The Dock Ellis Experience

Steelers 24 Bungles 10

2007-12-03T11:25:00.000-05:00

The face the most overrated player in the NFL is making on the right there pretty much sums up the Bungles past couple years. After the Bungles won the division and had their only winning season in the last 16 (we can't stop here, this is Pirate Country...) in the 05 - 06 season, the Steelers knocked them out in the Wild Card round in Cinnci. Last year, week 17, with nothing to play for sans pride, the Steelers knocked off the Bungles in Pittsburgh when the Bungles could've made the playoffs with a win. Two years ago I said they were a flash in the pan, all the while the media has picked them to either win the division or make the playoffs the past two seasons since. Well I'm here to tell you what the two of you reading this already know, the Bungles fucking blow.

Despite getting off to a slow start as usual on both offense and defense the Steelers righted the ship in the 2nd quarter with 17 points (Ben TD run, Ben to Ward TD catch). The Steelers added a TD in the 3rd, while the Bungles, despite scoring a TD on a long 12 play drive to start the game, only managed 3 more points the rest of the way. This was due to a combination of stout Steelers D, Carson Palmer doing his best statue impression in the pocket, and his overrated WR core probably shooting up in celebration after the first drive (don't pretend like that would actually surprise you).

Does anyone out there actually believe that Carson Palmer is better than Ben at this point? I mean really, what could you possibly say at this point to defend Palmer. "He's a QB that will kill teams with bad pass defenses and poor pass rushers. When he has to face a good team, he normally throws arrant passes and can't move out of the pocket to save his life. He's never shown up for big game in his life to tell you the truth." If someone would like to refute any of those statements be my guest. Under a perfect situation, in a bubble with no pass rush Palmer is probably a better QB. But in all honesty what does that even fucking count for? I could be a major league center fielder if it weren't for the pitcher throwing in the mid-90's and tossing a smorgasbord of breaking and off speed stuff. Ben is the kind of QB that can do most everything and simply takes what the defense gives him. The first TD run for Ben last night is an excellent example. Despite his shaky start throwing the ball last night (high and wobbly leading to his first pick and several incomplete passes) he settled down and began throwing strikes like he is capable of. Carson Palmer was 17/44 (38%) with no TD's or INT's. Ben was 21/32 (66%) with 2 TD's and 2 INT's. Let's face it despite the picks, Ben had a much better game than Palmer hands down.

Now to the big story of the night, our boy Hines Ward passing HOF John Stallworth for 1st all time on the Steelers TD receptions list with 64 TD receptions. A hard nosed football player that catches almost everything thrown to him no matter what part of the field or where the ball is thrown. Hines is more or less the polar opposite of Johnson. A non-flashy possession receiver who blocks hard and normally celebrates his TD's with a smile and maybe giving the ball to a fan (or mocking some loud mouth on the other team). I love the guy, Pittsburgh loves the guy, how could you not love the guy as a football player. Just an all around great player.

How good are the Steelers really though? Well we only have to wait till Sunday to find out...

Up From the 36 Chambers...

2007-12-03T10:28:00.000-05:00

Well I suppose I'll give this another shot. I've been working for several months and have time to post now and then I suppose. I don't really know how to get people to read this or anything but it's cool.

Anyway, the thing I've been focusing my pent up rage on of late is the decline of the NFL's, well I don't know how to put this, sportsmanship. I'm all for normal celebrations and getting physced for a good play, but let's face it this shit is getting fucking ridiculous. To see some 3rd team, special teams scrub make a routine tackle on kickoff or punt coverage and jump around like he just stopped the runner and the 1 foot from scoring the game winning touchdown in XLII is getting absurd. Who is ok'ing this type of behavior out of grown men. ESPN and other media outlets only enable this type of behavior because the more ridiculous the celebration the more times it is played. The NFL has attempted to curb the antics of the big bitch Chad Johnson and team killer TO by not allowing props. Newsflash, you know how much these clowns get paid, why not threaten them with a fine / suspension that will actually hurt them. Not the typical 5 to 10k slap on the wrists. Or even better why not hand out more personal fouls for these spectacles and hurt the team that game, that might encourage Marvin Lewis to take control of his players a bit more. I love how the talking heads dub this as "entertainment" instead of stating how completely unacceptable their celebrations are. What does this tell some little 10 year old, just starting to play football how to act when he get's in the endzone for this first time. Maybe he'll pull out a teddy bear and ride it around the end zone. I'll be honest not only would I not want Chad Johnson on the Steelers because he drops many passes, bitches at his QB, is afraid to go over the middle, and is a fucking pussy, but also because he acts like an idiot. I'd find it embarrassing a player on my team that has 6 TD's total this season goes to the sideline on week one and puts on a NFL HOF jacket. WHO DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS? He's dreaming if he thinks he'll even sniff the HOF. The look on Oucho Fucko's face after it dawned on him he was a good 5 yards short of a 1st down on 4th and long last night was priceless. i also loved that whenever Carson Palmer misses a throw Johnson looks at him like he just killed his snake (he seems like the type with a pet snake...). Yet when Johnson drops passes, which is fairly often especially when he hears foot steps a comin', I don't see the same look on Palmers' face... I also love when Johnson and the Sand Man (Huhmanzada, I don't care to look up how to spell his name I fucking hate the guy, what's up with wearing a terrible towel before the game? Thanks for the money you fucking tool.) double team Palmer on the sidelines practically yelling at the guy. Palmer just has a look on his face to the extent of, "what the hell did I do to deserve this shit?" The inmates truly do run the asylum in Cinnci. Where are the coaches? Put a leash on this guy for christsakes. As the old saying goes, "act like you've been there before." I'll never forget when Anthony Smith made his 1st INT vs the Panthers last year and decided to high step it out of bounce. Dick LeBeau immediately came over and shook the shit out of him. At least someone still fucking get's it. I love Dick LeBeau, why isn't he in the HOF, he's only #8 on the all time INT list... Not to mention he came up with the zone blitz... yeah it's bullshit I know.

This is half the reason I've started to like hockey more than football over the past 2 seasons. In hockey no matter how spectacular the goal, the reaction typically involves one or multiple of the following: Fist pump, stick raise, team huddle celebration, banging on the glass, and/or some form of yelling. These could be more extreme with a game winning goal sure, but they don't touch anything that comes after the typical special teams tackle in the NFL. The best hockey player in the world never puts down opponents or celebrates like a fucking idiot after he bends the space time continuum to score. Not to mention Sidney Crosby has indeed been there many times before and will probably be there more times than anyone else before his career is over.

Is this a comment on the state of each game or rather the type / quality of people playing the sport, I can't really answer that. I couldn't even guess what public sentiment on the subject is either. I know some people do indeed find this shit "entertaining" or else ESPN wouldn't glorify it the way they do. If I had to guess it's probably split somewhere in the middle between both. I just thank God that the Steelers don't have anyone who acts like Ocho Stinko or TO because that is the day I say goodbye to football...

IT'S OVER!!!

2007-03-12T23:55:00.000-04:00

As Cosmo Kramer once said, "Here's to feelin' good all the time." I can't really describe how I'm feeling right now. I'm still in the middle of that test I posted about earlier and I know I'm going to be up all night cause I can't focus whatsoever right now. In case you don't know what I'm talking about KDKA and the PG have both reported a deal is done and will be announced before OUR Pens meet the Sabres tomorrow night at the Igloo. This is more of a relief than anything else. I can't wait to move back to the city from South Carolina in May. I can't wait to start my new job downtown. And most of all I can't wait to get my Pens season tickets next fall and be in the seats for all 41 home games watching every move Sid, Geno, and Jordan make. Along with every breathe taking save the Flower makes in goal. This has been a dark cloud over me all semester up until this point and I'm just so happy this is all over. I'll do a post on the specifics of the deal when they come available, but who cares right now!

THANK YOU TO ANYONE WHO CALLED THE POLITICOS OR THE NHL!!!

Quick Update

2007-03-12T15:37:00.000-04:00

Quick arena news update for anyone living under a rock since last Thursday.... Things went well, about as well as things could've gone with out announcement saying, "The deal is done." A joint statement was issued saying that significant progress was made and they would meet again this Wednesday. I heard that they wanted to meet sooner but some schedules wouldn't allow it. The Lemieux group was also suppose to meet with AEG over the weekend who runs the Sprint Center in KC and that didn't happen. AEG was supposedly "upset" over the progress made on Thursday (fucking blood suckers). Honestly what city builds an arena then tries to steal other cities teams, it's beyond me. I can't wait till KC either gets an expansion team so they suck and no one will go or they get the Preds from Nashville and people will stop going once this odd sport on ice loses its novelty.

Hopefully, this will all be over Wednesday. It better be over by my spring break or I just won't be able to enjoy myself on the cruise I'm going on. Anyway I have a delightful strategic management test to work on. I'll update after the meeting on Wednesday where hopefully we'll all have some good news. I could use some.

PS -- Thanks to Joey Porter's Pit Bulls for the link to my barely sensible rambling from last Thursday.

Bradenton Report

2007-03-11T12:02:00.000-04:00

"The biggest mistake any team can make is to base decisions on what they see in spring training."

"The most meaningless month of the year in baseball is March."

These quotes sum up what can be learned from watching some spring training games. I couldn't agree more, however I just returned from Bradenton and thought I'd write up a report on the boys of summer.

My main focus during the trip was to check out McCutcheon and some of the young pitchers. I attended three Pirates games and went to Pirate City to watch some workouts every morning.

Sunday I arrived at Pirate City and viewed McCutcheon taking batting practice on one of the fields while the Pirates played a B game against the Reds. The team had McCutcheon in a hitting group that included Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, and Ronny Paulino. I view this as the team trying to get McCutcheon as much experience with the big guys as possible. So he sees the example that Bay and Wilson and Sanchez can provide as to what it takes to succeed in the major league. He sprayed balls acorss the field displaying his ability to go with a pitch or drive one depending on the situation. In the games McCutcheon looked fairly comfortable at the plate, displaying his good eye and speed in the field as he stole a few bases. He does not seem to be ready for the big leagues yet, but he is only 20 and one more season in the minor leagues can't hurt.

I watched Sean Burnett throw a bullpen session at Pirate City and then was brought into the game to pitch. I was standing behind some scouts with radar guns and Burnett rarely topped 88-89 on his fastball, but was solid with his changeup, which registered at 79-80. Burnett also looked shakey in the game, but got out of his inning with minimal damage. I don't think Burnett will be up with the team this year unless he can prove that he can stay consistent in spotting his fastball and proves he won't be flustered on the mound. I think he still has work to do until he breaks spring with the team.Yoslan Herrera also pitched for the Pirates in one game, and I was very excited to watch him throw. It is obvious that he hasn't pitched in a while, as his delivery was inconsistent, his delivery point kept changing, and he bounced a few pitches in front of the mound. I definitely think Herrera can help the Pirates in the future, but he definitely needs some time in the minors to become more consistent with his velocity and his control. His breaking pitch looked nasty and got a couple people to swing right through it. It was good to see what he has to offer and I hope we see him towards the end of this season or at the begining of the 2008 season.

