blog that covers the Mariners, baseball prospects, baseball draft, and more.

The all-star break starts Monday, but all-star events start Sunday morning at 11am with the All Star Futures game, televised somewhere on the ESPN family of networks (most likely ESPN2). The futures game is a unique chance to see many of baseball’s premier prospects from around the minor leagues all on one diamond.

Many players that have played in the game have become major league stars. For instance, King Felix’s first televised pitching appearance was in the futures game.

Futures game participants are selected much differently than all stars. For starters, there is no fan voting. Also, the contest is America versus the World, so it is possible for fellow farmhands to face each other. Lastly, no more than two players may be picked from one organization.

Historically, the Mariners have had more futures game participants on the World squad than the American one, which speaks to the strength of their international scouting. This year is no exception as the Mariners have two representatives, both on the world team. They are outfielder Tyson Gillies and third baseman Alex Liddi, both members of the Mariners high-A affiliate, the High Desert Mavericks.

Here are closer looks at each of them (statistics through games as of Monday, July 6):

Tyson Gillies, CF

Age: 20 Height: 6’2” Weight: 190 Bats: Left Throws: Right

2009 Stats: .324 AVG, 6 HR, 26 RBI, .436 OBP, .477 SLG, 22-34 SB-ATT

The Mariners 25th-round selection in the 2006 draft, Gillies looks like a real gem. Speed is Tyson’s most impressive tool, as he may steal 40 bases this year. He combines that with good plate discipline, especially for how young he is. His mix of skills is ideal for a leadoff hitter. Also, he may develop more power as he matures.

In fact, Gillies has already shown more power this year (though he also is in a very hitter-friendly league). Additionally, Tyson is from British Columbia, so he is somewhat of a local product despite being an international prospect. Interestingly, Gillies is also hearing impaired, with only 30% hearing in one ear, and 60% in the other. It is bad enough that he says he cannot hear teammates on the field.

Alex Liddi, 3B

Age: 20 Height: 6’4” Weight: 176 Bats: Right Throws: Right

2009 Stats: .356 AVG, 20 HR, 72 RBI, .402 OBP, .648 SLG, 7-9 SB-ATT

Liddi struggled mightily last year, posting just a .673 OPS with Wisconsin in the Midwest League. However, he has exploded this year in High Desert’s friendly confines, and has a chance to capture the triple crown in the California League. Liddi is a five-tool talent, though still a raw one. He has struck out 76 times so far this year, and only drawn 24 walks.

In fact, he is walking less frequently this year than last, which is a little discouraging. However, keep in mind that Liddi is batting almost .360 and already has 13 more extra-base hits than all of last year. He seems to be getting plenty of pitches he can handle, and he should swing at those. Alex is from Italy, so kudos to the Mariners for going outside of noted baseball hotbeds to find talent. Liddi was the starting third baseman for Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

The World Roster features players at higher levels than Gillies and Liddi in the outfield and at third base, so I would be mildly surprised if either started. Both should see playing time though. Regardless, the futures game is worth checking out.

Ryan Franklin is an All-Star, Remember Him?

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Although all of the attention towards Raul Ibanez is understandable, very few Mariners fans have noticed that another former Mariner, Ryan Franklin, is also on the National League All-Star team this year. After six seasons with the Mariners, and a brief stint with the Phillies, Franklin signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007 and has since established himself as their go-to closer.

As of yesterday, he has produced an incredible 0.83 ERA with 20 saves, and has not allowed a run since May 20th. Franklin's meteoric rise from an aging mediocre starter to a dominating closer was definitely not expected.

Personally, I am glad that Ryan Franklin is enjoying success. He was always a decent guy in the Mariners clubhouse, and although he was caught using steroids, I think everyone deserves a second choice. There should be very little room for excuse when dealing with cheating in any sport, but I can understand Ryan's case more clearly than most others.

He was on the cusp of making a name for himself while with the Mariners, putting up ERAs around 3.50, only a short step away from producing numbers that would land him a life-changing contract after floating around in the minors for so long. Steroids would have been nearly impossible to resist in a baseball culture that was so friendly towards them.

Franklin has stayed clean and has proven to others, and more importantly to himself that you can be great without using PED's. His shift from starting to closing is a good metaphor to the new leaf that he has turned over in his life, and although not the most boisterous name on the all-star squad, he should hopefully be an inspiring example for a new, cleaner era of Major League Baseball.

Top Ten Active Former Mariners: No. 3 Raul Ibanez

noreply@blogger.com (Eon) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

How the Mariners ended up with him:
Ibanez was drafted by the Mariners in the 36th round in the 1992 draft. The M’s called him up first in 1996, and he played intermittent MLB and AAA ball for them for 4 years. He was then signed by the Royals in 2001, and Seattle signed him again in 2003.

Why we miss him:
Ibanez is a valuable offensive player for the power he brings and his knack for driving in runs. He can hit for power, and he also does not strike out as often as sluggers usually do. He played 10 seasons for the Mariners, hitting 124 home runs as a Mariner. While he was a defensive liability with the Mariners, his powerful bat and veteran leadership made him a fan-favorite with M’s supporters.

Where he is now:
After the 2008 season, Ibanez joined Jamie Moyer and signed with the Phillies. He is having the best season of his career, with a .322/.380/.678 line, 22 home runs, and 59 RBIs. This is a remarkable jump in production by the 37 year old, and it has landed him a spot in the All-Star Game. He has also avoided speculation of steroid use with proactive tactics that other major league sluggers should emulate.

