Major League Baseball sent a mixed message to its middle infielders last week.
They adjusted sliding rules in an effort to minimize the kind of devastating injury that ended the 2015 season of the Pirates' Jung Ho Kang.
At the same time, they decided the long-standing "neighborhood" play at second base would now be reviewable. That means it's subject to the kind of nit-picking frame-by-frame replay that now occurs when a player pops up from his slide and loses contact with the base for a split second while the fielder is still applying a tag.
(Quick parenthetical aside: Those who say baseball never changes haven't been paying attention. They're making changes so quickly it seems like the rule book is now contained in a loose leaf binder).
Base runners are now not permitted to go after fielders in order to break up a double play. That's all well and good, but the biggest mistake on Kang's play was made by Kang. A fielder can't plant himself in the base path without being prepared for an unfavorable outcome.
Most pivot men on the double play either skip to the side or go airborne to avoid the inevitable collision. Those escapes have been the basis for thousands of AP "action" photos over the decades.
Kang stood there, his leg firmly in the way. That's why one of this spring's storylines is speculating on when Kang might return to the lineup.
The "neighborhood" play has been around forever and mostly guided by common sense. If a fielder has the ball and is close enough to the base, he gets the out call.
Now that could go to the replay center/pizza party at the mysterious video review center.
Infielders will have to put a premium on making sure they have possession of the ball and contact with the base. Getting within an inch or two won't do any more.
This will undoubtedly disrupt the flow of the play. Smart fielders will slow down, take the sure out at second, then get out of the way of the onrushing base runner.
Fielders who aren't as smart will try to get that out at second, then complete the double play. It's not hard to imagine some nasty collisions in the seconds it takes for that to unfold.
So middle infielders could still be limping off the field with assistance from trainers. They just may be doing it for different reasons.
---
--STAY SEATED
Western Pennsylvania native and Arizona coach Sean Miller got in a little trouble for complaining about the trend of fans storming the court after their basketball team wins.
Miller probably went too far in suggesting that one of his players might punch the invaders, but his fundamental point was correct.
Fans have no business on the court or the field or ice or wherever the game is being played. Your grandmother was right when she said that someone is going to get hurt. The rush of bodies is a force that will swarm, and possibly injure someone seriously.
There's no reason why players, coaches and game officials should find themselves surrounded by fans. Assume that most of them are happy, but what about the guy who has a beef with a call that was made in the first half?
A ticket to the game corresponds to a seat in the stands. Stay there.
---
--WHITHER PEDRO?
At this typing, spring training camps are open and free agent Pedro Alvarez still hasn't signed anywhere.
He was never the hottest ticket on the market, but a guy with his power history should draw some interest from someone, even if it's only a non-roster tryout invitation.
Are there offers and Alvarez and his agent are turning them down? Or has he inspired this much apathy among major league teams?
If the latter is the case, his future might be in Japan.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Altoona Mirror, February 21, 2016
Heath Miller represented everything the Steelers think they stand for.
He was a hard-working player who always gave an honest effort and had no interest in glory beyond being part of a winning team. He represented the team well on and off the field.
No doubt the chants of "Heeeath" pleased him, but he never bothered to spend time in front of a mirror to work out a celebratory dance to accompany that soundtrack.
If there really is a "Steeler way," Miller's picture would be on the cover of the handbook.
The Steelers, like all NFL teams, are at the mercy of their players. Sometimes you wind up with a talented but immature quarterback who winds up in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Then you draft players who get pulled over and wind up being suspended for games because there was marijuana in the car.
On a lesser scale, there are the receivers who have to celebrate a six-yard completion by either spinning the ball on the turf or doing an exaggerated version of the referee's first down signal.
None of the above from Miller. He showed up for work, then he went home to his wife and kids. A big night out might have been Dairy Queen.
It was a winning formula, which is why he'll be missed now that he's announced his retirement as quietly as possible.
When Miller was in his prime, you could count on three things: 1. If he got his hands on the ball, he would catch it. 2. He wouldn't fumble. 3. It would take at least two defenders to tackle him.
Those qualities have all diminished in recent years, but that happens after 11 long seasons of high-impact football. Remember, Miller wasn't just a pass-catching tight end. He also served as an adjunct offensive lineman who blocked in some formations.
As he leaves football, you can only hope his fearless style didn't take too big a toll. He received some hellacious hits over those years, and there's heightened awareness now of the long-term danger that can cause.
When he comes back for reunions, you hope the best tight end in franchise history has good memories when he hears the inevitable cheers of "Heeeath."