LaRoche didn't show me much, but like I said earlier, it's only March. Duke and Snell both looked solid in the starts they made, with Snell striking out 7 in three innings, and Duke pitching a perfect 2 innings before giving up a few runs in Toronto. His fastball was popping the mitt, and was getting people on his curveball they he did in 2005. I look for Duke to have a rebound year and post 12-15 wins, 7-9 losses, with an ERA in the low 4's. I think his main focus should be getting out of the first inning this year without giving up runs. If Duke can do this he has a shot to be the leading pitcher on this team.

A scary event occured when Sanchez was rolled into by Rod Barajas of the Phillies. We heard he tore his ACL, but later was corrected to be a sprained knee. This raised the question as to whether or not Sanchez's legs could withstand playing second base. A top Pirates official was sitting next to me and seemed visibly angry that Sanchez was playing second due to the nature of the position and the possiblity of injury. However, today the Post-Gazette reported that the Pirates will not use Sanchez's injury to sway their decision of who our starting infield will be.

Overall I had a great time in sunny Florida, and hope to return next year. The Buccos still have lots of work to do and there still some spots open for players to make the team. Michael Ryan and Don Kelly were a big surprise as both started and got at least 2-3 at bats in all the games I went to. If the team is taking an extended look at them it will be a surprise, as Eldred and others are vying for a final roster spot. Until next time!

Is This It?

2007-03-06T21:03:00.000-05:00

Are these the only penguins we are going to be seeing in Pittsburgh from now on? At the fucking zoo? Granted they are pretty damn cute, but I'll take Sid and the kids any day. OK, I'll admit it, I'm kind of worried. When the Pens said they'd come to an impasse in the negotiations on Monday, I was pretty fucking shocked. In fact I was so shocked I spit coffee all over my keyboard, mouse and screen. But really do I think the Pens are leaving, no (although I haven't been able to sleep at all since I heard the news and have been popping Ambien like M & M's).

The NHL, a niche league, which I'm relatively sure everyone can agree on (when hockey has a lower rating than womens softball I would call it a niche sport). A league on the second year after a debilitating lockout. How could they allow this to go this far? Pittsburgh is the US city with the 2nd biggest hockey fan base (next to Buffalo according to recent TV ratings). How could this league allow our team, which is supported to the tune of 96% attendance, leave for a place like KC when hockey is already struggling in other such nontraditional hockey markets (Nashville and Florida).

Having it be OUR TEAM is the biggest deal to me. This group of players is destined to win Stanley's Cup in the very short future. Our team has possibly the greatest player in the sport's (or any other sport for that matter) history playing for it as we speak. And don't think the NHL can weasel it's way back in a couple year from now with some shitty expansion team. Thanks, but no fucking thanks. That would be like someone coming into your home ripping the xbox360 from the TV and coming back in two year with a Nintendo. Not fucking cool. I won't go to a game the NHL and the "new" Penguins can go straight to Hell.

It seems the sides negotiating this fiasco have let their egos get the best of them. This deal just needs to get done. I'm sick of thinking about this. I'm sorry, I was going to outline the entire situation and bitch and give my opinion, but I'm really at my wits end here. It makes me feel ill thinking about our Pens leaving the city I love so much. I can't study, I can't focus on anything else right now. I'm pretty sure they won't leave, but I'm worrying myself sick none the less.

Thursday all parties plus Gary Betman the NHL Commissioner are meeting in Philly (ironic) to decide our team's fate. D-Day so to speak. I haven't prayed in a long time but it might be around that time. If you have time please call these number to give local poloticos and the NHL a view of what this feels like and what the fans are going through. PLEASE BE POLITE. Blowing up on someone's secretary will get you no where. The NHL office is especially nice. Threaten the politicians with your votes and support.

Dan Onorato - 412 350 6500
Ed Rendell - 717-787-2500
Ravenstahl - 412 255 2626

IF IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH PLEASE CALL THE MAYORS HOTLINE: 311 -- this is only for people in the city.

NHL Offices: (212) 789-2000

THANK YOU PLEASE MAKE THE CALLS!

Cuban Linx

2007-02-23T18:50:00.001-05:00

Today I'd like to take a more in-depth look at the two Cuban pitchers signed by the Pirates in the offseason, Yoslan Herrera, 26, and Serguey Linares, 23.

Littlefield and his crew decided to get involved in the international players market. The signing of Yoslan Herrera, Serguey Linares, and Masumi Kuwata(Japan), shows that the Pirates are willing to get into the foreign market, even if this is merely for show. I am hopeful that the signings of these two Cubans is a herald of good news for fans. The Pirates seriously lag behind other teams in scouting in Latin America and other parts of the world. If they are finally going to commit to signing some young Latinos, the Pirates will be able to replensish a depleted minor league system.

Lets look at Yoslan Herrera. Despite having not pitched for almost three years, Herrera is a very intriguing pitcher. He played in the 2004 Olympics and won a Gold Medal with the Cuban team. He is 6 foot 2, 200 pounds and throws a fastball(88-92), a plus split-finger, a changeup, a curveball, and a slider. Scouts say his velocity could jump to 90-94 once he gets into a consistent training and throwing program. Here are some quotes about Herrera.

"Herrera was nowhere near as hyped as Linares, but seemed to handle himself just fine in the tryout. His fastball was sitting between 90 and 92, and the DSL Devil Rays, who served as the whipping boys for this exhibition, were helpless against his breaking ball" - jhelfgott

"He throws strikes. That's the big thing. He has a lot of good pitches, but he knows how to locate them." Rene Gayo, scout who signed Herrera

Yoslan Herrera has the talent to play at the pro level, and will start the season, most likely, in AAA Indianapolis. He could be called up, however, if any starter or reliver goes down with an injury in the first part of the season. I expect him to be making an impact around August.

Next we will look at Serguey Linares. Linares, also a Cuban, is 23 and has been reported to throw his fastball from 97-98 miles per hour. He is six-foot-three 225 pounds, and also has sat out for sometime, a year, without pitching competitively. He will probably start the season at AA Altoona. Linares' numbers, 7-10 5.59 ERA in 37 games, with an 86/111 BB/K ratio in 162 2/3 innings. Not much else is know about this guy other than that he throws the ball very hard and very aggressively, and was the best and most highly touted Cuban pitcher at a workout in the Dominican Republic for Cuban defectors, also attended by Yoslan Herrera. Despite throwing bullets, he has little control of his pitches, unlike Herrera. However with a regular throwing schedule and Major League caliber coaches, he may be able to learn to harness his power and throw strikes.

To sum it all up, these two pitchers are low-risk, high-reward type players, and it is good to see the Pirates finally deposting money somewhere other than Nuttings bank account. I look forward to seeing how these guys progress, and I'm hopeful, to see them pitch in Pittsburgh sometime in the next few years. Linares is looked at with more reward since he is 3 years younger than Herrera, so look for him to break into the Majors in either 2008 or 2009. I would guess that Yoslan Herrera will start in AAA and could be up as soon as this season if he is successful and one of our starters goes down. But he will probably make his debut in either September, as a call-up, or in April of 2008.

3 Reasons to be Optimistic

2007-02-23T18:31:00.000-05:00

I thought since we've had 14 years of negativity I would post my 3 reasons why we can be optimistic about this season. I will let you post the reasons to be pessimistic in the comments section.

Optimism
1. The Pirates were over .500 in the second half of last season winning 35 games and losing 33. If they continue over from the end of last year, we should believe that they can play competitive baseball. The Pirates were also over .500 for the first time in the history of PNC Park. I don't mean to sound like .500 is the goal, however playing around .500 is good enough to fight to get into the playoffs as we've seen in the past few seasons. Making the playoffs is the goal, not playing .500.
2. The Pirates pitchers have progressed and Maholm, Duke, and Snell have all had a full season in the majors and learned what they need to do to be successful at the top level. Gorzelanny got some starts as well, and is a lock for a position in the rotation. If these pitchers all pitch the way we know they are capable of pitching, they could help lead the Pirates to a winning season.
3. The addition of Adam LaRoche to the lineup should provide some much needed pop to a flat offense. The Pirates were last in the league in runs scored per game last season and to be successful they must improve their offense. The addition of LaRoche, the continued development of our young players, and consistency from Bay and Sanchez should provide a boost to the offense.

Can we Win in These (or Anything for That Matter)?

2007-02-19T18:27:00.000-05:00

I haven't wrote anything on the Rats since Bob and I have started this thing back up because I'm both obsessed with the Pens and Bob does quite a bit of writing on the Rats. Anyway I thought I should give my two cents on the state of the Pirates (and holy God look at those alternate jerseys I mean who could've possibly have come up with these. They are just as bad if not worse than the Braves alternates), now unquestionably the worst pro sports team in town!

Alright now let's get something straight right off the bat here, I by no means hate the Pirates. I call them the Rats, make fun of them constantly, and have little to no confidence in the team, but I still love them. I guess they are kind of like a girl that you really want to break up with but you just can't pull that trigger. I'm just fed up with the losing as everyone else is I'm sure, they are still however my favorite baseball team.

Ok let's check out the lineup Bob brought up a couple weeks back:

His Lineup
1.(L) Duffy CF
2.(R) Sanchez 2B
3.(R) Bay LF
4.(L) LaRoche 1B
5.(R) Nady RF
6.(R) Paulino C
7.(R) Bautista 3B
8.(R) Wilson SS
9.(Pitcher)

Tracy's Lineup
1.(L) Duffy CF
2.(R) Wilson SS
3.(R) Sanchez 3B
4.(L) LaRoche 1B
5.(R) Bay LF
6.(R) Nady RF
7.(R) Paulino C
8.(R) Castillo 2B
9.(Pitcher)

I'll be honest with you, I'm ready to hire Bob as the next Pirates skipper. I can't really understand Tracy's line-up. Jack Wilson just isn't a #2 hitter, Freddy Sanchez is. I have no clue why you wouldn't have our best hitter (Bay) in the 3 spot protected by our new power hitter (LaRoche) making teams afraid to walk Bay. Instead you have Nady behind him and frankly he's nothing an opposing manager is going to be afraid of. Overall the line-up does look better (despite the fucked order), although I think it really hinges on several things.

(1) Duffy has to be consistent and get his speed on the base paths. He is probably one of the faster major leaguers I've ever seen and that includes Jose Reyes.

(2) Jack Wilson has to find a happy medium between last years shit numbers and his all-star numbers from '05.

(3) Bay has to be protected and has to hit in the 3 or 4. To have the teams best hitter hitting in the 5 spot makes absolutely no sense (but let's face it Tracy is pretty goddamn good at making moves that make little sense).