Previous:
No.4-Jamie Moyer

No.5-Adam Jones

No.6-Omar Vizquel
No.7-Jose Guillen
No.8-Mike Cameron
No.9-Carlos Guillen
No.10-Randy Winn

Photo Source: [allaroundphilly]

Seattle University Basketball: The Next "Gonzaga"

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

I think we have all come to the conclusion that the NBA returning to Seattle now stands as a distant possibility. The current economic climate has further hindered the chances of the return of professional basketball in Seattle in the foreseeable future. This gaping void in a large basketball market leaves fans of the sport with the difficult decision of fulfilling their hoops fix elsewhere. So where do basketball fans in the area turn now?

The obvious option would be the Huskies, and then there is the tempting notion to follow the Blazers, or dare I even say, follow the Thunder. But how about the Seattle University Redhawks? They are not going to win games out of the gate, but if you want to follow a potential powerhouse program, I suggest you start following Seattle U.

Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, I did in fact use the word powerhouse. Seattle U has the potential to follow the Gonzaga mold and become a powerhouse program out of a mid-major conference. Would it not be ironic if Seattle U ended up in the WCC, the same conference that plays home to Gonzaga?

The Bulldogs have already had their fair share of competition with St. Mary's beginning to gain more ground the past couple of years. If Seattle U can successfully join the WCC, they could immediately establish themselves as one the contenders of their division. They already proved that they could defeat a WCC team last year in their extreme Division I infancy. Granted, it was Loyola Marymount, but still.

It would not be stretch to say in five years that the Redawks would be competing with St. Mary's and Gonzaga for a WCC championship. Looking at all the stars that are aligned in SU's favor, I have a good feeling that they will be successful in a timely manner. First of all, a solid coaching staff is vital to college basketball success. All it takes is a quick look over to the 509 with Mark Few's Gonazaga to see that the key to creating a sustainable competitive basketball atmosphere is investing in a devoted and reliable coaching staff. Seattle University has made this a priority with the signing of Cameron Dollar, perhaps one of the most underrated hirings in the entire country this off season.

Dollar has a handful of basketball connections within the Seattle area that have come from his seven years as an assistant coach under Lorenzo Romar UW. Dollar was Romar's right hand man, and was crucial in UW's efforts to lure top talent, which include NBA players like Spencer Hawes and Jon Brockman.

Dollar's well-known recruiting ability in a city constantly gaining respect for being a hotbed for basketball talent assures that he can build the Seattle U basketball program solely with local talent. The Redhawks will be an attractive fallback option to local high school players who do not quite possess the talent or hype targets for major D-I programs like UW.

Another thing Seattle U has going for it is although the team will not be on the national spotlight, players will still get adequate exposure to open up future possibilities in professional basketball when their college careers are over.

How awesome would it be to see local high school talent that we have seen mature and develop with our own two eyes come together on a D-1 basketball team, creating a nationally competitive team that we can all stand behind?

This is not to say that Dollar will not go out of the area to find some talent, but it makes it a whole lot easier to rebuild when your program's backyard is already filled with legit basketball talent.

The Seattle U basketball program will also benefit from the fact that it is located right in downtown Seattle. With games being at Key Arena, Seattle U is able to tap into a market that not just includes its normal fan base, but also potential new fans who have been left in the dust by the NBA.

It is going to take awhile, but I am psyched about Seattle U basketball. Hopefully the WCC will let them in, allowing SU to successfully complete their transition into the Division 1 level. Seattle U should find no trouble in creating rivalries with UW, Gonzaga, and WSU, which will make for easy scheduling in the non-conference slate at least, and an even more intensely dynamic battle for the right to call themselves top team in Washington.

This program is undeniably on the rise. It will only be a matter of time until they make a name for themselves in the local and national basketball landscape, leading future generations of basketball fans to forget all about the hiatus that took the team out of it in the first place.

photo source

Top 10 Active Former Mariners: No. 4 Jamie Moyer

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

How the Mariners ended up with him:

In 1996, the Boston Red Sox traded Moyer to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Darren Bragg.

This Darren Bragg:

Why we miss him:

Jamie Moyer is the definition of consistency. In Moyer's 11 years as a Mariner, he logged a season winning record in nine out of his eleven seasons. He currently stands first place in the All-Time win category with 145 wins as a Mariner. As a Mariner he only had two seasons with an ERA above 4.00. Moyer was rarely injured and was a fixture in the Mariner's clubhouse. He is a Mariner's legend.

Where he is now:

In the middle of the 2006 season, Jamie Moyer was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for two no-name minor league players. Moyer has been successful in his transition back to the National league and has shocked the baseball world with his current ability despite his old age. Mariners fans rejoiced when Moyer earned his first world series ring last season with the Phillies. His 23 years of MLB service make him well-deserving of the accomplishment.

Previous:

Weekly Grades: The Mariners are for Real

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Seattle Mariners: Mariner fans can definitely say that their most recent road trip was a resounding success. Facing an arduous part of their schedule, the Mariners finished the series in which they faced the Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox with a record of 5-4. Last week, they won one game out of three against the Yanks and then bounced back, nearly sweeping the Sox but losing game three.

I think it is now safe to say that we can call the Mariners serious playoff contenders. If they can go over .500 in a trip against three playoff-caliber teams (and arguably the top three teams in the MLB) than they should be able to make a run at the playoffs. I expect them to be in contention this year.

These things mean that Seattle should be buyers come the trade deadline. They have already made an acquisition in Ryan Langerhans, who has filled in well for the injured Endy Chavez. However, two other holes remain at 3B and SS (SS being the priority), while both Beltre and Betancourt are both on the DL. I would like to see Zdurencik make a move to fill at least one of these spots, as Chris Woodward and Ronny Cedeno are both too much of offensive liabilities to be long term solutions at these positions.