---
--PARTY FIZZLES
The Dapper Dan banquet used to be a huge deal, one of the major stops on the winter circuit.
Its best years were at the Hilton Hotel, where sponsors would buy hospitality suites that made for a boozy buffet that ran all night. There were also reports of very friendly women who set up shop and offered companionship for a fee.
The Dapper Dan became more afterthought than major event for a while, but has rebounded in recent years. There are enough high rollers who will shell out for a night of corny speeches and re-warmed cafeteria food to make it a success.
Last week's edition wasn't much, though. The Sportsman of the Year, Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, didn't attend. Mike Tomlin accepted his award. Maybe winning for a second consecutive year was old hat for Brown, but he apparently had business elsewhere.
The Sportswoman of the Year, soccer star Meghan Klingenberg, was also absent. She was away training for the Olympics.
There were other award winners, notably Dick Groat and Pascal Dupuis, but it doesn't seem like much of a party when the guests of honor aren't there.
---
--FASHION STATEMENT
OK, the Pirates are going to flash back to the '70s and sport garish throwback uniforms for Sunday home games. The disco era ensemble will include a gold jersey, black pants and the black cap with horizontal stripes.
If they're going to all that effort to have the players re-create that era, shouldn't they order leisure suits for the announcers?
He was a hard-working player who always gave an honest effort and had no interest in glory beyond being part of a winning team. He represented the team well on and off the field.
No doubt the chants of "Heeeath" pleased him, but he never bothered to spend time in front of a mirror to work out a celebratory dance to accompany that soundtrack.
If there really is a "Steeler way," Miller's picture would be on the cover of the handbook.
The Steelers, like all NFL teams, are at the mercy of their players. Sometimes you wind up with a talented but immature quarterback who winds up in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Then you draft players who get pulled over and wind up being suspended for games because there was marijuana in the car.
On a lesser scale, there are the receivers who have to celebrate a six-yard completion by either spinning the ball on the turf or doing an exaggerated version of the referee's first down signal.
None of the above from Miller. He showed up for work, then he went home to his wife and kids. A big night out might have been Dairy Queen.
It was a winning formula, which is why he'll be missed now that he's announced his retirement as quietly as possible.
When Miller was in his prime, you could count on three things: 1. If he got his hands on the ball, he would catch it. 2. He wouldn't fumble. 3. It would take at least two defenders to tackle him.
Those qualities have all diminished in recent years, but that happens after 11 long seasons of high-impact football. Remember, Miller wasn't just a pass-catching tight end. He also served as an adjunct offensive lineman who blocked in some formations.
As he leaves football, you can only hope his fearless style didn't take too big a toll. He received some hellacious hits over those years, and there's heightened awareness now of the long-term danger that can cause.
When he comes back for reunions, you hope the best tight end in franchise history has good memories when he hears the inevitable cheers of "Heeeath."
---
--PARTY FIZZLES
The Dapper Dan banquet used to be a huge deal, one of the major stops on the winter circuit.
Its best years were at the Hilton Hotel, where sponsors would buy hospitality suites that made for a boozy buffet that ran all night. There were also reports of very friendly women who set up shop and offered companionship for a fee.
The Dapper Dan became more afterthought than major event for a while, but has rebounded in recent years. There are enough high rollers who will shell out for a night of corny speeches and re-warmed cafeteria food to make it a success.
Last week's edition wasn't much, though. The Sportsman of the Year, Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, didn't attend. Mike Tomlin accepted his award. Maybe winning for a second consecutive year was old hat for Brown, but he apparently had business elsewhere.
The Sportswoman of the Year, soccer star Meghan Klingenberg, was also absent. She was away training for the Olympics.
There were other award winners, notably Dick Groat and Pascal Dupuis, but it doesn't seem like much of a party when the guests of honor aren't there.
---
--FASHION STATEMENT
OK, the Pirates are going to flash back to the '70s and sport garish throwback uniforms for Sunday home games. The disco era ensemble will include a gold jersey, black pants and the black cap with horizontal stripes.
If they're going to all that effort to have the players re-create that era, shouldn't they order leisure suits for the announcers?
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Altoona Mirror, February 14, 2016
Roger Goodell makes about $40 million a year to run the NFL, so it's not like anyone is going to feel sorry for him.
But it can't be a comfortable feeling when the receptionist sends word that Vontaze Burfict is in the lobby.
Burfict of the Cincinnati Bengals was at NFL headquarters last week to appeal the three-game suspension he'd been handed for his violent spree in the playoff game against the Steelers last month.
