I went to bed Sunday night knowing that the Pitt Panthers didn't receive an invite to the NCAA tournament. I woke up yesterday morning assuming the Panthers were invited to the NIT tournament. If the NCAA tournament is the equivalent to a BCS game in college football, the NIT (National Invitation Tournament) is probably like the Gator or Sun Bowl--it's not a horrible way to end your season, especially if you win.
Well, if the NCAA tournament is like a BCS game, and the NIT is like the Gator Bowl, what is the CBI equal to?
I need to ask this now because the Panthers were actually denied a spot in the NIT (commonly referred to as the "Not Important Tournament" by discriminating fans whose teams actually get into the NCAA tournament), and instead, had to settle for an invite to the CBI tournament.
The CBI, or College Basketball Invitational, has been around for five years and is a 16-team tournament.
Pitt will play Wofford Wednesday night at the Peterson event center, and if they win, they'll get another home-game in the second round.
I guess, after 10-straight years of making the NCAA tournament, Pitt (17-16) still hasn't built-up enough cache to warrant an invite to the NIT.
Since the Panthers couldn't get into the 68-team NCAA field, or the consolation invitation to the 32-team NIT field, if they win the 16-team CBI tournament, will fans of opposing teams mock the Panthers next season by chanting "Number 101!"?
Oh, I get it. The CBI is like the BBVA Compass Bowl. As a fan of Pitt football, I can't believe I needed to write this whole blog just to figure out that comparison.
Gotcha!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Mario Lemieux is OK with how his statue looks. Penguins fans should be OK with it, too
Penguins legend Mario Lemieux was honored on Wednesday for his many contributions to the team--including rescuing it from obscurity as a player and bankruptcy as an owner--with a statue that was unveiled in front of the new Consol Energy Center.
It was a great tribute to one of the greatest athletes Pittsburgh has ever seen and one of the greatest hockey players of all-time.
I've never been much of a hockey guy, but I've always admired Mario for what he's done for the Penguins, and maybe more importantly, what he's done for the City of Pittsburgh. Heck, you might say Mario is to the Penguins what Babe Ruth was to the Yankees; Lemieux put the Penguins on the map and is basically the godfather of hockey in Pittsburgh.
Having said all that, however, I'm starting to get annoyed by all the radio heads and fans complaining about the statue that the Penguins finally settled on.
In-case you haven't seen the statue, it's of Mario deking out a couple of New York Islanders in a game in 1988.
A lot of critics think that the statue should have been of Mario standing by himself while hoisting the Stanley Cup or saluting the crowd after an awesome goal.
That sentiment has merit, but I like that the Penguins did something a little more abstract.
Lemieux was arguably the most physically gifted hockey player to ever wear skates, and he made a lot of guys look silly during his phenomenal career. What better way to honor him than to show him in motion?
And if you're really concerned about it, you should know that Mario is probably OK with it; that's good enough for me.
Maybe it's not the most perfect statue in the world--maybe the Penguins and the person who sculpted it could have made a more traditional choice--but one of the things I've always admired about Lemiuex is how grounded he is and how he keeps everything in perspective.
If the worst thing a person has to worry about is a statue that may not be as flattering at it could be, that person is living a pretty blessed life.
If Mario Lemiuex is fine with the statue that the Penguins dedicated to him, I'm fine with it, too.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Manny Sanguillen's game-winning single in Game 2 of the '79 World Series: A Vastly underrated moment in Pirates history
It's a moment frozen in time. Maybe the last real iconic moment in recent Pirates history. It was Game 7 of the 1979 World Series, and the Pirates found themselves trailing, 1-0, with two outs in the top of the 6th inning. Bill Robinson was on first base after a single. Willie Stargell, the heart and soul of the '79 Pirates, stood in the batters box, winding his bat in his familiar clock-wise manner. Orioles starter Scott Mcgregor unloaded a pitch, and much like he often did during his MVP '79 season, "Pops" brought his team from behind as he deposited the pitch over the right field wall and into the Pirates bullpen to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead that they would never relinquish. The Pirates went on to win, 4-1, and capture their fifth World Series title.
