Second thoughts

Seattle’s blanking helps fans

A Seattle-area car dealership is paying the price for the Seattle Seahawks’ 23-0 shutout Sunday of the New York Giants.

Jet Chevrolet in Federal Way, Wash., sponsored a raffle last week. If the Seahawks were able to shut out the Giants, anyone who bought a vehicle during a four-day period ending Saturday would be entered in a drawing to be one of 12 winners, each of whom would receive $35,000.

The owners never expected to pay out the money.

But thanks to Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s five interceptions, the Seahawks forced the dealership’s hands.

“It’s crazy,” Dan Johnson, one of Jet Chevrolet’s owners, told the Seattle Times. “You would have thought New York would have at least scored a field goal.”

However, Jet Chevrolet purchased an insurance policy for about $7,400 to cover the prize money.

Johnson said to be legal, the dealership also had to open up the drawing to people who did not buy cars. But those purchasing cars each got 100 tickets for the drawing; people who entered without buying cars got one.

The raffle winners were expected to receive $420,000.

Thanks, Twitter

Kansas City Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie needed a throwing partner.

So he took to Twitter to find one.

“Does anyone in northern Kansas City want to play catch today out to 90 feet?” Guthrie tweeted. “Day 3 of throwing program.”

In two minutes, Guthrie had a response from Daniel Wesley, a Royals fan in the Kansas City area.

“What part of Northern KC?

I can be there in 20 minutes,” Wesley tweeted. “I am 35 years young and played high school and junior college baseball. If I’m too old to qualify, I understand.”

The only qualifications needed were owning a glove and a way of transportation to Guthrie’s undisclosed location. So Wesley met Guthrie, where they played short and long toss for about 40 minutes.

“I just kept telling myself to not act like I’m 12 and to make good throws,” Wesley told MLB.com.

“I definitely didn’t wake up this morning expecting to play catch with an MLB pitcher.”

Guthrie and Wesley also took time to get to know each other by swapping stories about their children. Guthrie signed a baseball and a bat.

Wesley then saw that the Royals signed Omar Infante.

“Omar, if you need a catch partner, I’m your man,” Wesley tweeted.

Now that’s fan appreciation.

He said it

From Miami Herald columnist Greg Cote:

“Golden Globe nominations came out, and I thought Urban Meyer’s was well deserved for his challenging portrayal of an Ohio State coach thrilled to be in the Orange Bowl game.”

“The Panthers had a bobblehead night Friday honoring former goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who improbably led Florida to the 1996 Stanley Cup finals.

The warmth of that memory is exceeded only by the sadness of realizing the Cats have not won a playoff series since.”

“Logan Morrison and Justin Ruggiano were traded by the Marlins last week. Morrison’s time here was a disappointment beset by injuries. However, he did consistently lead the team in tweets.”

“It has come to my attention there is an LPGA player named Sandra Gal. I wonder if she ever met punter Ray Guy ?”Quote of the day

“We don’t always have to hire Auburn’s assistant. That was my advice.”

Former Arkansas State coach Larry Lacewell on the Red Wolves’ coaching search

Sports, Pages 18 on 12/17/2013

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