Bob Sherwin, formerly of The Seattle Times, is a veteran sports journalist who freelances for The New York Times, the Associated Press and MLB.com. He is the author of three Japanese edition books on Ichiro Suzuki and three screenplays. He lives in Sammamish with his family and recently became a first-time grandfather to twins.

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List: A heart for Clay 'Tin Man' Bennett

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July 3, 7:36 PM

by Bob Sherwin, Seattle Sports Examiner

There are villains everywhere in the Sonics final flight to Oklahoma. Howard Schultz, the previous owner who sold the team to people intent on moving it, is high on the everyone's list. As are former team executive Wally Walker, Mayor Greg Nickels, councilman Nick Licata, Governor Christine Gregoire and NBA Commissioner David Stern, among others.

At the top of my list is deceitful OKC owner Clay Bennett. It's not just because he's so smug or conniving or so calculating with such sinister intent. Although those are all good reasons. They all work.

Mostly it's because he won. He came here with a mission. He exploited the fractured political will. He timed it perfectly with a lease about to run out and a team near the low ebb in talent and appeal. And every move was designed to cut the strings that kept it here for 41 years. The last thread was severed Wednesday and the team is gone. Maybe I'm just a sore loser.

We don't wish Bennett any harm, just bad karma. It's the only thing we have left. We have been vanquished. This is what the vanquished do - they vent. So in the spirit of spite, here's my catty list of how we should respond to our team leaving. Most of this will never happen, but spitefulness is a great cleanser:

1. Let's do what we can to renovate KeyArena and when the NBA says it's finally suitable for a team, tell Commissioner Stern that we'd rather have an NHL franchise.

2. Set aside part of the $45 million to establish an advanced studies program at the University of Washington on business ethics and morality.

3. Petition prominent Seattle company officials from Microsoft, Amazon.com, Boeing, Starbucks and such that they should tell their advertising agencies not to buy any TV or radio time involving NBA games. If General Motors can wield its power in Detroit to have two Super Bowls played in mid-winter in the Upper Midwest, then we certainly can throw our considerable weight around as well.

4. Any local company that has branches in Oklahoma should consider its relocation options. Tit for tat.

5. Distribute colorful ribbon decals to display on the back of our SUVs that say 'No More Oklahoma Oil.''

6. If the city should ever get another NBA team, the first priority needs to be signing the best player on the Oklahoma City Rustlers roster and bring him to Seattle. Can you say Kevin Durant?

7. Borrowing an idea from San Francisco, name our next sewer treatment plant the Clay Bennett Playgrounds.

8. Getting the Woodland Park Zoo involved, Bennett would be a fine name for its lowest slithering snake.

9. Thoroughly jam the Goggle search engine so that any time you type in the word duplicitous Clay Bennett's mug appears.

10. Pull some strings so that Bennett's name moves up the priority list for a heart. The Tin Man could use one.

Any other suggestions?

For more info: www.seattle-PI.com

Topics: Clay Bennett

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Comments

Bavasi's lasting legacy: Trading away the future

4 comments

October 9, 1:12 PM

With a couple weeks removed from the wreckage that was the 2008 Seattle Mariners baseball season, I'm continue to be frustrated with the damage that the former GM Bill Bavasi inflicted on this franchise. It's almost as if he tried to sabotage... Read More
Topics: Sign Bedard then trade him

Top 10: Major 2008 Seattle sports disappointments

2 comments

October 7, 10:48 AM

Can it get any worse for Seattle? Has there been some kind of a curse placed upon the entire sports community here? If I didn't know any better, I'd say there's a cosmic conspiracy. How can so many things go so terribly wrong with... Read More
Topics: Sonics departure , Mariners disaster

Now's the time: Clear out Willingham

1 comment

October 4, 10:22 PM

The University of Washington football program needs to sweep out its coaching hierarchy now so it can begin to slow the near decade-long downward momentum. The sooner the better, although the better may not be apparent for... Read More
Topics: Like Michigan , UW needs to act quickly

Seahawks' outlook suddenly has improved

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October 2, 8:13 AM

Remember how we felt about the Seahawks a little more than two weeks ago?They were 0-2 entering their home game against St. Louis. They trailed Arizona by two games in the NFC West. They had virtually no proven wide receivers available. No one could... Read More
Topics: Hawks turned season on a dime

Best of Ichiro: His greatest feats...thus far

1 comment

September 29, 6:15 PM

He has only been in the Major Leagues for eight seasons yet Ichiro has collected such a bushelbasket full of hits that it would be a career for anyone else. A Hall of Fame career.The Mariners outfielder, who carried the hopes and aspirations... Read More
Topics: Ichiro's best feats

Mariners clubhouse a den of pettiness

1 comment

September 25, 11:57 PM

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for the Seattle Mariners this season, now we have teammates who want to rough up Ichiro. For God's sake.What a season. What a team. What a clubhouse.This is sick, a reflection of just how bad this gang... Read More
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Ichiro under 'attack' in his own clubhouse

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September 25, 9:07 PM

With four games left in the Mariners season, you wouldn't think there would be much to write about. But I was wrong.Covering the Angels-Mariners' game for The Associated Press tonight, I wrote a story on Ichiro, responding to a Seattle Times story... Read More
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One week until Mariners' demolition begins

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September 23, 10:01 AM

It seems hard to believe at this point, but many people anticipated that this week was going to be special for the Seattle Mariners. This was the time when the Mariners were to clinch a postseason spot for the first time since 2001.... Read More
Topics: Mariners' calamity season about to end

Azinger made all the right Ryder Cup moves

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September 21, 3:04 PM

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger never made a competitive swing this week, but he had more impact on the American victory over Europe than any player on the course.He was without the best player in the world, Tiger Woods. His best player,... Read More
Topics: U.S. wins Ryder Cup for first time since 1999