Finding reasons for optimism as a Seattle sports fan

Although he promised me things would improve, told me that Seattle sports had bottomed out in early October with the end of the Mariners' season, the losing had continued.

The sports stories in this city just repeat themselves the way my uncle used to tell the same war stories after too much egg nog at the family Christmases.

But looking for some hope in this bleak holiday season, I decided to give him one more chance and made a final appointment with my optimistic sports shrink, Dr. Hap Smiley.

I walked into his office just as he was finished ordering his 2009 Mariners season-ticket package. Was there no end to this man's hopefulness?

"When does it stop, Doc?" I asked him, settling deep into his sofa. "The losing never ends. It's like those warnings about unattended bags you hear at the airport. The same message over and over again. The same games over and over again.

"It's so bad, Dr. Smiley, that it seems the only games the home teams win are the ones they shouldn't. Like the Mariners sweeping Oakland in the last series of the season, guaranteeing they wouldn't get the first draft pick."

A look of concern crosses Dr. Smiley's face as if he were Rod Blagojevich being told the attorney general was on Line 1.

"And take the Seahawks," I continue. "Why did they choose this week to win? They should be fighting the St. Louis Rams for draft position, not trying to wiggle out of last place in the NFC West.

"If he really cared about the team's future, coach Mike Holmgren should have had center Steve Vallos attempt that game-winning field goal Sunday. Instead, the Hawks win, jump to 3-11, and drop a notch in the 2009 draft. Geez Louise, I wouldn't wish this kind of bad luck on the bosses at Citigroup."

Doc Smiley waited a moment, then asked me if I was finished with my rant.

"Every session sounds like a broken record," he said. "Last Sunday, the Seahawks play an inspired second half and all you can do is whine about that? Get real."

I reminded Dr. Smiley that at $185 an hour, I should be able to rant about anything my heart desires.

"So you're upset with the Mariners, are you?" Dr. Smiley said. "Why? They've done everything right since that last weekend of the season. They hired a general manager, Jack Zdurencik, who knows how to build a farm system. He's already taken the first small steps by ... "

I interrupted, reminding him the Mariners traded away closer J.J. Putz and lost RBI machine Raul Ibanez. Dr. Smiley suggested we increase the dosage of my antidepressant, then continued.

"This isn't about living in the moment," he said. "By trading Putz, Zdurencik got prospects. By letting Ibanez go, he got draft picks. The Mariners could wind up with about 4 of the top 30-something picks in next June's draft.

"And if they could sign their first pick from last June, Josh Fields, they could have their closer of the future. The two sides are only a half-million dollars apart. Now that might sound like a lot of money for you or me ... well, actually just you, but they should get that done."

I had to hand it to him, Dr. Smiley had a way of making mud look like crude oil.

"When the elevator climbs to the top of the Space Needle to signal the end of 2008, everything gets better in Seattle," he said. "I promise. The Mariners will start the year with a new manager, Don Wakamatsu, a new front office and a new coaching staff. Ditto the University of Washington football team. Steve Sarkisian will breathe life into the program, excite recruits and win football games.

"Look at it this way: No more Bill Bavasi. No more Tyrone Willingham. It's like we're getting a sports bailout."

I asked him about the rapid collapse of the Seahawks.

"Look at where Atlanta was this time last year. Look at Miami. No matter where the Seahawks fall in the draft, they can begin the process of addressing their numerous needs. Even with the fifth pick in April, they can get a big receiver like Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree. Or an offensive lineman like Virginia's Eugene Monroe.

"Losing Mike Holmgren will be difficult. It's like losing Nordstrom, or the Space Needle. But most times change is good, and his successor, Jim Mora, will bring a fresh set of eyes and a new direction to a football team that, let's face it, needs changing."

But, I told him, I wanted to win now.

"Then move to New York and root for the Yankees," Dr. Smiley counseled. "Go to Boston. Cheer on the Celtics. Or stay here and console yourself with the knowledge that the Oklahoma City Thunder is 2-23. Look south to Portland, where Brandon Roy is becoming a superstar.

"Celebrate FC Sounders signing the coach, Sigi Schmid, they've wanted almost since they were granted a franchise. Look ahead to the Pac-10 basketball season where the Huskies have a legitimate chance of getting back to the NCAA tournament.

"Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson return from Russia sometime in the spring, for another WNBA season. And maybe, just maybe, Ken Griffey Jr. will come back and give the Mariners an Auld Lang Syne-kind of season that will make the slow rebuilding process easier to accept."

I rose from Hap Smiley's couch. Suddenly I felt the sun streaming through the window. I saw the sharp, snow-packed peaks of the Olympic Mountains. I felt hopeful again and, in my mind, began the countdown to 2009.

Steve Kelley: 206-464-2176 or skelley@seattletimes.com