It was a tremendous victory for the Pirates, one that has been celebrated time and time again. But there may not have been a Game 7 if not for the heroics of Manny Sanguillen in Game 2.
After dropping the first game, 5-4, the Pirates found themselves in a 2-2 tie with the Orioles in the top of the 9th inning.
There were two-outs and Ed Ott was on 2nd base and Phil Garner on first. Sanguillen, in the twilight of his career and appearing in only 56 games in '79, pitch-hit for Bill Robinson and came through with a two-out single to right-field that barely scored Ott for the eventual game-winning run.
Sanguillen got a hero's welcome before game 3 in Pittsburgh, but his efforts were quickly forgotten as the Orioles took the next two games to go up 3-1 in the Series.
The only bright spot for the team through the first four games was Manny's clutch hit in Game 2. Otherwise, it would have been a clean-sweep for Baltimore.
Fortunately, the Pirates responded like few teams have in World Series play and staged an historic comeback. Once momentum shifted in Pittsburgh's favor, there was no turning back.
However, much like Hal Smith's three-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series that eventually paved the way for Maz's historic shot, the amazing performances by Omar Moreno, Tim Foli, John Candelaria, Jim Rooker, Phil Garner and Willie Stargell would never have been possible without the clutch hit from Manny in Game 2 that kept the team afloat through the rough first four games of the series.
Sanguillen accomplished a lot during his career--he made several All Star appearances and was the starting catcher of the '71 World Series team--but what he did in '79 as a little used utility player may have been his most significant contribution to Pirates history.
Sanguillen frequents a bar near my house. One of these days, I'm going to go up to him and shake his hand. He was just as responsible for that World Series title as any other member of "The Family."
However, if I never get the chance to shake his hand, maybe he'll read this blog and know how much I appreciate what he did.
Thanks, Manny!
It was a tremendous victory for the Pirates, one that has been celebrated time and time again. But there may not have been a Game 7 if not for the heroics of Manny Sanguillen in Game 2.
After dropping the first game, 5-4, the Pirates found themselves in a 2-2 tie with the Orioles in the top of the 9th inning.
There were two-outs and Ed Ott was on 2nd base and Phil Garner on first. Sanguillen, in the twilight of his career and appearing in only 56 games in '79, pitch-hit for Bill Robinson and came through with a two-out single to right-field that barely scored Ott for the eventual game-winning run.
Sanguillen got a hero's welcome before game 3 in Pittsburgh, but his efforts were quickly forgotten as the Orioles took the next two games to go up 3-1 in the Series.
The only bright spot for the team through the first four games was Manny's clutch hit in Game 2. Otherwise, it would have been a clean-sweep for Baltimore.
Fortunately, the Pirates responded like few teams have in World Series play and staged an historic comeback. Once momentum shifted in Pittsburgh's favor, there was no turning back.
However, much like Hal Smith's three-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series that eventually paved the way for Maz's historic shot, the amazing performances by Omar Moreno, Tim Foli, John Candelaria, Jim Rooker, Phil Garner and Willie Stargell would never have been possible without the clutch hit from Manny in Game 2 that kept the team afloat through the rough first four games of the series.
Sanguillen accomplished a lot during his career--he made several All Star appearances and was the starting catcher of the '71 World Series team--but what he did in '79 as a little used utility player may have been his most significant contribution to Pirates history.
Sanguillen frequents a bar near my house. One of these days, I'm going to go up to him and shake his hand. He was just as responsible for that World Series title as any other member of "The Family."
However, if I never get the chance to shake his hand, maybe he'll read this blog and know how much I appreciate what he did.
Thanks, Manny!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
One Down, Four to Go: Pitt Defeats St. John's, 73-59, in First Round of Big East Tournament
Every long journey starts with the first step, and Pitt took what they hope will be the first of five huge steps to the NCAA tournament after knocking off St. John's, 73-59, in the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.
In recent years, the Panthers have responded in the conference tournament when their backs were against the wall, and they needed a good showing to either make the NCAAs or enhance their seed.
Obviously, this year, the Panthers are going to need to win the whole thing in order to earn an unexpected berth in the field of 68.
The last time the Panthers were in this position, 2001, they responded by winning three games in three nights and made it all the way to the Big East championship game before losing to Boston College.
