NFL Wild Card Playoff: Jaguars at Steelers

Game on at 8pm.

Elmer and Masumi

Dejan Kovacevic reports that Elmer Dessens and Masumi Kuwata have agreed to terms.

This should put a stop to all that fretting about the bullpen.

Beer prices even more up

Our ongoing coverage of the 2008 beer-price crisis continues as we are proud to link to this fine work from Jonathan Silver of the PG.

If I am reading that correctly, the price of beer at the upcoming Steelers game will be so high, they cannot print it.

Ronny 1, Veteranosity 0

Morris and Marte have chosen not to attend voluntary minicamp, Dejan Kovacevic reports. Ronny Ballgame, consummate professional, has elected to attend.

Whoopage

The results are in for the 2007 HW NFL Pick 'em Pool. The HW winner went a gaudy Pigskin-best .582 (148-106) against-the-spread and has humbly donated the Grand Prize to second place finisher nancychic (.558).

Beer inflation

The price of beer, like a lot of things, will jump up in 2008. Joe Napsha reported on the impact of the hops crisis on the Straub beer.

These are hard times ahead. This beer price increase, it's gonna suck.

Left tackle

Ouch. Max Starks got a bad owie, Ed Bouchette reports, and is done for the season.

J'ville at Pittsburgh is a pick 'em today, which surprises me. I know the Steelers have not been impressive, and I know the Jags seem to have the Steelers' number, but still I was surprised to the Steelers less than a field-goal favorite.

NFL week 17: Steelers at Ravens

Steelers trail 7-0 early in the first quarter as Batch drives down downfield.

Gimme a P

A number of interesting bits in Dejan Kovacevic's notebook. Half-angry Pirate guy is making fewer appearances in the team literature.

Nate McLouth made the most of his 2007 playing time.

I'm up now watching Game 1 of the 1979 World Series. The Bucs are down 5-1. Ballplayers were all about tight pants, spectacles, and mustaches in 1979. They had some adorable wives. And Dave Parker was the highest-paid player in all baseball.

Crimps galore

Honus the Alpaca was sold this year to Ozark Mountain Alpacas, who know him and boast that he's ready and willing, for a $2500 stud fee. The camelid offers "the complete package," his new owners remind us. He demonstrates "what everyone is looking for in a breeding male . . . density, fineness, consistency in crimp, good bone density and strength, and the presence that calls attention to him." And there's more. He's also won another prize since our last update.

Way to go, Honus!

New management, old owners, and other stuff

There has not been much new reading material featuring a fresh angle on the longstanding problem that's been the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's been this way for a while, actually. The question of whether or not the new management can accomplish much under the same-old ownership group is going to take a year or more to sift.

It does look, however, like they are once again making the choice to not spend money this off-season. Given the available talent, it may or may not be a wise decision. I find it hard to get excited about the possible return of Shawn Chacon. I suppose it would be good for one set of running jokes. But like a lot of Pirate fans, I could use some new running jokes. The old ones, born of frustration and humiliation, are losing the bright, shiny, amusing luster they once had.

Both Bob Smizik's chat and Dejan Kovacevic's Q & A repeat what appears to be the developing consensus: the change in management means little as ownership continues to take what must be substantial profits. And it may be 2009 before we have enough data to firmly believe these.

In other news, Jose Castillo is a worthless bum. Good riddance I say. Whether or not he ever plays well for another team reflects only on Jose Castillo. The Pirates gave him plenty of opportunity and, from what I could gather, sufficiently sound advice for self-improvement.

And no, the Steelers should not be resting people or going into the game with a half-assed plan that compromises the desire to win with some desire to curl into a fetal position and not get hurt. If players are too hurt to play, they obviously should not play. But the healthy players should all be in there. The Steelers have looked pretty mediocre in the second half, and they need to practice winning games before the playoffs begin.

Jose Castillo a Marlin

Joe Capozzi reports for some Florida paper.

This obviously leaves a big, powerful-looking big hole in the Pirates' JV infield.

Ho ho ho

Merry Christmas! May Santa fill your stocking with Dogfish Head.

NFL week 16

Any games worth watching this afternoon?

Kip

Kip Wells will make $3.1M with up to $1.5M in bonus money to pitch for the Rockies.

It seems to me like this is a lot of money for his services.

Willie Parker breaks leg

Steelers will ride the Dump Truck into the playoffs.

NFL week 16: Steelers at Rams

Game tonight. This one will not be easy.

Rainbow warrior

At the Dandy House this morning, everyone was a-buzz with the news that the Pirates re-signed Masumi Kuwata.

The same article claims that the Pirates still need arms for the bullpen.

Catcher talk

Dejan Kovacevic explains the Pirates will bid on Johnny Estrada.

There's a lot of talk in that article about his hitting, but I want to know if he can catch the ball. For example, if someone throws the ball from the outfield to Johnny Estrada, while guys are running around the bases, will Estrada catch the ball? Also, there are other times when the catcher needs to catch the ball. If Estrada won't catch the ball, I don't see how he could be an upgrade over Ronny Ballgame.

I also wonder if Estrada is adept at reading signs communicated from the dugout. Because while I'd prefer to see him start (if he will catch the ball), there's no sense abandoning the advantage of Ronny's Paul Lo Duca-like feel for things that instantaneously pop up during an at-bat and his definitive understanding of how to carry out an at-bat. So if Estrada is good with Paulino calling the game from the dugout, things could work out--so long, of course, as Ronny could keep that feel for the at-bat while not behind the plate trying to catch the ball.

On one hand, I could see how it would be hard to focus and get a feel for things popping up if you are in the dugout. On the other hand, I could see how it might free the mind from distractions if you are not trying to catch the ball. So it would be an experiment.

NFL week 15: Jaguars at Steelers

Game on at one.