The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs couldn't have worked out much better for the Penguins. Consider:
--They won in five games, which gives them time to rest before the next round begins.
--From a business standpoint, they got revenue from three home games without incurring the expense and inconvenience of a second road trip.
--They welcomed back Evgeni Malkin from an extended injury absence and successfully worked him into the lineup.
--They won a playoff series using their No. 2 and 3 goaltenders exclusively. Even if Marc-Andre Fleury returns soon, the organization knows his back-ups won't be afraid of the playoffs.
--There were no new injuries (at least none that have been reported in the super-secret hockey environment).
Coaches always say there's no carryover from the regular season, good or bad, but there may have been in this case.
The Penguins' second half surge included three wins over the Rangers in which they solved goalie Henrik Lundqvist. It's impossible to believe that success didn't play a role in what happened in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, after many missteps, general manager Jim Rutherford is having something of a dream existence. When he's had a chance to do things over, he's done them right.
--Mike Johnston was a mistake; Mike Sullivan changed the entire culture and will deservedly get consideration for the coach of the year award.
--Signing Rob Scuderi was a bad move; trading him for Trevor Daley was a great move.
--Acquiring David Perron didn't pay off; dealing him for Carl Hagelin did.
The Penguins' playoff future still hinges on the availability of Fleury. If he makes it back soon, it's not hard to envision a long postseason run.
You know it's a good season when fans are heading the games in shorts and jerseys.
---
--ON THE CLOCK
Leave it to MLB to mess up the best of intentions.
Concerned about increasing game times, MLB regularly tries to add some speed-up rules.
The latest is a 25-second clock that runs when a pitching coach visits the mound. However, spies report discrepancies in when the clock starts ticking. In some parks, it's been activated as soon as the coach leaves the dugout. There have been instances when the 25 seconds started when the coach crossed the foul line. There's been at least one occasion where the clock started when the coach reached the mound.
The whole thing is pointless. Teams are only permitted one "free" visit per inning. A pitching change is mandatory on the second trip to the mound.
Meanwhile, the catcher is free to visit the mound as often as he wants to. Remember Russell Martin's frequent consultations?
Umpires have traditionally done an effective job of keeping coaches from lingering on visits.
For all of this silliness, MLB has added the expense of installing clocks and hiring people to operate them.
The only way to foul it up more would be to make the timing subject to replay review.
---
--GOOD ADDITION
Good move by Root Sports to add former Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik to its studio crew for Pirates game.
Zduriencik, who once worked for the Pirates, has a diverse background in the game as a scout, minor league administrator and GM. Even better, he was involved in baseball as a GM as recently as last August, so he's familiar with current personnel in the game.
He's also doing some fill-in work on the flagship radio station's extended pre-game show alongside Dan Zangrilli.
---
--WRONG FORMULA
Chris Colabello of the Toronto Blue Jays was suspended for 80 games after he tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.
Colabello was batting .069 at the time of the announcement.
If he's actually guilty, he could make a case to get his money back from the pharmacy.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Altoona Mirror, April 17, 2016
The NBA will place ads on uniforms in the 2017-18 season, and shame on you if you didn't see this coming up Madison Avenue.
Commissioner Adam Silver estimated teams could make up to $100 million a year with the new revenue. Considering they'll have this "found" money, does that mean franchises will pay their own bills and not shake down cities for new arenas or renovations to existing buildings? Yeah, sure.
This opens an interesting can of complications. How long until the players union steps in and demands a cut of the loot for its members serving as human billboards?
What happens if a player is at odds with the message he's bearing? Perhaps a staunch vegan wouldn't want to advertise the Golden Arches on his jersey. Maybe a player with a liberal political bent wouldn't want to passively endorse the conservative company that bought space on his uniform.
What happens when a great American corporation's logo is prominently displayed on a player whose picture is on the front page because he's just been accused of an awful crime?
If the NBA cracks on this, it's just a matter of time until other sports follow. The Steelers have had advertising on their practice jerseys, but that's not the same.
