Look at it this way: Last year the Pirates had trouble coming up with three starting outfielders.
This season they're trying to wedge four outfielders into three spots.
That has to be progress, right?
They made the sensible decision Saturday when they kept Austin Meadows and instead shipped Jose Osuna back to Triple A Indianapolis when Starling Marte came off the disabled list.
Meadows, who has done nothing but look skilled beyond his years in the short time he's been here, will find spot duty at both corners and sub for Marte in center on occasion.
It wouldn't be a surprise if Meadows ultimately supplanted Gregory Polanco in right field, but the Pirates have too much invested in Polanco to just discard him. Plus there's the issue of how well Meadows can maintain what he's done so far.
Nobody expects him to hit above .400. When you've yet to see a player really fail, it's hard to visualize the tough times that will inevitably come. As noted previously, it wasn't that long ago when Polanco was cast in the phenom role, rattling off an 11-game hitting streak as soon as he got to the major leagues.
This all has to be sorted out, and it will be. In the meantime, the bottom line is Meadows gets an extended look against major league competition. There's nothing wrong with that.
By the way, while everyone is focused on Polanco's continued failure, the real issue with the Pirates is getting the starting rotation in order.
One reason people are so anxious for Nick Kingham to pitch is not many of the other starters are doing much.
---
There was a lot of stress over the Pirates' losing consecutive series to teams with losing records, the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds.
It's easy enough to explain. It's baseball.
This isn't college football or basketball, where a school handpicks some cupcakes knowing it will win 98 out of 100 times.
Baseball is different. In 2008, the New York Yankees came to PNC Park, and the Pirates took two of three games from them. John Russell's Pirates were 67-95 that season. They stacked the middle of their order with Ryan Doumit, Adam LaRoche and Doug Mientkiewicz. The 89-73 Yankees had Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano in their lineup.
How did the Pirates win a series against them that year? It's baseball.
---
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell punted on the anthem question.
Reality is the NFL doesn't care much about the issue. They're trying to appease sponsors who are hearing from their customers.
The simple answer is to play the anthem before anyone in uniform is on the field, the way they used to do it.
---
It's going to be quite a lifestyle clash when the Pirates play the Reds at PNC Park on June 15.
It's the second-ever Vegan Night, with a special menu that will be available with a $45 ticket in the Picnic Box. Fare includes Vegan burgers, baked beans, greens and grains salad, Hawaiian macaroni salad, fruit salad, chips and guacamole.
For the traditionalists, it's also Dollar Dog night.
In what has to be considered tragic news for gluttons, the Pirates quietly eliminated the all-you-can-eat seats, which had been part of the right field stands for several seasons.
There are still some deals to be had under a different arrangement, but the days when a hungry fan could stuff himself (and perhaps his pockets?) at a flat rate are gone.
---
If it's in the 80s outside, it must be time for the Stanley Cup Final.
Here's the pick: Washington in six.
Really.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Altoona Mirror, May 23, 2018
Austin Meadows has become an instantly popular Pirates player, and that makes sense.
What's not to like? He went 5-for-11 (.455) in his first three major league games. He hit a home run, stole a base, and it wasn't his fault that the Pirates lost three of four at home to the San Diego Padres.
Meadows is likely headed back to Class AAA Indianapolis as soon as Starling Marte recovers well enough from an oblique injury to rejoin the active roster.
Not surprisingly, there's sentiment to keep Meadows on the major league team and make a move with someone else.
Sean Rodriguez has been suggested as a possibility, but that isn't going to happen. His versatility plays well with a limited bench, and he has enough history to think he'll do better than the weak offensive numbers he's put up so far.
Gregory Polanco? Hmm, no. He's signed for three more years at a relatively reasonable cost, and then has two club options after that. Polanco is still only 26, and he shows flashes of the talent that led the Pirates to give him that contract.
In fact, Polanco is a case study on the perils of being impatient with young players. In 2014, he was tearing things up at Triple A. Fans were clamoring to get him to Pittsburgh.
GM Neal Huntington warned that Polanco "still had some boxes to check," a comment that earned him plenty of ridicule when Polanco started his major league career with an 11-game hitting streak.
After 11 games, Polanco was batting .365 with an .863 OPS. Boxes to check? Yeah, right.
But from that point forward, Polanco batted .204 with a .650 OPS and his season included a remedial trip to the minor leagues. Turned out there really were still some boxes to check.
Since that 11-game hitting streak, Polanco has hit .243 in more than 2,000 plate appearances.
Austin Meadows isn't Gregory Polanco. He's a different player. He may be ready for a long stay in the major leagues. But it's rarely a mistake to be patient.
---
It's been a dream season for Marc-Andre Fleury, the former Penguins goalie who is just four wins away from a Stanley Cup championship with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.
The Penguins have been booking tee times since their second-round loss to Washington, so that's led to some giver's remorse on making Fleury available in the draft pool.
The Penguins had no choice. Matt Murray was younger, cheaper and has his name on the Cup twice.
Fleury didn't want to stay here and be a back-up. He had a great time in Pittsburgh, but he's undoubtedly enjoying this improbable season just as much.
