Popular Sports Media Figure To Speak In Maple Valley

Mike Gastineau, who left Sportsradio 950 KJR a few years ago to pursue some independent projects, will speak this Saturday, March 21st at the Greater Maple Valley Community Center Benefit Breakfast, according to the Voice Of The Valley, this area's community newspaper.  Gastineau's book "Authentic Masterpiece" addresses the creation of the Seattle Sounders, considered one of the most successful expansion team launches of all time. The doors will open at 9am with the program starting at 9:30.  The Maple Valley Community Center is located at 22010 SE 248th in Maple Valley.  For information and tickets, call 425 432-1272.

Royals Star Honored At 50th Annual Hutch Awards

Alex Gordon, a gold glove outfielder, who helped the the Kansas City Royals battle to the World Series received the 50th Fred Hutchinson Award at a luncheon at Safeco Field.  The award is given to the player who exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of the late Fred Hutchinson, a Seattle native who became famous as a pitcher and a Major League manager and whose career was cut short by lung cancer. Proceeds go to supporting the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
 Gordon is credited with raising more than 1 million dollars for research through the non-profit Alex's Lemonade Stand.  Gordon spoke movingly of  his mother surviving breast cancer.
Hall of Fame player Dave Winfield  (bottom picture with me) was the keynote speaker. Winfield, voted best all-around athlete by ESPN, was drafted by 4 teams in 3 different sports.  Unlike Bo Jackson and Dion Sanders, he stuck with baseball where he would eventually play for 6 teams and carve out a 22 year career.  Of course, he spun old baseball anecdotes, including being snubbed by Bob Gibson as his career was beginning.  Winfield was no stranger to Seattle, since his father had moved here after Dave's parents split.  Winfield mentioned his family's humble beginnings in St Paul Minnesota He also spoke movingly of losing his mother to cancer.
Host for the afternoon event were former talk radio host Mike Gastineau, Mariner reporter Shannon Drayer, and Mariner play by play man Rick Rizzs.

Gasman Scores A Goal With Authentic Masterpiece

In 2008, the Seattle Mariners went on a depressing losing skid, finishing the season, deep in last place.  The Seahawks, only 3 years removed from a super bowl appearence, provided little relief going 4-12.  The Cougars and Huskies had a couple of wins, both belonging to the Cougs.  To make matters worst, the one major team with a championship, the Sonics, left for Oklahoma City. 
The time was right for something to go right in the Seattle sports world and it did.  In Authentic Masterpiece, former KJR sports radio talk show host Mike Gastineau presents an entertaining history of what he calls the "...the best franchise launch in American Sports history. "  Gastineau writes that Paul Allen's attempt to build a new stadium for the Seahawks was doomed until they tapped into a huge covert market, Soccer fans.   A football-soccer stadium proposal was barely approved by the Seattle electorate.
Gastineau goes brick by brick on how a management team, an unusual combination of a Minor League Soccer team owner, an actor-comedian, a Hollywood movie producer and one of the richest men in the world formed a unique forward looking management team.  The search for the coach. Putting together the team, And finally the unique, but large contingent of Soccer Fans, know to flood Seattle bars in the early morning hours to watch soccer matches halfway around the world.
We read about Drew Carey, who was the comedian-part owner who came up with one of the craziest ideas in professional sports after a bad Sounder loss.
Mike Gastineau was at KJR for 2 decades, and made his reputation as "the voice of reason".  This book shows that he has real talent as a writer.  If you are a sports fan, but maybe not a soccer fan, like me, this book will key in on what makes the team and the sport a local success.  If you are a Sounders fan, this is a must read.  For more information on the book, you can go to the Gastineau website.

Mike Gastineau Pens Sounder History

Former Sports Radio 950 afternoon drive host Mike Gastineau, has a new book out detailing the history of Seattle MLS soccer club, The Sounders.  The book is titled  Sounders FC  Authentic Masterpiece. According to the cover, it is "the inside story of one of the most successful franchise launches in American sports history."   The Sounders of course started play in 2009 on the heels of dismal seasons from the Mariners and Seahawks, and the departure of the Super Sonics.  while most expansion teams experience growing pains, the Sounders started winning as soon as it hit the field, kicking off with a 3-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls.  The team proceeded enter the playoffs in each of it's first 4 seasons.  You can see reviews, preview, or order Gastineau's book by clicking here.

Gasman Leaving KJR

It's said that "all good things must come to an end" and today's Seattle Times announced that Mike Gastineau, known as the Gasman on KJR, is leaving the station.   When KJR, one of Seattle's venerable radio stations became a sports talk station in the early 90s, many of it's on-air personalities were abrasive toward both the players and fans who called in.  Gastineau had a much different approach, fair and even handed. Gastineau had a friendly way of educating his callers, who may not have seen the full picture.  As the station has evolved, there are fewer call-ins and more interviews and commentary.  Gastineau has been afternoon drive at KJR for almost 20 years, almost 3 lifetimes in big market radio.  He has been with KJR  for 21 years.  His community service includes hosting the Fred Hutchinson Award and the KJR Kares-A-Thon Charity Auction..  He has said that he will persue other opportunities.

Great Summer Beach Read

No, there isn't a list of 50 best Northwest Pro Sports titles, but

"The Great Book Of Seattle Sports Lists" is a fun read for any sports fan.

Written by Sportswriters Art Thiel and Steve Rudman, along with KJR Sportsradio Afternoon personality Mike "Gasman" Gastineau, the lists will make you laugh, educate and bring back memories. The book is availble at Amazon.

Sportsradio Station KJR Pays Tribute To It's Roots

KJR today linked it's present with it's past by interviewing Rock DJ Pat O'Day. O'Day, interviewed by afternoon hosts Dave Grosby and Mike Gastineau, was celebrating 50 years in the broadcast industry. O'Day was on for 2 straight hours about how he broke into the business, old stories of rock legend and and talking about his love of the industry. You can hear bits and pieces here