Don’t look now but our Pittsburgh Pirates are in first place. I never expected the team to be where they are at the moment. The Buccos took four of five on the week, thanks to more great pitching and the impressive debut of Cole Tucker, whose homer lifted the Pirates to victory. What’s amazing to me is how the Pirates are winning with all the injuries. The entire starting outfield is now sidelined after Starling Marte went down. I’m not sure how the Pirates can keep this up, but I’m not complaining.
• The collision between shortstop Erik Gonzalez and outfielder Starling Marte that sent both players to the injured list was downright scary. It was obvious that neither player called for the ball or heard the other one when they came close together. Gonzalez is out for two months, while Marte will be out at least a week and a half. The collision could have been a lot worse. Thank goodness neither was hurt seriously.
• I never had a good feeling about the Pittsburgh Penguins this year. Something just seemed off all year. When they finally went on a run in March I felt like the Pens would be a factor in the playoffs, but still not good enough to win another Stanley Cup. I thought the Pens would be tested by the young up and coming New York Islanders, but never thought they’d get swept. Who saw that coming? It was downright embarrassing for the Penguins. It also makes me wonder if the window to win another Cup has closed. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang aren’t getting any younger.
• I didn’t even have to hear Jim Rutherford’s end of season comments to know that there will be lots of changes on the Pens’ roster next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if those changes include major deals. Crosby, Malkin and goaltender Matt Murray are untouchable. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Phil Kessel and Olli Maata are traded. Nor would I be shocked if Letang and Patric Horqvist are discussed with other teams. Moving veteran players with big contracts could be a challenge for Rutherford. He definitely has his work cut out for him. Needless to say, this will be a very important off-season for the Penguins.
• The NFL Draft is only days away. The Steelers have ten picks entering the three day unofficial NFL holiday weekend. I still don’t think the Steelers will use all of those picks, nor do I think they need all of them. I too would like to see the team get one of the top middle linebackers in the first round, but don’t know if it will happen. If the Steelers can make a move to get Michigan’s Devin Bush without giving up too much I’m all for it. Should the draft capital required be excessive I think the Steelers should look elsewhere. I fully expect the Steelers to draft both an inside and outside linebacker, cornerback, wide receiver, tight end and running back. Then again, the draft is always full of surprises. I’m looking forward to it.
• IUP grad and Pro Football Hall of Fame writer Ed Bouchette has moved on from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette after more than three and a half decades at the paper. He’ll now write for the on-line pay service, The Athletic. I was shocked to hear the news when it broke, but after thinking about it the move made sense. Bouchette will now do more in-depth stories and features on all things Steelers. No media member knows the team better. It’s a great hire for The Athletic, which I happen to subscribe to. I’m happy for Ed, and look forward to reading his work for many years to come.
• Tigermania is back. After surprising everyone to win the Masters, his first triumph at Augusta in fourteen years, Tiger Woods is now being talked about as a player who could win a few more majors this year. He’s won at Beth Page, host of the upcoming PGA tournament which I will attend, and at Pebble Beach, site of this year’s U.S. Open. Woods now needs three more major championships to tie Jack Nicklaus. Even though his win at Augusta was incredibly impressive, I’m not ready to concede that he’ll tie or beat The Golden Bear’s record just yet. Let’s see how this summer plays out. If Tiger wins another major this year then the chase is definitely on. Don’t forget, Woods went nearly eleven years between his last win in the US Open and last week’s win at The Masters. He also faces incredible competition with the current young guns on the tour. It’s going to be a fun year on the pro golf tour, that’s for sure.
• RIP Harding Peterson. The former GM of the Pirates passed away last week. Pete was the architect of the 1979 World Series championship team. His many moves that year helped “The Family” beat the Baltimore Orioles. I got to interview Peterson a few times during my radio days. He was a baseball lifer and a true gentlemen. He will be missed.