Fleury's absence hurt the Penguins last season. So did the lack of depth on defense and at forward.
His absence wasn't the only reason the Penguins are watching the playoffs on TV, and given the salary cap and Murray's accomplishments, his departure was pretty much inevitable.
Wish him well, but it's not realistic to wish he would have stayed here.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
What's not to like? He went 5-for-11 (.455) in his first three major league games. He hit a home run, stole a base, and it wasn't his fault that the Pirates lost three of four at home to the San Diego Padres.
Meadows is likely headed back to Class AAA Indianapolis as soon as Starling Marte recovers well enough from an oblique injury to rejoin the active roster.
Not surprisingly, there's sentiment to keep Meadows on the major league team and make a move with someone else.
Sean Rodriguez has been suggested as a possibility, but that isn't going to happen. His versatility plays well with a limited bench, and he has enough history to think he'll do better than the weak offensive numbers he's put up so far.
Gregory Polanco? Hmm, no. He's signed for three more years at a relatively reasonable cost, and then has two club options after that. Polanco is still only 26, and he shows flashes of the talent that led the Pirates to give him that contract.
In fact, Polanco is a case study on the perils of being impatient with young players. In 2014, he was tearing things up at Triple A. Fans were clamoring to get him to Pittsburgh.
GM Neal Huntington warned that Polanco "still had some boxes to check," a comment that earned him plenty of ridicule when Polanco started his major league career with an 11-game hitting streak.
After 11 games, Polanco was batting .365 with an .863 OPS. Boxes to check? Yeah, right.
But from that point forward, Polanco batted .204 with a .650 OPS and his season included a remedial trip to the minor leagues. Turned out there really were still some boxes to check.
Since that 11-game hitting streak, Polanco has hit .243 in more than 2,000 plate appearances.
Austin Meadows isn't Gregory Polanco. He's a different player. He may be ready for a long stay in the major leagues. But it's rarely a mistake to be patient.
---
It's been a dream season for Marc-Andre Fleury, the former Penguins goalie who is just four wins away from a Stanley Cup championship with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.
The Penguins have been booking tee times since their second-round loss to Washington, so that's led to some giver's remorse on making Fleury available in the draft pool.
The Penguins had no choice. Matt Murray was younger, cheaper and has his name on the Cup twice.
Fleury didn't want to stay here and be a back-up. He had a great time in Pittsburgh, but he's undoubtedly enjoying this improbable season just as much.
Fleury's absence hurt the Penguins last season. So did the lack of depth on defense and at forward.
His absence wasn't the only reason the Penguins are watching the playoffs on TV, and given the salary cap and Murray's accomplishments, his departure was pretty much inevitable.
Wish him well, but it's not realistic to wish he would have stayed here.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Altoona Mirror, May 20, 2018
So how good are the Pirates?
Just past the quarter pole of the season, they're good enough to hang with the four-team cluster at or near the top of the standings in the National League Central.
Yes, they've fattened up on bad teams. They're a combined 14-3 against the White Sox, Reds, Tigers and Marlins. But they're also 3-0 against the Cardinals and 2-1 each against the Cubs and Brewers.
They don't have an obvious big thumper in the middle of the lineup, but Josh Bell has the potential to fill that role.
Starting pitching is deep, but too many of them have the same profile -- long on potential, short on experience and accomplishment. Jameson Taillon still has the ability to step up and take the No. 1 spot. Will he?
The bullpen is anchored by Felipe Vazquez, but bridging the gap from starter to closer is still somewhat dicey despite recent good work by Edgar Santana and Richard Rodriguez.
The Cubs have the most talent and have the ability to break away from the pack. They did that last year. They were five and a half games out of first place in the middle of July, then wound up winning the division by a five and a half games.
There's a long way to go and too many developments that will influence what might happen. Injuries are always a factor. So are trades, whether they're made by the Pirates or their direct competitors.
It's not uncommon for a player to have two different seasons in one. Last year Corey Dickerson hit .312 in the first half of the season with a .903 OPS. Those numbers fell to .241 and .690 in the second half.
So the real answer to how good the Pirates are is one you'll never get on talk radio:
It's still too early to tell.
---
When Andrew McCutchen came to town with the San Francisco Giants, he said that he would continue to live in Pittsburgh.
His exact words:
"I said a long time ago that this is my home. My wife and I got married and made that decision along time ago. This is where we're going to live, regardless of baseball. This is where our house is, this is where we're going to stay in the offseason.
"That's not going to change. We love it here. My wife is from DuBois, so she still has all her family here and friends. We love our house, so nothing is going to change there."
That's certainly a glowing endorsement. After all, there are more pleasant places to live in December and January, and multi-millionaires can pretty much choose where they want to live.
But a few days before McCutchen's return to Philadelphia, Rob Biertempfel interviewed him for The Athletic website.
He asked McCutchen is he considered himself a "yinzer." When McCutchen appeared not to know what that meant, Biertempfel said, "You know, a Pittsburgher."
