Matt Hasselbeck’s Son Is a Hustla: You’ve heard people ask: “Who had Kansas, Richmond, Florida St. and VCU advancing to the Sweet 16?” Matt Hasselbeck’s son Henry did. Five-year-old Henry Hasselbeck’s bracket is 103rd out of 5.9 million entries in the ESPN Tournament Challenge. I’m at 3,693,342nd. Yikes.
Barry Ackerley Dies: The billboard magnate and Sonics’ owner from 1983-2001 died yesterday at the age of 76. The Sonics stumbled at first under Ackerley, but he saw the franchise through the dismantling of the last vestiges of the ’79 championship team, and presided over the controversial decision to draft Shawn Kemp that led to the mid-90s glory years.
What they’re saying…
“The weather today is not very good. It’s a little cold, you know? But I think it’s the same in Seattle, so it’s good to pitch in this game.” — Michael Pineda
“I was on a radio show today and I swear the guy asked me 7 times the same “NBA” question but n diff ways. I mean how many answers u want?” — Isaiah Thomas, via Twitter
In other news…
Husky senior Matthew Bryan-Amaning will play in the pre-NBA-draft Portsmouth Invitational.
The Mariners spring training game was rained out, but Michael Pineda got work in a minor league game against the Royals’ AAA affiliate. Pineda allowed three hits, two to lefties, which have been his bugaboo.
First Avenue S. from Royal Brougham to Edgar Martinez Way (that is, along the west side of Safeco Field) will be given the honorary name Dave Niehaus Way.
The six biggest pro sports teams in the area are establishing the Green Sports Alliance, which will work to reduce the impact of pro sports on the environment. Certainly the Mariners have assembled an offense that will solve the problem of ball-over-the-outfield-fence pollution.
UW hero Nate Robinson has played just eight minutes since being traded to Oklahoma City.
My friend David has owned fireromar.com for a year-and-a-half. He says he got 19 visits on Sunday, the biggest day ever!
Seven days closer to a championship…
Monday, March 21
Baseball: Mariners @ Cincinnati, 1:05 p.m. (no local radio, check MLB.com)
Tuesday, March 22
Baseball: Mariners vs. White Sox, 1:05 p.m. (no local radio, check MLB.com)
Wednesday, March 23
Baseball: Mariners @ Colorado, 6:40 p.m. (FSN)
Thursday, March 24
Baseball: Mariners @ Kansas City, 1:05 p.m. (no local radio, check MLB.com)
Friday, March 25
Soccer: Sounders vs. Houston @ Qwest, 7 p.m. (FSC)
Baseball: Mariners vs. Dodgers, 7:05 p.m. (FSN)
Saturday, March 26
Baseball: Mariners @ Milwaukee, 1:05 p.m. (710-AM)
Sunday, March 27
Baseball: Mariners vs. Texas, 1:05 p.m. (710-AM, also delayed broadcast at 2 p.m. on MLB Network)
Monday, March 28
Baseball: Mariners vs. Colorado, 1:05 p.m. (710-AM)