Can Pitt go one step further this year? It's doubtful, but they can't worry about that right now. The only thing they can concentrate on is Georgetown tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. That would be step number two.
In recent years, the Panthers have responded in the conference tournament when their backs were against the wall, and they needed a good showing to either make the NCAAs or enhance their seed.
Obviously, this year, the Panthers are going to need to win the whole thing in order to earn an unexpected berth in the field of 68.
The last time the Panthers were in this position, 2001, they responded by winning three games in three nights and made it all the way to the Big East championship game before losing to Boston College.
Can Pitt go one step further this year? It's doubtful, but they can't worry about that right now. The only thing they can concentrate on is Georgetown tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. That would be step number two.
It's official: The Pirates sign Andrew McCutchen
The Pirates and centerfielder Andrew McCutchen agreed on a six year/$51.5 million contract and officially announced the signing today in their spring training home in Bradenton, Florida.
There was a lot of angst among Pirates fans in recents weeks and months after it appeared that the Pirates and McCutchen were too far apart to get a deal done.
Speaking of angst, some Pirates fans are still a bit skeptical of the deal and are comparing it to the Nate Mclouth signing and then subsequent trade to the Atlanta Braves in 2009.
There are people out there who completely distrust the Pirates front office, and they are just waiting for the team to now trade the newly-minted McCutchen for a bag of balls and some prospects.
If they were going to do that, wouldn't they have done it already, before going through the trouble of negotiating?
In my opinion, it's not even close to being anything like the Mclouth deal. Mclouth had his career year in 2008, when he made the All-star team, and give Pirates general manager Neal Huntington credit for recognizing that. Was it his master plan to sign Mclouth and then deal him away? I don't know, but when an offer was presented to him for three above average prospects, he had no choice but to act on it.
When the new front office took over in 2008, the Pirates had NOTHING in their farm system. In fact, an anonymous baseball executive was quoted as saying that the Pirates had, maybe, a half a dozen players in their entire system who could possibly play in the majors someday.
One of those players was obviously McCutchen, and that probably made it a little easier for Huntington to unload Mclouth.
And, for all of the skeptics out there, the Pirates got the better end of that deal. Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke and Gorkys Hernandez all still figure in the Pirates future in some capacity, and Mclouth barely did anything with the Braves. Heck, for all of you fans who are still bitter about losing Nate the Great, he re-signed with the Pirates this past winter. If you ask me, it's the best of both worlds.
No, I think a better comparison for the McCutchen signing would be the signings of Brian Giles and Jason Kendall back in 2000. Both players were considered cornerstones to the future of the team, and ownership wanted to show the fans that they were serious about having a successful future.
It didn't work out, but McCutchen seems to be a much more talented player than Giles and Kendall were, and the Pirates appear to be in a little better shape both financially and in terms of their minor league system than they were back in the late 90's.
Besides, I think McCutchen has only scratched the surface of the type of player he can become.
By the middle of this contract, McCutchen is going to seem like a bargain.
I think it's a good day for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
There was a lot of angst among Pirates fans in recents weeks and months after it appeared that the Pirates and McCutchen were too far apart to get a deal done.
Speaking of angst, some Pirates fans are still a bit skeptical of the deal and are comparing it to the Nate Mclouth signing and then subsequent trade to the Atlanta Braves in 2009.
There are people out there who completely distrust the Pirates front office, and they are just waiting for the team to now trade the newly-minted McCutchen for a bag of balls and some prospects.
If they were going to do that, wouldn't they have done it already, before going through the trouble of negotiating?
In my opinion, it's not even close to being anything like the Mclouth deal. Mclouth had his career year in 2008, when he made the All-star team, and give Pirates general manager Neal Huntington credit for recognizing that. Was it his master plan to sign Mclouth and then deal him away? I don't know, but when an offer was presented to him for three above average prospects, he had no choice but to act on it.
When the new front office took over in 2008, the Pirates had NOTHING in their farm system. In fact, an anonymous baseball executive was quoted as saying that the Pirates had, maybe, a half a dozen players in their entire system who could possibly play in the majors someday.
One of those players was obviously McCutchen, and that probably made it a little easier for Huntington to unload Mclouth.
