Very, very Kobe-ish behavior coming out of Seattle.

Look, I know Mike Hargrove quit because of “personal reasons”; he couldn’t feed the fire within to keep himself motivated, right? Wow, funny… same thing happened to Stan Van Gundy in 2005. Okay, so we know this: fact 1 - Mike Hargrove quits. Now we also know this: fact 2 - the Seattle Times reports Ichiro is now suddenly close to signing a five year, $100 million extension with the Mariners.

So, what we have is either a clear case of Kobeitis (which I think can be cleared up with some penicillin and a diamond ring for the loved one in your life), or this is one of the bigger coincidences in the history of professional sport. Because as far as I was aware, Ichiro had one foot out the door already and was openly not a fan of the M’s former manager. Now all of a sudden Hargrove is gone and Ichiro is reported to be in it to win it in Seattle.

You know, just once I’d love for a pro sports team to actually tell it like it is:

Seattle Mariners: Hello, and thanks for coming to the press conference. We’d just like to announce today that despite the recent winning streak, and the fact that this seriously jeopardizes our chances at the AL West and AL Widlcard, we have decided to fire Mike Hargrove so we might re-sign Ichiro. Yes… you have a question?

Reporter: Yes, what will happen to Mike Hargrove? Will he be retained at all or will he be completely fired from the organization?

Seattle Mariners: F**k Mike Hargrove! Didn’t you hear what I just said? We might get Ichiro back… think of the jersey sales! Jager bombs on me!

A man can dream.

• M’s set to sign Ichiro to 5-year deal (Seattle Times)