Mike Henderson

Normally, you would never consider trading good pitching, even when you have it to spare like the M's do. But these aren't normal times.

Walter Jones retired, the Huskies basketball team landed two big recruits, the football team saw a good QB performance. The M's? Well, the fans went home with bobbleheads.

When they left friendly Safeco Field, the Mariners sported a winning record. A lost weekend in Chicago has changed that.

Obscure names, lots of waiting, deals that never close ... and record TV viewership.

Despite a loss Sunday, Seattle ends up with its second straight series win. That kind of thing will keep them in the race for the division championship.

A day off gives a fan the chance to look a little more at the performances of former team members. Result: seeing stars in another galaxy, or uniform.

The team's official spin: It's tough starting the season on the road. But five teams that played on the road for the first week racked up winning records, unlike the can't-hit M's.

Tiger Woods' return to golf was the most anticipated event of the year, and he played well. But 50-year-old phenom Fred Couples became the clear fan favorite at the Masters, as he jumped to a first...