McCutchen's exact words:
"I don’t know if I ever thought of myself as a yinzer. My roots are in Florida. My home is Fort Meade. That’s where I grew up and that’s what I’m always going to be. I’m a Florida boy from the beginning to the end. If you’re there long enough, you start to feel and people think you’re from there. I played there and I love it, but I’m not from Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania."
So dual citizenship, maybe?
---
Jose Canseco was among 37 players signing autographs at a show in Monroeville over the weekend.
There were different prices for different items: baseballs, cards, photos, etc.
Wonder if anyone brought a prescription bottle for him to sign?
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Just past the quarter pole of the season, they're good enough to hang with the four-team cluster at or near the top of the standings in the National League Central.
Yes, they've fattened up on bad teams. They're a combined 14-3 against the White Sox, Reds, Tigers and Marlins. But they're also 3-0 against the Cardinals and 2-1 each against the Cubs and Brewers.
They don't have an obvious big thumper in the middle of the lineup, but Josh Bell has the potential to fill that role.
Starting pitching is deep, but too many of them have the same profile -- long on potential, short on experience and accomplishment. Jameson Taillon still has the ability to step up and take the No. 1 spot. Will he?
The bullpen is anchored by Felipe Vazquez, but bridging the gap from starter to closer is still somewhat dicey despite recent good work by Edgar Santana and Richard Rodriguez.
The Cubs have the most talent and have the ability to break away from the pack. They did that last year. They were five and a half games out of first place in the middle of July, then wound up winning the division by a five and a half games.
There's a long way to go and too many developments that will influence what might happen. Injuries are always a factor. So are trades, whether they're made by the Pirates or their direct competitors.
It's not uncommon for a player to have two different seasons in one. Last year Corey Dickerson hit .312 in the first half of the season with a .903 OPS. Those numbers fell to .241 and .690 in the second half.
So the real answer to how good the Pirates are is one you'll never get on talk radio:
It's still too early to tell.
---
When Andrew McCutchen came to town with the San Francisco Giants, he said that he would continue to live in Pittsburgh.
His exact words:
"I said a long time ago that this is my home. My wife and I got married and made that decision along time ago. This is where we're going to live, regardless of baseball. This is where our house is, this is where we're going to stay in the offseason.
"That's not going to change. We love it here. My wife is from DuBois, so she still has all her family here and friends. We love our house, so nothing is going to change there."
That's certainly a glowing endorsement. After all, there are more pleasant places to live in December and January, and multi-millionaires can pretty much choose where they want to live.
But a few days before McCutchen's return to Philadelphia, Rob Biertempfel interviewed him for The Athletic website.
He asked McCutchen is he considered himself a "yinzer." When McCutchen appeared not to know what that meant, Biertempfel said, "You know, a Pittsburgher."
McCutchen's exact words:
"I don’t know if I ever thought of myself as a yinzer. My roots are in Florida. My home is Fort Meade. That’s where I grew up and that’s what I’m always going to be. I’m a Florida boy from the beginning to the end. If you’re there long enough, you start to feel and people think you’re from there. I played there and I love it, but I’m not from Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania."
So dual citizenship, maybe?
---
Jose Canseco was among 37 players signing autographs at a show in Monroeville over the weekend.
There were different prices for different items: baseballs, cards, photos, etc.
Wonder if anyone brought a prescription bottle for him to sign?
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Altoona Mirror May 16, 2018
This is going to be huge.
No, let's revise that. Legalized sports betting is going to be bigger than huge.
People love sports. They love to gamble. Put the two together, and there are going to be billions of dollars wagered on sports.
It's up to individual states to set the policies. Pennsylvania is shooting for the start of 2019, but there ought to be a blitz to get things up and running in time for football season.
The Rivers Casino is a couple of blocks away from the gates at Heinz Field. Imagine how many people will pop in to wager on the game en route to the stadium.
Let's not be naive. People have been betting on football since the game was invented. But you needed a guy who could take the action. Now it's all going to be above board, and the bets won't be limited to the outcome of the game.
Real old-timers tell stories about a section of Forbes Field that was populated daily by gamblers. These were the kinds of guys who had a need for constant action, like betting if the next pitch would be a ball or strike.
Apply that to a football game, and add the convenience of online wagering. There will be an over/under line on the next punt. There will be wagering on whether the kick is returned or left to bounce untouched.
Suddenly, a simple football game turns into a series of propositions, all of which are subject to wagering.
Do not underestimate the power of the betting gene. I know an addicted guy who improbably found himself at a hockey game in St. Louis. He's the type who doesn't know if a hockey puck is inflated or stuffed with old rags.
Yet he made a bet on the game. Why? "Just to have something going," he said, an explanation that made perfect sense to him.
The fight here is determining how they'll cut up the fortune that is wagered. Sports franchises are trying to find a way to get a cut. You can bet the players' unions will get involved, too. After all, they're the livestock in these human horse races.
If we've learned anything, it's that people will gladly pay a voluntary tax if there's a chance they might get something back. Ever get caught in a convenience store line behind a lottery customer who is sharing the detailed story of how he came to play 713?
The ease of sports gambling will send some people to bankruptcy court and ruin families. That's guaranteed. It will create heartache and suffering.