(4) Castillo has to take a couple steps in the right direction. It looked like he was sleep walking through most of last year. I've heard the Manny Ramirez comparisons as far as personality goes with Jose and let's face it, he's no Man Ram so he sure as fuck doesn't get to act like the first Dominican space cadet . I'd pull the plug on him real early, if not in spring training if he doesn't get off to a decent start. I have no problem seeing Bautista at 3B and Sanchez at 2B if Slow Poke Rodriguez can't cut it.

On to the rotation, where 4 out of the 5 spots are all but written in stone. Snell, Duke, Gorzelanny, and Maholm are our one through four starters. Frankly this is the only part of the team I'm Penguins level excited about. Seeing this staff mature and get better will be exciting to watch over the next several years (assuming they all stay...). Snell is looking the most promising in my opinion, towards the end of last season he seemed to have stuff no one could hit at times (I'm thinking of a game against the Mets but can't remember much else). As Bob commented a couple weeks ago Gorzelanny could mature into our ace this season, but I'm sticking with Snell (assuming he matures a bit more). Of course, we have to pray for rain on the fifth day with Armas bringing up the rear of the rotation.

The bullpen, despite the loss of our marquee closer Gonzo, is still in pretty good shape. Apparently the only thing the front office is really any good at is building a decent bullpen. Torres should be solid in the closer role (provided his arm doesn't fall off with all the innings he's been seeing the past couple seasons). Capps should be able to come in and be effective if Torres fails. We also signed notable head case Danny Kolb, who was lights out with the Brew Crew two years ago, but was about as good as the bird shit on my car last year with the Braves, so who knows about that guy.

And now to my favorite part of the team to rip on and the most frustrating by far. If you need any of my opinions on Jim "Dick" Tracy or Littlefuck please check my posts from last summer. I hate both these guys. Bob and I could do a better job running the Pirates and the sick part is that I'm 100 % serial (you need to watch more South Park if you don't get the reference). They are both completely inept (save the Gonzo - LaRoche trade). Just compare the line-up Dick put out with the one that Bob and I both came up with immediately after the LaRoche trade without conferring with one another what so ever.

Anyway, my prediction for the upcoming year is 80 wins. Maybe we will get a winner next year?

2007-02-19T17:17:00.001-05:00

Neil Walker moves to third base

2007-02-17T12:18:00.000-05:00

Dave Littlefield announced yesterday that top Pirates prospect Neil Walker will be playing third base exclusively in the upcoming season. There has been much talk of this move the past few seasons, and it seems many people were waiting for it. The move, apparently, is because Paulino is seen as the catcher of the future, and the belief is that by moving him to third, his bat will get to Pittsburgh sooner.

This move says a lot to Pirates fans. First, Ronny Paulino is seen by management as the long-term catcher. Secondly, it seems management believes that Walker can possibly make his debut in September of this season. Many have been waiting for this move for a couple seasons, and it comes as no surprise, as the Pirates are in desperate need of added offense. I am hopeful Walker can get on track and progress a bit faster than he has been.

Baseball is back

2007-02-15T17:49:00.000-05:00

Pirates opened spring training today as the pitchers and catchers were due to report. The PG had an interesting fluff piece on Masumi Kuwata, the almost-over-the-hill Japanese pitcher the Bucs signed in the offseason. I guess this guy will end up playing in AAA for a while then either being brought up or traded. I don't think he will have any kind of impact on this team, positive or negative.

In other baseball news, Bonds has finally signed with the Giants. Big contract just to see him break Aaron's record. Either way Bonds has finally dropped to page 2 news. I expect that to last until he hits his first dinger and the countdown starts in the media.

Vi ses!

Spring Training Approaches

2007-02-12T11:17:00.000-05:00

Spring training is set to begin Thursday with pitchers and catchers reporting to Bradenton. The first workout is scheduled for Friday. With the season fast approaching there are still many questions to answer in the Buccos quest to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1992.

1. Which of the Joses, Bautista or Castillo, will be in the lineup on opening day? It appears that it is Castillo's job to lose. Bautista, who plays all positions but pitcher and catcher, will have the chance to steal the starting job at 3B which would switch Freddy to 2B. A few years back I was one of those who believed that Castillo and Wilson would make the next great double-play combo, yet with Castillo's disappointing progress as a pro has placed Bautista ahead on my depth chart. By the end of ST we shall see who will be starting. Prediction: Castillo at second.

2. Who will be the fifth starter? Since the Bucs signed Tony Armas, it would appear that he and Shawn Chacon will be the primary candidates for this job. Both have similar numbers, salaries, age, and stuff. Chacon pitched decently for the Pirates towards the end of the season, but nothing spectacular. Prediction: Armas will be the 5th starter, with Chacon hitting the bullpen for long relief duties. If Chacon performs well I would expect him to be traded by the deadline.

3. Will Freddy Sanchez stay consistent? I'm not looking for him to hit .344 again, but with his approach to the plate, his good plate discipline, and work ethic, hitting over .320 isn't a stretch. I would expect him to score at least 100 runs this season with Bay and LaRoche behind him. Prediction: .329avg 5hr 75rbis 108 runs.

4. Will Snell, Duke, Gorzelanny, and Maholm continue to show improvement? Snell had to have been the big surprise last season out of the starters, and looks like he has solidified himself as the opening day starter, unless Tracy has other ideas. Duke, Snell, and Maholm all had their first full season last year and it looks like they were all learning, not to just throw, but learning how to pitch. Still, Snell must learn how to get left handed hitters out and possibly get a better grip on his changeup. If Duke is able to cut down on first inning runs, he looks to improve his record from last season. Maholm showed poise in the second half and if he continues could win more than he loses. Gorzelanny has the most promise out of the four, but is also the youngest. If he shows the improvement that Snell has shown and the growth that Duke and Maholm have gone through, he may be our ace next in 2008. Prediction: Snell 15-8 4.50 ERA, Duke 12-8 3.95 ERA, Maholm 12-10 4.79 ERA, Gorzelanny 9-9 4.10 ERA.

Until next week when baseball will have begun....

Tony Armas Signed

2007-02-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

The Pirates and right-handed starting pitcher Tony Armas have agreed to a deal which will pay the 28 year old $3 million this season with a mutual option of $5 million in 2008. Pirates GM Dave Littlefield promised earlier this week on the Junker and Crow Show to sign a RH starter before the beginning of spring training. This will add some competition in February and March to the rotation. Chacon and Armas will both be in contention for the fifth spot. Interestingly enough, Chacon's $3.8 million contract isn't guaranteed. If the Pirates' brass decide to go with Armas, they can buy Chacon out for $600,000. This isn't likely, as Littlefield has reiterated that they will use the left-over pitcher as a long reliever.
Armas has had some injury trouble in the past and missed almost two seasons before making a comeback last year. The Pirates are hopeful that Armas can finally come into his own in Pittsburgh and fight for a starting spot. He has never been a dominant pitcher, but he has eight years under his belt, and a nice sinking fastball which can be a plus pitch if he is able to throw it down in the zone with consistency. My take on this is that having more competition can only be a good thing. If there are four guys competing for a starting job, they will have to work harder and try just a little more to win that spot. And if Pirates management makes clear that their starting job is conditional and based on success, the pitchers will have to work. It's pure capitalism, the more competition, the better it is for the consumer.

Pirates Top Ten Prospects....Pirates sign Armas Jr?

2007-02-01T16:48:00.000-05:00

Former first round pick Andrew McCutchen was selected by John Perroto as the Pittsburgh Pirates' #1 prospect. Perroto writes the report for Baseball America each season. This is good news for Pirates fans, as McCutchen, a center fielder, is likely to get his first cup of coffee with the big club in September. McCutchen is reported to be a plus in every category, save his throwing arm. He hits for average, power, drives in runs, steals bases, has Gold Golve potential in his fielding, and is a smart player. He is projected to start the season at AA Altoona, where he played the final few weeks last season. Chances are he will be playing in the Futures Game in July with a possible jump to AAA if he continues to be consistent and shows signs of development. People within the Pirates organization have stated he is further along in his development than they expected him to be when the drafted him.
Coming in at number two on the list is catcher Neil Walker. Walker has disappointed some with his slow progression through the minor leagues and will begin this season, like all of the Pirates decent prospects, in Altoona. Walker is intriguing, as he hits from both sides of the plate with enough power potential to belt 30+ home runs a year. His defensive progression has disappointed some, and there has been talk of moving him to the outfield or third base. This seems likely due to the durability and consistency of big league catcher Ronny Paulino.
Third on the list is the Pirates 2006 first round draft pick Brad Lincoln. At six foot tall Lincoln is considered short for a pitcher, however he has the leg strength to power the ball up to 97 mphs. He sits in the low ninties with a plus curve and plus 2 seam fastball. Lincoln started out with the GCL Pirates before being promoted to the low-A Hickorey team. He then proceeded to get hurt, which sounds an awful lot like many of the Pirates former "prospects". Lincoln, though, projects as a top of the rotation starter. He is projected to begin the season at High A ball but should be with the AA Altoona Curve shortly after the start of the season.
After the top three prospects we have Yoslan Herrera at four, Josh Sharpless at five, Steven Pearce at six followed by Brian Bixler, Brad Corley, Todd Redmond and Mike Felix. Read the report to find more information about the rest of these guys as some are old and some you've already read about.
This brings me to my point. All of our "prospects" this year will no doubt be playing together in AA for almost the entire season. Some of these fellows will be promoted to the major leagues together, and some have already played together. The main prospects I'm speaking of are McCutchen, Brad Lincoln, and Neil Walker. These three should all reach the big leagues around the same time, and they will have been playing together for at least a season before this. I hope to see McCutchen before the rest, but if Lincoln develops as he is projected, our rotation in 2009 could be Lincoln, Snell, Duke, Gorzelanny, Maholm. It is encouraging to know that Maholm will be a fifth starter, since he has all the capabilities to be a fourth starter, and everyone knows how hard it is to find a fifth starter.
In other news, MLB.tv is reporting the Pirates have signed Tony Armas Jr. to a contract, nothing has been specified as of yet.

Super-Human?

2007-01-25T19:32:00.000-05:00

Well Sidney as done something as inhuman as I've seen so far in his career. That goal on Sunday (check it out on the Pens web site if you haven't seen it) was incredible, just absolutely jaw dropping. Talks concerning the arena are suppose to continue this week, hopefully all the assholes involved (in my eyes no one is is exempt at this point) will iron something out so I don't have to think about this bull shit anymore. I'm still very confident that they will stay, but just the thought of the Pens leaving the city makes me sick. I honestly don't know what my reaction would be if they moved. I'd probably sit in my bed and cry like a little bitch, but who really knows.

