Jeff Locke had another of those Jeff Locke starts in Chicago on Saturday afternoon.
Inherited runners scored, but the bottom line was not pretty:
Five and a third innings, six hits, six earned runs, two walks, three strikeouts and two home runs.
It's the kind of performance that burdens the bullpen and sends people to their phones to call the nearest talk show to sputter about Locke, complete with an offer to drive him to the Greyhound station and pick up the tab on a one-way ticket to Nowhere.
This is not new. Locke has been a lightning rod for outrage almost as long as he's been with the Pirates. It's been more pronounced this year because most people are lusting for the arrival of prime pitching prospects Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow. Both are currently pitching well at the Class AAA level.
No longer are the alternatives ho-hum entities like Vance Worley and Brandon Cumpton. There are genuine talents waiting in the wings.
It is likely that either Taillon or Glasnow will be in Pittsburgh this season. It is highly unlikely either of them will be here before mid-June, when it's a virtual certainty they will sacrifice enough service time to delay their eligibility for arbitration and free agency.
People rail about this, but it's a non-issue. The stakes are so high and so clear that it's not even worth considering.
The positively awful 1986 Pirates waited to bring up Barry Bonds. He was a center fielder then, and the Pirates' opening day center fielder that season was Steve Kemp.
Keeping Bonds in the minor leagues for the start of the season meant he was still under the Pirates' control in 1992. They wouldn't have won the National League East that year without him.
Better to have an MVP-caliber player in the prime of his career than an extra two months of a struggling rookie. (Bonds hit .223 in his first season).
These circumstances are different, of course. The current Pirates are a contender. The '96 Pirates were happy they avoided 100 losses.
But the stakes are enormous. The price for a first-rate starting pitcher has settled at around $25 million a season now. It may even get higher by the time Taillon and Glasnow hit free agency.
The Pirates maintain neither of their young pitchers is ready. That gets ridiculed every time Taillon or Glasnow posts another good start in the minors.
But there's an example from 2014 that might be instructive here. Gregory Polanco was tearing things up at AAA. Travis Snider, Jose Tabata and Josh Harrison were sharing right field for the Pirates, without distinction.
There was a cry to bring up Polanco, which finally happened on June 10. When he started his career with an 11-game hitting streak, the told-you-so's were deafening.
After those first 11 games, Polanco was batting .365 with a .421 on-base percentage and .442 slugging average.
Then opponents adjusted. After that, he batted .204 over the rest of the season with a .282 on-base percentage and slugged .320. There was even a remedial trip to the minor leagues.
The moral of the story: Sometimes when they say they're not quite ready for the major leagues, they really aren't ready -- glitzy minor league stats notwithstanding.
---
--ERROR, PIRATES
Speaking of Locke, he should have thrown a fastball directly at the first Cubs uniform he saw Saturday after Jung-Ho Kang was drilled.
The Cubs are not only beating the Pirates, they're obviously enjoying themselves. When Kang was hit, it called for a quick and decisive response.
Failing to provide one made a bad situation worse.
---
--HEADS OR TAILS
The NHL determined it didn't even need to hold a hearing after Tampa Bay's Ryan Callahan recklessly rammed Kris Letang into the boards head first.
Here's a question about these NHL decisions: Do they flip a Canadian or United States coin?
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Altoona Mirror, May 8, 2016
The Pirates and Cubs will be two-thirds into a series at Wrigley Field this time next week.
Odds are they'll have exchanged unpleasantries, whether they're throwing insults or baseballs at each other.
As Keith Jackson would say, these two teams just don't like each other. It's a rivalry that's ramped up almost instantly because it has the classic ingredients:
--Both teams are good.
--They're competing for the same thing.
--There's an easily identifiable villain.
People revive the Steelers-Browns feud every year just out of tradition and the understandable contempt for Cleveland. It's been upstaged by other conflicts, namely those with the Ravens and Bengals.
Truth be told, the Browns are closer to inspiring sympathy than contempt. Their record of failure is long, their annual quarterback audition is pathetic and their new-and-improved uniforms are an even worse use of their Halloween colors.