If the states play their cards right, they'll have enough money to fix all the potholes, keep the parks open and replace those ancient rusty water pipes that break at the most inopportune times.
For those who already bet on games, your guy won't necessarily go out of business. After all, he doesn't report your winnings to the IRS. Then again, the state won't send anyone to break a leg if someone is behind on payments.
It's a mixed bag, for sure.
Truth be told, it's distressing that our ideas for maximizing revenues involve legalizing what was once considered vice.
It started with the lottery. Then we got slots casinos. Later that was expanded to table games at the same casinos. Now sports gambling will be on the menu.
Mark it down: One of these days, you'll see a picture of elected officials smiling as they cut the ribbon outside a state-sponsored brothel.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
No, let's revise that. Legalized sports betting is going to be bigger than huge.
People love sports. They love to gamble. Put the two together, and there are going to be billions of dollars wagered on sports.
It's up to individual states to set the policies. Pennsylvania is shooting for the start of 2019, but there ought to be a blitz to get things up and running in time for football season.
The Rivers Casino is a couple of blocks away from the gates at Heinz Field. Imagine how many people will pop in to wager on the game en route to the stadium.
Let's not be naive. People have been betting on football since the game was invented. But you needed a guy who could take the action. Now it's all going to be above board, and the bets won't be limited to the outcome of the game.
Real old-timers tell stories about a section of Forbes Field that was populated daily by gamblers. These were the kinds of guys who had a need for constant action, like betting if the next pitch would be a ball or strike.
Apply that to a football game, and add the convenience of online wagering. There will be an over/under line on the next punt. There will be wagering on whether the kick is returned or left to bounce untouched.
Suddenly, a simple football game turns into a series of propositions, all of which are subject to wagering.
Do not underestimate the power of the betting gene. I know an addicted guy who improbably found himself at a hockey game in St. Louis. He's the type who doesn't know if a hockey puck is inflated or stuffed with old rags.
Yet he made a bet on the game. Why? "Just to have something going," he said, an explanation that made perfect sense to him.
The fight here is determining how they'll cut up the fortune that is wagered. Sports franchises are trying to find a way to get a cut. You can bet the players' unions will get involved, too. After all, they're the livestock in these human horse races.
If we've learned anything, it's that people will gladly pay a voluntary tax if there's a chance they might get something back. Ever get caught in a convenience store line behind a lottery customer who is sharing the detailed story of how he came to play 713?
The ease of sports gambling will send some people to bankruptcy court and ruin families. That's guaranteed. It will create heartache and suffering.
If the states play their cards right, they'll have enough money to fix all the potholes, keep the parks open and replace those ancient rusty water pipes that break at the most inopportune times.
For those who already bet on games, your guy won't necessarily go out of business. After all, he doesn't report your winnings to the IRS. Then again, the state won't send anyone to break a leg if someone is behind on payments.
It's a mixed bag, for sure.
Truth be told, it's distressing that our ideas for maximizing revenues involve legalizing what was once considered vice.
It started with the lottery. Then we got slots casinos. Later that was expanded to table games at the same casinos. Now sports gambling will be on the menu.
Mark it down: One of these days, you'll see a picture of elected officials smiling as they cut the ribbon outside a state-sponsored brothel.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Altoona Mirror, May 13, 2018
Thanks, Cutch.
That was the theme of Andrew McCutchen's return to PNC Park Friday night, and the unofficial Cutch Night went off without a hitch.
There were the requisite video tributes, extended standing ovations and a lopsided Pirates' victory. McCutchen hit a double and threw a runner out at the plate, but neither play really affected the outcome.
All divorces should end so amicably.
McCutchen's return popped the biggest crowd so far this season as people took the opportunity to thank McCutchen for his years with the Pirates. He was the center piece of their lineup when the 20-year losing streak finally ended with three consecutive post-season appearances.
Lost in the emotion of his departure and return is the fact that the long-term contract he signed with the Pirates worked out perfectly. The Pirates got the very best years of his career and very little of the decline. The timing was perfect and the cost was reasonable.
Both sides have moved on to new relationships. The Pirates have added Corey Dickerson and reconfigured Starling Marte to center field. McCutchen has a new life with the Giants, batting second and playing right field, two things that were issues when the Pirates sought to implement them.
McCutchen leaves town after this afternoon's game. The Pirates move forward with their new lineup.
The reunion worked out just as well as McCutchen's contract did for the Pirates.
---
If Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford wants to do coach Mike Sullivan a favor, he'll make every effort to trade Phil Kessel this summer.
Kessel is a talented offensive player, which means there's a market for him. There are a lot of teams where he would instantly upgrade the ability to score goals.
The other side is he's the kind of pain in the neck that Advil can't help. His work habits and efforts can be spotty. He's the kind of player the Penguins often had in the old days -- he can coast because of his talent. Sometimes he does.
When Rick Tocchet was an assistant coach, a big part of his responsibility was handling Kessel. The two developed a rapport, and Sullivan was happy to delegate that particular responsibility.
With Tocchet gone to the head coaching job in Phoenix, more of the Kessel duty fell to Sullivan. That wasn't a happy experience.
