OT: NFL

[iupgroundhog]

Pittsburgh wants a Mark Cuban to come in and spend his own money to compete with where they think Pittsburgh should be comparable to the NFL and NHL. That ain't happening.

But Pittsburgh also romanticizes blue collar approaches to everyday things, so I think Kelly would win fans over in spite of the win/loss record if he takes an old-fashioned philosophy of hard accountability for baseball fundamentals and small ball offense. When was the last time you remember seeing a sac bunt or squeeze play in MLB? Almost as extinct as a spitball now that pitchers don't bat. I don't believe this front office can outsmart the payrolls of others nor do I think the roster was being mismanaged. This roster sucks, especially the bullpen.

Pittsburgh and Western PA like to hold onto the past, which was clearly greater than the present. Baseball-wise, Pittsburgh is a small market in a sport where market-size matters. The Pirates probably should have relocated to Indianapolis a long time ago. As a lifelong Phillies fan, I'm not gloating. I really loved the Phillies-Pirates in-state rivalry when I was a kid. I used to enjoy going to Pirates games and loudly rooting for the Phillies. It was a lot of fun.

As for the Phillies, the current version is very interesting. They are competitive on the top level. No doubt the Mets have a great team in their division. Also, you always have to look out for the Braves. Of course, there are great teams in the NL West, too.

Right now, it probably goes under the radar if you are not a Phillies fan, but the AAA affiliate Lehigh Valley in Allentown, is arguably the best minor league team in all of baseball, so that provides additional depth. Interestingly, the emerging top player is 3B Otto Kemp, out of D2 Point Loma Nazarene, the school IUP played twice in last year's D2 World Series.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Pittsburgh wants a Mark Cuban to come in and spend his own money to compete with where they think Pittsburgh should be comparable to the NFL and NHL. That ain't happening.

But Pittsburgh also romanticizes blue collar approaches to everyday things, so I think Kelly would win fans over in spite of the win/loss record if he takes an old-fashioned philosophy of hard accountability for baseball fundamentals and small ball offense. When was the last time you remember seeing a sac bunt or squeeze play in MLB? Almost as extinct as a spitball now that pitchers don't bat. I don't believe this front office can outsmart the payrolls of others nor do I think the roster was being mismanaged. This roster sucks, especially the bullpen.

Oneil and Skenes are counting down the days.

[Fightingscot82]

That roster is so, so terrible.

In reality, half the active roster should be in AAA.

He can't be any worse than Shelton.

Pittsburgh wants a Mark Cuban to come in and spend his own money to compete with where they think Pittsburgh should be comparable to the NFL and NHL. That ain't happening.

But Pittsburgh also romanticizes blue collar approaches to everyday things, so I think Kelly would win fans over in spite of the win/loss record if he takes an old-fashioned philosophy of hard accountability for baseball fundamentals and small ball offense. When was the last time you remember seeing a sac bunt or squeeze play in MLB? Almost as extinct as a spitball now that pitchers don't bat. I don't believe this front office can outsmart the payrolls of others nor do I think the roster was being mismanaged. This roster sucks, especially the bullpen.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

OT to the OT, in other pro sports news...

Succos yesterday canned manager Derek Shelton. Elevated bench coach Don Kelly to take his place. Kelly went to Mt. Lebanon and played at Point Park. Utility player in the majors with a reputation for playing ball the mid-century way, hitting for contact and striking out very little. If that style translates to managing, I'll be happy.

That roster is so, so terrible.

In reality, half the active roster should be in AAA.

He can't be any worse than Shelton.

[Fightingscot82]

OT to the OT, in other pro sports news...

Succos yesterday canned manager Derek Shelton. Elevated bench coach Don Kelly to take his place. Kelly went to Mt. Lebanon and played at Point Park. Utility player in the majors with a reputation for playing ball the mid-century way, hitting for contact and striking out very little. If that style translates to managing, I'll be happy.

[Fightingscot82]

I just think it's very sad what happened to that guy.

It is. After watching the newest video, I feel bad for assuming that it was the alcohol. That may have been a factor, but it really does appear that while the railing was to code, it was insufficient for him in that moment. Long road ahead but he's making some quick progress.