Burfict was the guy who lined up Antonio Brown and drilled the Steelers' receiver in the helmet after he'd failed to catch a pass. That play also accounted for half of the 30 yards in penalties the Steelers were gifted by the Bengals, which allowed them to kick an easy game-winning field goal.
There's no word on how long the meeting took, but Burfict soon found out that his suspension had been upheld.
We're all left to wonder on what grounds he filed the appeal?
* "Pacman Jones said it was a smart play."
* "At least I didn't kick him when he was down, like they do in WWE."
* "Bugs Bunny blows up Wile E. Coyote all the time and nobody suspends him."
* "We gave them a damn playoff game. Isn't that enough?"
Burfict wasted his time and money traveling to New York. (Come to think of it, shouldn't a dangerous character like that be on someone's no-fly list?)
On further review, maybe Goodell should have amended his penalty.
For wasting everyone's time with an appeal of such blatant lawlessness, the commissioner should have added a few more games to Burfict's suspension.
---
--CHANGE OF VENUE?
The high schools are in a tizzy because some of the WPIAL championship games will not be played at Heinz Field.
This season the high schools will be reorganized into six classifications, up from four. The Steelers have made Heinz Field available for the four-game marathon, which typically takes up most of a Saturday in November.
There's no way to play six games in a single day, and there's no way the field could hold up under the grind of six games over two days.
The result is two of the games will be played somewhere else, and that might not be a bad thing.
Heinz Field (and Three Rivers Stadium) before it has been a carrot for the high school teams. Advance to the championship round and you can play on an NFL field. The kids get to spit on the same turf that the pros do.
That's undoubtedly a thrill for most players, whose football careers will end with high school. But is it really that great?
Over the course of the long day, the WPIAL sells about 15,000 tickets. People drift in and out depending on their rooting interest.
So even under optimum conditions, the stadium is three-fourths empty for all of the games. What kind of atmosphere is that?
Would it be so bad if the games were played at one of the upscale high school stadiums with the stands packed?
---
--A WONDERFUL LIFE
Lou Michaels died recently at 80. He played for the Steelers a long time ago, a burly defensive lineman who also doubled as the team's kicker.
There was a time when a kicker was expected to play another position to justify his roster spot.
This is interesting since the Steelers have re-signed long snapper Greg Warren to another one-year contract. In his 11 seasons, Warren has earned two Super Bowl rings and been paid nearly $8 million. Just for long snapping.
Specialization pays well these days.
But it can't be a comfortable feeling when the receptionist sends word that Vontaze Burfict is in the lobby.
Burfict of the Cincinnati Bengals was at NFL headquarters last week to appeal the three-game suspension he'd been handed for his violent spree in the playoff game against the Steelers last month.
Burfict was the guy who lined up Antonio Brown and drilled the Steelers' receiver in the helmet after he'd failed to catch a pass. That play also accounted for half of the 30 yards in penalties the Steelers were gifted by the Bengals, which allowed them to kick an easy game-winning field goal.
There's no word on how long the meeting took, but Burfict soon found out that his suspension had been upheld.
We're all left to wonder on what grounds he filed the appeal?
* "Pacman Jones said it was a smart play."
* "At least I didn't kick him when he was down, like they do in WWE."
* "Bugs Bunny blows up Wile E. Coyote all the time and nobody suspends him."
* "We gave them a damn playoff game. Isn't that enough?"
Burfict wasted his time and money traveling to New York. (Come to think of it, shouldn't a dangerous character like that be on someone's no-fly list?)
On further review, maybe Goodell should have amended his penalty.
For wasting everyone's time with an appeal of such blatant lawlessness, the commissioner should have added a few more games to Burfict's suspension.
---
--CHANGE OF VENUE?
The high schools are in a tizzy because some of the WPIAL championship games will not be played at Heinz Field.
This season the high schools will be reorganized into six classifications, up from four. The Steelers have made Heinz Field available for the four-game marathon, which typically takes up most of a Saturday in November.
There's no way to play six games in a single day, and there's no way the field could hold up under the grind of six games over two days.
The result is two of the games will be played somewhere else, and that might not be a bad thing.
Heinz Field (and Three Rivers Stadium) before it has been a carrot for the high school teams. Advance to the championship round and you can play on an NFL field. The kids get to spit on the same turf that the pros do.
That's undoubtedly a thrill for most players, whose football careers will end with high school. But is it really that great?
Over the course of the long day, the WPIAL sells about 15,000 tickets. People drift in and out depending on their rooting interest.
So even under optimum conditions, the stadium is three-fourths empty for all of the games. What kind of atmosphere is that?
Would it be so bad if the games were played at one of the upscale high school stadiums with the stands packed?