This isn't about "getting rid of" Kessel as much as it's using an asset to fill a need. If the Penguins can deal Kessel to upgrade their defense, they should consider doing it.
---
Rockefeller Center, corporate headquarters of NBC, is right across Fifth Avenue from St. Patrick Cathedral in Manhattan.
You have a feeling a lot of NBC executives are visiting church daily to pray that the network doesn't wind up with a Winnipeg-Tampa Bay final for the Stanley Cup.
---
If you're really old (Hi!), you remember when Monday Night Football was an event.
Now it's just another game played on a different day. The NFL steers the best games to Sunday nights, which is a much bigger deal in the league's TV package.
Jon Gruden left TV to coach the Oakland Raiders, and play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough was dropped.
ESPN announced last week that the new Monday Night Football announcing crew is Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten, Booger McFarland (field level analyst) and Lisa Salters.
Booger McFarland?
Like a lot of things, Monday Night Football isn't quite what it used to be.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
That was the theme of Andrew McCutchen's return to PNC Park Friday night, and the unofficial Cutch Night went off without a hitch.
There were the requisite video tributes, extended standing ovations and a lopsided Pirates' victory. McCutchen hit a double and threw a runner out at the plate, but neither play really affected the outcome.
All divorces should end so amicably.
McCutchen's return popped the biggest crowd so far this season as people took the opportunity to thank McCutchen for his years with the Pirates. He was the center piece of their lineup when the 20-year losing streak finally ended with three consecutive post-season appearances.
Lost in the emotion of his departure and return is the fact that the long-term contract he signed with the Pirates worked out perfectly. The Pirates got the very best years of his career and very little of the decline. The timing was perfect and the cost was reasonable.
Both sides have moved on to new relationships. The Pirates have added Corey Dickerson and reconfigured Starling Marte to center field. McCutchen has a new life with the Giants, batting second and playing right field, two things that were issues when the Pirates sought to implement them.
McCutchen leaves town after this afternoon's game. The Pirates move forward with their new lineup.
The reunion worked out just as well as McCutchen's contract did for the Pirates.
---
If Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford wants to do coach Mike Sullivan a favor, he'll make every effort to trade Phil Kessel this summer.
Kessel is a talented offensive player, which means there's a market for him. There are a lot of teams where he would instantly upgrade the ability to score goals.
The other side is he's the kind of pain in the neck that Advil can't help. His work habits and efforts can be spotty. He's the kind of player the Penguins often had in the old days -- he can coast because of his talent. Sometimes he does.
When Rick Tocchet was an assistant coach, a big part of his responsibility was handling Kessel. The two developed a rapport, and Sullivan was happy to delegate that particular responsibility.
With Tocchet gone to the head coaching job in Phoenix, more of the Kessel duty fell to Sullivan. That wasn't a happy experience.
This isn't about "getting rid of" Kessel as much as it's using an asset to fill a need. If the Penguins can deal Kessel to upgrade their defense, they should consider doing it.
---
Rockefeller Center, corporate headquarters of NBC, is right across Fifth Avenue from St. Patrick Cathedral in Manhattan.
You have a feeling a lot of NBC executives are visiting church daily to pray that the network doesn't wind up with a Winnipeg-Tampa Bay final for the Stanley Cup.
---
If you're really old (Hi!), you remember when Monday Night Football was an event.
Now it's just another game played on a different day. The NFL steers the best games to Sunday nights, which is a much bigger deal in the league's TV package.
Jon Gruden left TV to coach the Oakland Raiders, and play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough was dropped.
ESPN announced last week that the new Monday Night Football announcing crew is Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten, Booger McFarland (field level analyst) and Lisa Salters.
Booger McFarland?
Like a lot of things, Monday Night Football isn't quite what it used to be.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Altoona Mirror, May 9, 2018
It's over. No Stanley Cup, no parade, no special t-shirts.
The Penguins were bounced from the playoffs in the second round after two consecutive championship seasons.
And, no, this is not similar to what happened in 1993, when the Penguins were eliminated by the New York Islanders after two Cup wins. That team was overconfident, got careless and was beaten by a vastly inferior team.
This year's Penguins didn't have an attitude problem. They lost a tough series to a quality team.
Why are they headed for vacation early this year?
1. Depth. The salary cap caught up with the Penguins and robbed them of depth throughout the roster.
Veteran role players Chris Kunitz, Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen all relocated. Bonino got a break-the-bank deal from Nashville the Penguins had no chance to match.
Had they known Cullen was going to sign with Minnesota, they probably would have made an effort to keep Kunitz. But they incorrectly thought Cullen was coming back and were surprised when he left.
They didn't even make an offer to Kunitz, who wound up with Tampa Bay.
The defense had progressively gotten thinner, and that was exacerbated when Ian Cole was dealt away at the trade deadline.
Then there was the case of Marc-Andre Fleury. Keeping him last season was an incredible luxury that wasn't feasible to repeat. The Penguins went into the playoffs with no viable alternative to Matt Murray.
Four valuable pieces were gone, and none of them was adequately replaced. That hurt.