Mike Tomlin has decided to keep Dick LeBeau and therefore keep the 4-3 defense we all love so much. Frankly I'm pretty surprised, I thought he'd go with what he's been running since being in the NFL, but I guess he knows a good thing when he sees it. After watching the news conference and the coaching decisions he's made so far, I think this was a good move. Young, fresh blood, but he isn't going to rock the boat too much. Also The biography on the Post-Gazette web site was sterling to say the least. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Wow

2007-01-21T14:41:00.000-05:00

Honestly, I didn't see this coming at all. First I thought the Whiz was a lock when this thing first got started, then I naturally thought Grimm was going to get it. Well I have some grim news for him (bad pun I know), after SI.com first reported mid afternoon yesterday that Mike Tomlin is going to be hired by our Pittsburgh Steelers, espn.com denied any of this was going on, then by about 10 at night espn was reporting it was only a matter of time before an announcement from the Steelers making Tomlin their 3rd head coach in 38 years.

Well let's get right to it, I really didn't think that the Steelers would hire a black coach. I don't have any problem with it at all of course but I just didn't think they would do it. Even though the rule that forces all NFL teams to interview at least one minority candidate is called the Rooney rule, I just didn't think they would take this young guy, that has a defensive philosophy that is completely different than our current one. This would completely disrupt everything that has been building up over the past several years. I don't know really what they are thinking especially when we still had a decent defense this year. I thought it was a good move however hiring young again (he's the same age as Cowher when we hired him). I guess we'll just ahve to put our faith in the Rooney's on this one. Let's hope they've made the right decision.

On a hockey note, I really hope everyone was watching what the Pens did to the Leafs last night. Not only did we win 8-2, but we absolutely dominated the power play (and we are in a 3 way tie for the 8th playoff spot). Our PP last night consisted of Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Rec, and Gonchar. If that isn't one of the better power play line-ups in the league I don't what would be. We were 5-10 on PP which is incredible considering how we've struggled with the power play at times this season. We dominated the entire game: Sid had 1 goal and 2 assists, Rec had 3 goals and 1 assist and Malkin has 5 assists. I haven't seen us dominate a team that isn't from Philthadelphia for a while and it sure put a good taste in my mouth know at the all-star break we do in fact have a playoff spot (and I don't think anyone would want to play us in the playoffs, the only team that I think is truely better than we are is Buffalo).

Anyway enjoy the Championship games today my picks are the Aints and the Colts.

UPDATE -- It's official, Tomlin is the next Steelers coach. Does this mean a house cleaning? This should effect our drafting though considering we will probably switch to a 4-3. Probably means we will draft a defensive tackle.

Saturday Morning Inspection

2007-01-20T09:06:00.000-05:00

As I sit here on a cold (44 degrees, which is cold for South Carolina, yes I know they are babies) Saturday morning waiting to have my room inspected, I can't help but thank god I grew up in a sports town like Pittsburgh. Down here in Charleston, South Carolina where I am (thank god) spending my last semester at The Citadel, people from around here follow two sports mainly: college football and baseball. Now, I don't have anything against college football, but when a true "champion" isn't crowned, doesn't it really take away from the whole league? Both my parents went to the University of Oklahoma so I root for them and I take a casual observation in Pitt and root for them, but I could really give a damn about college football to be honest with you. It's such a corrupt, money making business at this point that it really just takes away from the games. That's why there hasn't been a playoff system installed yet. It's just insane to think that college football is literally the ONLY sport I know of that doesn't have some sort of playoff system.

This brings me to an idea and I don't really know if this is legal or viable or anything like that. Would it be possible to make some sort of semi-pro league for kids out of high school. They play for three years then can go pro. No illusion of class. No more bull shit talk about the so called student athlete, it's all bull shit. All these kids get handed whatever they want as soon as they step on campus. This would allow the college game to return to the purity we once saw and also allow these big time college athletes to get some money together thus increasing their shelf life. It's not like players have a big window to make their dollars in, they should take advantage of it. I could really see this league taking off too. you could have the first game of the season immediately after the Super Bowl. Put teams in cities where the NFL is wildly popular (Pittsburgh, Green Bay, ect.), give these kids money management classes and advisers before they receive their first play check. Most these kids have no formal classes with financing or things of that nature which sets them up to be screwed later on. I think that is the biggest injustice colleges are doing to their big time going-pro athletes, not getting them ready for what they are actually going to be doing, throwing/catching/running the ball on Sundays.

Anyway... like I said, Pittsburgh, great sports town. These people down here honestly have no clue what they are missing not being in a reasonably big sports market. All they hang on to is the Clemson Tigers (one national championship in 1981, 0 Heisman Trophy winners), South Carolina Game Cocks (what the fuck is a game cock anyway, and I hate all the jackasses down here that wear the bar hats with just COCKS on it and think its hilarious. Complete total jerk-offs. 0 National Championships 1 Heisman Trophy winner) and the Atlanta Braves (well they've clearly been better than the Pirates lately but they are honestly over 300 miles away how can you really claim them. The best story I have about that is I was talking to my buddy Kevin from home on the phone about the start of the baseball season and my friend Joe from down here was ripping on the Pirates and naturally I told Kev about it and he simply said, "Why don't you remind Joe the entire state of South Carolina is too poor to support a professional sports team." and you know what he's right). People down here also love to claim the Panthers because they are the Carolina Panthers. Well bad fucking news, they play in Charlotte which last time I checked was in North Carolina. They played their first season in Clemson's stadium, the town that Clemson is in could never support a pro team. i would like to see the attendance from that first year, I promise it's awful.

Anyway, this Marine is here now and he's screaming at me to stop typing, so have a good weekend. I'll attempt to get to the only hockey bar in town tonight to watch the Penguins battle the Leafs to move up another spot. God I hate this state.

LaRoche deal finalized.

2007-01-19T17:32:00.000-05:00

The deal that brought Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh in return for Mike Gonzalez was finalized today. The Pirates send Gonzalez and minor league SS prospect Brent Lillibridge to the Braves for Adam LaRoche and 21 year old OF prospect Jamie Romak. Calling Romak, or Lillibridge for that matter, a prospect may be a stretch. Lillibridge had quite a fine season last year in A-ball, however he was playing against fellows 2-4 years his junior. Lillibridge, some say, has the talent to be a decent major league SS, however his age(23) and position at AA put him at a slight disadvantage. He went to college yet hasn't made it out of A ball yet. Romak is the same story, but plays in the OF.

Since this deal was announced a few days ago, the main talk surrounding the deal has been the Pirates lineup to start the '07 season. A few days ago I posted our projected lineup without any outside influence. After that I read that Jim Tracy asked Jason Bay if he would mind leaving the cleanup spot to make way for LaRoche. Bay, being the gentleman he is, replied that he is just happy to have a spot and will hit anywhere in the lineup. Today I will give you my revised lineup against what Tracy believes it should be.

My Lineup
1.(L) Duffy CF
2.(R) Sanchez 2B
3.(R) Bay LF
4.(L) LaRoche 1B
5.(R) Nady RF
6.(R) Paulino C
7.(R) Bautista 3B
8.(R) Wilson SS
9.(Pitcher)

Tracy's Lineup
1.(L) Duffy CF
2.(R) Wilson SS
3.(R) Sanchez 3B
4.(L) LaRoche 1B
5.(R) Bay LF
6.(R) Nady RF
7.(R) Paulino C
8.(R) Castillo 2B
9.(Pitcher)

I don't know if anyone else catches the problem I see with Tracy's lineup - that by moving Bay, The Pirates best hitter, to the 5th spot he will lose many precious at-bats season to Jack Wilson and Chris Duffy over the course of a season, which is no good. Bay, Sanchez and LaRoche need to get more at bats than Duffy and Wilson, however Duffy, with his speed, will hit lead-off no matter what.

Traditional baseball tells you that your best hitter should hit in the 3 spot, behind two hitters who have high OBP's. With Wilson and Duffy hitting 1 and 2 respectively the Pirates will have two of their lowest OBP's batting in front of Sanchez, who has a fairly respectable OBP. By sending Jack down to the 8 hole, it creates the opportunity for more men to be on base in front of LaRoche and Bay. Duffy will have to lead off no matter with our lineup, so by placing Freddy, who had a .378 OBP last season, and then Bay(.396 OBP) the Pirates will have two batters with over .375 OBP in front of LaRoche who can then hit a homerun(I wish it was that easy). In any case I believe Tracy would be making a huge mistake by dropping Bay to 5th. Moreover, in the past few years we have heard nothing but talk from the management about finding a bat to protect Bay, and now that we have it we're gonna use Bay to protect him. I think that the lineup I offered will produce more runs than Tracy's, but hey- I'm not the manager....he is.

Jim "Ron Howard" Tracy as a young man.

The Best Thing Since...

2007-01-18T16:31:00.000-05:00

Well it seems we've done almost everything except gift wrap our city's most promising sports team to those rat bastards in KC (where hockey has already failed). The whole slots license thing went exactly how everyone thought it would (with the exception of Harrah's reach around proving ineffective and the casino being on the North Shore and not Station Square). But it seems as though talks between Pittsburgh's Most Wanted (the Penguin Rendell and the Joker Onorato) and the Lemieux Group are moving along and are said to be "promising". For the record, I was never really worried about the Pens leaving, our attendance the last two years has been phenomenal, although I'd be out for blood if the Pens move.

I am about to graduate college at the age of 22 which is scary , but I couldn't imagine playing in the NHL or any other professional league. Yet I can confidently say that 4of our best players are all younger than I am. Sidney Crosby, Geno Malkin, Jordan Stall, and Marc-Andre Fleury are all very special players to the point that I have to remind my self of their ages every time I see them play, but especially Sidney . I mean no one has come close to being this good this young in any sport. He is hands down the best player on the ice every night and he hasn't even peaked yet, not even close. The game is just different when he is out there. Some of the plays he makes are just mind boggling to even watch. When trying to explain who Sidney Crosby is to people in this neck of the woods (the South) where they know absolutely nothing about the sport (yet still have more teams than Canada, but thats for a different post) I really just can't explain it. I try to say he's Michael Jordan, but he's far too unselfish to be MJ. I guess you could compare him to someone like Barry Sanders or maybe LaDainian Tomlinson, but that isn't close to right either. Sidney Crosby is the most talented athlete I've seen play any sport hands down, the only thing I can confidently compare him to is someone like Motzart (only he was 5 when he wrote his first piece of music). The only players from his sport you can possibly compare him to are Lemieux and Gretzky. I've seen both them play, granted I couldn't appreciate their primes, and Sid is going to be better. In my opinion he is more complete than both were right now. No one has done what Sidney does on the ice. It honestly makes me giddy just to see him skate around in the offensive zone with the puck because it could go anywhere. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if he did a jumping 360 to get by a defenseman, oh wait.... If you haven't seen him play in person yet you have to go see him. I can't think of another athlete I've seen that I can say with absolute certainty that I will tell my unborn (thank god) children about, oh wait he'll still be playing when my kids are 10. It's just insane to think this 19 year old kid is dominating a sport where players peak in their late 20's / early 30's, and he is 20.

