I happened to notice today that Mariners ace Felix Hernandez has conferred his regal following authority on just 12 Twitter accounts. (He has, at time of writing, 6,945 followers.) So who are the anointed twelve worthy of the King’s patronage?
Eleven of the twelve are baseball-related: Players David Ortiz, Logan Morrison, Matt Tuiasosopo, and Ryan Rowland-Smith (also, a fake Jason Vargas.) Managers Joe Maddon and Ozzie Guillen. His agents, Octagon Baseball. His employers, the Mariners. A Venezuelan baseball fan named Roman Seijas and a Venezuelan trainer named Jose Rafael Caldera.
The twelfth? Snooki.
Jersey Shore “star” Snooki, who recently tweeted: “Kitty brush ! I Love my kitty ?” (Which I think was about a cat.) Perhaps he follows her because he knows all 75 English words in her vocabulary? My personal feeling: Felix, if you’re going to follow one non-baseball figure on Twitter, make it Feminist Hulk.
Storm Lock Up Swin Cash: Rare to have a talented player who also fits the “blue-collar, lunchpail” description, but Pittsburgh-born Swin Cash has both qualities. The Storm wisely signed Cash to a multi-year deal, so she’ll be back to help the team defend their 2010 WNBA title. (Note: The team did not release the value or even length of the contract. But the maximum length of a WNBA contract is three years, and it’s a “multi-year” contract. So, deduce!)
Seahawks Lock Up Leon Washington: The Hawks re-signed Leon Washington to a four-year/$12M deal that will keep him in blue and green through age 32. Maybe a case of buying high? Then again, makes sense to reward the only Seahawk who made the All-Pro team.
Seahawks Not Close to Locking Up Matt Hasselbeck: ESPN’s John Clayton says the Seahawks and Matt Hasselbeck are “miles apart” on a contract. This is dispiriting news, although it may not mean much given that NFL owners and players are fighting in court while the lockout draws nearer. Hasselbeck may be drawing Social Security by the time the NFL comes back.
What they’re saying…
“I think maybe I’ve played guys too many minutes.” — Lorenzo Romar, on why the Dawgs’ defense has struggled
“Hes not a dirty player, but hes got a toughness. When the Fire came, I think Freddie Ljungberg was very surprised at the reception he got from Alonso.” — Former Seattle mayor and very well-informed soccer fan Greg Nickels on his favorite Sounder, Osvaldo Alonso
In other news…
The mysterious Sounders “Trialist” has been revealed! He’s Mauro Rosales, an Argentine midfielder who has played first-division soccer in Argentina, Mexico, and Holland. Rosales was not among the three players cut Tuesday, all of whom were acquired in the offseason.
UW sharpshooter Scott Suggs should be available for tomorrow’s game against UCLA.
An English website of dubious quality, citing an unnamed source, claims Manchester United will play the Sounders at Qwest Field in July.
The Mariners beat Texas 5-4. Rotation candidate Nate Robertson pitched two scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits but getting 3 Ks. Milton Bradley was 3-3 with a 2B and 2 RBI. Second base job contender Adam Kennedy and 2009 1st-round pick Stephen Baron homered.
Longtime Mariner nemesis Garret Anderson retired after 17 seasons of lining first-pitch fastballs just over the second baseman’s head for a @#$@# two-out run scoring single. Sorry, I’m a little shellshocked, Anderson had 122 career RBI against Mariner pitching, OPSing .743 in 206 career games.
Here’s a cute photo of Ken Griffey Jr. teaching a Filipino boy how to hit. Griffey is in the Philippines as a U.S. State Department special enjoy. The Kid hit three batting-practice homers in a demonstration.
Sounders single-game tickets and Mariners six-game plans are both on sale.
Seattle U hoops put up a good fight at Stanford, trailing by as little as six points late in the game, but the Redhawks lost 77-66.
The next seven days in Seattle sports…
Today, March 2
Nada
Thursday, March 3
State Hoops Quarterfinals @ Tacoma Dome, first game at 9 a.m., last game at 9 p.m.
Hoops: Washington vs. UCLA @ Hec Ed, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
Friday, March 4
Baseball: Mariners vs. Cincinnati, 12:05 p.m. (710-AM)
State Hoops Semifinals at the Tacoma Dome, first game at 3:45 p.m., last game at 9 p.m.
Cascadia Summit Soccer: Sounders vs. Portland @ Starfire Sports Complex, 7:30 p.m. (SoundersFC.com video)
Saturday, March 5
Baseball: Mariners vs. Cleveland, 12:05 p.m. (710-AM)
Hoops: Seattle U @ Idaho, 7 p.m. (710-AM)
Hoops: USC @ Washington, 7:30 p.m. (FSN)
State 3A Girls Hoops Championship Game @ Tacoma Dome, 3 p.m. (US-joined in progress)
State 4A Girls Hoops Championship Game @ Tacoma Dome, 5 p.m. (FSN)
State 3A Boys Hoops Championship Game @ Tacoma Dome, 7 p.m. (US)
State 4A Boys Hoops Championship Game @ Tacoma Dome, 9 p.m. (FSN)
Sunday, March 6
Baseball: Mariners @ San Francisco, 12:05 p.m. (710-AM)
Cascadia Summit Soccer: Sounders vs. Vancouver @ Starfire Sports Complex, 3 p.m. (SoundersFC.com video)
Monday, March 7
Baseball: Mariners @ Oakland, 12:05 p.m. (No radio)
Tuesday, March 8
Baseball: Mariners @ San Francisco, 12:05 p.m. (No radio)