OUT and ABOUT with STEVE CAMERON: Zags in the Finals, rough stretch for M's, and other stuff

We should do some trekking. 

Why? 

Well, that’s the best way to find some fascinating (or at least mildly interesting) items for this week’s “Out and About” column. 

So, let’s get on with it. 

The only place to start is with a slice of history for the Gonzaga men’s basketball program. 

Coach Mark Few has new and glossier selling points to future recruits and transfers. 

Just check out the NBA Finals. 

Develop a big man? 

Check. 

That would be Chet Holmgren of powerhouse Oklahoma City. 

Place a strong and savvy guard among the league’s very best? 

Check. 

That would be Andrew Nembhard. 

One of those two former Zags will earn an NBA title, while the other and his teammates vow to come back again in 2026. 

Either way, though, it’s a sweet pitch for prospects down the road: Zags EXPECT to play at the game’s highest levels, both in college and then in the pro ranks. 

What else could a player want to know? 

Oh, yeah. 

Money. 

But that comes with the territory. 

ITEM: Everyone associated with the Mariners’ player development program is breathing a little easier. 

Jurrangelo Cijntje, the fascinating switch-pitcher from Curacao via The Netherlands, caused a sinking sensation among those minor league administrators when he had to beg off a start for High-A Everett last week. 

Cijntje, who was bugged by some arm discomfort, was supposed to return to the Everett rotation this week. 

Up to that point, he was 4-3 with a 4.97 ERA in 12 games — although it’s almost impossible to break down his stats to right and left arms. 

The problem? 

Cijntje has occasionally switched sides in mid-inning, so figuring his numbers for each arm is difficult. 

He has more starts and better overall stuff pitching right-handed, but there are times when Lo (his nickname among the AquaSox) goes left-handed and then back again. 

Most scouts think he will wind up as a right-handed starter by the time he gets close to the major leagues. 

“It’s just not feasible to do both,” said a personnel exec with an American League team. 

“How do you possibly break down your time and effort to stay sharp from both sides?” 

MLB Pipeline considers Cijntje the No. 88 prospect currently in the minor leagues. 

Seattle has a whopping nine players listed in the top 100 — although that total includes Cole Young, who is now the everyday second baseman for the Mariners. 

Of course, there’s always the option of counting Cijntje twice. 

That’s only fudging a teeny bit. 

ITEM: It’s amazing how soccer in the United States manages to go in different directions at the same time. 

The game itself is far more popular here than it’s ever been, MLS keeps adding franchises that routinely sell out, and TV numbers for European matches are going through the roof. 

Over the next month, the Club World Cup (featuring league champions from all over the planet) will be played here in the States. 

It’s a new venture, but the bosses at FIFA expect a blockbuster. 

Oh, and don’t forget that the actual World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026. 

Meanwhile, though, the United States men’s team seems to be circling the drain. 

There was hope that the USMNT would take a leap forward under well-known coach Mauricio Pochettino, but the most recent result was a 4-0 battering at the hands (or feet) of Switzerland. 

Meanwhile, former American star Landon Donovan is feuding with current ace Christian Pulisic over Christian sitting out that match against the Swiss. 

Same old, same old. 

ITEM: Mariners boss Jerry Dipoto hasn’t had a very good month or so. 

Jerry’s been trying to keep his elite starting rotation healthy and scrape together a few runs, just to tread water in the AL West circus. 

He signed Texas retread Leody Tavares, then released him … and still doesn’t have a right fielder. 

Just 10 games ago, the M’s were basically tied with Houston atop the division. 

Since then, they’ve gone 2-8, slipped four games behind and suddenly are staring at the abyss. 

The final kick in the teeth during that sweep in Arizona was Eugenio Suarez’ grand slam in Wednesday’s 5-2 finale.

How many times since the winter of 2023 do you suppose Dipoto has wished he’d hung onto Suarez — instead of saving $11 million over each of Geno’s last two contract years? 

Seattle hasn’t had a proper third baseman since then. 

I don’t need to tell you that Suarez was hugely popular, a clubhouse leader and, oh, he’s already hit 19 homers and driven in 52 runs this season. 

Ouch! 

Email: [email protected] 

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens. 

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”