For now, it seems the Mariners should continue to be competitive in the surprisingly strong AL West. Grade: A

MLB All Star Rosters: The rosters, which were released yesterday, include only two Seattle Mariners. One, of course, is the consistently great Ichiro, who is making his ninth appearance in nine years. The other is the resurgent Felix Hernandez, who seems to be reaching the ace status that has been expected out of him for so many years.

And though it is great to see these two deserving players reach the All-Star Game, it was also disappointing to see two deserving players miss out. One, Russell Branyan, I have already made my case for. But let's just say he is one of the top batters in the MLB. It is a shame to see him get snubbed for less capable batters with more star power, such as the Yankees Mark Texiera.

The other Mariner who will miss out on the All-Star festivities was closer David Aardsma. One of the most efficient closers in the majors, it is a shame to see another Mariner get overlooked. Grade: C

NBA: The one-year anniversary of the Sonics’ move to OKC passed last week. And yes, just other Sonic fans, I still feel the pain. It is hard to follow the NBA anymore, realizing that we no longer have a team.

I know James already covered this, but an exhibition match will be held October 14th in Key Arena. And I agree with James: the idea of a boycott is absolutely ludicrous. I just want to add this: if Seattle does get another team, then it won’t be a star-studded, championship-caliber team. We’re going to have to learn to make do with what we get. And we might as well start now, with this exhibition match. Because if we do get a team, it will be far less competitive and intriguing than the Portland Trail Blazers. Grade: C

Photo Source: UPI

SeaTown Goes to Fenway Park!

noreply@blogger.com (James) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

On July 4th, there didn't seem to be a more appropriate place than Fenway Park, the oldest baseball stadium in the majors. Every baseball fan with functional hearing has heard stories of this Park's history, its lore, and the teams and players who have occupied its walls. If one had never seen it, one would think it would be the prototypical ballpark.

Except it isn't.

Fenway Park has a greater effect on the game than any other park. Doubles become singles. Singles become triples. Balls that don't even threaten to leave the yard in a normal ballpark do, and vice versa. The ballpark's unique history and annoying quirks are always at war with each other in judging the park.

Only one thing is clear. For better and for worse, Fenway Park is different.

First, to the game. It was the type of game that casual spectators would find incredibly boring but one that die-hards would find extremely enduring. It was a duel between defenses, with lady luck guiding each bullet. Neither pitcher really dominated, and neither offense really struggled, but the score remained low. Some highlights:

The weather was spectacular, with plenty of sunshine but enough clouds to provide the occasional shady moments. This is in contrast to the weather in the Bronx, which delayed the game for an hour.

Curt Schilling delivering Lou Gehrig's famous farewell speech, in honor of the speech's 70th anniversary. The Boston crowd went wild, at least until people realized he was wearing a #4 Jets Jersey.

The National anthem, where a giant American Flag was draped over the Green Monster. The subsequent jet flyover was a nice touch as well.

Watching the unimposing 5'9 Dustin Pedroia walk to the plate to the song F*** wit Dre Day by Dr. Dre (I couldn't stop laughing).

Franklin Gutierrez's fantastic catch in center field.

Seeing the Mariners escape from a bad situation (runners on the corners and no outs) by getting Rocco Baldelli in a rundown between third and home and getting the next batter to ground into a double play.

Watching as the whole stadium went nuts in the bottom of the eighth as David Ortiz came to the plate, and celebrating as his line drive into right field was caught by Jose Lopez due to the incredible shift by the defense.

Seeing three Mariners walk in one inning (!), and watching Pedroia dive unsuccessfully in an attempt to catch Chris Woodward's bases loaded blooper.

Loudly announcing my thanks to all Red Sox fans for David Aardsma immediately after his save, and trying to remember who we gave up for him (I had to look him up - Fabian Williamson).

Somehow managing to go to New York and Boston wearing full Mariners gear and loudly cheering for them, and still not getting stuff thrown at me.

As for the park, instead of trying to judge it I will describe it, because I think whether somebody loves or hates Fenway really depends on what type of fan they are. First, Fenway feels really small, mainly because it is. The lack of real left field bleachers makes sure of that, and thanks to the wall, every fly ball to left looks like an extra base hit.

Even in the concourses Fenway looks more like a large minor league park than a major league stadium. The concourses are exposed to the open air, and the boundaries of the park are more artificial, like it was designed so that people could just walk right in.

It's been said before, but the Boston fans in New England are different from those that pack every stadium they play in other than Fenway, even though they both identify with "Red Sox Nation". The fans who pack Safeco are mostly jerks. Many of them are drunk, many of the are not well versed in baseball, they chant and yell nonstop, and rarely are they from Boston.

These fans are authentic.

They hail from New England, they are mostly decent people (At least those I talked to), and surprisingly, while they chanted much more frequently and loudly then Yankee Stadium, were on the whole quieter and better behaved than their mutant coast-to-coast counterparts. Sure, they do tend to think that the whole world revolves around them, but other than that they aren't so different from fans of any other team. However, I still can't stand "Sweet Caroline" as an anthem.

I will give Boston fans one thing: the whole town is all about the Red Sox. I haven't seen such uniformity in sports. Still, part of me wants to see if the town would be that into their Red Sox if they had a season like ours last year.