Thing about it is he just doesn't impress me when he has the puck, he plays all 200 feet of the ice equally as hard. He's gritty as fuck too. When he got speared in the last game against the Islanders by Jason Blake (who's also an all-star, so that should make for an interesting locker room...), he got up and started to scream, "Your fucking dead.... DEAD." I felt chill rush over me when that happened. I was terrified, yet was smirking like an idiot. Some how he got a penalty on the play and not Blake, go figure. Also in the Saturday game again Philthadelphia, Zhitnik (fucking communist btw, check out his home country) cross checked Sidney in the neck, Sid just got up and screamed at him and he, once again, got a penalty. My frist concern is that the refs aren't doing enough to protect the only thing the NHL has going for it at this point and my second more alarming concern is that no one from the Pens decked this Cossack piece of shit when it happened. I was foaming at the mouth when it happened (in fact my buddy Wes from DC I was watching the game with stated, "I'm betting you'll have your first Pittsburgh sports related heart attack at 33 and the sad part is he's probably right...). I was listening to the game online on Tuesday and I guess someone got Blake for the assault but still. If I were Brooksy or Max Talbot I would KILL that mother fucker. Seeing us get so chippy with Philthadelphia was great though. I'm all for hiring one of the Hanson brothers to shadow Sid around the ice and drop anyone who goes near him. Now that would be entertaining.

LaRoche for Gonzalez

2007-01-18T16:12:00.000-05:00

Pending physicals by both men, Adam LaRoche, LH firstbaseman, has been traded to the Pirates for LHRP Mike Gonzalez. This trade solidifies one position that Littlefield and his team have been trying to attain for nearly 3 seasons. The addition of a lefthanded "power" hitter to the Pirates lineup adds some much needed protection for our other hitters as well as a deep threat considering PNC Park's short right field porch.

The lineup projects to be as follows:

1. (L) Duffy CF
2. (R) Wilson SS
3. (R) Sanchez 3B
4. (R) Bay LF
5. (L) LaRoche 1B
6. (R) Nady RF
7. (R) Paulino C
8. (R) Castillo 2B
9. P

The Pirates have added one lefty to our previous total of one. This is still a problem for us. Our lack of left handed hitting will continue to be a problem this year, but LaRoche gives us a valuable piece we've been looking for for quite some time.

I also couldn't help but notice we have one of the whitest teams in baseball, I'm sure thats just coincidence though.

In other news Craig and I will be posting again as Spring Training is almost underway and the Buccos have FINALLY made a move thats worth talking about.

Rising From the Ashes...

2007-01-18T16:02:00.000-05:00

Well, Bob and I both know it has been a while since our last posts. In Bob's case it is due to the end of the baseball season and the lack of activity on the part of the Pirates. In my case it was due to being away from the city, the Steelers awful season, and not being able to watch every Pens game. But now that Bob is excited for the upcoming baseball season (why wouldn't he be) and that I feel the need to comment on the ending of one era, the start of a golden one, and the possible seeds for another. From here on out Bob and I both promise to post with the frequency and vigor of this summer. We also pledge to entertain the 14 bored people at work who enjoy our ramblings.

Jack Wilson, longest tenured Pirate, should be traded

2006-09-07T15:14:00.000-04:00

In the past week or so Ryan Dempster has had 3 breakdowns against our beloved Buccos. If only he could pitch against us everyday... In any case the Pirates have the best record in the NL Central since the All-Star break. We also have the best record in the major leagues in one-run games since the All-Star break at 12-2. Prior to the break they were 9-25. Not too good. On the road the Pirates are a measly 20-51 while at home the Bucs are 3 games over 500 at 36-33. One thing that has become more clear to me in watching the Pirates lately is that we need to trade Jack Wilson. Trading Wilson would a) free up a little cash, though not much, b) allow Bautista to move to third, his natural position, and move Freddy to SS, his natural position c) when packaged with a starter, perhaps Maholm, Chacon, Santos, etc. could bring us a decent return in RF or at firstbase. I think Jack and Paul would bring us the best return. I doubt any of this will happen, but it would allow the Pirates to move on and stop worrying about where to play Freddy and Jose, since both are more valuable to the team than light hitting Jack Wilson.

The Last Action Hero

2006-08-21T10:14:00.000-04:00

Well it's about that time of year kiddies, the time where there aren't more than 2 or 3 reasons to watch the Buccos. They lose almost every day and there is no way they will make the post season. So here are my final few reasons to watch the Bucs.

1. Can Snell win 15 games? He needs 4 more wins and can do it if he pitches the way he has been pitching. He has about 6 or 7 starts left so it is within his reach.

2. Will Freddy Sanchez win the batting title? He is hitting .352 and has a 16 point lead over his next challenger, Miguel Cabrera. The other question at hand is will he collect 200 hits? He has 153 in 120 games with 38 games remaining in the season. He will need 47 hits, and I think he will do both.

Its nice to see Freddy atop the leader board, where he has been pretty much the whole season. People in Pittsburgh are checking the papers daily to see if Freddy grabbed a few hits and strengthened his lead. It is very nice to see a Bucco chasing the batting title for the first time since 1983. GO BUCS!

The Art of Pitching Inside

2006-08-14T11:35:00.000-04:00

Yesterday afternoon's game got me to thinking about pitching inside and hitting batters. After Jose Bautista was hit leading off the 7th and 8th innings both benches were warned. There were a total of 3 HBPs yesterday by Cardinals pitchers. The Pirates pitchers hit none. It made me think about the rule changes about pitching inside and I have come to the conclusion that it is total bullshit. One of the most important things a pitcher can do is throw inside and control the outside corner of the plate. Pitchers have been backing hitters off the plate for years and until the rule changes it was one of the only advantages pitchers had left. Lowering the mound, in the AL the DH, small ballparks, and countless other aspects of the present day game have all been roadblocks in the way to success for today's major league pitchers. Almost all rule changes in the past 40 years have been to make the game easier for hitters.

I am of the opinion that if today's dominant pitchers had pitched 30-40 years ago they would have been nearly unhittable. If they had had the advantages that Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Juan Marichal, etc. had they would have been just as unhittable. Thats just my humble opinion.

Double Take

2006-08-09T09:59:00.000-04:00

Terribly sorry for the 8 of you that check this website on a frequent enough basis to relize that I haven't posted much. Nothing really that interesting has been happening lately (at least nothing interesting enough for me to write about). Anyway something caught my eye last night when I was in Vesuvio on the South Side getting some pizza. I was waiting for my slices to heat in the oven so I picked up the PM (free) edition of the Trib (I hate the Trib and their right wing garbage) and on the front it states something to the extent of Dan Rooney will not ask for a motorcycle clause in Ben's next conract. this initially shocked me, I mean why wouldn't he? I was a bit buzzed, so baturally I dwelled on this for a while. I read the stroy once I got back to my friends apartment and it actaully all made sense. The quote from Mr. Rooney was, "I think everyone learned a valuable lesson from what happened." I couldn't agree more, but I'm sure Ben agrees much more infadically than I do.

If you asked me 2 days ago if I wanted to bet if the Steelers were going to put a motorcycle clause in his contract my only question would've been, "how much you got?" I mean Mr. Rooney is a crusty old man, not exactly a young hip guy. I wouldn've expected him to protect his invest ment at all costs. However, then I started to think about the extent the Steelers aren't just a football team, they are more of a family, the Corleone family actually.

If you start to think about it Dan Rooney chairman of the team is Vito Corleone. He's getting older, starting to get a bit behind the times but hey he's still got it. He's still got all the power that comes with being one of the greatest owners of this generation and already being in the Football Hall of Fame.

I could say Art Rooney II would be Sonny since he is the heir apparent but I want to go in a more creative route. Sonny is Cowher, hot temper, could boil over at any second, stay out of his way when he's angry. Not only this but he is destined for a fall, falling in line with the speculation that Cowher is gone after this year... everyone loves Sonny but they know that he wouldn't last forever.

Michael Corleone is Ken Whisenhunt the heir apparent once Sonny is out of the picture (at least let's hope so, for those of who who think this should be Grimm's job slide him in). He's quite and reserved right now when he doesn't have much power, but expect changes once he does become godfather...

Fredo... I'm looking at the list of member of the Steelers' front office / coaching staff and no one is popping out at me, but only one person comes to mind, Tom Donhoe. He jumped ship for more money and power in Buffalo, which turned out to be a huge mistake. He ended up getting wacked by the Bills this January. He now sleeps with the fishes...

Tom Hagan, the lawyer who acts as advisor to Michael much of the time is Kevin Colbert. Often waiting in the wings, not taking too much attention for himself, is the exact role Colbert takes with this team. He does a lot of work no one ever hears about.

You can plug players into the soldier positions from the movie and there you go. Our very own Steelers' Corleone family.

Viva El Reynolds!

2006-07-27T11:03:00.000-04:00

Do you hear that sound? That's the pitter-patter of the fat stumps Jason Whitlock uses for fingers typing up some race card about this whole thing. I really really hate Whitlock, but anyway not the point of this post.

I really liked Harold Reynolds and I mean a lot. He and Peter Gammons were the only reason I watched Baseball Tonight.He was always very well spoken, brought up good points, and rarely said stupid things. The only knock I ever had with him was that he was a bit too player friendly, but he was once a player himself so I can see where he is coming from.

Apparently Harold got fired for an "inapproriate hug". There have been many reports that this was on a laundry list of sexual harassment incidents involving him however. I seriously doubt they fired Reynolds for a hug, but let Michael Irving back in the building after a week after they found a crack pipe in his car.

Well I for one hope Reynolds goes to FOX and lands in the booth with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, because quite frankly those two need a bit of sanity in their respective commentary.

Recchi is Back?

2006-07-26T10:01:00.000-04:00

I'm not real sure how I feel about this one. There have been many a report about how Recchi and Crosby butted heads last year for me to give the stamp of approval. Plus this feels like a typical Rats signing to me. If you are going to have a youth movement, have a youth movement. Don't bring in guys who were playing hockey when the best player on the team was still kicking in his mothers womb.

Holy God...

2006-07-21T09:31:00.000-04:00

Ummm... This made me laugh out loud for a good 2 minutes at work. This is also why, at this point in my life, kids scare the fucking bejesus out of me.

The Art of the Knuckleball

2006-07-20T14:09:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I think back in my life to experiences I've had with baseball, memories I've made associated with the game. I like to run through in my head different events in the game that could be perceived as earmarks in my life as well. A few events that I can remember meaning something to me were the 1994 All-Star Game and unveiling of the Clemente statue at Three Rivers, the home run race in the summer of 1998, the Pirates winning 3 division titles from '90-'92. One event though can sum up my love of the game: Tim Wakefield's debut in 1992. I was only 8 years old but I remember my dad telling me about him and how he threw a knuckleball. I didn't know what it was at the time, but it sounded cool as hell. Tim Wakefield went 8-1 that year, and only gave up 3 home runs with a 2.15 ERA. The fantasy and mysticism of the knuckleball was born in my head. Years later I met Charlie Hough, who taught me to throw a knuckleball when he was the pitching coach for the NY Mets in 2001. He will go down in history as one of the greatest knuckleballers of all time.