And, for all of the skeptics out there, the Pirates got the better end of that deal. Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke and Gorkys Hernandez all still figure in the Pirates future in some capacity, and Mclouth barely did anything with the Braves. Heck, for all of you fans who are still bitter about losing Nate the Great, he re-signed with the Pirates this past winter. If you ask me, it's the best of both worlds.
No, I think a better comparison for the McCutchen signing would be the signings of Brian Giles and Jason Kendall back in 2000. Both players were considered cornerstones to the future of the team, and ownership wanted to show the fans that they were serious about having a successful future.
It didn't work out, but McCutchen seems to be a much more talented player than Giles and Kendall were, and the Pirates appear to be in a little better shape both financially and in terms of their minor league system than they were back in the late 90's.
Besides, I think McCutchen has only scratched the surface of the type of player he can become.
By the middle of this contract, McCutchen is going to seem like a bargain.
I think it's a good day for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Link to a story about the new NFL bounty scandal
This story on the new NFL bounty scandal involving the Saints pretty much says it all. And I get the feeling much, much more will be coming out about this stuff.
For the past couple of years, the NFL has been trying to do a better job of protecting its players from head-shots that result in concussions, and this might undo all that they've been trying to work towards.
As this story points out, this might be a league-wide problem that involves more than just the saints, and teams that Gregg Williams coached on.
This might be the 2012 version of Spygate.
For the past couple of years, the NFL has been trying to do a better job of protecting its players from head-shots that result in concussions, and this might undo all that they've been trying to work towards.
As this story points out, this might be a league-wide problem that involves more than just the saints, and teams that Gregg Williams coached on.
This might be the 2012 version of Spygate.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
America's Game: The Super Steelers edition
I was out today and decided to pick up the America's Game Steelers collection. It's a five-disc set covering the Steelers first five Super Bowl championships.
I'm not going to do a review of this right now, but I will say that I've only watched one episode so far, and it was tremendous. I've read some reviews of this on Amazon, and there were complaints about it being a re-hash of stuff that most long-time Steelers fans have known about for years. Well, I've been following the Steelers since 1980, and there were things discussed in interviews with Franco Harris, Andy Russell and Joe Greene that I never heard before. There was also tremendous footage that I hadn't seen.
There's even some awesome network post-game footage of the locker room Lombardi presentation that, for someone my age, was completely new.
One Amazon reviewer did bring up a good point. Why is it so hard to find old network broadcasts of games in their entirety other than the Super Bowls? I'd love to get my hands on a copy of the Steelers 1974 AFC Championship victory over the Raiders, but other than a few snippets on Youtube, I doubt I'll ever see that game or have a chance to buy it on DVD.
Just a minor complaint.
Anyway, I hate to sound like just another Amazon reviewer, but this collection is a must have for all Steelers fans, and you owe it to yourself to go out and buy it now. You won't be sorry!
And, you probably should order it on Amazon or another online broker. It'll probably be way cheaper than what I paid for it at Parkway Center Mall.
I'm not going to do a review of this right now, but I will say that I've only watched one episode so far, and it was tremendous. I've read some reviews of this on Amazon, and there were complaints about it being a re-hash of stuff that most long-time Steelers fans have known about for years. Well, I've been following the Steelers since 1980, and there were things discussed in interviews with Franco Harris, Andy Russell and Joe Greene that I never heard before. There was also tremendous footage that I hadn't seen.
There's even some awesome network post-game footage of the locker room Lombardi presentation that, for someone my age, was completely new.
One Amazon reviewer did bring up a good point. Why is it so hard to find old network broadcasts of games in their entirety other than the Super Bowls? I'd love to get my hands on a copy of the Steelers 1974 AFC Championship victory over the Raiders, but other than a few snippets on Youtube, I doubt I'll ever see that game or have a chance to buy it on DVD.
Just a minor complaint.
Anyway, I hate to sound like just another Amazon reviewer, but this collection is a must have for all Steelers fans, and you owe it to yourself to go out and buy it now. You won't be sorry!
And, you probably should order it on Amazon or another online broker. It'll probably be way cheaper than what I paid for it at Parkway Center Mall.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)