---
--A WONDERFUL LIFE
Lou Michaels died recently at 80. He played for the Steelers a long time ago, a burly defensive lineman who also doubled as the team's kicker.
There was a time when a kicker was expected to play another position to justify his roster spot.
This is interesting since the Steelers have re-signed long snapper Greg Warren to another one-year contract. In his 11 seasons, Warren has earned two Super Bowl rings and been paid nearly $8 million. Just for long snapping.
Specialization pays well these days.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Altoona Mirror, February 7, 2016
Antonio Brown emerged from his late-season concussion fog to do some interviews last week.
The Steelers receiver was on 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM) and left no doubt that he felt the vicious blow to his head by Cincinnati's Vontaze Burfict was deliberate.
Brown said Burfict "wanted to kill me," which is a pretty good indication of where the Bengals-Steelers relationship stands these days. The last couple of games between the teams have shown things have crossed a line, and it's up to the NFL to get it under control before next season's two meetings.
Football is a nasty, violent game, but it's not a street fight between gangs. Things haven't been this far off the rails since the Steelers and Oakland Raiders couldn't stand each other 40 years ago.
Does it have to be that way? (Cue the background music for another old guy reminiscence about the 1970s Steelers in the next paragraph).
Jack Lambert played as tough as anybody in his era. When the Steelers played Kansas City, Lambert and Chiefs center Jack Rudnay would meet post-game in a laundry area between the two locker rooms and unwind with civil conversation and cold beer. They competed fiercely, but they respected each other and conducted themselves as professionals. They parted with a handshake, not threats.
There's a different mindset now, undoubtedly fueled by the mindless violence that too often pops up in news headlines. Twitter makes it possible to promote hostility beyond the field.
The Carolina Panthers showed up for a game against the Giants brandishing a baseball bat on their sideline. That helped lead to ugliness during the game.
Weeks after a disabling injury, Brown says his opponent deliberately tried to maim him.
How far is too far? We're getting a pretty good idea.
Now it's up to the NFL to do something about it.
---
--EQUAL TIME
The NFL announced it would adopt a version of the "Rooney Rule" that will require teams to interview female candidates for administrative jobs.
The original Rooney Rule was designed to give racial minorities representation in the interview process. Sadly, it's proven fairly easy to circumvent.
There is no indication the Rooneys actually had any input on this latest version. It appears the name is just being borrowed.
It would be interesting -- and telling -- if the Steelers actually advocated for women job seekers.
There was a time a generation ago when almost any woman seeking a job in their organization was cast as a "secretary." There was one woman, armed with a college degree, who was assigned the duties of answering phones and typing. There didn't seem to be any thought she could contribute more.
It took a while for things to change, and it took some prodding.
---
--NEW VOICE
One thing about the Pirates' hiring of new play-by-play voice Joe Block?
Steve Blass' stories will all be new to him.
---
--SUPER PICK
A question first. If the commercials are all can't miss material and the halftime show is spectacular, when is America supposed to get its bathroom break?
Anyway, if you're offended by Cam Newton's touchdown celebrations, this could be a frustrating evening.
From here it looks like Carolina will win and cover the point spread. It could be a large margin.
A defense that aggressive and active against a quarterback as immobile and limited as Peyton Manning looks like an uncomfortable match for Denver.
Manning closing his career with a championship would be a storybook ending, but it seems highly unlikely.
The Steelers receiver was on 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM) and left no doubt that he felt the vicious blow to his head by Cincinnati's Vontaze Burfict was deliberate.
Brown said Burfict "wanted to kill me," which is a pretty good indication of where the Bengals-Steelers relationship stands these days. The last couple of games between the teams have shown things have crossed a line, and it's up to the NFL to get it under control before next season's two meetings.
Football is a nasty, violent game, but it's not a street fight between gangs. Things haven't been this far off the rails since the Steelers and Oakland Raiders couldn't stand each other 40 years ago.
Does it have to be that way? (Cue the background music for another old guy reminiscence about the 1970s Steelers in the next paragraph).
Jack Lambert played as tough as anybody in his era. When the Steelers played Kansas City, Lambert and Chiefs center Jack Rudnay would meet post-game in a laundry area between the two locker rooms and unwind with civil conversation and cold beer. They competed fiercely, but they respected each other and conducted themselves as professionals. They parted with a handshake, not threats.
There's a different mindset now, undoubtedly fueled by the mindless violence that too often pops up in news headlines. Twitter makes it possible to promote hostility beyond the field.
