This headline from today’s Seattle Times, as the Mariners get ready to host the Royals:

“Could The Mariners Set A Low Attendance Mark This Week?”

Interesting matchup nonetheless. The Royals could actually pull off a sweep.

The M’s were one of the top offensive teams in the league until they traded away two of their top three home run hitters in the past few days for “prospects” and some cash.

The bullpen is godawful and the defense is even worse. They lead the majors in errors…and it’s not even close.

Most Seattle fans realized this was going to be a rebuilding year, but it’s gotten more dismal than expected. After 42 seasons without a World Series and 18 without a playoff appearance, the natives are getting restless, or worse, apathetic.

And as for that headline, well, the M’s host the Orioles next. At least they’re not Tampa Bay, who can’t draw flies at home, even with a good team.

Catching Up On Gary:

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/26989497/who-gary-woodland-need-know-new-us-open-champion

Okay, time for a not-so-humble brag…For what it’s worth, I believe I was the first to post about Gary on this board.

From October 2013: "Former KU golfer Gary Woodland lost in a playoff today at the PGA tournament in Malaysia. He’s really stepped up his game lately, with a win, a second-place and a third-place finish in the past few months.

The guy hits the ball a ton and usually leads the tour in driving distance. He needs to work on his short game, though…missed a 10-footer Sunday that would’ve given him the win outright. Still, $750K for second place ain’t chump change!"

YEAH GARY! ROCK CHALK CHAMPION!

Just got home from work and saw the highlights. Can’t wait to watch the final round replay.

I gotta admit, I wasn’t sure that his short game would hold up through four rounds. Glad I was wrong. Way to go Gary!

@Crimsonorblue22 Good luck to Gary. Hope he can keep it together on Sunday.

Always enjoy watching golf at Pebble Beach. Got to view the 18th hole in person years ago on a drive down the coast. Pulled my car off the road, walked up to a spot behind the green, and took a few pix.

Sucks that I’ll miss seeing the final round live though…I’ve got inventory at work! Aaarrrgh!

Oops, that’s “miss at 18”.

Personally, I never miss the 19th hole.

Well, it’s a one-shot lead going into Sunday. Great short game today, for Gary, except for that short miss at 19.

We’ll see if he can handle the pressure tomorrow…Rose, Koepka and a bunch of other guys close on his tail.

Still going strong halfway thru his third round…10 under par, still two strokes ahead of Justin Rose, three up on Koepka.

…to quote Joe Buck, “a proud Kansas Jayhawk”…Gary Woodland.

He drained a long birdie putt to wrap up a round of 65 and give him a two-shot lead after the second round.

Usually his putter is the weakest club in his bag, but he was nailing some long ones today.

Still 36 holes to go, but looking good so far.

Good start for Gary on his second round…two under par on the back nine, with the easier front nine to come.

He’s now at 5 under, just two shots off the lead.