|
Up Close With Craig Patrick and David Littlefield 
Craig Patrick and David Littlefield have found themselves in similar
situations recently. Both general managers are operating in a small
market and within leagues where they face challenging labor conditions.
Patrick and Littlefield sat down with PSR's Bob Grove, John Sacco
and Tony DeFazio at PNC Park recently to discuss the similar challenges
and demands each faces . . . more.....
Up Close With Kris Benson
Perhaps not since Barry Bonds headed for San Francisco after the
1992 season has a baseball player left Pittsburgh on such certain
and acrimonious terms as Kris Benson, whose seemingly limitless
potential was never realized while pitching with the organization
that drafted him first overall in 1996. Benson (and minor-leaguer
Jeff Keppinger) was traded to the New York Mets on July 30 for third
baseman Ty Wiggington, pitching prospect Matt Peterson and infielder
Jose Bautista. . . . more.....
The Fence Revisited I could
never tell all of this on the radio. You may remember some tales
I weaved on-air over the years about 'The Fence.' The essence is
that we needed something to contain the kids and keep the sanity
of those watching over them. The stories and meaning of The Fence
took on far-fetched lives of their own.
It's taken on a completely different
purpose.
The Warden had enough of watching Mr.
Publisher . . . more.....
Driving For Love And Money
Jeff Zillweger spends most of his time driving any one of the vehicles
in the small fleet he owns for his landscaping business in the North
Hills. Dump truck, pickup, tractor, grass mower, you name it, he
drives it. But that is how he makes his living. His passion is driving
another piece of equipment, usually just once a week, on Saturday
nights at Jennerstown Speedway. Like most men, he loves to drive
fast. Although he's doing it legally at the track . . .
more.....
Pittsburgh Steelers The
final practice at the Steelers' 38th training camp ended with a
bunch of defensive players taping rookie cornerback Ricardo Colclough
to the goal post and dousing him with ice water.
Fans are hoping the team treats opponents
the same way, and if the tenor of camp was indicative, fans will
get their wish.
The theme song in Latrobe should have
been, 'Let's Get Physical.' . . . more.....
LeBeau Returns To Rejuvenate Defense
No one has more stories about the old days than 67-year-old Steelers'
defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. He probably has at least one
for each of his 62 career interceptions.
He just won't repeat any of those stories
to anyone other than his players.
'Buy my book,' he said.
LeBeau, who played cornerback for 14
seasons . . . more.....
|
AFC NORTH Newcomers: Wide
receiver Kevin Johnson, who bounced from Cleveland to Jacksonville
last season, but is expected to upgrade the passing game, not as
much as Terrell Owens, but Johnson is not a bad fallback option.
Quarterback Kordell Stewart, who is insurance in the event Kyle
Boller is found to be deficient.
Key losses: Wide receiver Marcus Robinson,
tight end John Jones and cornerback Tom Knight . . . more.....
8 Questions For 2004 How
will Buffalo Bills' coach Mike Mularkey formulate a game plan that
includes two potentially great running backs (Travis Henry and Willis
McGahee), a solid, veteran quarterback (Drew Bledsoe) and a rookie
of the year candidate (wide receiver Lee Evans), supported by an
accomplished veteran (Eric Moulds)? Anyway, he'll have fun trying,
but maybe only for one year. Expect Bills president Tom Donahoe
to trade one of his running backs after the season for a generous
return . . . more.....
NHL Problems Mostly Self-Inflicted Talk
about your transition game. The middle of this month is poised to
take fans to hockey heaven and hockey hell in the span of 24 hours.
On Sept. 14, the finals of the World
Cup of Hockey will play out on the ice of Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
The inaugural World Cup in 1996, won by the U.S. with a stirring
rally over Team Canada, was an exercise in passion, skill, drama
and just plain fun that was a worthy successor to the fall memories
previously produced by the Canada Cup . . . more.....
Time Of Our Lives It's
been suggested that watching and following sports in the new millennium
just isn't fun anymore. As the theory goes, the sports themselves
have given way to big business and the games are no longer games.
With that in mind, maybe we should all remember how it felt to be
a young fan.
Kids don't think about the negatives
that have overtaken sports . . . more.....
Fatter Kills The Post-Gazette
recently published a story about a 410-pound high school football
player. His grandiose size is noted via grandiose nicknames, because
it's obligatory to tell the fat guy he's fat even if you do so in
non-insulting fashion. The insults will come, fast and furious,
too, once he's done playing football.
This kid supposedly has all sorts of
scholarship offers on the table. But if his high school coach really
wanted to . . . more.....
Up Close With John Riggins John
Riggins is remembered by NFL fans as both the Super Bowl MVP for
the Washington Redskins and as the fun-loving jock who once advised
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to 'loosen up, baby.'
His 168-yard performance in the Redskins' win over Miami earned
him MVP honors in Super Bowl XVII. He was inducted into the Pro
Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and currently hosts a radio show in
Washington, DC . . . more.....
|