My favorite knuckleballer of all time is Hoyt Wilhelm, perhaps the most famous. Rob Neyer's top ten knuckleballers of all time:

10. Eddie Cicotte
9. Joe Niekro
8. Tim Wakefield
7. Dutch Leonard
6. Tom Candiotti
5. Charlie Hough
4. Eddie Rommel
3. Wilbur Wood
2. PhilNiekro
1. Hoyt Wilhelm

The knuckleball may be the hardest pitch to throw, but if you can throw one consistently you can pitch at the major league level. I picked up the knuckleball about 6 years ago, and I have been working on perfecting it since with little success. I can throw it but never consistently with enough movement for it to be effective.

The knuckleball was learned by Jim Bouton, the former hard throwing Yankee, to save his career in the late years with the Seattle Pilots and Houston Astros, which is detailed in his book Ball Four.

I love the knuickleball and it is a shame it is so hard to throw because I would love to see at least 4 or 5 knuckleballers in the big leagues today.

Check out this website if you are interested in the knuckleball and love it as much as I do.

Comeback Kids

2006-07-19T18:25:00.000-04:00

Today the Pirates won a game. Their 4th in the last 6 games. The Pirates at home this season are 24-26. That is the best record they have had at home since PNC Park opened up. However we have only won 10 games on the road this season. What is the deal? Why can't we win on the road? My theory is that the players are too busy getting fucked up at night since they are traveling and then show up to the park unready. I don't know how much credence this has, but honestly we have the worst road record in baseball. If we can win 4 out of the next 6 games we play on the road, I will be ecstatic. I just hope we win more than 15 games on the road this year.

A New Hope?

2006-07-18T11:17:00.000-04:00

Well in an odd turn of events today one of the bidders, the Canadian group that had actually made the largest bid at around a reported 175 million, has pulled out because the NHL is said to be now telling bidders that any move out of town will be blocked. I have to say I'm shocked Gary Bettman, one time villain because of the lock-out is sticking his neck out there for Pens fans. We are a historic franchise with a great fan base however, I don't see why an owner would want to move the Pens. Attendance was great from what I gather (the several games I went to when I was home were packed). If the Pens are here when I graduate next spring, I plan on buying season tickets to the next season. Hockey is the best sport to watch in person, hands down. Football is betting on TV because of the instant replays, how big stadiums are, and also the view point in which you view the games (granted I would rather be in Heinz Field, nothing matches the atmosphere of going to a game, but I hope you are understanding where I'm coming from).

Another writer on the blog says he'd rather have the Rats be good and the Pens leave, than for the Pens to stay and the Rats still be shitty. I told him to go fuck himself. The teams the Pens has arguably the brightest future in the NHL and I want to be on the ground floor of that. That way when I have 2 tickets to the Stanley Cup Finals in a couple years, I can laugh in everyone's face, and hold the 2nd ticket ransom to the highest bidder (money or services).

Anyway Steelers go camping in 10 days and of course today is the release of NCAA 07 which will curtail my going out till Friday night.

Guess Who's Back?

2006-07-13T09:30:00.000-04:00

That's right Big Ben was at the ESPYs last night (for some reason I can't put up pictures right now but here is a linkto his grill) looking just as goofy as ever. So that's good news, the interview they played was to be expected comments. Personally if he rides with a helemt I don't really care, it's his life not mine (just my Fall season over the next 10 + seasons ride on his sholders, no biggie...). Anyway it's the end of the world as we know it with Israel and Lebanon duking it out, hopefully that won't boil over into anything bigger.

Your With Me, ESPN

2006-07-12T11:53:00.000-04:00

It being a slow sports day and all I thought I'd take the time to go off on none other than the Worldwide Leader itself, ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. I didn't know it either, that's what Wikipedia is for).

First, does anyone like Chris Berman? Anyone? If you answered yes I want you to, take the mouse in your hand, put it in the upper right hand corner on the big x, and click it (never come back either). What does this guy, ESPN's highest paid anchor btw, really do? I'll tell you exactly what he does, he shows up at the HR Derby (back, back, back, we fucking get it), announces the picks before the commissioner can make it to the podium at the NFL draft (and turns down kids for autographs), makes up stupid nicknames, occasionally rears his ugly head on Sports Center, ruins NFL Countdown / Primetime on Sundays and on top of all that, uses awful pick up lines. If those aren't crimes against humanity I want to know where we are currently drawing the line... This guy and Kenny Mayne should be strapped into a rocket and shot into the Sun... Get out of our lives. The thought of this guy wondering around Pittsburgh, going up to ladies and saying, "Your with me, leather," makes my skin crawl. Berman is that friend that keeps on hanging around even though no one likes him and gets made fun of all the time. He brings nothing to the table, ruins the mood of the group and creeps people out (aka a night killer). Berman and Mayne should be put on Outside the Lines Nightly so I never have to hear anymore of their mind numbing banter (could you imagine that show? It would be something they would've shown to Alex in A Clockwork Orange).

Second, what's with all the puff pieces on Sports Center over the past 6 months? It's getting border line ridiculous how often they are airing pieces (especially this week with the special "My Wish" segments, nauseating theme song included *barf*) that make me want to put a 12-gauge against the side of my head. When I'm going to bed / waking up in the morning I don't want to hear about a girl with cancer and a weird haircut going to a Mariners game / some little boy meeting Jeff Gordon (who the hell wants to meet Jeff Gordon anyway?), it's just depressing. Don't get me wrong, It's great what they do for these kids and it's ok to run these every once in a while (maybe), but I'm really sick of the constant barrage they are laying on us, the hardcore sports fan. I want to meet an ESPN executive sometime, follow him into the bathroom with a group of cronies, knock him to the ground and say, "Hi, you're going to call off your "My Wish" segments on Sports Center. You're going to publicly state that there are going to be no more puff pieces on Sports Center. Or... These guys are going to take your balls, and send one to the New York Times, one to the LA Times press release staff. Look, the people you are after are the people you depend on. We watch your shows, we buy your products. We guard you while you sleep. Do not... fuck with us," well maybe not that whole "guard you while you sleep" part (that was adapted from the fight club bathroom scene, just so you people don't go and call the authorities on me). Do the people who are heading up this operation actually think we care about hearing these things? I don't come into their bedrooms at 7 am talking about all the shitty things that are happening in my life.

Lastly, why does the NBA, David Stern, and ESPN feel the need to continue the WNBA assault on this nation. Newsflash: no one wants to watch women's sports, especially when the majority of those women are sweaty, disgusting looking and most likely gay, not that there's anything wrong with that (Sure Bird and a select other are hot and heterosexual). If I want to watch your "fundamental" (aka bad) basketball I'll watch college hoops. They actually had the WNBA skills competition on SC this morning, which consisted of not only doing chest passes through a hoop but also bounces passes, oooooo. I mean the NBA has been running life support, with Stern and ESPN tag teaming mouth to mouth for 10 years now. Give it up and stop making us suffer (and now God will saddle me with a baby girl as my first child).

Only 5 days till NCAA 07 (aka Madden 07 appetizer) for 360. If anyone cares to challenge me online give me your email address and I'll send you my XBOX live name.

I would've said something about Steven A. Smith as well, but well that would be too easy (In my best Steven A. Smith yelling / trying to make a point at the end of a sentence voice).

Questions of the Day...

2006-07-11T14:51:00.000-04:00

Will Big Ben be sporting an MF Doom style mask when he shows up for this celeb golf outing later this week? (For those of you who don't know Doom, you should even if you like rap a little. Check out DangerDoom - the Mouse and the Mask where he works with Danger Mouse, pure gold). I kind of hope so. My buddy Kevin and I have been discussing since the accident how cool it would be to have the figure-head of the Steelers to be a 6'4", 240 lbs freak. I mean that would definitely add a whole new level of intimidation to see some sort of Quasimodo looking mother fucker under center. Not that I'm really hoping for him to be disfigured or anything, just thinking out loud...

Another thing, does anyone know if Zidane got the nick name "Zizzou" before or after the movie? This guy is my favorite soccer player hands down by the way. You rarely ever see him take a dive, he normally battles through contact unlike the rest of the bushes in the WC. Not only that but the way he lunched his head into the chest of Materazzi, was probably the most shocking, inexplicable, stupid thing I've seen in a sporting event in a while (in apparently the most important game in the world). Apparently Materazzi called is mother a terrorist whore according to the Brits lip-readers... What a way to end a career, as a human missile that nearly caves someone's chest in...

The Only Place DL Deserves to be...

2006-07-10T15:25:00.000-04:00

In a cage with all the homeless they rounded up to keep away from the all-star game over the next couple of days. Will baseball's economic system finally be called out for the bullshit that it is with the all-star game in the city that is home to the worst team in baseball? I was listening to Mike and Mike this morning on the drive in and they both pointed to the successes that have happened in Oakland, Minnesota, and Florida (the 2nd time) to say how baseballs system isn't that broken (althought only one of those teams actaully won the WS or did anything in the payoffs really). I'm pretty sure the system is broken when some teams have payrolls hovering around 200 million and the Rats are spending around 46 million. I don't understand how this can be looked at as being "fair". I mean every other major sport has what we like to call a "salary cap" at this point for the obvious reason of keeping the playing field level and there won't be absurd bidding wars for players services.

Why is baseball so ass backward to not realize that they are alienating, I'd say 60 % of their cities by allowing this to happen. How are the Rats suppose to compete in this climate when other teams can simply out bid us for all of our players? I have no clue personally. I'm not trying to say its not DL's fault for us not being decent, but even if you squeezed every penny bone dry you aren't going to get enough juice to get Pittsburgh a pennate. I mean get real, look at the payrolls, and tell me why you think the AL is much better than the NL...

The system is so fucked that it really makes me want to just stop paying attention to a game that has a 5 team race every year. It's ridiculous. It's pretty much the equivalent of taking the 5 highest paid payers on the Steelers, putting them on a NY team, replace our holes with rookies / scrubs, then try to maintain our dominance... It would just never happen, that's why this spring I was on the edge of my seat when the NFL and their players union were hammering out a new CBA. If the NFL didn't have a cap, the 'Lers would be fucked. But I digress, I don't think this is going to change anytime soon so... Wait... Wait a second... That's another 5 years of losing baseball on the horizon! whoo hooo!

Well, I really hate to do this

2006-07-07T08:54:00.000-04:00

I hate all this pre-season football talk when camp doesn't open till the 28th of this month (yes improbably more excited than you), but I can't believe the amount of shit talking other teams are doing on our World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. All I hear from Bungles fans is that they would've won that game if Carson doesn't get hurt... then how did we beat three better teams in the following weeks. All I hear from Pats fans is that it was an off year for them... what has changed signifigantly for them since last year, one rookie RB. All I hear from Dirty Birds fans is that how Steve McNair is going to lead them to a division title... isn't this the same guy we destroyed last year in week one? All I hear from Browns fans... well who cares, they'll always suck (look at the bums they over paid for in FA).