2. Underachieving veterans. In the next week or so, the Penguins will probably come clean about injuries. It will not be a surprise if they reveal that Phil Kessel, Derick Brassard, Carl Hagelin and even Evgeni Malkin were playing hurt in the postseason.
They certainly weren't themselves. Kessel had one of the best regular seasons of his career, then disappeared. Brassard came with a reputation as a postseason player, but contributed little.
Kris Letang had some incredibly wild ups and downs throughout the season, and that carried over to the playoffs.
3. Goaltending. Murray didn't have a bad series against the Capitals. Nor did he have a great one, and that's what the Penguins needed.
This is a tricky area. Murray made a lot of exceptional saves in the deciding game against Washington, constantly keeping his team within striking distance. But the first goal he allowed was marshmallow soft and helped the Capitals get off to a good start.
4. Lack of urgency? Much was made during the season about the toll two trips to the Final can take on a team. It would be wrong to say the Penguins weren't motivated, but what was up with the slow starts?
Murray's work saved them on some nights. You can't help wonder, though, how the games might have gone if his excellent work had been accompanied by some Pittsburgh goals.
Maybe those sluggish starts reflected the problems with secret injuries. Maybe it was the fatigue kicking in after two extra-long seasons. Whatever happened, the spotty intensity was a factor.
So what do they do now? First, take a week off and get some distance from the emotions of seeing their two-year reign end.
Should Kessel be traded with a goal of beefing up the defense? Can Letang's game be ironed out? Would a veteran back-up goalie help?
The Penguins don't need an overhaul, but some changes are inevitable.
It will be an interesting summer, and it starts early.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
The Penguins were bounced from the playoffs in the second round after two consecutive championship seasons.
And, no, this is not similar to what happened in 1993, when the Penguins were eliminated by the New York Islanders after two Cup wins. That team was overconfident, got careless and was beaten by a vastly inferior team.
This year's Penguins didn't have an attitude problem. They lost a tough series to a quality team.
Why are they headed for vacation early this year?
1. Depth. The salary cap caught up with the Penguins and robbed them of depth throughout the roster.
Veteran role players Chris Kunitz, Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen all relocated. Bonino got a break-the-bank deal from Nashville the Penguins had no chance to match.
Had they known Cullen was going to sign with Minnesota, they probably would have made an effort to keep Kunitz. But they incorrectly thought Cullen was coming back and were surprised when he left.
They didn't even make an offer to Kunitz, who wound up with Tampa Bay.
The defense had progressively gotten thinner, and that was exacerbated when Ian Cole was dealt away at the trade deadline.
Then there was the case of Marc-Andre Fleury. Keeping him last season was an incredible luxury that wasn't feasible to repeat. The Penguins went into the playoffs with no viable alternative to Matt Murray.
Four valuable pieces were gone, and none of them was adequately replaced. That hurt.
2. Underachieving veterans. In the next week or so, the Penguins will probably come clean about injuries. It will not be a surprise if they reveal that Phil Kessel, Derick Brassard, Carl Hagelin and even Evgeni Malkin were playing hurt in the postseason.
They certainly weren't themselves. Kessel had one of the best regular seasons of his career, then disappeared. Brassard came with a reputation as a postseason player, but contributed little.
Kris Letang had some incredibly wild ups and downs throughout the season, and that carried over to the playoffs.
3. Goaltending. Murray didn't have a bad series against the Capitals. Nor did he have a great one, and that's what the Penguins needed.
This is a tricky area. Murray made a lot of exceptional saves in the deciding game against Washington, constantly keeping his team within striking distance. But the first goal he allowed was marshmallow soft and helped the Capitals get off to a good start.
4. Lack of urgency? Much was made during the season about the toll two trips to the Final can take on a team. It would be wrong to say the Penguins weren't motivated, but what was up with the slow starts?
Murray's work saved them on some nights. You can't help wonder, though, how the games might have gone if his excellent work had been accompanied by some Pittsburgh goals.
Maybe those sluggish starts reflected the problems with secret injuries. Maybe it was the fatigue kicking in after two extra-long seasons. Whatever happened, the spotty intensity was a factor.
So what do they do now? First, take a week off and get some distance from the emotions of seeing their two-year reign end.
Should Kessel be traded with a goal of beefing up the defense? Can Letang's game be ironed out? Would a veteran back-up goalie help?
The Penguins don't need an overhaul, but some changes are inevitable.
It will be an interesting summer, and it starts early.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Altoona Mirror, May 6, 2018
Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals still has one game remaining on his well-deserved suspension from the NHL.
He earned it with a vicious hit that broke Zach Aston-Reese's jaw. The video doesn't lie. When Wilson aimed his shoulder at Aston-Reese's head and collided with suffient force to lift both skates off the ice, the intent was clear.
The NHL doesn't like to sit players during the playoffs, but Wilson left them no choice.
It is worth noting that Wilson is not some knuckle-dragging Neanderthal who sits at the end of the bench and only gets on the ice when mayhem breaks out. He plays on the Capitals' first line with Alex Ovechkin.