Silver says individual teams will be responsible for selling the advertising. Will that create another revenue gap? Certainly the Boston Celtics jerseys have more value to an advertiser than whatever colors the Milwaukee Bucks are sporting these days.
A long time ago, Ted Turner's holdings included both the Atlanta Braves and TV station WTBS, Channel 17. Turner persuaded pitcher Andy Messersmith, who wore No. 17, to have the word "Channel" placed on the back of the uniform rather than his name.
MLB stepped in and told Turner to knock it off because it was so cheesy.
Turns out he was just ahead of his time.
---
--NEW VOICE
Pitt announced that former receiver Bill Osborn will rejoin the radio broadcast team this season.
He replaces Pat Bostick, who has been promoted to a new position in the athletic department.
Osborn worked on the games before (1995-2003), and he makes no secret of his feelings. Occasionally Bill Hillgrove would be calling a play that wasn't going well for Pitt, and Osborn's plaintive "oh no, oh no" could be heard in the background.
---
--FUMBLED
Not to get all political, but Donald Trump should fire whatever staffers prepped him for his rally in Pittsburgh the other night.
All candidates pander with local references when they're on the stump, but Trump swung and missed badly with the stuff he was clumsily reading from a sheet of paper.
He apparently meant to mention the effort to bring back the Joe Paterno statue, but somehow left the word "statue" off what he was saying. It sounded like he was referencing the man, who died in 2012. Then he mentioned Penn State, a reference that fell flat.
Didn't anyone realize college loyalties are split along well-defined lines? No doubt there were Penn State fans in the audience. It's just as likely there were Pitt fans who delight in every Nittany Lions loss.
Anyone who knows anything knows you trot out Steelers references in Pittsburgh. He made a reference to "Big Ben" being a friend, but really didn't have a point beyond dropping the name.
If someone in his camp had been thinking, he could have said something like, "We're going to take care of business. Just the way Jack Lambert did every Sunday for the Steelers."
The place would have gone crazy.
---
--SEASON'S MEETINGS
So the Steelers have a home 4:15 kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 25.
Doesn't the NFL realize the evening hours on Christmas are reserved for family arguments, gluttony and serious egg nog-assisted napping?
Nobody respects traditions any more.
Commissioner Adam Silver estimated teams could make up to $100 million a year with the new revenue. Considering they'll have this "found" money, does that mean franchises will pay their own bills and not shake down cities for new arenas or renovations to existing buildings? Yeah, sure.
This opens an interesting can of complications. How long until the players union steps in and demands a cut of the loot for its members serving as human billboards?
What happens if a player is at odds with the message he's bearing? Perhaps a staunch vegan wouldn't want to advertise the Golden Arches on his jersey. Maybe a player with a liberal political bent wouldn't want to passively endorse the conservative company that bought space on his uniform.
What happens when a great American corporation's logo is prominently displayed on a player whose picture is on the front page because he's just been accused of an awful crime?
If the NBA cracks on this, it's just a matter of time until other sports follow. The Steelers have had advertising on their practice jerseys, but that's not the same.
Silver says individual teams will be responsible for selling the advertising. Will that create another revenue gap? Certainly the Boston Celtics jerseys have more value to an advertiser than whatever colors the Milwaukee Bucks are sporting these days.
A long time ago, Ted Turner's holdings included both the Atlanta Braves and TV station WTBS, Channel 17. Turner persuaded pitcher Andy Messersmith, who wore No. 17, to have the word "Channel" placed on the back of the uniform rather than his name.
MLB stepped in and told Turner to knock it off because it was so cheesy.
Turns out he was just ahead of his time.
---
--NEW VOICE
Pitt announced that former receiver Bill Osborn will rejoin the radio broadcast team this season.
He replaces Pat Bostick, who has been promoted to a new position in the athletic department.
Osborn worked on the games before (1995-2003), and he makes no secret of his feelings. Occasionally Bill Hillgrove would be calling a play that wasn't going well for Pitt, and Osborn's plaintive "oh no, oh no" could be heard in the background.
---
--FUMBLED
Not to get all political, but Donald Trump should fire whatever staffers prepped him for his rally in Pittsburgh the other night.