The real heat is now reserved for the Ravens and Bengals. Cincinnati has moved up to No. 1 as the Steelers and Bengals are now slugging it out for AFC North supremacy.
Sam Wyche used to be the all-purpose bad guy for the Bengals; now that role is filled by Vontaze Burfict and Adam (No Longer Known As Pac Man) Jones.
Pirates-Cubs came to a boil with the prodding of Chicago manager Joe Maddon, a too cool for school character who seemingly mocked Jung Ho Kang's broken leg last year with the bizarre suggestion the injury was plantar fasciitis.
It didn't take long to reheat the pot in the first series this season.
After Kyle Lobstein paid back a bruise on Starling Marte by hitting the Cubs' Ben Zobrist, Maddon was on the top step of the dugout, yelling things that made lip readers blush. The Pirates' bench answered, and so did Francisco Cervelli.
It shouldn't take more than the sight of Maddon to get things fired up again this weekend.
It's been suggested that Maddon is the new Tony LaRussa, a universal lightning rod for hostile feelings. The difference is that apparently Maddon is at least liked by his own players.
Once when the Cardinals and Pirates were racing in from the bullpens to join a benches-clearing scrum, one of the St. Louis relievers hollered to the Pirates, "A hundred bucks to anybody who knocks out our manager."
---
--MISPLACED ANGER
When Andrew McCutchen popped off about firing the official scorer last week, that was more about frustration over his .229 batting average than it was any reasoned thought about the quality of scoring calls.
Players who complain about scoring calls are usually being selfish. Umpires' calls can affect the outcome of a game; scoring calls impact nothing but statistics.
McCutchen has a personal publicity staff apart from the Pirates' PR staff. Those people must have choked when they saw their client being petty about a scoring call after a loss.
By the way, perpetually beleaguered scorer Tony Krizmanich got the call right on the ball McCutchen misplayed.
---
--WRONG CHOICE
So long to Mike Adams, who was cut by the Steelers last week after four mostly unproductive seasons.
He was a wasted second-round draft pick, and hasn't the team had too many of those?
The list includes Limas Sweed, Ricardo Colclough and Alonzo Jackson.
But only Adams had the added element of being a middle-of-the-night Carson Street stabbing victim.
---
--TRAFFIC JAM
Twenty horses in the Kentucky Derby?
It looked like one of the parkways at rush hour before they started to separate.
---
--SAY WHAT?
One of the hidden gems in NBC's coverage of the NHL playoffs is those awkward on-ice interviews conducted right before the opening faceoff. Fans are roaring, music is blasting, and lasers and strobe lights are pulsating.
There's nothing like the sight of Pierre Maguire leaning over and shouting questions into the ears of players.
Odds are they'll have exchanged unpleasantries, whether they're throwing insults or baseballs at each other.
As Keith Jackson would say, these two teams just don't like each other. It's a rivalry that's ramped up almost instantly because it has the classic ingredients:
--Both teams are good.
--They're competing for the same thing.
--There's an easily identifiable villain.
People revive the Steelers-Browns feud every year just out of tradition and the understandable contempt for Cleveland. It's been upstaged by other conflicts, namely those with the Ravens and Bengals.
Truth be told, the Browns are closer to inspiring sympathy than contempt. Their record of failure is long, their annual quarterback audition is pathetic and their new-and-improved uniforms are an even worse use of their Halloween colors.
The real heat is now reserved for the Ravens and Bengals. Cincinnati has moved up to No. 1 as the Steelers and Bengals are now slugging it out for AFC North supremacy.
Sam Wyche used to be the all-purpose bad guy for the Bengals; now that role is filled by Vontaze Burfict and Adam (No Longer Known As Pac Man) Jones.
Pirates-Cubs came to a boil with the prodding of Chicago manager Joe Maddon, a too cool for school character who seemingly mocked Jung Ho Kang's broken leg last year with the bizarre suggestion the injury was plantar fasciitis.
It didn't take long to reheat the pot in the first series this season.
After Kyle Lobstein paid back a bruise on Starling Marte by hitting the Cubs' Ben Zobrist, Maddon was on the top step of the dugout, yelling things that made lip readers blush. The Pirates' bench answered, and so did Francisco Cervelli.