Penguins fans ought to understand that some of the most egregious play can come from an otherwise valuable hockey player.
Matt Cooke spent five seasons with the Penguins from 2008-13, confounding everyone by being both a useful winger and an absolute menace who was hated around the NHL.
Cooke had a number of incidents. The worst was the game when he lined up Boston's Marc Savard for a check and delivered an elbow to the head that knocked Savard out of the lineup for two months.
He got four games for another dirty hit against Fedor Tyutin. When Cooke elbowed Ryan McDonough in the head, it cost him 10 regular season games and the first round of the playoffs.
The Penguins talked to him about reforming his game, about avoiding those bursts af rage that had him trying to injure opponents. Things got better, but he was never fully reformed.
When Cooke moved on to play for Minnesota, he drew a seven-game suspension for a knee-to-knee hit on Tyson Barrie.
So while Wilson's behavior may be reprehensible, it isn't unfamiliar.
There used to be player just like that wearing black and gold.
---
Ben Roethlisberger turned up on a radio interview last week and expressed his disappointment that the Steelers spent a third-round draft pick to select Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Roethlisberger was especially dismayed since he told management before the draft that he planned to play another three to five seasons.
Of course, plans don't always work out.
Terry Bradshaw was 35 in 1983 and not thinking about retirement. But he wrecked his elbow and his career was over. He attempted only eight passes in his final season.
That's how quickly things can change.
In a perfect world, Roethlisberger will be around for several more seasons and continue to play at a high level. But his intentions are only one part of the process.
Vontaze Burfict may wind up making the decision for Roethlisberger and the Steelers. If there's another concussion, maybe a different Roethlisberger -- wife Ashley -- makes the retirement decision.
The Steelers had a chance to draft a quarterback they had rated as worthy of a first-round pick. They chose the insurance policy. Hard to blame them for that.
Ben gets to pick the offensive coordinator. Maybe he can let management handle the draft.
---
Given that the Pirates are paying Starling Marte $7.5 million this season, maybe Marte could pay attention?
---
When the Pirates left for Washington to start their current three-city trip, they were wearing Penguins jerseys.
It was Clint Hurdle's idea, his way of showing support for the Penguins. The players are responsible for getting their own hockey jerseys.
They did this a few years ago, and one player purchased a Penguins jersey at a local sporting goods store. The player was careful to preserve all the tags on the garment.
And when the trip was over, he took the jersey back to the store and got his money back.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
He earned it with a vicious hit that broke Zach Aston-Reese's jaw. The video doesn't lie. When Wilson aimed his shoulder at Aston-Reese's head and collided with suffient force to lift both skates off the ice, the intent was clear.
The NHL doesn't like to sit players during the playoffs, but Wilson left them no choice.
It is worth noting that Wilson is not some knuckle-dragging Neanderthal who sits at the end of the bench and only gets on the ice when mayhem breaks out. He plays on the Capitals' first line with Alex Ovechkin.
Penguins fans ought to understand that some of the most egregious play can come from an otherwise valuable hockey player.
Matt Cooke spent five seasons with the Penguins from 2008-13, confounding everyone by being both a useful winger and an absolute menace who was hated around the NHL.
Cooke had a number of incidents. The worst was the game when he lined up Boston's Marc Savard for a check and delivered an elbow to the head that knocked Savard out of the lineup for two months.
He got four games for another dirty hit against Fedor Tyutin. When Cooke elbowed Ryan McDonough in the head, it cost him 10 regular season games and the first round of the playoffs.
The Penguins talked to him about reforming his game, about avoiding those bursts af rage that had him trying to injure opponents. Things got better, but he was never fully reformed.
When Cooke moved on to play for Minnesota, he drew a seven-game suspension for a knee-to-knee hit on Tyson Barrie.
So while Wilson's behavior may be reprehensible, it isn't unfamiliar.
There used to be player just like that wearing black and gold.
---
Ben Roethlisberger turned up on a radio interview last week and expressed his disappointment that the Steelers spent a third-round draft pick to select Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Roethlisberger was especially dismayed since he told management before the draft that he planned to play another three to five seasons.
Of course, plans don't always work out.
Terry Bradshaw was 35 in 1983 and not thinking about retirement. But he wrecked his elbow and his career was over. He attempted only eight passes in his final season.
That's how quickly things can change.
In a perfect world, Roethlisberger will be around for several more seasons and continue to play at a high level. But his intentions are only one part of the process.
Vontaze Burfict may wind up making the decision for Roethlisberger and the Steelers. If there's another concussion, maybe a different Roethlisberger -- wife Ashley -- makes the retirement decision.
The Steelers had a chance to draft a quarterback they had rated as worthy of a first-round pick. They chose the insurance policy. Hard to blame them for that.
Ben gets to pick the offensive coordinator. Maybe he can let management handle the draft.
---
Given that the Pirates are paying Starling Marte $7.5 million this season, maybe Marte could pay attention?
---
When the Pirates left for Washington to start their current three-city trip, they were wearing Penguins jerseys.
It was Clint Hurdle's idea, his way of showing support for the Penguins. The players are responsible for getting their own hockey jerseys.
