Super Mario Golf and the Stephen Strasburg Phenomenon

Mario Lemieux continued his domination of all things sports this past weekend by nailing a hole-in-one at Oakmont Country Club. The guys from The Pensblog will probably make some “66 Buries It” joke that will be funnier than anything I’d come up with.



The big news around Pittsburgh sports tonight truly has very little to do with Pittsburgh sports, and that is the MLB debut of Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg against the Pirates. Strasburg is the most hyped pitching prospect of the last decade (maybe longer), and recently made news by having a rookie card of his sell for over $16,000.

There is an inherent danger in this amount of hype for a youngster: he may believe it. If Strasburg has a level head, which most around him say he does, he’ll simply think of himself as another guy trying to make it in the major leagues. All Strasburg would need to do to gain perspective is to call guys like Ben McDonald and Todd Van Poppel. Guys who were “can’t miss prospects” who, well, missed. It’s no accident that they’re letting him debut against the Pirates, who don’t exactly have the most intimidating lineup.

Tonight will be a very interesting game, and will garner the most viewers of any Pirate game this year. Let’s hope the Buccos can rattle him early and often.



In universal sports news, the World Cup begins on Friday in South Africa, amid much fanfare. I don’t fashion myself as any kind of soccer aficionado, but I do watch the World Cup matches. It’s undoubtedly the biggest sporting event in the world, and its intensity is infectious. It’ll be a lot of fun, and certain to have matches that are just full of drama. Gotta love it.

Go USA.

The Blog Easy: Notes from a Triumphant Return

An opening homage to the wonderful city of New Orleans: great people, great city, great fun.

In fact, so much fun that it can actually keep me from watching sports (kind of).

A bit of catch up news:

The Penguins re-signed young forward Nick Johnson, who was impressive in his short time up with the big club this year.

The Blackhawks took a 3-2 lead last night in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals last night, beating the Flyers 7-4. I’ve decided that if the Blackhawks win, they should give the Conn Smythe to Patrick Sharp. With all due respect to Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the best player on the ice for the Hawks night in and night out has been Sharp. He may end up being a cap casualty after the season, and it would be a damn shame. Seems to be a good character guy and someone who is very deserving of his success.



Hossa Watch (through game 5): 1 Goal, 3 Assists.

The Pirates drafted high school pitcher Jameson Taillon with the 2nd overall pick in the MLB Draft tonight. Kid is a giant. 18 years old, 6’6”, 220 pounds, 98 MPH fastball, and now a doomed career since he was drafted by the Buccos.

Did they even win a game while I was gone?

Ben Roethlisberger came out and talked to the media for the first time after rejoining the squad. He answered a couple questions and moved on. It was really no big deal either way. I’ll hold my judgment for when he does an interview with the ladies from “The View”.



I know it’s now water under the bridge, but I feel obligated to address the Armando Galarraga/Jim Joyce perfect game scandal. Joyce has sincerely apologized to Galarraga and admitted that he made the wrong call. Many nasty things were said in the game’s aftermath about Joyce, in the media and by schmucks on the internet like me. Joyce seemed genuinely devastated by his mistake, and the guy deserves a break.

Honestly, what Joyce has done has elevated that moment to another level. In ten years, not too many people will remember the perfect games hurled by Dallas Braden and Roy Halladay, but all baseball fans will remember Joyce’s blown call. Inadvertently, Jim Joyce has immortalized the game that Galarraga threw.

It was, simply put, imperfect perfection.

More stuff tomorrow.

Edit: Shame on me for not mentioning the passing of former UCLA coach and basketball legend John Wooden. One of the most humble men the game has ever known passed away this weekend at age 99. He'll be sorely missed.

Gala-Robbery

It was history.

When Armando Galarraga stepped on first with the final out in his glove, it marked a tremendous personal comeback for a man who three weeks ago was pitching in the minors.

And then umpire James Joyce stepped in.

In what would likely be a top two or three "awful call of the year" regardless of the situation, Joyce called Cleveland Indian batter Jason Donald safe at first, although it was perfectly clear that Galarraga had beaten Donald to the bag by at WORST a half-step.

Galarraga's accomplishment would have been the third perfect game of the MLB season, a feat that has never been done. Now, it becomes a tragedy. A struggling pitcher who pitched the game of his life, and still couldn't catch a break. With one emphatic gesture, Jim Joyce put all celebrations aside, leaving Tiger Stadium in a state of incredulity. Even Jason Donald put his hands on his head in shock.

It is an utterly shameful night in baseball. An ignominious shadow has been cast over what should have been a beautiful moment. Even if Major League Baseball would overturn the umpires ruling (unlikely), it would still never be the same.