The Carolina Panthers showed up for a game against the Giants brandishing a baseball bat on their sideline. That helped lead to ugliness during the game.
Weeks after a disabling injury, Brown says his opponent deliberately tried to maim him.
How far is too far? We're getting a pretty good idea.
Now it's up to the NFL to do something about it.
---
--EQUAL TIME
The NFL announced it would adopt a version of the "Rooney Rule" that will require teams to interview female candidates for administrative jobs.
The original Rooney Rule was designed to give racial minorities representation in the interview process. Sadly, it's proven fairly easy to circumvent.
There is no indication the Rooneys actually had any input on this latest version. It appears the name is just being borrowed.
It would be interesting -- and telling -- if the Steelers actually advocated for women job seekers.
There was a time a generation ago when almost any woman seeking a job in their organization was cast as a "secretary." There was one woman, armed with a college degree, who was assigned the duties of answering phones and typing. There didn't seem to be any thought she could contribute more.
It took a while for things to change, and it took some prodding.
---
--NEW VOICE
One thing about the Pirates' hiring of new play-by-play voice Joe Block?
Steve Blass' stories will all be new to him.
---
--SUPER PICK
A question first. If the commercials are all can't miss material and the halftime show is spectacular, when is America supposed to get its bathroom break?
Anyway, if you're offended by Cam Newton's touchdown celebrations, this could be a frustrating evening.
From here it looks like Carolina will win and cover the point spread. It could be a large margin.
A defense that aggressive and active against a quarterback as immobile and limited as Peyton Manning looks like an uncomfortable match for Denver.
Manning closing his career with a championship would be a storybook ending, but it seems highly unlikely.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Altoona Mirror, January 31, 2016
The Steelers placed seven players and coach Chuck Noll on the NFL's Super Bowl 50 Golden Team, and that seems about right.
The timeframe was the 50 years of the Super Bowl era, and the voting was done by the Hall of Fame selectors.
Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert and Mel Blount were the defensive choices. Franco Harris, Lynn Swann and Mike Webster represented the offense.
That makes sense, too. There are players from the defensive line, linebackers and secondary, along with a running back, receiver and lineman. Just about every position group is represented, and that reflects the Steelers' dominance in the 1970s.
Although there are people in these parts who think that run of four championships in six seasons happened the day before yesterday, it was a long time ago. It's a much different game.
Defensive backs aren't allow to engage receivers five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. No pass rusher specializes in the head slap that made Deacon Jones so fearsome.
Most teams now pass first, then run as an afterthought. Quarterbacks don't have to call plays, they just have to listen to the radio signals from the sideline.
Noll had six assistants covering football matters in the first Super Bowl season, three for offense and three for defense. (There were also coaches for weight training and flexibility). Last season Mike Tomlin had 14 assistants.
Ben Roethlisberger is bigger than most of the linemen who blocked for Terry Bradshaw and Harris in 1974.
So gimmicks like this all-time exist mostly to create conversation and keep the focus on the NFL in the slow week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. From the league's point of view, this is a better topic than concussions or whatever pharmaceuticals the FedEx driver may have delivered to Peyton Manning's door.
And even though it's an impossible task, given the amount of time covered, the voters did a pretty good job.
---
--STAYING PUT
Seven NFL teams hired new head coaches, and Bill Cowher wasn't linked to any of the vacancies.
Maybe people will now believe it's unlikely Cowher will coach again.
When he left the Steelers nine years ago, there was a presumption that he was either chasing a bigger contract or just taking a year's sabbatical.
Instead, he's built a new life for himself. Cowher makes more than $1 million a year for his work at CBS. The high profile keeps him viable for commercials and other ancillary work.
He's remarried and now lives on Manhattan's Upper East Side with his wife, who is a musician and fashion designer.
Cowher turns 59 this year. He's a grandfather. Steelers spies report that he had grown weary of the long hours associated with coaching and was happy to delegate responsibility in his last years.
He has a solid income, a happy life and maybe this is the best thing: Since he handed in his resignation to the Steelers in January, 2007, he hasn't had to explain any losses.
---
--ON THE MARKET?
The Pirates could face an interesting free agent situation after this season.
Pitching coach Ray Searage's contract expires when the season ends. If Searage wants to shop around, he'll probably find multiple offers for his services. Everyone in baseball has noticed that a part of the Pirates' success over the last three years has come from getting more than expected out of retread pitchers who nobody else wanted.
Searage's partner in magic, Jim Benedict, left the organization last year for a job with the Miami Marlins.
Could there be greener grass somewhere for Searage, too?
The timeframe was the 50 years of the Super Bowl era, and the voting was done by the Hall of Fame selectors.
Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert and Mel Blount were the defensive choices. Franco Harris, Lynn Swann and Mike Webster represented the offense.
That makes sense, too. There are players from the defensive line, linebackers and secondary, along with a running back, receiver and lineman. Just about every position group is represented, and that reflects the Steelers' dominance in the 1970s.
Although there are people in these parts who think that run of four championships in six seasons happened the day before yesterday, it was a long time ago. It's a much different game.
Defensive backs aren't allow to engage receivers five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. No pass rusher specializes in the head slap that made Deacon Jones so fearsome.
Most teams now pass first, then run as an afterthought. Quarterbacks don't have to call plays, they just have to listen to the radio signals from the sideline.
Noll had six assistants covering football matters in the first Super Bowl season, three for offense and three for defense. (There were also coaches for weight training and flexibility). Last season Mike Tomlin had 14 assistants.
Ben Roethlisberger is bigger than most of the linemen who blocked for Terry Bradshaw and Harris in 1974.
So gimmicks like this all-time exist mostly to create conversation and keep the focus on the NFL in the slow week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. From the league's point of view, this is a better topic than concussions or whatever pharmaceuticals the FedEx driver may have delivered to Peyton Manning's door.
And even though it's an impossible task, given the amount of time covered, the voters did a pretty good job.
---
--STAYING PUT
Seven NFL teams hired new head coaches, and Bill Cowher wasn't linked to any of the vacancies.
Maybe people will now believe it's unlikely Cowher will coach again.
When he left the Steelers nine years ago, there was a presumption that he was either chasing a bigger contract or just taking a year's sabbatical.
Instead, he's built a new life for himself. Cowher makes more than $1 million a year for his work at CBS. The high profile keeps him viable for commercials and other ancillary work.
He's remarried and now lives on Manhattan's Upper East Side with his wife, who is a musician and fashion designer.
Cowher turns 59 this year. He's a grandfather. Steelers spies report that he had grown weary of the long hours associated with coaching and was happy to delegate responsibility in his last years.
He has a solid income, a happy life and maybe this is the best thing: Since he handed in his resignation to the Steelers in January, 2007, he hasn't had to explain any losses.
---
--ON THE MARKET?
The Pirates could face an interesting free agent situation after this season.
Pitching coach Ray Searage's contract expires when the season ends. If Searage wants to shop around, he'll probably find multiple offers for his services. Everyone in baseball has noticed that a part of the Pirates' success over the last three years has come from getting more than expected out of retread pitchers who nobody else wanted.
Searage's partner in magic, Jim Benedict, left the organization last year for a job with the Miami Marlins.
Could there be greener grass somewhere for Searage, too?
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Altoona Mirror, January 24, 2016
His legion of detractors won't want to hear it, but Mike Tomlin was spot on the other day when he projected a bright future for the Steelers.
Given the talent on hand and the place most key players are in their career arc, the Steelers should be poised for Super Bowl runs in the next few seasons.
The offense is good enough to win a championship. The defense still needs repairs, but it took some strides this season.
If the Steelers can fix their secondary, they can play deep into January a year from now.
Make an effort to keep William Gay, find corners who can cover in the draft and/or free agency (easier said than done, of course) and the Steelers are a 2016 contender.
Let's understand one thing: This all hinges on Ben Roethlisberger's availability. Teams don't win without a dynamic quarterback, as the Steelers should have learned in the long drought between Terry Bradshaw and Roethlisberger.
No position is as important, which is why the Steelers had no problem giving Roethlisberger a contract worth more than $100 million last offseason.
But just as Bradshaw's career ended abruptly by an elbow injury at age 35, every quarterback is vulnerable. "Next man up" is usually a frightening proposition at quarterback, as we saw last season with Michael Vick.
There's a lot of work to be done in the next several months, and much of it is intertwined. Can the Steelers convince some players to take cuts to stay (Heath Miller? Lawrence Timmons?) Will they let others go to clear cap space (Shaun Suisham? Ramon Foster?)
Can existing contracts be reworked to allow the signing of upgrade players? Who is available in the draft from the 25th spot?
Play it right this offseason, and the Steelers will set themselves up for the postseason.
---
--CHANGE COMING
Brace yourself, purists, but the designated hitter is coming to the National League. That's sooner rather than later, too.
MLB has eliminated nearly all the separation between the leagues over the last decade or so. League offices were closed, league presidents eliminated. Umpiring was placed under one central office.
The biggest development: Interleague play was adopted and has now become a constant proposition. It's awkward to play games under separate rules, especially when American League teams have to park a big-salaried slugger on the bench to play in a National League park.