They did this a few years ago, and one player purchased a Penguins jersey at a local sporting goods store. The player was careful to preserve all the tags on the garment.
And when the trip was over, he took the jersey back to the store and got his money back.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Altoona Mirror, May 2, 2018
That hit down the third base line on Sunday probably saved Clint Hurdle from hundreds of hateful e-mails.
The single by Paul DeJong came with two outs in the seventh inning and provided the St. Louis Cardinals with their first base runner of the game against the Pirates' Nick Kingham.
What a major league debut it was for Kingham, who came within an out of seven perfect innings.
How long would he have gone had the perfect game continued?
Probably no more than one inning. If that. Kingham's pitch count was already at 94, and Hurdle was using his mental calculator to determine how many more he'd let him throw.
Yes, he would have taken him out with a perfect game intact.
Sorry, but that's the way baseball is managed these days.
Pitch counts matter, especially for young pitchers. Organizations are committed to protecting arms, even if that means sacrificing a run at baseball history.
Hurdle didn't have to make that decision. Kingham finished the inning, the bullpen held the lead and the Pirates completed their weekend sweep of the Cardinals on a chilly day at PNC Park.
If the situation arises again, it will be handled the same way. Get used to it.
By the way, it was a great day for Kingham. He not only won his first start, he got a chance instead for at least one more. Instead of getting a ticket back to the minor leagues, he'll start for the Pirates Friday night in Milwaukee.
---
Ron Francis was cut loose by the Carolina Hurricanes the other day.
Francis had been the team's general manager, but was kicked sideways to a new position during the season.
Now he's out. It wouldn't be a surprise if he wound up in the Penguins front office.
Francis helped the Penguins win their first Stanley Cup in 1990 when he came over from Hartford in a deadline-day trade that helped transform the team. He stayed with the Penguins through 1998 and had some of the best years in his Hall of Fame career.
Francis was a smart player who always provided maximum effort and represented the organization well. He was mentored for the front office in Carolina by Jim Rutherford, the Penguins' current GM.
Between his relationship with Rutherford and the respect co-owner Mario Lemieux has for Francis, it would be natural for the Penguins to have an interest in bringing him aboard.
Rutherford is 69 and will retire to a more relaxing life one of these years.
---
Remember Tim Neverett, who was one of the Pirates' broadcasters from 2009 to 2015? He's moved on to the Boston Red Sox radio crew.
His eldest son, Matt, is calling games for the Pirates' Class A affiliate in Bradenton. That's a low rung in the minor leagues and a good place for a young broadcaster to gain experience.
Maybe someday he'll crack the major leagues.
As Joe Buck, Kenny Albert and Chip Caray have shown, it never hurts to have a father who also happens to be in the sports broadcasting business.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
The single by Paul DeJong came with two outs in the seventh inning and provided the St. Louis Cardinals with their first base runner of the game against the Pirates' Nick Kingham.
What a major league debut it was for Kingham, who came within an out of seven perfect innings.
How long would he have gone had the perfect game continued?
Probably no more than one inning. If that. Kingham's pitch count was already at 94, and Hurdle was using his mental calculator to determine how many more he'd let him throw.
Yes, he would have taken him out with a perfect game intact.
Sorry, but that's the way baseball is managed these days.
Pitch counts matter, especially for young pitchers. Organizations are committed to protecting arms, even if that means sacrificing a run at baseball history.
Hurdle didn't have to make that decision. Kingham finished the inning, the bullpen held the lead and the Pirates completed their weekend sweep of the Cardinals on a chilly day at PNC Park.
If the situation arises again, it will be handled the same way. Get used to it.
By the way, it was a great day for Kingham. He not only won his first start, he got a chance instead for at least one more. Instead of getting a ticket back to the minor leagues, he'll start for the Pirates Friday night in Milwaukee.
---
Ron Francis was cut loose by the Carolina Hurricanes the other day.
Francis had been the team's general manager, but was kicked sideways to a new position during the season.
Now he's out. It wouldn't be a surprise if he wound up in the Penguins front office.
Francis helped the Penguins win their first Stanley Cup in 1990 when he came over from Hartford in a deadline-day trade that helped transform the team. He stayed with the Penguins through 1998 and had some of the best years in his Hall of Fame career.
Francis was a smart player who always provided maximum effort and represented the organization well. He was mentored for the front office in Carolina by Jim Rutherford, the Penguins' current GM.
Between his relationship with Rutherford and the respect co-owner Mario Lemieux has for Francis, it would be natural for the Penguins to have an interest in bringing him aboard.
Rutherford is 69 and will retire to a more relaxing life one of these years.
---
Remember Tim Neverett, who was one of the Pirates' broadcasters from 2009 to 2015? He's moved on to the Boston Red Sox radio crew.
His eldest son, Matt, is calling games for the Pirates' Class A affiliate in Bradenton. That's a low rung in the minor leagues and a good place for a young broadcaster to gain experience.
Maybe someday he'll crack the major leagues.
As Joe Buck, Kenny Albert and Chip Caray have shown, it never hurts to have a father who also happens to be in the sports broadcasting business.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
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