Compared to the clean professional look of Yankee Stadium, Fenway looks dirty and cheap. Still, Fenway's defenders manage to turn this into a selling point, emphasizing the game's tradition. Still, the field itself bends the game so much that it looks like a different game at times. Pesky's pole, the green monster, the lack of foul territory deep, these things can alter the outcome of games, and they give the Red Sox a huge home field advantage. These quirks would not be allowed to remain in a new stadium.

Whether one can overcome this is the main factor in their appraisal of Fenway. I liked it: I've grown up with too much baseball history not to be wowed by Fenway. But I can understand those who wouldn't, which is why, while I personally loved it and would watch games there again, I can't call it baseball's best stadium or use some other piece of hyperbolic language to describe it. Fenway is just different, in both the good and bad senses of the word.

Late Night Seatowning 7/5/09, Dave Sims Has a Stylish Hat

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:15:00 +0000

Mariners
+Mariners sign a prospect from the Dominican Republic, 16-year old, Guillermo Pimentel [NSS]
+Kouzmanoff interest heating up? [MLB Trade Rumors]
+F-Gut more valuable than Adam Jones? [Seattle Times]
+Yuni to 2nd base would help with Beltre's absence [USS Mariner]

Local
+Mead, Seattle Prep, and King's are All-Sports High School Champions [Prep Blog]
+Gary Bell Jr. Scouting Report [Slipper Still Fits]
+Pac-10 Basketball Recruiting Breakdown [SLAM]
+The Cougars landed ex-Nevada commit, Steven Bjornstad [CougCenter]
+2009 Seahawk Jersey Buying Guide [Dave Krieg's Strike Beard]
+No excuses for Houshmanzadeh [Scout]

National
+The art of stealing home plate [SI]

SeaTown Sports: June 2009

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Happy July 4th!

Below you will find some of SeaTown Sport's most popular posts the past month, June. Check' em out!

Ichiro is Having a Good Time- A statistical look at Ichiro's success this season
UW Basketball: 2010 Recruiting Update- Besides Josh Smith, who else is Romar recruiting?
Russell Branyan: All Star?- Evan makes the case for Branyan being an All Star this season
Quaker Summer Slam Report- Taking a look at Brett Kingma and other players in the State
High School Basketball: Early look at Players and Teams- Who are the top teams for next year?

Evaluating Don Wakamatsu- James grades Wak's time as M's head skipper

Top 10 Former Active Mariners: No. 5 Adam Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Eon) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

How the Mariners ended up with him:
The Mariners drafted Jones in the 2003 draft with pick #37. He was drafted as either a shortstop or a pitcher, and many thought the Mariners would use him as a pitcher.

However, he wanted to play in the field, and when the Mariners acquired Betancourt, they converted Jones to an outfielder. He was called up in 2006.

Why we miss him:
Jones played two incomplete seasons with the Mariners, only playing in 73 games. He put up decent numbers, but more importantly he was the brightest prospect on the Mariners roster. Jones has flashed tons of potential at the plate as he shows power and speed, but he can also get things done in the outfield, making fantastic catches and displaying his speed in the gaps.

He is a young centerpiece and a star in the making that a team can build around. Jones would give the Mariners another solid bat in the lineup, as well as complete what would be a ridiculously talented defensive outfield.

Where he is now:
After the 2007 season, Jones was traded to the Baltimore Orioles along with George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, and two other prospects for Eric Bedard. This trade has been called by many a mistake, as Bedard has been a major disappointment with injuries.

Jones is having a breakout season this year, as he is batting .300 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs. Jones is on the rise and will continue to improve toward a promising career.

Previous:

Source: [minorleaguebaseball]

Scouting Sarkisian's Class of 2010: Chris Young

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:30:00 +0000

We took a look at Nick Montana earlier and now we move on to Chris Young, another recruit from Sarkisian's Class of 2010.

Chris Young is a local product that hails from Auburn High School in Washington State. Young stands at a modest 6-1 and weighs in at 215lbs. Scout.com lists him as a four-star recruit, he is the 15th best rated outside linebacker in the country from the Class of 2010.

However, it looks like Young will end up in the secondary for the Huskies. He is "expected" to "grow" into a linebacker, but if he is to make immediate contributions it would be best if he started out in the secondary.

Young is one of the three four star recruits for UW's Class of 2010. Young is arguably the best defensive player in the state of Washington, this is a huge grab for Sarkisian as he tries to rebuild the program. Young was also drawing interest from WSU, Oregon, Oregon St., and UCLA.

photo source

Top 10 Active Former Mariners: No. 6 Omar Vizquel

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:30:00 +0000

How the Mariners ended up with him:

Omar Vizquel signed with the Mariners as an amateur free agent at the beginning of the 1984 season.

Why we miss him:

Playing five full seasons as a Mariner from 1989-1993, Vizquel became consistent producer at the plate, and more importantly defensively out at the shortstop position. In 1992 he put up a respectable line of .294/.340/.352. Although he lacked power in his offensive capabilities, Vizquel developed into the top defensive shortstop in the Major Leagues.

He earned his first gold glove in 1993 and would go on to earn nine consecutive gold gloves from 1993 to 2001. If there was no such baseball player named Alex Rodriguez, Omar Vizquel would be the most adequate short stop to fill in the Mariners' current weakness. Vizquel's glove would do wonders for a middle in field defense that continues to be a major hurdle for the team.

Where he is now:

In the the offseason after the 1993 season, Omar Vizquel was traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Felix Fermin and Reggie Jefferson. Fermin played two years for the Mariners and then had two stints with the Yankees and Cubs in 1996, he was subsequently dropped by the Cubs in 1996 and never picked up a baseball again.

