Mike Henderson

In a day that also featured a Tiger Woods' press conference and Butler's almost-win, the Mariners had a win that almost turned into a loss.

All five picks from a consortium of Seattle Times sports experts put the Mariners at second or third in the American League West. Why bother to play out the season?

Except for the attention on a certain golfer's self-confessed sins, the Seattle golfer might be the sport's story of the year.

Quincy Pondexter's early fouls and on-court troubles gave UW basketball fans a glimpse of life without the star senior. But he leaves as one of the school's top players ever.

So far in spring training, Seattle batters have hit a soft patch.

The University of Washington men's basketball team beat the University of New Mexico, moving to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

M's commercials won't sell many tickets if team isn't performing.

Matt Tuiasosopo and Mike Sweeney are tearing up spring training, but their fates were probably settled months ago.

At a sports bar in Pullman, there's a bit of grudging respect for the University of Washington men's basketball team as the Dawgs take the Pac-10 tournament championship.

The UW's late win Thursday puts them in a place where their NCAA chances are looking good.