The Apple Cup: Well, I guess I won’t be grading the Apple Cup but rather the plan to move the Apple Cup to Qwest Field. Kevin wrote this post arguing why it should not be moved to Qwest. And he made several good points.
But in the end, Kevin overlooks the most important reason of all: money. In our depressed economy, moving the game to Qwest is a far more favorable option than budget cuts. It would be a small sacrifice for the greater good. While the Apple Cup generates about $1 million in two years at Martin Stadium and Husky Stadium, it could potentially generate $1.7 million in a single year. This possibility for over three times the profit supersedes all else. So moving the Apple Cup to Qwest, which looks likely, would be the correct move. Grade: A
Seattle Mariners: After returning from their 5-2 road trip, the Mariners have gotten off to a bit of a cold start at home. After winning the series against division rival Los Angeles, 2-1, they dropped two straight to Detroit. The Ms now carry a 2-game losing streak into a home series against the 5-8 Rays. Despite this poor 3-3 record compiled during their time at home, the M's still stand at 8-5 and have an impressive 2.5 game lead in the AL West.
The main reason for the M's success has been their pitching. The Mariners have gotten strong pitching from the bullpen as well as starters Bedard and Washburn, and lead the American League in all major pitching categories. However, they will need better pitching from Silva, who is 0-2 with an ERA of 6.35, in order to maintain their lead in the West. Also, they will benefit from better hitting from Lopez, Griffey, Beltre, and Gutierrez, all of whom are batting under .240.
All this aside, though, the Mariners are at the top of the West right now. Enjoy it while it lasts. Grade: B
Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers got off to a poor start in the NBA playoffs, losing to the Rockets by an astounding 27 points, 108-81. They could not stop Yao Ming, who was perfect from the field and scored 24 points. Aaron Brooks was also lights out, scoring a game-high 27 points in the rout.
I had previously hoped that the Blazers, laden with Washington connections, would be able to challenge the Lakers in the West. Though this hope is not gone, it has seriously diminished. If the Blazers get blown out at home, among the Rose Garden faithful, they may struggle to get by the Rockets more than I previously imagined. And if they struggle against the Rockets, they will have an even harder time as the competition gets better.
However, I still think Portland can potentially challenge LA. They have a huge home-court advantage, a great coach in McMillan, depth, and a closer in Roy. I will be rooting for B-Roy and his young Blazers team all the way. Grade: D
Seattle Sounders FC: The Sounders dropped their second straight game, losing to Chivas USA 2-0 in LA. They were playing without captain goalkeeper Kasey Keller, but that did not seem to be the deciding factor in the end. The Sounders controlled the ball for most of the game, but in the end their inablility to convert lost them the game.
Seattle missed several chances to score, including an easy breakaway shot by Freddy Montero early on, and got unfortunate on defense, yielding an own goal. Moving into an aggressive style, the Sounders were unable to get a goal of their own and then gave up another goal late in the second half. But despite their loss to undefeated Chivas and a missed chance to take over first place in the Western conference, the Sounders are still second and doing fine. Grade: D
Photo Source: www.mariners.mlb.com/
Original Story:
http://www.seatownsports.net/2009/04/...
But in the end, Kevin overlooks the most important reason of all: money. In our depressed economy, moving the game to Qwest is a far more favorable option than budget cuts. It would be a small sacrifice for the greater good. While the Apple Cup generates about $1 million in two years at Martin Stadium and Husky Stadium, it could potentially generate $1.7 million in a single year. This possibility for over three times the profit supersedes all else. So moving the Apple Cup to Qwest, which looks likely, would be the correct move. Grade: A
Seattle Mariners: After returning from their 5-2 road trip, the Mariners have gotten off to a bit of a cold start at home. After winning the series against division rival Los Angeles, 2-1, they dropped two straight to Detroit. The Ms now carry a 2-game losing streak into a home series against the 5-8 Rays. Despite this poor 3-3 record compiled during their time at home, the M's still stand at 8-5 and have an impressive 2.5 game lead in the AL West.
The main reason for the M's success has been their pitching. The Mariners have gotten strong pitching from the bullpen as well as starters Bedard and Washburn, and lead the American League in all major pitching categories. However, they will need better pitching from Silva, who is 0-2 with an ERA of 6.35, in order to maintain their lead in the West. Also, they will benefit from better hitting from Lopez, Griffey, Beltre, and Gutierrez, all of whom are batting under .240.
All this aside, though, the Mariners are at the top of the West right now. Enjoy it while it lasts. Grade: B
Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers got off to a poor start in the NBA playoffs, losing to the Rockets by an astounding 27 points, 108-81. They could not stop Yao Ming, who was perfect from the field and scored 24 points. Aaron Brooks was also lights out, scoring a game-high 27 points in the rout.
I had previously hoped that the Blazers, laden with Washington connections, would be able to challenge the Lakers in the West. Though this hope is not gone, it has seriously diminished. If the Blazers get blown out at home, among the Rose Garden faithful, they may struggle to get by the Rockets more than I previously imagined. And if they struggle against the Rockets, they will have an even harder time as the competition gets better.
However, I still think Portland can potentially challenge LA. They have a huge home-court advantage, a great coach in McMillan, depth, and a closer in Roy. I will be rooting for B-Roy and his young Blazers team all the way. Grade: D
Seattle Sounders FC: The Sounders dropped their second straight game, losing to Chivas USA 2-0 in LA. They were playing without captain goalkeeper Kasey Keller, but that did not seem to be the deciding factor in the end. The Sounders controlled the ball for most of the game, but in the end their inablility to convert lost them the game.
Seattle missed several chances to score, including an easy breakaway shot by Freddy Montero early on, and got unfortunate on defense, yielding an own goal. Moving into an aggressive style, the Sounders were unable to get a goal of their own and then gave up another goal late in the second half. But despite their loss to undefeated Chivas and a missed chance to take over first place in the Western conference, the Sounders are still second and doing fine. Grade: D
Photo Source: www.mariners.mlb.com/
Original Story:
http://www.seatownsports.net/2009/04/...