All candidates pander with local references when they're on the stump, but Trump swung and missed badly with the stuff he was clumsily reading from a sheet of paper.
He apparently meant to mention the effort to bring back the Joe Paterno statue, but somehow left the word "statue" off what he was saying. It sounded like he was referencing the man, who died in 2012. Then he mentioned Penn State, a reference that fell flat.
Didn't anyone realize college loyalties are split along well-defined lines? No doubt there were Penn State fans in the audience. It's just as likely there were Pitt fans who delight in every Nittany Lions loss.
Anyone who knows anything knows you trot out Steelers references in Pittsburgh. He made a reference to "Big Ben" being a friend, but really didn't have a point beyond dropping the name.
If someone in his camp had been thinking, he could have said something like, "We're going to take care of business. Just the way Jack Lambert did every Sunday for the Steelers."
The place would have gone crazy.
---
--SEASON'S MEETINGS
So the Steelers have a home 4:15 kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 25.
Doesn't the NFL realize the evening hours on Christmas are reserved for family arguments, gluttony and serious egg nog-assisted napping?
Nobody respects traditions any more.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Altoona Mirror, April 10, 2016
Tough opening week for the Chicago Cubs, who lost young slugger Kyle Schwarber for the season.
Schwarber thoroughly wrecked his left knee in a collision with a teammate. His recovery and rehab is expected to take 10 full months.
It's a blow to the Cubs. Schwarber was the Cubs' No. 1 draft pick in 2014 and was fast-tracked to the major leagues last season. He hit 16 home runs in 69 games, then added five more homers in nine postseason games.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon was understandably mournful over losing Schwarber:
"Young man, sophomore season in the big leagues, one of the most refreshing talents in all of Major League Baseball. And now to be out for the rest of the season, it's not easy."
It isn't. The Pirates know what an impact a sudden injury can have. Last Sept. 17, Jung Ho Kang's season ended when his lower left leg was broken on a slide by the Cubs' Chris Coghlan. It wasn't a dirty play. Kang made a big mistake by staying in the path of the runner.
The distasteful part was Maddon's reaction to the play. Asked about Kang's injury afterwards, he made the bizarre smart aleck comment, "I heard he has plantar fasciitis."
Plantar fasciitis is a foot pain that will usually send people to a podiatrist, not a surgeon.
Kang is still doing rehab work at the Pirates' Florida training base. As of last week, he had still not been cleared to make left turns while running, nor had he attempted to slide. It has been nearly seven months since his injury. The Pirates signed David Freese as insurance this year.
The Cubs and Maddon will now seek ways to make up the offense they lost when Schwarber was carted off the field.
Watch out for karma, Joe. Sometimes it's as nasty as 100 mile per hour fastball.
---
--HIT THE JACKPOT
With one swipe of a pen -- lovers of irony hope it was a 50-cent Bic -- Gregory Polanco guaranteed himself $30 million from the Pirates.
It's been mentioned that's a lot for a person who comes from humble means in the Dominican Republic. The fact is it's a lot of money for anybody not named Rockefeller or Trump.
People scratch off lottery tickets with the dream of getting a small fraction of $30 million.
This year will mark the 40th anniversary of free agency in baseball. The process is radically different than it was in 1976, but the theory remains the same. The players can shop their services and find out what someone is willing to pay.
The fear of that open market leads to the kind of pre-emptive contract Polanco signed last week.
He can make more than $30 million, but that amount is assured. Getting contracts guaranteed was one of the most significant steps the Players Association ever negotiated.
It doesn't work that way in the NFL. Jerome Bettis had a contract with the Steelers, but circumstances changed. In consecutive years, he agreed to cut his salary by $2.7 million and $2.9 million to stay with the team rather than being released.
The contract that called for the original high figures? Might as well use it as a placemat for all it was worth.
Baseball GMs probably fantasize about a system that would let them re-do multi-year contracts, but it's not possible.
When the player signs, he's assured himself of the money. Every MLB player's home should have a portrait of Marvin Miller in a place of honor.
---
--NEW LIFE
Here's hoping 14-year-old Drake LaRoche is adjusting to his retirement from the Chicago White Sox.