[iupgroundhog]

I was talking about something similar with my wife after the kid fell over the railing. BTW, there's a new video that is from behind him that clearly shows he somehow jumped so high than when he came down, his weight was over the railing, causing his flip.

I'm always amazed at the alcohol consumption at spectator events around Pittsburgh. These drinks aren't cheap - we're talking $15-20 for a 24oz can of Miller Lite. And you see people buying 2 at a time and having several. Often this is on top of any pregame stops. So you have people dropping $100+ on drinking at an event that is really based on paying attention to something. And most commonly its folks I'll assume by appearance aren't making big bucks. The weirdest thing is that I went to the symphony a couple months ago and there was a giant line for BOOZE! People couldn't listen to classical music without a $12 rum and coke.

I just think it's very sad what happened to that guy.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

You know the answer to that.

Last summer I took my son to a concert at a large outdoor amphitheater south of Pittsburgh. During the concert, there were a few guys in their mid 20s well lubricated and hitting on some women nearby. It was entertaining for a while but later on they returned to hit on the women but some men stepped in and told them to go away. Later that night as we were in the diabolical traffic jam associated with leaving that particular venue, the main antagonist was stumbling all over the parking lots looking for his car. Dude could barely walk but was going to hop in his car. If traffic is already going to be a nightmare, might as well just have PSP do a checkpoint on the way out.

I haven't ventured out there in probably 8-9 years. I like concerts there but it's such a pain to get there and (especially) exit.

The last couple of concerts I went to were actually at PNC Park. Different vibe but so much easier. The infrastructure is just so much better, too (restrooms, etc.).

I'll never forget the Jimmy Buffett years at Star Lake in the 90s. He used to sell out back-to-back shows Friday/Saturday. Insanity.

I'd have to be pretty enthralled by the band to make the trip out to Burgettstown again any time soon.

[Fightingscot82]

I always wonder how many of those fools drive home.

You know the answer to that.

Last summer I took my son to a concert at a large outdoor amphitheater south of Pittsburgh. During the concert, there were a few guys in their mid 20s well lubricated and hitting on some women nearby. It was entertaining for a while but later on they returned to hit on the women but some men stepped in and told them to go away. Later that night as we were in the diabolical traffic jam associated with leaving that particular venue, the main antagonist was stumbling all over the parking lots looking for his car. Dude could barely walk but was going to hop in his car. If traffic is already going to be a nightmare, might as well just have PSP do a checkpoint on the way out.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Couldn’t agree more. I haven’t drank anything but communion wine for about the last 10 years, but even when I did partake, the idea of getting hammered at a sporting event was completely insane to me. Maybe because I didn’t go to pro sports games that often it was more of a special occasion to me when I did get to go and I actually wanted to remember the experience, never mind the fact I didn’t want to be broke when it was over.

I always wonder how many of those fools drive home.

[Chuck Norris]

I was talking about something similar with my wife after the kid fell over the railing. BTW, there's a new video that is from behind him that clearly shows he somehow jumped so high than when he came down, his weight was over the railing, causing his flip.

I'm always amazed at the alcohol consumption at spectator events around Pittsburgh. These drinks aren't cheap - we're talking $15-20 for a 24oz can of Miller Lite. And you see people buying 2 at a time and having several. Often this is on top of any pregame stops. So you have people dropping $100+ on drinking at an event that is really based on paying attention to something. And most commonly its folks I'll assume by appearance aren't making big bucks. The weirdest thing is that I went to the symphony a couple months ago and there was a giant line for BOOZE! People couldn't listen to classical music without a $12 rum and coke.

Couldn’t agree more. I haven’t drank anything but communion wine for about the last 10 years, but even when I did partake, the idea of getting hammered at a sporting event was completely insane to me. Maybe because I didn’t go to pro sports games that often it was more of a special occasion to me when I did get to go and I actually wanted to remember the experience, never mind the fact I didn’t want to be broke when it was over.

[Fightingscot82]

What's ironic is the Pirates' games are 'typically' the calmest in regard to the drunks. As I type that, I've never really seen too much trouble at Penguins games.

Different clientele, of course. The Pens have a more 'white collar' crowd and the people who go are usually really into hockey (and actually there for the game). You'll have your random drunken idiots but not too many. People by and large don't tailgate for hockey like they do baseball and football. A lot of these 'problem customers' at Pirates and Steelers games shouldn't even be allowed through the gate. They are smashed before the game starts. A lot of Pirates fans are going down there simply for a night out and to party. The on-field product isn't worth watching.