Galarraga deserved his moment. Jim Joyce made it his own.

Steelers OTA Fight, Penguins offer Student Flush!

As if the Steelers needed any more bad publicity, a fight broke out between rookie receiver Antonio Brown and second-year corner Keenan Lewis at OTA’s yesterday. Apparently these two brainiacs exchanged punches while wearing their helmets. Definitely not the smartest idea I’ve ever heard. This stuff really shouldn’t be blown out of proportion though, it’s a very common thing. This time in the summer, it’s hot, tempers flare, things happen. I would bet that more teams have fights during OTA’s and training camp than don’t. Regardless, it brings the Steelers back into the spotlight, if only momentarily.

Much was made about Ben Roethlisberger’s return to the Steelers, but as was expected, it was a quiet one. Neither Ben nor Coach Tomlin talked with the media afterwards, and it is proving difficult to gauge when Ben will let himself be open to questions.

In much more awesome news, the Penguins will be hosting the “Student flush”, which is a play off of the popular Student rush program. 250 lucky fans will be invited to come down to Consol Energy Center next Tuesday and join in the ceremonial first flush of all of the toilets in order to ensure that they are working properly.

Here is my guarantee. If I am one of the people lucky enough to be chosen to participate, I will make, ahem, very good use of my flush. I think you can “de-deuce” what I mean.



I want to use this picture in every blog entry.



In Pirates news, the Cubs continue to be the only team the Pirates can beat. The Buccos had a 3-2 comeback win yesterday, thanks in part to Neil Walker’s game-winning 2 run home run in the bottom of the 8th. The blast was Neil’s first career homer. Jeff Karstens pitched a very solid game, never letting it get out of hand after the Cubs went up 2-0 on a rocket off the bat of former Bucco Xavier Nady. Garrett Jones also homered for his second consecutive night.

The Pirates look to sweep the Cubbies tonight at 7:05.

Also at 7, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Flyers and the Blackhawks. The series shifts to Philadelphia, after Chicago took both games at home. The Blackhawks look to get Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane back on track, as both have been held point-less thus far.

If you don’t watch sports tonight, this will happen to you.



PS- I will be in New Orleans until Monday. You may just have to suffice for a few days without updates. Go check out Pensblog, Penguin Poop, Mondesi's House and other great reads. I may update while I'm down there, especially if the Stanley Cup Final begins to tighten. I'll be sure to send a postcard.

Your Daily Sports Breakfast Buffet: the Return of Pig Ben, Benedict Hossa

For the first time since Goodell’s suspension, Ben Roethlisberger will rejoin his teammates at the South Side complex for OTA’s today. What will be interesting is whether or not Ben will talk to the media. He has been very silent since Goodell’s suspension, even asking Coach Tomlin to take over his football camp for children. Clearly, Ben has been very careful to stay out of the public eye, lying as low as humanly possible. Perhaps he has finally been humbled, perhaps he’s just trying to save his ass. Only Ben knows that at this point. This story has still got a long way to go.

Most Pens fans rejoiced as Chicago took a 2-0 series lead over Philadelphia, beating the Flyers 2-1. Given the ridiculous action of Game One, the puck must have looked like a deep-dish pizza to goalies Antti Niemi and Michael Leighton in Game 2. Last night was a “hockey purist” game, with few mistakes, good physical play and some solid goaltending. The scary part about all of this for the Flyers? They’re down 2-0 with nary a peep from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. If those two get hot, this series could be over very quickly.


Hossa Watch: 1 Goal, 0 Assists- still a tool.



The Pirates awoke from their week-long slumber to come back and beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1. Before Sunday’s game, GM Neal Huntington attempted to quell the rumors that a youthful infusion was on the way this month. He was quoted as saying pitcher Brad Lincoln was still “a ways away” from being called up. He also stated that Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez had work remaining in Indianapolis. However, for unknown reasons, Jose Tabata was not in the lineup for Indianapolis yesterday. Maybe he’s on a plane to Pittsburgh? We’ll find out soon enough.

The Pirates will play the Cubs at 7:05 tonight at PNC Park. Tonight marks the return of Jeff Karstens to the rotation. Does anyone know why on God’s green Earth Ryan Doumit continues to hit 6th? Here, John Russell, if you’re reading this, this should be your lineup tonight:

1. Andrew McCutchen
2. Neil Walker
3. Ryan Doumit
4. Garrett Jones
5. Delwyn Young (screw Ryan Church)
6. Andy LaRoche
7. Jeff Clement
8. Ronny Cedeno
9. Jeff Karstens

See? It’s easy!



Why are the hockey and football seasons so far away?