Schwarber thoroughly wrecked his left knee in a collision with a teammate. His recovery and rehab is expected to take 10 full months.
It's a blow to the Cubs. Schwarber was the Cubs' No. 1 draft pick in 2014 and was fast-tracked to the major leagues last season. He hit 16 home runs in 69 games, then added five more homers in nine postseason games.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon was understandably mournful over losing Schwarber:
"Young man, sophomore season in the big leagues, one of the most refreshing talents in all of Major League Baseball. And now to be out for the rest of the season, it's not easy."
It isn't. The Pirates know what an impact a sudden injury can have. Last Sept. 17, Jung Ho Kang's season ended when his lower left leg was broken on a slide by the Cubs' Chris Coghlan. It wasn't a dirty play. Kang made a big mistake by staying in the path of the runner.
The distasteful part was Maddon's reaction to the play. Asked about Kang's injury afterwards, he made the bizarre smart aleck comment, "I heard he has plantar fasciitis."
Plantar fasciitis is a foot pain that will usually send people to a podiatrist, not a surgeon.
Kang is still doing rehab work at the Pirates' Florida training base. As of last week, he had still not been cleared to make left turns while running, nor had he attempted to slide. It has been nearly seven months since his injury. The Pirates signed David Freese as insurance this year.
The Cubs and Maddon will now seek ways to make up the offense they lost when Schwarber was carted off the field.
Watch out for karma, Joe. Sometimes it's as nasty as 100 mile per hour fastball.
---
--HIT THE JACKPOT
With one swipe of a pen -- lovers of irony hope it was a 50-cent Bic -- Gregory Polanco guaranteed himself $30 million from the Pirates.
It's been mentioned that's a lot for a person who comes from humble means in the Dominican Republic. The fact is it's a lot of money for anybody not named Rockefeller or Trump.
People scratch off lottery tickets with the dream of getting a small fraction of $30 million.
This year will mark the 40th anniversary of free agency in baseball. The process is radically different than it was in 1976, but the theory remains the same. The players can shop their services and find out what someone is willing to pay.
The fear of that open market leads to the kind of pre-emptive contract Polanco signed last week.
He can make more than $30 million, but that amount is assured. Getting contracts guaranteed was one of the most significant steps the Players Association ever negotiated.
It doesn't work that way in the NFL. Jerome Bettis had a contract with the Steelers, but circumstances changed. In consecutive years, he agreed to cut his salary by $2.7 million and $2.9 million to stay with the team rather than being released.
The contract that called for the original high figures? Might as well use it as a placemat for all it was worth.
Baseball GMs probably fantasize about a system that would let them re-do multi-year contracts, but it's not possible.
When the player signs, he's assured himself of the money. Every MLB player's home should have a portrait of Marvin Miller in a place of honor.
---
--NEW LIFE
Here's hoping 14-year-old Drake LaRoche is adjusting to his retirement from the Chicago White Sox.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Altoona Mirror, April 3, 2016
Ode to opening day, specifically when the game is played with a wind-chill factor in the 20s. You know the tune:
---
Take me out to the ball game,
Holy smoke, is that snow?
Wearing my mittens and tossle cap,
I'd like to cheer, but it's too cold to clap.
Now we're frozen stiff on the North Side.
Brought the kids, feel the guilt.
We love spring and the opening game
Wrapped up in this quilt.
---
So as the Pirates start the 2016 season, here are the relevant questions:
--Can Jon Niese solidify the rotation in the No. 3 spot and give the team three dependable starting pitchers? If the top three starters are good enough, a team can succeed with average pitching in the last two spots.
--The Pirates probably won't match last year's home run production (140), but can they maintain their run production with a new model? Improved on-base percentage can lead to the same number of runs, just with less noise.
--Why do some people think it will be so hard to replace Pedro Alvarez? He had a terrible season, evidenced by the lack of interest when he hit the free agent market. He hit 27 home runs, but 22 were with the bases empty. He hit .223 with runners on base last year.
