Sue Bird simply loves playing in Seattle
ISTANBUL (AP) - A long way from the Pacific Northwest, Sue Bird learned that one of the mainstays of Seattle sports was gone.
Ichiro Suzuki, who had been in Seattle since Bird arrived in 2002, was traded from the Mariners to the New York Yankees on Monday. That leaves Bird as the second-longest tenured athlete in the city behind Storm teammate Lauren Jackson.
"That's pretty crazy, I never would have thought to check that out," Bird said. "I actually really love that. I love that I've been in the same place, developed a relationship with the community and the fans and the ownership. It's a place I want to be. I feel like they're loyal to me and I'm loyal to them. It's a very comfortable situation."
Jackson, who missed the first half of the WNBA season to train with Australia for the Olympics, arrived in Seattle a year earlier than Bird. Bird has been a free agent twice, including this past offseason. She's never seriously thought about leaving Seattle.
"In the long run, being the longest-tenured athlete doesn't mean anything to a lot of people, but to me it represents loyalty," Bird said.
Since Bird's arrival as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2002, the Storm have missed the postseason only once in 2003 and have won WNBA titles in 2004 and 2010.
During that period, the Seahawks have made the playoffs six times, advancing to the Super Bowl once. The Mariners have yet to make the postseason.
Ichiro Suzuki, who had been in Seattle since Bird arrived in 2002, was traded from the Mariners to the New York Yankees on Monday. That leaves Bird as the second-longest tenured athlete in the city behind Storm teammate Lauren Jackson.
"That's pretty crazy, I never would have thought to check that out," Bird said. "I actually really love that. I love that I've been in the same place, developed a relationship with the community and the fans and the ownership. It's a place I want to be. I feel like they're loyal to me and I'm loyal to them. It's a very comfortable situation."
Jackson, who missed the first half of the WNBA season to train with Australia for the Olympics, arrived in Seattle a year earlier than Bird. Bird has been a free agent twice, including this past offseason. She's never seriously thought about leaving Seattle.
"In the long run, being the longest-tenured athlete doesn't mean anything to a lot of people, but to me it represents loyalty," Bird said.
Since Bird's arrival as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2002, the Storm have missed the postseason only once in 2003 and have won WNBA titles in 2004 and 2010.
During that period, the Seahawks have made the playoffs six times, advancing to the Super Bowl once. The Mariners have yet to make the postseason.
That's the look I get when I realize I should have checked my supply of toilet paper.
*yawn*
 @quinoline Oh yeah..the Ms are much more exciting!
Â
Thank you Sue!! We love you too. Thank you for bringing a winning tradition to our city!
Thanks Sue for all you do for this city. It won't be the same when you and Lauren finish your careers. It has been a fun ride and hopefully you two have enough left for at least one more run at it. This year I would be fine if you decided to lose though, so we can get Brittney Griner or Ellena Delle Donne. Then we can make another run at it next year with Lauren back the whole season and some young future HOF talent.
I am so glad that, unlike the Mariners, the Storm has been able to be a place where great players like Sue and Lauren can actually show their worth by winning the championship. I'm also very glad that Sue has no desire at this point to leave Seattle  Makes for a team the fans can be very proud of.Â
@chickysgirl That is because the Storm have great owners who care about winning more than making a buck! I have probably been to 10 times as many Storm games than Ms over the years. I can't stand to watch my home teams lose all the time, but love to sit in the stands when they are winning (2010 was a blast).Â