Jefferson ended up playing a year for the Mariners and then played five seasons with the Red Sox where he ended his career. Oh yea, this is supposed to be about Vizquel, right?

Well after being traded to the Indians, Vizquel's career took off from there. His reputation as a defensive wizard was made evident by his ability to make the All-Star three times based solely on his glove work in 1998, 1999, and 2001.

He is a potential Hall of Famer. Vizquel is currently on the division rival Texas Rangers, but he is seeing sparse playing time. Old age is catching up and it is likely he will retire within the next couple years.

Previous:
No.7-Jose Guillen

No.8-Mike Cameron

No.9-Carlos Guillen

No.10-Randy Winn

Photo Source: Left Coast Bias

Aaron Bright from Bellevue has

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:32:00 +0000

Update 8:41pm 6/2---There is no truth to the Aaron Bright transfer. A family member has contacted us and this rumor is erroneous. I apologize.

Aaron Bright from Bellevue has transferred to Bothell High School along with O'Dea star Dominic Ballard. Sources close to us have confirmed.

SeaTown Goes to the Bronx

noreply@blogger.com (James) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Hello from the City that Never Sleeps. The Mariners are in a three game series in the Big Aplle and I was lucky enough to be there at the same time, so I went. While I've been to several ballparks other than Safeco, I had never seen the M's as the away team. Plus, having been to the old Yankee Stadium (and hating it), I wanted to see if the New Yankee Stadium was improved.

The game itself was pretty disappointing. It was delayed for 45 minutes because of the rain, and the Mariners never held the lead, though the game was tied as late the the eighth inning. At least it was competitive enough so that I didn't get embarrassed. A couple more notes about the game before I get to the stadium.

+One of the things I heard from the Yankee fans near me was disbleif of seeing Cedeno and his sub .150 AVG in the lineup. This was before Cedeno's homerun went fifteen rows into the right field seats. Never heard anything about him again. Revenge is sweet.

+Gutierrez was easily the mariners MVP for the game, continuing his hitting tear with three hits but also making more sweet plays in center. My seats were in left-center field, and I can truly say that his greatness can be appreciated much more fully up close. The man is simply one of the best outfielders I have ever seen.

+Griffey is as bad in the field as Gutierrez is good, possibly worse. The Mariners were lucky that he only had one ball hit hard near him, though that ball, easily catchable by a competant fielder, ended up a ground-rule double. The Mariners would be well served to take his glove and set it on fire.

+Chris Woodard should never play third base again ever.

+Kenji Johjima gets a lot of crap for his defense for some reason, but he was amazing tonight. Not even Morrow knew where his pitches were going tonight, and that Kenji didn't allow any passed balls is a miracle. For his first day back he got a workout.

+Morrow still has zero command and needs to go to AAA right now. His offspeed pitches need a ton of work too, though he threw a couple good curveballs.

+Aside from the mistake pitch to A-Rod, Jakubauskas looked great. His curve really is a thing of beauty, and when its on it almost unhittable.

+My seats were in the first row overlooked the M's bullpen. Apparently they take thier spartan helmets on the road.

The Stadium itself was great. It's not as good as Safeco, but its an astronomical improvement over old Yankee Stadium and is something to be proud of.

As I mentioned before, the game was delayed my rain. Coincidentally, the game I saw in the Old Yankee Stadium was also delayed by rain, so I can draw a good pregame comparison. In the old stadium, the concourses were really tiny cement hallways with no natural lights. If your seats weren't one of the few under cover, you were forced into there with 50,000 others, not a fun experience. The New Yankee Stadium is much improved in this way, with a much wider Safeco style concourse which allows fans to see the field from all around the stadium (except center field). With televisions everywhere for some entertainment and guardrails to lean on, it was a much better place to complain about how any new stadium, especially in a place that rains fairly often, would even consider not putting a retractable roof on the place.

If you didn't know, it may take you awhile watching on television to realize that the Stadium is any different. The inside looks just like the old. The only real differences are the elimination of the black seats in center field, the move of Monument Park from left to center field, the shrunken backstop, and the new jumbotrons. Otherwise, it looks like Old Yankee Stadium with a fresh paint job.

The food is the best I have ever seen at any stadium. In addition to multiple sit-down restaurants, there are many varieties of food availiable (before the game I ate some fresh pineapple from a fruit stand). The food is overpriced, but no more than the food at Safeco.

I was wearing all Mariner gear, and I was prepared to get insults, trash, etc. thrown at me throughout the game. I was plesantly surprised though: the vast majority were polite and kept to themselves. That's not to say that there weren't jerks: there were a couple foul-mouthed idiots in my row, and one drunk guy ten rows behind me that kept taunting me for standing up, but I was happy to see that the idiots and drunks were in the minority. Sure, Yankee fans still think that the league only has two teams, but at least they were polite about it.

The other side of that, however, was that the Stadium was really quiet most of the game. This may have been the most surprising aspect of the trip: the old stadium was as loud as a Seahawks game, if not louder. However, the fans at Yankee Stadium were really quiet, even when they scored. Safeco gets louder most of the time. Additionally, after A-Rod's homer in the seventh, literally a quarter of the fans left. It was a two run game in the bottom of the seventh, and yet everywhere I looked there were empty seats where there used to be people. I thought Dodger fans were supposed to be the ones that did that.

That's all I have to say about that. Saturday, weather permitting, I'll see the Mariners at Fenway. I'll have another writeup then.

Top 15 High School Basketball Players in Washington--5/23/09

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Here are our latest High School basketball player power rankings since March. Like the previous rankings, these will not include departing seniors like Peyton Siva or Abdul Gaddy. With a lot of spring basketball played we have had a chance to evaluate a new crop of players. The grades listed for players on this list will reflect their grade for the 2009-10 season.