--How long will it take Jung Ho Kang to get back to normal? He's opening the season on the disabled list and he still hasn't attempted a slide. This is eased somewhat by the late acquisition of David Freese.
--Can Gregory Polanco step up? The Pirates are high on him and need him to build on last season's second half progress.
--How long will Jared Hughes be out? He's also starting on the DL, and he's vital to the late inning bullpen progression that leads to Tony Watson and Mark Melancon.
--Is Juan Nicasio for real? He was lights out in spring training. If that translates to the regular season, it could be a huge boost for the rotation.
--How soon do Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow get here? It's time for the next generation of pitchers to arrive, and at least one of the two should get to PNC Park this season.
--Can Francisco Cervelli repeat last season? The best thing he did was avoid the DL after an injury-filled career.
--How good are the Chicago Cubs? They're the trendy pick this year, not only in the Central Division, but to win the World Series.
--Can the Pirates win within the division? They were 8-11 against the Cubs last season and 9-10 against the Cardinals. They also had losing records against the bottom feeders -- 8-11 vs. the Reds and 9-10 against Milwaukee. That has to improve.
Tradition demands a forecast, so here goes: The projection is that the Pirates will have a winning record and contend for a postseason spot. They may make the wild card again, but it's unlikely they'll win the division over the Cubs and Cardinals.
As always, enjoy the season. Please keep your shirt and shoes on.
---
--CLOCK IS TICKING
Just a few days left to enter the How Many Games Will The Pirates Win contest at the Mainly Mehno blog found at altoonamirror.com.
Tell your cousins in California. The prize ships anywhere in the continental United States. Even Idaho.
---
Take me out to the ball game,
Holy smoke, is that snow?
Wearing my mittens and tossle cap,
I'd like to cheer, but it's too cold to clap.
Now we're frozen stiff on the North Side.
Brought the kids, feel the guilt.
We love spring and the opening game
Wrapped up in this quilt.
---
So as the Pirates start the 2016 season, here are the relevant questions:
--Can Jon Niese solidify the rotation in the No. 3 spot and give the team three dependable starting pitchers? If the top three starters are good enough, a team can succeed with average pitching in the last two spots.
--The Pirates probably won't match last year's home run production (140), but can they maintain their run production with a new model? Improved on-base percentage can lead to the same number of runs, just with less noise.
--Why do some people think it will be so hard to replace Pedro Alvarez? He had a terrible season, evidenced by the lack of interest when he hit the free agent market. He hit 27 home runs, but 22 were with the bases empty. He hit .223 with runners on base last year.
--How long will it take Jung Ho Kang to get back to normal? He's opening the season on the disabled list and he still hasn't attempted a slide. This is eased somewhat by the late acquisition of David Freese.
--Can Gregory Polanco step up? The Pirates are high on him and need him to build on last season's second half progress.
--How long will Jared Hughes be out? He's also starting on the DL, and he's vital to the late inning bullpen progression that leads to Tony Watson and Mark Melancon.
--Is Juan Nicasio for real? He was lights out in spring training. If that translates to the regular season, it could be a huge boost for the rotation.
--How soon do Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow get here? It's time for the next generation of pitchers to arrive, and at least one of the two should get to PNC Park this season.
--Can Francisco Cervelli repeat last season? The best thing he did was avoid the DL after an injury-filled career.
--How good are the Chicago Cubs? They're the trendy pick this year, not only in the Central Division, but to win the World Series.
--Can the Pirates win within the division? They were 8-11 against the Cubs last season and 9-10 against the Cardinals. They also had losing records against the bottom feeders -- 8-11 vs. the Reds and 9-10 against Milwaukee. That has to improve.
Tradition demands a forecast, so here goes: The projection is that the Pirates will have a winning record and contend for a postseason spot. They may make the wild card again, but it's unlikely they'll win the division over the Cubs and Cardinals.
As always, enjoy the season. Please keep your shirt and shoes on.
---
--CLOCK IS TICKING
Just a few days left to enter the How Many Games Will The Pirates Win contest at the Mainly Mehno blog found at altoonamirror.com.
Tell your cousins in California. The prize ships anywhere in the continental United States. Even Idaho.
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