By: Jake Siverman, 8th Grade, Grand Ave. Jr. H.S., Bellmore, NY
TeenNewsNet Sports Editor

If you are a Yankee fan, yes we are spoiled, it was difficult to see our playoff run end this season.  However, and this not only goes for Yankee fans, but the Knicks and Islanders faithful as well... Look for the silver lining which is over 3,000 miles away.  Ironically, the sun rarely shines there not only in weather, but for their sports franchises too.    I mean even with the Mets collapsing, we still have the Jets (nice), the Giants (damn), the Rangers are pretty good (damn again), and the resurgent Bills (damn a third time). 
   
    Next time any of you call the Fan (WFAN) or  ESPN trashing one of the New York sports franchises --- stop and think...  You could be from  Washington. home of rain, more rain and then the  Mariners.  They were a ball club with a 118 million dollar payroll and pre-season World Series hype.  Um, maybe just a little off there ESPN.  They went 61-101, 39 games out of first.  For those still saying "the sun will come out tomorrow", well keep your umbrella handy.  They don’t really have much in farm system, and are looking to completely rebuild.  Ichiro [Suzuki] is probably on the way out.  After Ichiro the Mariners have millions vested in bad contracts which includes Jose Vidro [DH] who has struggled offensively.   

    Misery always enjoys company, so it's no surprise that the  Seahawks aren’t good either.  They’re 2-8, on their 3rd string QB, and about their 100th string wideout.  Their coach is leaving after this year, and the only thing keeping them from being worse than the Detroit  Lions is 2 games against the Rams.
   
    Is there hope at another level?  No!  Even college football can’t offer any help.  Washington is one of the worst teams in Division 1.  They also have the only winless record in division 1, a robust 0-10.  With a loss to Notre Dame they seem in the toilet for a long time to come.  Even their coach won’t be around for it.  They play Washington State this weekend.  I may watch it just to see if the final score will be -10 to -9 or how long it takes me to puke.
   
    Washington State might even be worse.  At 1-10 they’re not as bad as the Huskies, but that win was against 1-AA “powerhouse” Portland state.  66-3 loss to Cal was embarrassing, 69-0 to USC forgivable, but 58-0 to Stanford,  is beyond comprehension post WWII.
   
    For our Washinton State readers ---  first I say “do people there teach their kids to swim in the streets?” Second I say,  all is not lost, you can still grab a triple grande mocha espresso iced latte frappachino with extra foam and root for Boeing.  P.S. If your from Seattle, don’t send me any angry e-mails in hard to read font.  (look up Rick Reily’s, the old SI, new ESPN backpage columnist, my favorite columnist, books)  Also, this is all in good fun.