Pirates and Astros and other exhibition games

Here's a thread for whatever exhibition action you might want to kibitz about. I am taking it easy with these Pirates, and deliberately trying to stay away from the radio these first few weeks. I'm not sure how much patience I am going to have if these guys start the season on the usual losing bender. The beer supply, however, is coming along well and starting to look good. By opening day, I should have a nice fort I can camp behind.

Pirates and Astros are playing now. The Bucs are up 1-0 on a solo shot from the Prison Baller. Maholm is pitching for the Pirates. Scuffy Moehler is out there for Houston.

Honest Moskos

Daniel Moskos has started a blog, where he graciously and honestly humors comments. Despite our immediate worry that Moskie watches way too much TV, we are entertained and applaud his efforts. Daniel sees himself in five years as the #2 starter between Morris and Lincoln, and is not sure Rinku and Dinesh have million dollar arms.

the Torpedo

With March fast approaching, it's time to start the stockpile you'll need to make it through the season.

I am starting with this guy. What are you laying up for the long, hard season ahead?

Salary cap

The Red Sox owners are down with a salary cap, the P-G's Dejan Kovacevic reports.

In other non-McLouth news, pool sharks Rinku and Dinesh are eating a lot of protein and getting checked for hernias.

Pitchers and catchers

Any day now.

Steelers 27, Cardinals 23

Winner.

Super Bowl XLIII

Finally, the day is here. Steelers and Cardinals.

With this balmy weather, we can all tailgate in the driveway.

NBC, proud as a peacock

Checking out some NBC Super Bowl coverage tonight, I saw the crew as Bob Costas, Chris Collingsworth, Tony Dungy, Mike Holmgren, and Matt Millen.

I like Dungy a lot, but he mumbles too much when he's on TV. I can't tell what he's saying.

Hey, at least no Dan Dierdorf. And maybe Holmgren can talk about clock management as the half expires.

Rod Woodson, HOF

Congratulations, Rod Woodson.

Super super super bowl

... is on the way. Not too long now.

Put a little wrinkle in the wave

Gary Mihoces for the USAToday:

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu says it's the players who decide who win games, not the gaming gurus.

"You guys don’t really know what you’re talking about when you predict victories and losses anyway," Polamalu said. "The last Super Bowl being one, obviously. Them (the Cardinals) even making it there being another one. Us even in making it there being another one. So it just shows how much you guys know.”

But sports reporters don't set the spread. It's oddsmakers such as Sheridan.

No matter, said Polamalu.

"Yeah, but you guys ride that," he said. "They put the little wrinkle in the wave, and you guys ride that wave."

Yeah, sucks when you try to ride a wave that does not have a little wrinkle. Right?

I wish I understood what Polamalu was talking about. Is it a concussion thing or a Hawaiian warrior thing?

In other news, the Pirates are talking about this and that. They will play their first regular-season game in St. Louis at 4pm on April 6th.

Cardinals and Steelers

here we go

Ravens at Steelers

I must say I am stoked that the Steelers are hosting the Ravens.

Best possible AFC Championship game.

NFL divisional playoffs

This is a good weekend for football fans. The snow is a bonus too.

Football + snow = bliss

NFL Defensive Player of the Year

All hail James Harrison, who joins some elite company.

Ed Bouchette's report notes:

Harrison's demeanor was so menacing that even one of his former position coaches, Mike Archer, was quoted as saying he could not wait for him to be cut. Harrison matured and focused his menacing nature on opponents rather than his own coaches and teammates.

NFL wild card weekend

So far, a good weekend for the home team.

Really don't care who wins any of these games. I want to be entertained. And I am rooting for Pyrrhic victories.

Modern concussion management

The New York Times delivers this article on Pittsburgh's place as "the virtual hub of modern concussion management."

Sickels' Top 20 Prospects

John Sickels has posted his Pirates Top 20 Prospects for 2009. The system is "quite thin, but showing signs of improvement." Bryan Morris comes in at #4 on both Sickels' list and BP's Top 11 list.

Bolts, Colts, or Fins

The Steelers will host one of those teams in the late game on January 11.

NFL week 17

Can't sleep with all the excitement about Kansas City at Cincinnati. Holy barnburner. What a slate of games