A few years ago, Jarrod Washburn broke into the majors. As I had been a resident of Oshkosh, Wisconsin (his alma mater for several years), I took notice. Having close connections with the team, I knew him to be a good man and someone that sports fans could look up to. Two years ago when he put a million bucks into the kitty of his college's stadium rebuilding fund, he only reaffirmed that.

But there was one big, overriding problem. Washburn played for the Anaheim Angels. In baseball, while it's acceptable to root for players on other teams, it's rarely acceptable when they are rival teams in the same division. And Washburn's Angels played in the same division as (and sadly, better than), my beloved Seattle Mariners.

Some problems, however, resolve themselves, and now that Washburn has inked a deal with the M's, there is no longer a conflict. I'm hoping this signifies a renewed commitment by the team to winning and that Washburn can hang a few pennants on the outfield wall at Safeco Field.