As always, let us know your opinion on the list in the comments.

These are who we believe to be the top 15 players in the state regardless of class or position

1. Josh Smith (Sr.) Kentwood-PF/C--Has not improved much, but is still the dominant player we all know. He is a little overweight at 280lbs, and he still has a lot of areas that need developing. Once he loses some weight he will be more effective in the post. Right now it seems as he is a little limited, he will not be able to just bully his shot into the basket at the D1 level.

2. Tony Wroten (Jr.) Garfield-PG-- It's been hard for me to know whether people consider Wroten a point guard or a shooting guard. Either way, it looks like his passing skills are beginning to become more impressive than his scoring ability. Scouts have all noted his willingness to dish the ball and find the open man. Wroten does get a little too flashy at times and would benefit from sticking to a fundamentally sound game. View a more complete profile of him here.

3. Gary Bell (Jr.) Kentridge-G--Being strictly a scorer, Gary Bell is good at what he does. He starts along with Wroten and Smith on the premier Seattle Rotary team. He is a little undersized for his position at 6-2, but his athleticism and long arms help him overcome that. He also has improved his penetrating ability and would be even better if his passing skills improved.

4. Aaron Bright (Sr.) Bellevue-PG--I wonder if Bright has topped out. It is doubtful that he will grow any taller and it seems like he really has nowhere else to improve, except for maybe his shot mechanics. Right now he is really inconsistent from the field, he can either get really hot or really cold. Although, when he is on fire it is one of the most beautiful things to watch. Defenders are left with zero options when he is draining his shots.

5. Patrick Simon (Sr.) Ephrata-SF-- Admittedly, I have yet to see him play. However, when you are committed to WSU that is enough evidence that you are a pretty decent player. He was out with an injury the whole past season.

6. Cole Dickerson (Sr.) Federal Way-G/F--Although he plays around the rim a lot, he is undersized at 6-7. He is a Brandon Roy type of player, he'll do a lot of things well, but nothing spectacular. He is not super athletic, but succeeds by playing a fundamentally sound game. His shot is not consistent yet, hinting that he still has a long way to go. Dickerson has a lot of upside, it will be interesting to see how much he improves over the summer.

7. Christian Behrens (Jr.) Tahoma-F--An under-the-radar player, Behrens averaged 20.5ppg as a sophomore. We'll be hearing his name a lot more next season. He's 6-8 and apparently still growing. If he gets taller, he could start gaining some serious notice from colleges if he hasn't already.

8. Joe Harris (Sr.) Chelan-SG--Plays for Friends of Hoop along with John Gage and Aaron Bright. Dropped over 40 points in a state tournament game last year. A 6-6 frame with point guard skills. Tall frame will get him some serious D-1 college consideration.

9. John Gage (Sr.) Vashon Island-PF--I have not heard of Gage until some of my friends that play basketball mentioned dreading to play his team in the Spring. He has great size at 6-10, and more importantly he can make his free-throws.

10. Jaamon Echols (Sr.) Rainier Beach-PG--There is a rumor going around that Echols got kicked off the Northwest Panthers (can't confirm it), but for whatever reason, Echols needs to be ready by next November to play for the Rainier Beach Vikings. He really came out of nowhere and has become an entertaining player to watch. He has a very small frame at 5-10 and 155lbs. He'll need to bulk up this summer to receive some scholarship offers.

11. Brett Kingma (Jr.) Jackson-SG--Jackson isn't your ideal place to play basketball, but Kingma has raised eyebrows in his performances for the Emerald City Pioneers. We saw Kingma play in early June and he looked good. He will need some help from his Jackson teammates if he wants a shot to play in the state tournament. I'd like to see him be more aggressive in penetrating to the hole.

12. Ryan Nicholas (Sr.) Gonzaga Prep-PF

13. Jerron Smith (Jr.) Decatur-G

14. Anrio Adams (So.) Franklin-G

15. Tanner Riley (Sr.) Mount Si-F

Next 10 in: Devante Williams-O'Dea, Ryan Rogers-Auburn Riverside, Andre Winston Jr.-Lakes, Deshea Bell-Kennedy, Lonnie Pearson-Rainier Beach, Dominic Ballard-O'Dea, Connor Hamlett-Meadowdale, Hakeem Stewart-Rainier Beach, Simi Fatemisin-Lynnwood, Glen Brooks- Garfield

Who's missing? Someone too low? Someone too high? Let us know...

Monthly Poll: Who is the Mariners MVP Thus Far?

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:30:00 +0000

In your opinion, which of the following players has been the most valuable to the Seattle Mariners so far?

Ichiro

Really, there could be no MVP debate without the consistently great Ichiro. Year in and year out he has put up outstanding numbers in an M’s uniform. This year is no exception. Ichiro leads the majors in both batting average, with an eye-popping .372, and hits, with 110. The man always seems to find a way to get on base, whether through a walk or an infield hit.

And who can forget the seven-time Gold Glove winner’s amazing defense, rounding out one of the top defensive outfields in the league. -Evan

Felix Hernandez

A couple of days ago, Prospect Insider's Jason Churchill tweeted the following: "Felix. 1.72 ERA on ROAD. League slugging .316 off him... 1.06 ERA in 5 starts in June. All-Star? Screw that. Cy Young". It seems like Felix is no longer transitioning into being a dominant front-end starter, he is that dominant front-end starter.