The union wants the change. DHs make a lot more than the last guy in the bullpen. MLB wants it. Every rules change is designed to get more offense in the game. TV partners want it for the same reason. Offense sells.
Managing will become easier in the National League. Roster composition will change. It will be a different game.
But the change is inevitable, and online petitions aren't going to make a difference.
---
--GOOD TIMING
If Vontaze Burfict's three-game suspension holds up, want to bet the NFL schedules one of the Steelers-Bengals at the start of the season?
Why not avoid a headache if it's possible to do so?
---
--CONSTANT PRESENCE
If Charlie Batch gets just a dollar every time his health care commercials run on TV, he's making more than he ever did in the NFL.
He's become as ubiquitous as Neil Walker was on TV all summer.
Given the talent on hand and the place most key players are in their career arc, the Steelers should be poised for Super Bowl runs in the next few seasons.
The offense is good enough to win a championship. The defense still needs repairs, but it took some strides this season.
If the Steelers can fix their secondary, they can play deep into January a year from now.
Make an effort to keep William Gay, find corners who can cover in the draft and/or free agency (easier said than done, of course) and the Steelers are a 2016 contender.
Let's understand one thing: This all hinges on Ben Roethlisberger's availability. Teams don't win without a dynamic quarterback, as the Steelers should have learned in the long drought between Terry Bradshaw and Roethlisberger.
No position is as important, which is why the Steelers had no problem giving Roethlisberger a contract worth more than $100 million last offseason.
But just as Bradshaw's career ended abruptly by an elbow injury at age 35, every quarterback is vulnerable. "Next man up" is usually a frightening proposition at quarterback, as we saw last season with Michael Vick.
There's a lot of work to be done in the next several months, and much of it is intertwined. Can the Steelers convince some players to take cuts to stay (Heath Miller? Lawrence Timmons?) Will they let others go to clear cap space (Shaun Suisham? Ramon Foster?)
Can existing contracts be reworked to allow the signing of upgrade players? Who is available in the draft from the 25th spot?
Play it right this offseason, and the Steelers will set themselves up for the postseason.
---
--CHANGE COMING
Brace yourself, purists, but the designated hitter is coming to the National League. That's sooner rather than later, too.
MLB has eliminated nearly all the separation between the leagues over the last decade or so. League offices were closed, league presidents eliminated. Umpiring was placed under one central office.
The biggest development: Interleague play was adopted and has now become a constant proposition. It's awkward to play games under separate rules, especially when American League teams have to park a big-salaried slugger on the bench to play in a National League park.
The union wants the change. DHs make a lot more than the last guy in the bullpen. MLB wants it. Every rules change is designed to get more offense in the game. TV partners want it for the same reason. Offense sells.
Managing will become easier in the National League. Roster composition will change. It will be a different game.
But the change is inevitable, and online petitions aren't going to make a difference.
---
--GOOD TIMING
If Vontaze Burfict's three-game suspension holds up, want to bet the NFL schedules one of the Steelers-Bengals at the start of the season?
Why not avoid a headache if it's possible to do so?
---
--CONSTANT PRESENCE
If Charlie Batch gets just a dollar every time his health care commercials run on TV, he's making more than he ever did in the NFL.
He's become as ubiquitous as Neil Walker was on TV all summer.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Altoona Mirror, January 17, 2016
The Steelers have virtually no margin for error in this evening's playoff game at Denver, which means they can't self-inflict any damage.
Depending on whether quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can play, the offensive personnel may resemble a combination more likely to be seen in the preseason rather than the postseason.
There's no Antonio Brown, no DeAngelo Williams and their absences are added to those of Le'Veon Bell, Maurkice Pouncey and Kelvin Beachum. The Broncos are not reciprocating with a training camp roster, so the Steelers don't have the luxury of making mindless mistakes.
There were a couple of whoppers against Cincinnati last Saturday that may have gotten lost in the all's-well-that-ends-well finish the self-destructive Bengals provided.
Yes, Vontaze Burfict and Adam (He Isn't Called Pac Man Any More) Jones added to their infamy with penalties that gifted the Steelers an extra 30 yards in advance of a game-winning field goal.
But they were also familiar with how those things work, thanks to a couple of rock-headed plays against the Bengals.
Shamarko Thomas covered a punt too aggressively and was flagged for interfering with the player trying to make the catch. Thomas should know the rule since he was also found guilty in the regular season.
It's good to get there in a hurry, but not if you run into the receiver for a penalty so blatant even Mike Carey gets it right on the CBS broadcast. If Thomas can't stop in time, he has to veer left or right to avoid getting the flag.
