Dave 'Softy' Mahler and Dick Fain

Montage hyping up Mariners opening day & reflecting on highlights from 20-30 years ago. Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto joins Softy and Dick to discuss the tear-down and building back up with the new roster, what Opening Day is like for him, when we will know that the team has turned the corner, what he saw from a short season last year, what players like Kelenic and other young guys are doing now before Tacoma, trades for Trammel and France paying off today, Mitch Haniger season coming up after major injuries, Kyle Seager’s transition and role being the veteran of the team, expectations for the year. Old MLB themes on television, discussing Dipoto’s comments on young players on team.

Bill Wiese, GM of Jimmy’s on First / Silver Cloud, joins Softy and Dick to discuss how Covid has impacted Jimmy’s and the hotel, why the wait until May to open Jimmys, needing and hiring a new staff at the restaurant. Former M’s second baseman Bret Boone on playing in front of fans after not doing it last year, Opening Day impact after not really having it last year, why and how the M’s have been so bad for so long, if there’s any hope for the playoffs this year in the AL West, why the Yankees didn’t bring back James Paxton, Kevin Mather’s recent comments, Robinson Cano getting caught, Jarred Kelenic’s service time. And textamonials.

Gerald Everett comments today with media and thoughts on what he can add this season. Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton joins Softy and Dick to discuss why is he back in Seattle and not in New York, where his stuff is at right now, coming back from an injury, how postseason experience helps him, the makeup of the team right now with tons of young players, what has changed in last three years with the Mariners, how he is approaching the season on a one-year deal, what last year’s short season was like w/o fans. Fans back in the stands tonight at T-Mobile, Softy’s poll on one thing to have at ballpark. Former MLB star Torii Hunter on his memories playing in Seattle, how and why the Mariners have been so bad for so long, confidence level the tear down is going to work this time, Kyle Lewis’ rookie of the year campaign, Kevin Mather’s comments from a national perspective, big money being thrown around.

Tyler Lockett’s new contract, if he deserves the $$$, how it appeases Wilson, o-line status. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk joins Softy and Dick to discuss Tyler Lockett’s new contract, if the Russell Wilson story is dead, Niners trading up to #3 to take a QB, Jimmy Garoppolo situation, Jarran Reed’s release, Deshaun Watson is in deep trouble. Dick’s affinity for Gonzaga, what is his fan level, to root for UCLA or the Zags this weekend.

Seahawks financial situation with Tyler Lockett taken care of, Russell Wilson, DK and Jamal Adams up next. Petros Papadakis joins Softy to discuss calling SoCal high school football games for TV, learning how to pronounce all the players names, if he has gotten his vaccine shot yet and why he got his first, NCAA’s Supreme Court situation over amateurism and athletes making money. And textamonials.

Mariners roster decisions, who is on the opening day team, James Paxton pushed back to the fifth day, remembering the Chone Figgins disaster and how/if compares to Yusei Kikuchi now. Former UW quarterback Kevin Thomson on what happened last fall, why he didn’t start, what happened with the rib injury, if he won the job before suffering the injury, John Donovan’s pro-style balanced offense, if offensive players are better prepared for the NFL in Donovan’s offense, UW’s pro day yesterday. Kraken broadcaster Everett Fitzhugh on how can Buffalo be this bad in the modern NHL era, the favorites for the Hart Trophy right now, which teams can make a run come playoff time, Northgate facility timeline. Scott Servais comments on, and reaction of, Kyle Lewis’ injury and status, rotation change.

We're in extra early today, hosting from 1 to 4 leading up to the Elite Eight. The NFL has officially added a 17th regular season game to the schedule, pushing the Super Bowl back a week. It's likely just another step toward 18 games, or even 20 in the future. How will we evaluate a team that goes 9-8 for example? A thousand yards rushing won't mean the same with a whole extra game to reach the milestone. Obviously though, the more football the better. Ratings have been up for this year's tournament. Could it be that the schedule is more conducive to viewing, and could it stay this way going forward? So the Pac-12 has done well in the tournament. How does this benefit the Dawgs?

Mike Yam, formerly of the Pac-12 Network, now with the NFL Network joins the show to report on UW's Pro Day, with thoughts on Joe Tryon, Elijah Molden, Levi Onwuzurike, and more. Former Washington men's basketball coach Lorenzo Romar calls in to talk all things basketball after his Pepperdine team won the CBI. Softy explains why it makes no sense to root for both the Huskies and the Bulldogs. Dick, of course, does not agree.

In just over 48 hours, we'll have the chance to watch the Mariners play with fans in the stands for the first time since 2019. There's a lot of excitement about the team as developing players continue to move up through the system, but there are still some unanswered questions. Mitch Haniger is about to take the field for the first time in about two years. It wasn't that long ago that he seemed like he was a prospect with a long career ahead of him. Now, he's 30 years old. What will he look like this year? The Big Maple is back in Seattle. Why did the Yankees let him go? Jon Wilner makes his weekly appearance to discuss everything Pac-12. Is Pat Chun going to leave Pullman? What would have happened if Lorenzo Romar was still coaching in Seattle? Plus, Jon makes a surprise pick. Dick tries to figure out how to get his son to basketball practice while still being able to watch the Gonzaga game.

The Seahawks released Jarran Reed on Friday but were able to get Carlos Dunlap re-signed as well. What does it mean for the Seahawks defensive line? Bonta Hill of 95.7 The Game joins Softy and Dick to discuss to 49ers moving up to the third pick in the draft in a big trade with the Dolphins, the implications for Jimmy Graoppolo, which QB the 49ers could be targeting, and then the addition of Kerry Hyder for the Seahawks. Examining the 49ers trade and what their plan is at quarterback given the obvious move up to draft a QB.