Have the Steelers really changed at all? They lost Antwaan who had a total of 558 yards with 1 TD last year, frankly I'm not missing that. I am willing to bet that Holmes will have more TD's this year than Antwaan had last year. We lost Bettis, who meant more in the locker room than on the feild last year, which any fan of the team knows(368 yards, 9 TD's). We lost Kimo, who would've been benched this year for Brett Keisel anyway. I am so sick of ESPN analysis that keep saying that despite the loss of these players our team is any worse off. In 2 of these cases this could be addition by subtraction. I mean think about it, this is like taking the Roto Wheel, the Exterminator and the Pittsburgh Plunge out of Kennywood, no one is really going to miss them (cept maybe the Plunge). The most signifigant player we lost (which no one is talking about) is Chris Hope. Granted he had some tackling problems (despite being 3rd in total tackles) but he's the only person I even worry a little bit about losing.

Not to mention as ESPN's John Cayton points out in an insider article I can't link you to,

"Ben Roethlisberger, 24, will mature into a Pro Bowl-caliber passer this season, and he can partly thank his recent motorcycle accident for assisting in the process. The motorcycle accident was a wake-up call for him. Roethlisberger is a good kid. His stubbornness in riding a motorcycle without a helmet and buying faster, more dangerous bikes represents his flirtation with the wild side. Those days are gone. He will come out of this accident more focused and much more humble. Before the accident, Roethlisberger spent the offseason working on plays to make the offense more open to passing. He's lifting weights and trying to get his body ready for the first practice at the Steelers' training camp in Latrobe, Pa. Though his face is puffy with bruises from the accident, he could have a full training camp. "

So Ben will be back on time with a new dedication for his job... I'd be afraid if I were the rest of the league.

This last paragraph is especially for all you Bungle fans that think they own the division after one season over .500 since '91. I use to not mind Bungle fans you knew your place in the division, but you guys have gotten real loud real quick. It's partly because you have so many loud mouth, dumb-asses on your team that you just take after them (i.e. CJ). We still own you. Quit bitching about the "cheap hit", your shitty defense didn't do anything to stop us after the 1st quarter in the playoff game. By the way Sam Adams is a washed up old, fat man (if you think he'll help your run D check out how well the Bills did, or didn't do in that department last hear). As for Dexter Jackson and Madu Williams they just aren't that good... So fuck you Bungles, Fuck you Cinnci, you'll be back in your place after this year (oh BTW the Reds will fall on their collective faces down the stretch). Can't wait till week three.

The First Hammerin' Hank

2006-07-06T02:03:00.000-04:00

There aren't many Jewish baseball players these days. Brad Ausmus has Jewish parents, I think his grandfather is a Rabbi. Kevin Youkilis, Gabe Kapler, John Grabow, Shawn Green, Mike Lieberthal, Jason Marquis, Scott Schoeneweis, that about sums it up for current players. But in a time when Jews across the Atlantic Ocean were being rounded up and senselessly slaughtered, and anti-Semitism at home was prevalent, there was one man who made his mark as a great Jewish baseball player. Before Sandy Koufax there was Hammerin' Hank Greenberg. I didn't really look up to great Jewish athletes growing up, but it was nice to know there were some. My grandfather, however, was in his teens and twenties when Hank Greenberg was playing for the Detroit Tigers.

Years later my grandfather's stories, along with my father's would inform me of one of the greatest power hitters, as well as one of the greatest Americans of all time.

Greenberg was a fresh faced rookie at the age of 22 in Detroit in 1933. He played in a game when he was 19 in 1930, but didn't make it back to the majors for another 2 seasons. During his shortened career, Greenberg hit 339 home runs, most over a period of 6 seasons. Greenberg also missed 4 of his prime years to fight in Europe during World War II. Bill James ranks him as the 8th greatest firstbasemen of all time. A career .313 hitter, he walloped an alarming 58 home runs in 1938. Many people speculate that pitchers didn't pitch to him for the last week of the season because they didn't want a Jew to break the Babe's record of 60 in a season. I don't know how much truth there is to that, but this was pre Jackie Robinson small minded baseball, and people in America in 1938 were not really fond of Jews. I do know this, if Hank Greenberg played today he would crush baseballs out of some of the tiny parks that have been built in the recent past.

Greenberg played one season in Pittsburgh after a long career in Detroit. His final season in the big leagues at the age of 36 Greenberg smacked 25 dingers in 125 games. A five time All-Star and two time AL MVP, Greenberg was one of the greatest power hitters of his generation, if not the greatest. If he had not missed so much time for the war and injuries, he may have hit close to 700 home runs, and could have possibly broken the Babe's all-time record.

If anyone out there is interested there is a great documentary out about Hank Greenberg called, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg. I suggest renting it, or buying it, as it is a highly intelligent, well made movie.

When the All-Star Game Meant Something

2006-07-05T21:56:00.000-04:00

What happened? Manny Ramirez is planning on skipping the All-Star game. Frankly I don't blame the guy, it is a long season and those three days off mean a lot to the players. Conversely, the All-Star game is an honor to be a part of. It used to be a battle of players who never got to face each other except in the post-season. Now the winner of the game decides home field advantage in the World Series. To me this is utter crap. 95% of the players in the All-Star game won't be in the World Series, so that little carrot on a stick doesn't drive them.

The root of the problem lies in interleague play, something else I find stupid. The World Series is about two teams, the best in each league fighting it out to find out which team is better. Now there is a possibility of those two teams facing off in the regular season, something which I think is trash. Also for teams like the Pirates, Royals, lower tier competition, we just get screwed and it adds to our even more pathetic record.

I wish players longed to play in the All-Star game, I wish they couldn't wait to face off against that opposing pitcher who has a nasty ERA along with a nasty slider they've never seen. The love of the game and the league is dying thanks to Bud Selig, Donald Fehr, and the owners.

I watched the Bucs get beaten again today. The bullpen has been fantastic lately. If only our starters could give up less runs...

Until next time, I look forward to watching Gorzelanny tomorrow. PEACE.

Ralph Kiner

2006-07-04T16:12:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July. Today I was forced to watch the Pirates on MLBtv since it was not on television for some reason. During the middle innings Ralph Kiner came into the booth to do a little broadcasting. I believe he works for their broadcasting team and has been with the Mets since 1962 and has won three Emmy awards for broadcasting. During his ten year career, which was spent mostly with the Pirates, Kiner hit 369 home runs, drove in 1015 runs, and lead the league in home runs 7 straight seasons. He was also a career .280 hitter.

I remember when I was about 8 or 9 my father and I were at a Pirates game at Three Rivers Stadium. The game was out of hand for the Pirates as they were playing the Mets and we left early, only to find Ralph Kiner outside the stadium walking around the front offices. My dad told me who he was and I ran over with a pen and my ticket and got his autograph.

Kiner sounded drunk in the booth today. I don't know if it is because he is old, or what, but he sounded like he had drank a fifth of Jack in 80 degree weather. Ralph Kiner is old. He's 84. He told a story about Honus Wagner never paying for a drink in Pittsburgh when he was a coach for the Pirates, and Kiner was a player. He debuted in 1946 at the age of 23 and only played 10 seasons due to a chronic sciatica problem which caused his retirement after the 1955 season which he spent with the Indians.

Anyway, the Pirates lost another 1 run game, 7-6. They were ahead late and Roberto Hernandez gave up a couple hits after Torres came out after two walks and only 1 out. ANother near win, another 1 run loss. I don't buy into Tracy's claims that were are getting better because look how close we are in games. If we were good or even better we would be winning those games, not losing them. I truly believe we are getting better and we need to let our young players develop but stop playing Burnitz and Randa. We need to get a look and give our young guys a chance.

The Greatest Game Ever Played

2006-07-03T21:46:00.000-04:00

As I sit here on this fine Pittsburgh evening watching the Pirates I am reminded of why I love baseball. No matter how poorly a team plays, no matter how bad a team is, any team can win any game. The Buccos are leading the New York Mets 10-1 in the top of the eigth following back to back home runs by Ronny Paulino and Nate McLouth.

I can barely remember the Pirates of 1992. Jeff King was my favorite player as a child, I think mainly because in my childish mind he was my prototype of a ballplayer: big hunk of chew, interesting facial hair, he just looked like he should play baseball. That was 14 years ago. 14 seasons of losing baseball, but I am an addict. Like a junkie looking for the next fix. I find myself stopping at little league parks to watch a group of 12 year olds play a sloppy version of America's favorite pastime.

I long for the days of ball I never knew. I dream of spending time in the corn with the colorful characters the game has produced, the heroes, the goats, the bad guys, the good guys, the stories. Old Hoss Radbourn, Napolean Lajoie, Jimmie Foxx, Teddy Ballgame, Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Eddie Ciccotte Juan Marichal, Luis Tiant, Reggie Jackson, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Hank Aaron, the Say Hey Kid, Pete Rose. All the joy, the shame, the glory, the success, the pain, the moustaches, the history of the game is our history. America is baseball. It is a game of leisure, with stretchs, stolen bags, moonshots, cans of corn, frozen ropes, heaters and yackers, worm burners, sacrifices, walk-offs, and no matter what happens there is always a winner and a loser.

Until next game.

I am Bob Dobalina

2006-07-03T16:49:00.000-04:00

My name is Bob Dobalina, Craig asked me to start posting on here and ranting and raving, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I don't really think there is anything that can be said about baseball that hasn't been said in the past 150 years so I doubt anything I will say is that original or important, it is just nice to know that someone out there, maybe, cares just about as much as I do about the Pirates and our country's greatest game.

Smurfs Invade World Cup!

2006-07-03T12:56:00.000-04:00

If you're like me, or Papa Smurf, you've been thoroughly enjoying the World Cup games that are on as soon as I get up on the weekends. Frankly I find this whole "soccer" thing pretty sweet when played at its highest level. Of course, many of my friends often state that there is just not enough scoring in the game for them and I obviously cannot argue that beef considering it seems like half the games I've seen only have a goal or maybe none scored in a hour and 15 minutes. I enjoy the individual battles, and seeing these pussies act like they just got shot after touching (or sometimes nearly touching) a player from the opposite team. That's pretty much the only beef I have with the sport, the floppers. I think it was the Argentina goalie that had to be taken off in a stretcher, I mean come on man, walk yourself off like a fucking man.

At least its been diverting my attention away from our awful Rats... I went to the game on Saturday with my friend Ed, my rents and my cousins from Detroit. Needless to say my cousin's husband was not too happy he witnessed a game in which the Rats didn't lose by 1 run, since that's what he came all that way to see. (Congrads to JBay and especially Freddy Sanchez for making the all-star team. I don't really give a fuck about all-star games so I'm not going to write anything more on the subject.)