It shouldn't take more than the sight of Maddon to get things fired up again this weekend.
It's been suggested that Maddon is the new Tony LaRussa, a universal lightning rod for hostile feelings. The difference is that apparently Maddon is at least liked by his own players.
Once when the Cardinals and Pirates were racing in from the bullpens to join a benches-clearing scrum, one of the St. Louis relievers hollered to the Pirates, "A hundred bucks to anybody who knocks out our manager."
---
--MISPLACED ANGER
When Andrew McCutchen popped off about firing the official scorer last week, that was more about frustration over his .229 batting average than it was any reasoned thought about the quality of scoring calls.
Players who complain about scoring calls are usually being selfish. Umpires' calls can affect the outcome of a game; scoring calls impact nothing but statistics.
McCutchen has a personal publicity staff apart from the Pirates' PR staff. Those people must have choked when they saw their client being petty about a scoring call after a loss.
By the way, perpetually beleaguered scorer Tony Krizmanich got the call right on the ball McCutchen misplayed.
---
--WRONG CHOICE
So long to Mike Adams, who was cut by the Steelers last week after four mostly unproductive seasons.
He was a wasted second-round draft pick, and hasn't the team had too many of those?
The list includes Limas Sweed, Ricardo Colclough and Alonzo Jackson.
But only Adams had the added element of being a middle-of-the-night Carson Street stabbing victim.
---
--TRAFFIC JAM
Twenty horses in the Kentucky Derby?
It looked like one of the parkways at rush hour before they started to separate.
---
--SAY WHAT?
One of the hidden gems in NBC's coverage of the NHL playoffs is those awkward on-ice interviews conducted right before the opening faceoff. Fans are roaring, music is blasting, and lasers and strobe lights are pulsating.
There's nothing like the sight of Pierre Maguire leaning over and shouting questions into the ears of players.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Altoona Mirror, May 1, 2016
Here's the only accurate grade you'll get on the Steelers draft:
Incomplete.
Anything else is pure guesswork, and that includes the team. They're making a more educated guess than anyone else because they've done more homework. But heavens to Huey Richardson, there are first-round busts just as certainly as there are undrafted surprises like James Harrison and Donnie Shell.
The Steelers' selection of Miami cornerback Artie Burns has been widely panned. Pro Football Focus graded the choice a "D," believing the Steelers reached too far and used their first pick on a second-round talent.
We'll find out, but we won't until Burns puts on pads, gets on the field and actually competes against NFL talent.
It will take time, and nobody likes that. We're geared for instant answers, so that's why so many grades are floating around.
Instant analysis can be laughably bad. When the Steelers had their legendary 1974 draft that netted four future Hall of Fame players, it was panned by Phil Musick, writing in The Pittsburgh Press.
He liked No. 1 choice Lynn Swann just fine, but didn't think the Steelers had really helped themselves with their other choices.
He wrote of the second round choice, "Jack Lambert figures to be the No. 5 linebacker, if he pans out."
He referred to the rest of the picks as "question marks." That included John Stallworth (fourth round) and Mike Webster, who was chosen a round later.
Musick dismissed Webster as "excess baggage" and said he was drafted, "primarily to snap the ball at training camp."
OK, Musick was a wordsmith, not a scout. More to the point are comments made by people actually doing the drafting.
In a rare lucid moment last week for 93.7 The Fan, afternoon host Joe Starkey dug out some tape from 2013 draft day. General manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin were raving about first-round choice Jarvis Jones and how well he'd fit into the Steelers' defense because he'd played some of the same schemes at Ohio State.
In three NFL seasons, Jones has produced five sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. He's not yet considered a bust (save that for Jamain Stephens, class of 1996), but he's clearly been a disappointment.
So what of Burns? At 21, he's responsible for two younger brothers, ages 16 and 12, and the 19-month old son he had with his fiance. Burns' mother died last October, and his father is serving a long prison sentence for cocaine trafficking.
That's a lot of responsibility to combine with starting a career in the insanely competitive NFL.