He didn't, and it cost the Steelers 15 yards.
Things got worse later when William Gay was penalized 15 yards for a celebratory dance after he thought he'd scored a touchdown. Gay scooped up a loose ball and headed for the end zone without being touched.
That gave him the chance to mentally flip through his file of dances and have one ready to go once he hit the promised land. The officials signaled touchdown, Gay danced -- joined by teammate Bud Dupree -- and the flag flew.
But on further review, the touchdown was disallowed. And the 15 yards that would have been assessed on the kickoff instead was measured off on the change of possession.
So the Steelers were needlessly backed up 15 yards just because Gay and Dupree felt the need to succumb to their own version of Saturday night fever. That wasn't quite as dumb -- and certainly not as violent -- as what Burfict and Jones did, but it was just as ridiculous.
Mike Tomlin hasn't had a lot of success in revoking dance cards for his players. This would be a time to crack down.
It's the playoffs. No time to be dumb.
---
--LOCKED IN
The Pirates' Jeff Locke avoided salary arbitration by signing a one-year deal for $3,025,000 the other day.
He made $531,000 last year. So what did he do to merit a raise of $2,494,000? He was 8-11 last season with an earned run average 4.49 and a WHIP of 1.420. Although he won one more game (while making nine more starts), all of the stats cited were worse than those he posted in 2014.
He got the raise because he was arbitration eligible. So he gets significantly more money not because he was better, but rather because he showed up. It's the MLB version of a participation trophy, and it's even better. You can take this one to the bank.
Advice to parents: If your sons show any athletic ability, encourage them to play baseball. If they can make a living at it (admittedly a long shot), the benefits are incredible.
Depending on whether quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can play, the offensive personnel may resemble a combination more likely to be seen in the preseason rather than the postseason.
There's no Antonio Brown, no DeAngelo Williams and their absences are added to those of Le'Veon Bell, Maurkice Pouncey and Kelvin Beachum. The Broncos are not reciprocating with a training camp roster, so the Steelers don't have the luxury of making mindless mistakes.
There were a couple of whoppers against Cincinnati last Saturday that may have gotten lost in the all's-well-that-ends-well finish the self-destructive Bengals provided.
Yes, Vontaze Burfict and Adam (He Isn't Called Pac Man Any More) Jones added to their infamy with penalties that gifted the Steelers an extra 30 yards in advance of a game-winning field goal.
But they were also familiar with how those things work, thanks to a couple of rock-headed plays against the Bengals.
Shamarko Thomas covered a punt too aggressively and was flagged for interfering with the player trying to make the catch. Thomas should know the rule since he was also found guilty in the regular season.
It's good to get there in a hurry, but not if you run into the receiver for a penalty so blatant even Mike Carey gets it right on the CBS broadcast. If Thomas can't stop in time, he has to veer left or right to avoid getting the flag.
He didn't, and it cost the Steelers 15 yards.
Things got worse later when William Gay was penalized 15 yards for a celebratory dance after he thought he'd scored a touchdown. Gay scooped up a loose ball and headed for the end zone without being touched.
That gave him the chance to mentally flip through his file of dances and have one ready to go once he hit the promised land. The officials signaled touchdown, Gay danced -- joined by teammate Bud Dupree -- and the flag flew.
But on further review, the touchdown was disallowed. And the 15 yards that would have been assessed on the kickoff instead was measured off on the change of possession.
So the Steelers were needlessly backed up 15 yards just because Gay and Dupree felt the need to succumb to their own version of Saturday night fever. That wasn't quite as dumb -- and certainly not as violent -- as what Burfict and Jones did, but it was just as ridiculous.
Mike Tomlin hasn't had a lot of success in revoking dance cards for his players. This would be a time to crack down.
It's the playoffs. No time to be dumb.
---
--LOCKED IN
The Pirates' Jeff Locke avoided salary arbitration by signing a one-year deal for $3,025,000 the other day.
He made $531,000 last year. So what did he do to merit a raise of $2,494,000? He was 8-11 last season with an earned run average 4.49 and a WHIP of 1.420. Although he won one more game (while making nine more starts), all of the stats cited were worse than those he posted in 2014.
He got the raise because he was arbitration eligible. So he gets significantly more money not because he was better, but rather because he showed up. It's the MLB version of a participation trophy, and it's even better. You can take this one to the bank.
Advice to parents: If your sons show any athletic ability, encourage them to play baseball. If they can make a living at it (admittedly a long shot), the benefits are incredible.
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