The Warzone: Last word on Margie Wright has got to be respect

Enter the Warzone, finger firmly on the pulse.

• First, let’s get something straight: The author takes no credit (or blame) for raising the issue of Margie Wright’s future on the day Fresno State’s longtime softball coach announced her retirement.

If we had any pull in this town, pints of Tioga-Sequoia would cost a nickel and the stoplights would be eternally green on Shaw Avenue.

 

• Frankly, it’s a surprise. And judging by the response, Bulldogs fans are surprised, too. Few expected Wright to walk away, particularly with a five-year extension on the table.

 

But Wright always did things her way — even when her way rubbed people the wrong way — up until the very end. Hard not to respect that.

 

• Looking at Thomas Boeh’s recent coaching hires, it’s evident the athletic director doesn’t put much stock in Fresno State ties.

 

But this search feels different. Surely there’s a candidate who played or coached for Wright who could continue her legacy.

 

• Then again, if Lisa Fernandez truly is interested, as the three-time Olympic gold medalist indicated to Comrade Boogaard, Boeh’s job is done.

 

Fernandez is the one hire (and the only one) that moves the needle in terms of both local and national attention.

 

• Devon Wylie, turning heads in the Kansas City Chiefs’ mini-camp, insists he didn’t request jersey number 83.

 

Sounds like Wylie might be getting a little tired of the Wes Welker comparisons. Now’s the time to remind him Welker will make $9.5 million this fall.

 

• No surprise Boise State is rethinking its exit from the Mountain West Conference.

 

With a four-team playoff coming, why join a league that’s on shakier footing than the one you’re leaving?

 

• Bryce Harper’s teammates are calling him “Bam Bam” after the 19-year-old sensation gave himself 10 stitches over the eye in a self-inflicted injury with a bat.

 

“Dumb Dumb” must’ve been taken.

 

• Here’s what Josh Hamilton said after blasting his ninth home run in six games: “It’s been a good week.”

 

Yeah, and McDonald’s had a good century.

 

• For no particular reason: Jermaine Jamison.

 

 

• That wasn’t a misprint, or an exaggeration. Fourteen thousand people really turned out Friday night at Chukchansi Park.

 

Heck, it wasn’t even $1 beer night. Nor did the Swedish bikini team reserve the pool area.

 

• What are the chances the boss lets us Take the Day Off on Wednesday to enjoy the Amgen Tour of California Stage 4 finish in Clovis?

 

About the same as a fat guy winning the sprint.

By Marek Warszawski