"Incomplete" is the only relevant draft grade at this point.
---
--NO JUSTICE
Was anyone surprised that Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals didn't get more than a token $2,400 fine for his deliberate attempt to injure the Penguins' Conor Sheary in the first playoff game? Wilson's knee-to-knee hit could have ended Sheary's postseason and jeopardized his career.
Two things are certain: 1. Some players have no respect for their peers, never mind the post-series hand shakes and hugs, and, 2. Unless the players start strapping on gun belts, the NHL will show little concern about the gratuitous violence.
And don't think the Penguins are blameless on this front. Kris Letang deserved a penalty for viciously swinging his stick at the face of the Rangers' Viktor Stalberg in the first round.
---
--MOVING ON
Skip Bayless, whose irrational shouting has been part of ESPN for several years, will be moving to Fox Sports shortly.
His new contract is said to be in excess of $4 million per year, which is a lot more than Bayless ever earned in his previous life as a reasonable newspaper columnist.
It pays to be loud.
Incomplete.
Anything else is pure guesswork, and that includes the team. They're making a more educated guess than anyone else because they've done more homework. But heavens to Huey Richardson, there are first-round busts just as certainly as there are undrafted surprises like James Harrison and Donnie Shell.
The Steelers' selection of Miami cornerback Artie Burns has been widely panned. Pro Football Focus graded the choice a "D," believing the Steelers reached too far and used their first pick on a second-round talent.
We'll find out, but we won't until Burns puts on pads, gets on the field and actually competes against NFL talent.
It will take time, and nobody likes that. We're geared for instant answers, so that's why so many grades are floating around.
Instant analysis can be laughably bad. When the Steelers had their legendary 1974 draft that netted four future Hall of Fame players, it was panned by Phil Musick, writing in The Pittsburgh Press.
He liked No. 1 choice Lynn Swann just fine, but didn't think the Steelers had really helped themselves with their other choices.
He wrote of the second round choice, "Jack Lambert figures to be the No. 5 linebacker, if he pans out."
He referred to the rest of the picks as "question marks." That included John Stallworth (fourth round) and Mike Webster, who was chosen a round later.
Musick dismissed Webster as "excess baggage" and said he was drafted, "primarily to snap the ball at training camp."
OK, Musick was a wordsmith, not a scout. More to the point are comments made by people actually doing the drafting.
In a rare lucid moment last week for 93.7 The Fan, afternoon host Joe Starkey dug out some tape from 2013 draft day. General manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin were raving about first-round choice Jarvis Jones and how well he'd fit into the Steelers' defense because he'd played some of the same schemes at Ohio State.
In three NFL seasons, Jones has produced five sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. He's not yet considered a bust (save that for Jamain Stephens, class of 1996), but he's clearly been a disappointment.
So what of Burns? At 21, he's responsible for two younger brothers, ages 16 and 12, and the 19-month old son he had with his fiance. Burns' mother died last October, and his father is serving a long prison sentence for cocaine trafficking.
That's a lot of responsibility to combine with starting a career in the insanely competitive NFL.
"Incomplete" is the only relevant draft grade at this point.
---
--NO JUSTICE
Was anyone surprised that Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals didn't get more than a token $2,400 fine for his deliberate attempt to injure the Penguins' Conor Sheary in the first playoff game? Wilson's knee-to-knee hit could have ended Sheary's postseason and jeopardized his career.
Two things are certain: 1. Some players have no respect for their peers, never mind the post-series hand shakes and hugs, and, 2. Unless the players start strapping on gun belts, the NHL will show little concern about the gratuitous violence.
And don't think the Penguins are blameless on this front. Kris Letang deserved a penalty for viciously swinging his stick at the face of the Rangers' Viktor Stalberg in the first round.
---
--MOVING ON
Skip Bayless, whose irrational shouting has been part of ESPN for several years, will be moving to Fox Sports shortly.
His new contract is said to be in excess of $4 million per year, which is a lot more than Bayless ever earned in his previous life as a reasonable newspaper columnist.
It pays to be loud.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Altoona Mirror, April 24, 2016
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.
--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 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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