The past couple seasons we have seen glimpses of his greatness, now we are witnessing it every time he takes the mound. Now that King Felix is on a team that is winning games, winning the Cy Young award does not seem so far off. The last pitcher that got me this excited to watch who was in a Mariners uniform was Randy Johnson. -Kevin

David Aardsma

It was hard to see JJ Putz lose his status as one of the league's top closers. This past off season, the Mariners front office made it evident that they did not think Putz would be able to return to his 2007 form. Who was to replace Putz? It was a mystery toward the beginning of the season, especially after Brandon Morrow's failure to control his fastball.

However, Aardsma soon emerged and has suddenly become the consistent option to close out games for the Mariners. Since April 10th, Aardsma has converted 16 saves out of 17 opportunities. He has compiled a 1.49 ERA and has not allowed a single earned run since May 31st. -Kevin

Russell Branyan

seattle pi

I previously made my case for why Branyan is one of the best hitters in the majors. He has hit for both power and average on a team that desperately lacks offense. With 19 homers, he has nearly twice as many as anyone else on the team (Lopez has 10).

Not bad, especially considered the man he replaced, Richie Sexon, only had 11 homers last year. Branyan was an enormous find and the most important addition to this year’s team. Without his bat, there is no way the Ms would be in competition this year. -Evan

Franklin Gutierrez

komo news

I regret sarcastically joking about the upcoming promotion of Franklin Gutierrez bobblehead night. Out of the all the bobbleheads I would want, Franklin's is my heart's sole desire. He has been brilliant. I will not bore you with his amazing defensive statistics. Just know that he is one of the top defensive players in the majors leagues if not the best.

He will be snubbed for a gold glove, unless the media starts to look at some valid statistics like UZR. Is it just me, or does F-Gut have some pop in his bat to go along with his stellar glove? It looks like he has shown increased power at the plate, it is only a matter of time when that power becomes more consistent. He's made the playoffs a legit possibility for the Mariners, and for that I am eternally grateful. -Kevin

Note: If you are viewing this through your email or through your feed reader, please visit the site directly to participate in the poll.

Who is the Mariners MVP so far this season?(trends)

Seatowning 6/30/09

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Seahawks
+Seahawks Power Rankings [Seattle Times]
+I would like to order one Houshmanzadeh [Onion]
+Video: John Carlson talks Seahawks with [ESPN]

Local
+Griffey has no idea what lies ahead in the future for him [Yahoo! Sports]
+Jack Z. not only takes advice from blogs, but also fan chats! Yay! [The World of Issac]
+Nate Jaqua wins MLS Player of the Week [MLSnet]
+Cameron Dollar and his Seattle U Redhawks are getting some positive press from [ESPN
+Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson the two most under appreciated stars in Seattle [SLAM]

National
+Kobe pays his respects to the King of Pop [Ball Don't Lie]
+Could Yao Ming be out for all of next season? [Dime]
+Rumor: Adam Dunn to the Mets? [FakeTeams]
+Fact: Rich Aurilia is a winemaker [FanHouse]
+Read with me about Boston's public school athletic programs [Boston]

Weekly Grades: Mariners Steal Two from Dodgers

noreply@blogger.com (Evan) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Seattle Mariners: The Mariners had another good week last week, winning four out of six games. They won two of three to start off the week against the Padres, and later won two of three against the best in the majors, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Though they did not pick up any games on the first place Angels, who are riding a five game winning streak, they are still only three games out of first and are now three games over .500.

We all knew that the Ms could beat San Diego, but winning two of three against the Dodgers was a good sign. Their pitching again keyed the victories, as the M's gave up two or less runs in both wins.

If the M's are able to maintain their level of play and pitching through the rest of this road trip, they should do well. They travel to face the Yankees and Red Sox next week. However, they will have to do so without the hot bat and glove of Adrian Beltre, who has been hitting well but must have surgery to repair bone spurs in his soldier. He will be out six to eight weeks and will now likely not be tradable. However, with a good turnout against Boston and New York, hopefully the Mariners won’t be looking to sell come the trade deadline. So far on this tough road trip, it’s been looking that way. Grade: A

Freddy Montero and Nate Jacqua: The two Sounders FC forwards keyed a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Jacqua had two goals and assisted Montero’s goal, while Montero scored and assisted Jacqua on his pair of scores. The win gave the Sounders a four-point lead over the Rapids, who previously trailed the Sounders by just one point.

The game was a feel good win after a multitude of ties. Once again, veterans Keller and Ljungberg seemed to make all the right plays in the victory. But even more so, the win really highlighted the two forwards’ ability to play well together. Hopefully they will lead us into the playoffs, and maybe even to the MLS Cup championship. Grade: A

US Men’s National Team: Yeah, yeah, I know… more soccer. SeaTownJunkie is probably writing his suicide note right now. But you know what? USA’s upset win over the No. 1 team in the world, Spain, was a big deal!

Never before has the US been in a final match for a FIFA tournament. Even though they lost 3-2 in the final of the Confederations Cup, at least they gave Brazil a run for their money, leading for most of the game. Their victory definitely proved that US soccer is not a complete failure. It made a major splash in the US, and perhaps will mark the time when American soccer began to catch up to their European counterparts. Grade: A-

NBA Draft: This event was painful as the first draft without the Sonics in Seattle. I wanted to pay close attention, but then would be reminded of the Sonics’ absence. It just made me think about the excitement we in Seattle are missing out on.