We go to about 15-20 Pirates games a year. Obviously it's not to watch the home team. I rarely see drunks to the point of the staff having to get involved. Now, across the parking lot ... I'd never even consider taking kids to a Steelers game. That's a whole different level of debauchery. The later the kickoff, the worse it is.

My favorite part about North Shore tailgates are the shower curtain setups you see - basically providing cover for revelers (men and women) to pee down the storm sewer LOL

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I was talking about something similar with my wife after the kid fell over the railing. BTW, there's a new video that is from behind him that clearly shows he somehow jumped so high than when he came down, his weight was over the railing, causing his flip.

I'm always amazed at the alcohol consumption at spectator events around Pittsburgh. These drinks aren't cheap - we're talking $15-20 for a 24oz can of Miller Lite. And you see people buying 2 at a time and having several. Often this is on top of any pregame stops. So you have people dropping $100+ on drinking at an event that is really based on paying attention to something. And most commonly its folks I'll assume by appearance aren't making big bucks. The weirdest thing is that I went to the symphony a couple months ago and there was a giant line for BOOZE! People couldn't listen to classical music without a $12 rum and coke.

What's ironic is the Pirates' games are 'typically' the calmest in regard to the drunks. As I type that, I've never really seen too much trouble at Penguins games.

Different clientele, of course. The Pens have a more 'white collar' crowd and the people who go are usually really into hockey (and actually there for the game). You'll have your random drunken idiots but not too many. People by and large don't tailgate for hockey like they do baseball and football. A lot of these 'problem customers' at Pirates and Steelers games shouldn't even be allowed through the gate. They are smashed before the game starts. A lot of Pirates fans are going down there simply for a night out and to party. The on-field product isn't worth watching.

We go to about 15-20 Pirates games a year. Obviously it's not to watch the home team. I rarely see drunks to the point of the staff having to get involved. Now, across the parking lot ... I'd never even consider taking kids to a Steelers game. That's a whole different level of debauchery. The later the kickoff, the worse it is.

[Fightingscot82]

I don't think Watt (at this stage) is worth the market price he's going to demand.

George is very talented but also a cancer. I don't think they'll roll into camp with Metcalf and a bunch of bums. They'll have to sign a Keenan Allen type cast-off for a year.

The reality in the NFL is it's better to suck than to be mediocre. Tomlin is the Lord of being slightly above .500. His infamous streak is in serious jeopardy.

At least Dallas has experience attempting to overcorrect an idiot when they had Dez Bryant.

[Fightingscot82]

MLB but it relates to the modern stadium experience ...

A Pirates usher got into a fight with two fans after Sunday's game.

The two fans were allegedly harassing a female concession worker when the male employee stepped in.

The male employee tried to calm the situation several times but the two fans wouldn't drop it. The male worker walked away but was followed. At that point, he punched said fan 3-4 times. The fan still didn't shut up and then spit on the employee. The male employee then took his belt off and started hitting the fan.

You can see the video on KDKA (and all over the net).

Just a wild guess here but the two fans were smashed.

The Pirates have temporarily suspended the employee.

Pittsburgh is up in arms calling the male employee a hero. He stepped in to protect a female employee and tried several times to peacefully get the two idiots to leave.

Personally, I have no issue at all with what the male employee did. Act a fool long enough and that's what you get.

I just think about the poor families who had to sit near these morons.

What's amazing is the guy had no backup arrive for the longest time.

I was talking about something similar with my wife after the kid fell over the railing. BTW, there's a new video that is from behind him that clearly shows he somehow jumped so high than when he came down, his weight was over the railing, causing his flip.

I'm always amazed at the alcohol consumption at spectator events around Pittsburgh. These drinks aren't cheap - we're talking $15-20 for a 24oz can of Miller Lite. And you see people buying 2 at a time and having several. Often this is on top of any pregame stops. So you have people dropping $100+ on drinking at an event that is really based on paying attention to something. And most commonly its folks I'll assume by appearance aren't making big bucks. The weirdest thing is that I went to the symphony a couple months ago and there was a giant line for BOOZE! People couldn't listen to classical music without a $12 rum and coke.