High times beget hard times at Wazzu: Cougs center DeAngelo Casto is suspended for the Cougs’ NIT quarterfinal game after he got pinched for having the sticky icky in his room. Cougars starters Klay Thompson and Reggie Moore were also suspended for Mary Jane related run-ins with John Law this season.
Wedge names Ryan SS, Wilson 2B: Mariners manager Eric Wedge announced his starting middle infield. Incumbent SS Jack Wilson, who has played shortstop in 1,219 major league and 270 minor league games, and second base in none, is now the starting second baseman. Brendan Ryan will start at shortstop.
Leon Washington gets less valuable: The NFL voted to push the kickoff forward five yards, making a four-year, $12.5M contract for a kickoff returner, oh like the Seahawks gave Leon Washington, look rather silly.
What they’re saying…
“Wilson is a 33-year-old who isn’t a part of this organization’s long-term future. When Ackley’s ready, he can come right up and claim his position without making too many ripples.” — Larry Stone
“There’s a lot that goes into it besides the specifics of play.” — Eric Wedge
“By the end of the year, we were playing our best basketball. We literally had a chance to beat any team in the country.” — Lorenzo Romar
“There’s going to be a bunch of 109-yard kickoff returns because I plan on coming out of the end zone.” — Leon Washington
In other news…
The Mariners beat the White Sox 9-5, with Felix Hernandez going an underwhelming five innings. Bullpen candidate Tom Wilhelmsen struck out the side in a relief appearance.
Rehabbing catcher Miguel Olivo will catch three innings in a minor league game today.
Lorenzo Romar talked for an hour at a press conference, recapping this season and, mostly, looking forward to next. Our Todd Dybas was there to transcribe. Read Part I of Romar’s comments here, and Part II here.
M’s once and future closer David Aardsma has a Twitter account, @theDA53.
Check this awesome SPNW exclusive on the NFL team we almost had, the “Seattle Kings.”
Seven days closer to a championship…
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)
Tuesday, March 29
Baseball: Mariners @ Colorado, 1:10 p.m. (FSN)