The only reason I paid any attention at all was to see where local talent went off to. It was pretty exciting for me to learn that Jon Brockman would be heading off to my (current) favorite NBA team, the Trail Blazers, only to learn he was traded to Sacramento. Other local talent was taken pretty early, with Rainer Beach’s Terrance Williams going at No.11 and Gonzaga’s Austin Daye taken 15th. The influx of basketball talent continues to flow out of the Seattle area.

And man, I know it’s almost blasphemy, but that Thunder team is going to be good… Grade: C

Photo Source: Seattle Times

Jim Mora and Roger Goodell Are Climbing Mt. Rainier

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:00 +0000

On July 5th, Seahawks Head Coach Jim Mora and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, will be climbing Mt. Rainier to raise money for United Way King County's Response for Basic Needs. Check out this website for updates as they climb, along with a link to donate money to the cause.

In a unique fundraising event, Seahawks Head Coach Jim Mora, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and United Way of King County CEO Jon Fine are climbing Mount Rainier.
This ragtag group is taking on a big challenge to raise funds and awareness around United Way’s Response for Basic Needs -- a fund that goes to help the people hit hardest by the economic downturn. The goal of the climb is to be able to collect $500,000 through the “Climb for the Community”.
The climbers will be led by legendary mountaineers Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker (aka the guys who just came back from Climbing Mount Everest again.) and the rest of their group includes Tod Leiweke (Seahawks CEO), Molly Nordstrom (UWKC Board Chair), John Thelan (Costo Senior VP), Fred Kiga (Boeing VP), and Greg Bronstein (Wells Fargo Regional Managing Director).
The Climb for the Community page (http://www.uwkc.org/climb) is going to be updated regularly during the climb and it’s also where people can give their support.
Since November, United Way of King County’s Response for Basic Needs has put $2 million back into the community to help people hurt by the recession. The money has been used to help 23 organizations deliver food, it has gone to help over 150 people stay in their homes, and has been used to sign over 1,000 up for public benefits. We’ve really been able to react quickly and we’re hoping that this event will help bring even more money to the community.

Damming the River: Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:30:00 +0000

After two less than impressive ties versus D.C. United and New York Redbulls the Sounders rallied to surge over the Colorado Rapids with a 3-0 win. The Sounders won in stunning fashion, reminiscent of the first two games. The defense was solid, throwing their bodies to block shots, marking their men, and sending the ball away with solid clearances. Keller only had to make one true save the entire match.

The midfield worked like clockwork despite the early loss of Alonso due to an injury. Freddie Ljungberg was the general of the field meticulously orchestrating the offensive flow of the game and setting up all three goals. The first goal came in the 23rd minute off of a Ljungberg corner that was flicked on by Nate Jaqua to a diving Fredy Montero for the goal.

The second came in the 48th as a through ball from Ljungberg was laid off by Montero to Nate Jaqua who slotted the ball for his first goal of the match. He later scored in the 69th minute after Fredy Montero tapped a through pass from Sebastien Le Toux for Jaqua to run onto.

The match was a sure confidence boost for the frustrated Sounders and a true treat for the fans. This will hopefully begin a streak for the Sounders that will carry them to the top of the league.

Seatowning 6/28/09, Washburn Trade Rumors

husky.madness@gmail.com (karazekevin) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Local
+The Mariners bullpen needs some help before things go wrong [Lookout Landing]
+Rumor: Dodgers interested in Washburn? [MLB Rumors]
+Will Conroy to the Rockets [Seattle Times]
+Gonzaga fans are super excited to face off against a Stephen Curry-less Davidson squad [SSF]
+Sark loses one of his 2010 recruits to Cal [FanNation]

National
+Top 25 NFL Players of the Decade [ESPN]
+[Joe Posnanski] reflects on the King of Pop
+Apparently Steve Nash asked for Shaq to be traded [FanHouse]
+A unique look at Shaq's greatness [Supersonicsoul]
+Top 11 best Promotional giveaways, I miss bat day [Seattle Sportsnet]

Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders FC

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Time: 1:00 PM
TV: KONG 6/16

This match marks the start of the second half of the Sounders season. The first half of the season has been nothing short of spectacular play from all players alike and even though they haven't been producing wins lately, they are still getting points and not letting other teams get 3 points.

The last few games have shown that the Sounders can produce on the offensive side which may have come from an improvement in communication and getting to know each other. With a little bit more defensive discipline these Sounders could make a promising run in the MLS playoffs.

This week the Sounders face the fourth place team, the Colorado Rapids. This will be the Rapids 3rd game in 8 days with a 3-0 win last Saturday against DC United and a 1-1 tie on Wednesday against Dallas. Colorado could be facing the same situation as the Sounders did last week with a lot of fatigue coming into this third game.

Over the past few weeks the Rapids have been without star forward Connor Casey who has been gone on international duty. In his place, two guys have really stepped up in his place, and that has been Omar Cummings and Pat Noonan. Cummings has scored 4 goals in 3 games and Noonan has been wearing out defenses with his speed and agility. The hope is that in their third game that speed, agility, and skill will be fatigued and hopefully not cause as big a threat.

The last time the Sounders played Colorado, they played to a 2-2 draw with Casey netting one of Colorado's goals.The last time they played the Sounders, they were without Osvaldo Alonso. There are two key injuries that leave two Sounders questionable for today.

The two Sounders are Zakuani and Le Toux who both have a ankle sprain. From reports Le Toux is closer to playing than Zakuani, but the loss of either of these players would really hurt the Sounders' chances to create scoring opportunities.

This will be a tough game from the begining but I think the fatigue will eventually set in on Colorado and with the support of the home crowd the Sounders should be ready to play. I see the Sounders wining 2-1 with a late goal by Jaqua to win it.

Go Sounders!!