Funny side note, my cousins husband and I got pretty hammered watching the Italy - Ukraine game on Friday afternoon, which led me saying "the Ukraine is weak" about 50 times (ala Kramer is Seinfeld). Anyway later that night I was kicking his ass around the ice in NHL 2K6 for 360 and talking shit about it which led to this exchange.

Me: Looks like Sidney just got himself a hat trick in 2 periods.

Him: Looks like someone is banging your cousin tonight.

Me: (shocked silence) Dude, that's too much.

Him: You started it.

If you think things escalated a bit quickly there, I'm with you. I was drunk enough that I did a kind of double take, these are the moments when I wish my life was taped 24/7.

But I digress, everyone have a good 4th, I know I'm starting mine off in the most Anti-American way possible, getting drunk and watching the Germans beat the shit out of those greasy Italians at 3 pm... Hopefully no one will attempt to blow my head off with a roman candle this year, but I guess we'll find out in 24 hours or so.

There is a God

2006-06-27T12:51:00.000-04:00

Wow. I have to say I was mentally preparing myself for the Pens to be gone after this year. It seems in a startling turn of events that Mark Cuban and Danny Marino have joined the ownership group headed up by New York cab baron Andy Murstein. This guy has pledged in the past he wouldn't move the team if he bought it and this pretty much solidifies that. I heard this all on my lunch break on ESPN radio, apparently Tim Benz talked to that guy or something.

This is, in all reality, the best thing to happen since the Steelers won the Super Bowl. In case you people are either retarded or living under a rock, Sidney Crosby will bring this town multiple Stanley Cups. He's the best thing since Pittsburgh's very own French-Canadian Jesus, Mario Lemieux. I can't tell you how happy I am right now.

Granted, it's not like these guys have bought the team yet but they are perceived as one of the two front runners. This also puts huge pressure on Mario to sell the team to this ownership group simply because they will keep the team here. Now only if we could get Kevin Stevens back...

Ozzie Confirms All Rumors...

2006-06-27T11:11:00.000-04:00

And calls McClatchy a "fag" after his comments yesterday. Not that we didn't already know. From what I hear he's as queer as a three dollar bill, not that there's anything wrong with that (credit Seinfeld of course). I love how McClatchy drops these quotes like we haven't been losing for the past 14 years, then goes on to say he still has faith in DL and Tracy. I mean come on, just sell the fucking team already.

Anyway, Ozzie and the Cracker Sox are going to have to do quite a bit of what Ozzie is demonstrating above for our Rats to have any chances before Jimmy Leyland rides his Tigers back into town. I'm already dreading watching the next six home games... and I'm actually going to a third of them. Could we actually have a 20 game losing streak? Perhaps. We play (arguably) the two best AL teams (they have the best records anyway), then play the best team in the NL, the Metropolitans. Needless to say this week and a half will not be a fun one for you, me or anyone else who has invested anything into this joke of a season.

Oh yeah, the Pirates made their best front office move since getting JBay from the Pads a couple weeks ago by ramming these VOTE ads down our thoats. Don't get me wrong Bay has the numbers to start the all-star game, but should the worst team in baseball have an all-star starter or maybe even two. Jack might deserve it as well, but if this team has two all-star starters on it, the player with the most write-in NL votes (Freddy "Dirty" Sanchez), and a potential rookie of the year candidate (Ronny Paulino), shouldn't they be better than 26-51. Oh wait, we have our manager tossing players under the bus like a deranged, dip spitting, drunk step dad from some bad Lifetime movie...

I don't know why my two friends haven't posted anything yet, they are both better with baseball and writing in general than I am. As I said they both work in the visiting clubhouse at PNC so are pretty busy when the Rats are in town.

Thank You "Where have you gone, Andy Van Slyke?"

2006-06-23T16:27:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Pat for putting up the blog, hopefully increasing the readship above the amount of people who watched the whole Rats - Royals blood bath. I'm still attempting to digest the series, but it's kind of like drinking Ipecac. You know no matter how hard to try, things are still going to get really messy in a hurry. Of course the White Flag made another appearance. Another two wild pitches in yesterday's game, thank god it was a day game...

Anyway, weekend plans include watching the Rats battle the Dodgers, drinking to excess on the South Side, so I probably won't be blogging again till Monday. Have a good weekend all and don't do anything I wouldn't....

THANKS AGAIN PAT!

I HATE Vending Machines

2006-06-22T10:20:00.000-04:00

Just tired to get a little mid-morning snack at the ole' vending machine, the son-of-a-bitch got wedged in there and wouldn't come out . You would think with all of the technology we now posses that someone would think of a better snack delivery system than multiple chutes with a coil rotating to push out a bag of whatever into a plunge that sometimes the snack never makes. The worst part is I know some fat bastard is going to waddle in break room see the Party Mix I was craving wedged in there and buy the chips above it just to get the bonus Party Mix, I bet it will make their day. On sheer principle I didn't do that because I don't want that many snacks, I don't want to turn into the fatty that is going to do that and playing 85 cents is enough for one bag of chips. I hate fat people.

UPDATE: The Chips are GONE. Day ruined.

The Crying Game

2006-06-22T10:01:00.000-04:00

Well, how much longer do you expect this to keep happening? I looked over at my friends Alex and Todd last night (who will hopefully be writing in this space soon) rubbed my hands together in the top of the first and asked, "How are we gonna lose this one?" Of course I was right (maybe I should stop saying things like that, some girl I had been going out with called me rude and arrogant the other day. Fuck her I'm better than her anyway). But I mean "Com' on" as Jimmy would say, this is getting border line ridiculous.

I think Tracy needs to use a bit of a shorter rope with our young starters. I know, I know I would like to see them battle throw it as well, but this is becoming a disturbing trend. Our starters chug along till the 6th inning with a bit of a lead, load the bases or gives up a couple, then Tracy calls in help and the relievers give up a couple more cause of all the men on base. Capps is great but he isn't a miracle worker.

Anyway, on a lighter note as I mentioned earlier, I am trying to con a couple of my friends to write for this space. They are both bat boys for the visiting club house at PNC Park and I think they're clubhouse insight on other major league teams would be very valuable to building up this quaint blog that I'm sure no one is reading.

My Eyes Are Bleeding

2006-06-21T11:35:00.000-04:00

from last night's Pirates - Royals game. I haven't seen a baseball game played that bad since, well, last Saturday when I watched one of my friend's 14 year old brother play. In all actuality, I think the 14 year olds actually played better when compared to their peers. The absolute worst pitching match-up I've seen hands-down. This was like trying to listen to that William Chung freak and Paris Hilton having a singing contest, only my eyes were bleeding not my ears. There was one wild pitch a piece in the first inning by both pitchers, both were out by the 5th (Kip in the 4th at some point). If my numbers aren't right on well, I got sick of watching these two teams throw feces at one another and watching game 6.

Is this the worst match-up of professional sports teams ever? Can anyone think of two worst teams playing one another. The only one that I can think of off the top of my head is the Texans - Niners match up last year. Or was that two years ago? Who cares, I remember them being the two worst teams in the league at the time and ESPN was actually accusing the teams of trying to throw the game to get a higher draft pick (was this the Bush Bowl? I forget).

Let me know if anyone thinks of any worse professional sports match-ups...

Lloyd McClendon White Face

2006-06-20T11:17:00.000-04:00

Jim Tracy, never content on just playing favorites threw Jack Wilson, a gold glove caliber SS, under the bus on a very difficult play with two outs that led to a 4 run inning for the Twins on Sunday. I believe Tracy's quote was something like, "I've seen plays like that made." OK Jim, let's see, you have the worst team record wise in the NL and your throwing one of your team leaders under the bus because he didn't make an amazing play. What a jack ass. I love how this guy plays favorites with Burnitz, Hernandez, and Randa by putting them in the starting line-up when they should be bench players at most (cept for Jose-K he shouldn't be on anyone's 25 man roster) and then throws people like Jack Wilson under the bus. Call me crazy but I don't think this is the best way to keep this team together when they have the worst record in the NL, do you?

Big Unbreakable Ben

2006-06-19T11:17:00.000-04:00

Ben Roethlisberger, got cited by our very own Pittsburgh police force for riding without a helmet and permit. Who cares I say. No big deal. I don't think anyone else cares either.

In case you are wondering where I stand on this whole Ben, motorcycle thing, it's his life off the field, not our's, not the Steelers. Was what he did stupid and immature? Hell yes. It's not like he was caught fucking a hooker, doing lines off her back, while choking a baby. I mean Jesus Christ, people are acting like he owes the Steelers and us something. In reality, we owe him for giving us something I've been waiting for since the day I fell for the Steelers, a Super Bowl. People need to give the guy a break.

It was funny, my friend Ed and I were walking to the point for the Moe concert the Sunday before the crash and were in front of Jack's bar (I loathe that crowded, shitty bar. Not recommended. Go to Kopy's on 12th instead, literally a stones throw away). This guy with no helmet on decides to gun it and pop a wheelie right near us, we both shake our heads and I just said, "What a dumb-ass." I mean if the guy falls he's done. Ed of course agreed. I just hope Ben knows how lucky he is. He should be dead, thank god he's not. I don't think I could the Roethlisberger Era could to a halt like that.

Chris Henry 2.0?

2006-06-19T10:50:00.000-04:00

God let's hope not. Santonio Holmes got arrested, again. We move up to get this guy and look what happens. Is he trying to break Chris Henry's record for arrests. I mean the guy hasn't even played a game yet and he's getting in trouble with the law. The first arrest was bull shit, from what I hear it sounds like he got locked up because he was a bit too drunk (oh yeah and he's black). So we can throw that one out I suppose. But this one, this one sounds bad. Domestic distribance is pretty bad, but who knows maybe some drunk bitch was just crying wolf. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

If anyone can guess...

2006-06-19T10:11:00.000-04:00

For anyone who knows me, they know I love sports, but mostly Pittsburgh sports. And who can blame me for that? I moved to Pittsburgh when I was around 3 and have grown up in the wake of Barry Bonds 1.0 being unable to throw Sid Breem out. Has this scarred me? Fuck yes. I did lean on the Pens in my informative years however and if they leave town, well I don't want to deal with that right now, let's just say I'll be upset. And of course the Steelers. I love them, you love them, the world hates us and frankly I wouldn't have it any other way.

Anyway, a few specifics on myself. I grew up in the South Hills, however I go to school at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. I don't like it there. Not at all. I will be a senior next year and will be graduating in the spring, which is basically the only thing I get out of bed in the morning for. I come home whenever possible. I flew home for the Super Bowl just to soak it all in. You can often times find me at Dee's Cafe on the South Side attempting to put balls in pockets (Wait that doesn't sound right) play pool. I drink quite a bit, maybe too much, but I'm young. My basic interest (in order of importance) Steelers, alcohol, Pirates, Women, Penguins, video games, reading and other such endeavors...

Will anyone read this? I don't really give a fuck... I'm bored and I always read other people's shitty opinions so I thought maybe it's time to give the world mine, so here it is...