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• Labonte becomes a forgotten champion
• Frustrated Pirate fans
• Butler Tennis PIAA Champs
• NASCAR and the economy
• Can they REALLY be this bad?



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Labonte becomes a forgotten champion Written on June 23, 2010, by Bob.

It was announced that Bobby Labonte has left the #71 TRG Sprint Cup team as of the race in New Hampshire. What a fall from grace for a classy past Cup champion. When Labonte agreed to leave Joe Gibbs Racing, his career has become more than forgettable. His stint in the legendary #43 for Richard Petty was at the lowest period in NASCAR for the Petty organization. Now the forgettable drive for the “taxslayer”. Word is he may drive for Robby Gordon at New Hampshire. No where to go but up, eh? Do owners and sponsors think this guy just simply forgot how to drive? It’s not that he has stuck around too long (see Dale Jarrett and Darrell Waltrip please), it just HAS to be his team selection process. What a shame of for one of NASCAR’s good-guys in the vein of Mark Martin. In fact, I still buy Interstate Batteries, and it’s not because of Kyle Busch.

Frustrated Pirate fans Written on June 23, 2010, by Bob.

We Pirate fans have had a range of emotions over the past 17 years, and no doubt the last couple in particular. The trading of a power hitter like Jason Bay, with next to nothing in return. The trade of a former batting champion with, yes–nothing to date. Okay, we lucked out on the McLouth for Morton trade–because at least Morton won a game for us. McLouth cost Atlanta many. In fact, they didn’t begin to win until he was OUT of their line-up. My question is this: now that the youth movement has begun–with the myriad of recent call-ups, when are the Pirate pitchers going to step up and help? Ross Ohlendorf show brilliance, then gets beat. Zach Duke acts like he can’t wait to leave, and Paul Maholm gives quality starts–but also gives quality pitches to opposing batters at the absolute wrong time–to take himself out of possible win. Brad Lincoln has been disappointing in three starts so far. Only Jeff Karstens–the back-up #5 guy has been a stop-gap guy. You call me crazy with that comment? Check it out–he has been responsible for ending TWO major losing streaks for the club this season. That is my version of “stepping up”. Maybe the next step for GM Huntington is to trade all the starters, carry 16 pitchers and just use relievers to get through games. Hey at this point, you are trying to avoid 100 losses–and anything is worth a try!

Butler Tennis PIAA Champs Written on May 24, 2010, by Bob.

Congratulations to the Butler Boys Tennis team who brought home a State Championship! This team has been knocking on the door in a variety of title matches all season, and finally receive their just due! From a near-perfect season, to runner-up doubles and team efforts in WPIAL tournaments, this team never quit, and their hard work paid off. Congratulations to Matt Slamecka, Evan Kowalski, Will Nesbitt, Emil and Stefan Kemp, Zac McCafferty, and Kemper May for their efforts

NASCAR and the economy Written on May 10, 2010, by Bob.

How many more sponsors are going to disappear from NASCAR? Big Name sponsors and Big Name drivers unable to keep them has to be concerning. Future Hall of Famer Mark Martin driving a #5 car with no sponsor, current point leader Kevin Harvick has a primary sponsor jumping ship at season’s end-the second consecutive year Richard Childress Racing is losing a big-one. Tony Stewart can’t hang on to Old Spice. It is becoming a smelly situation. Has the sport overvalued its marketability? Or is this just an “adjustment in the market?
Tracks are dramatically lowering prices to attract fans back.
It certainly is a good time to be a fan, but what will the future bring? 30-car fields? If only if it were baseball salaries, I wouldn’t be worried!

Can they REALLY be this bad? Written on April 27, 2010, by Bob.

We have watched the Pittsburgh Pirates look like a better-than .500 club for several games so far in 2010, but it is the “other” games we have watched that concern me. When the Pirates have won, they have done it with an exciting, never-say-die, enthusiastic style. When they have lost, it has not even been a competitive game. Blow-outs of historic proportions, and then some. The Brewers have made the Pirates look worse than the Bucs make Manatee Community College look in the spring training opener. What gives? I am not foolish enough to believe this team was going to win the division. I honestly don’t believe they are good enough to finish higher than fourth place. But, I honestly thought they would be SOMEWHAT competitive. The pitching has been the worst any Pirate team in the last 50 years has seen. Hitters that are terrible with runners in scoring postion. NO POWER. Take away what Garrett Jones did in the opening games, and we don’t have a hitter with double-digit RBI’s. The pitching staff looked like it would be the strong suit entering the season. A strengthened bullpen, and starters who showed glimpses last fall of what could be a very nice rotation. OOPS! It hurts to watch them right now. Ryan Doumit has been awful as catcher. His handling of pitchers leaves a lot to be desired, and throwing out runners is a non-existent happening. The infield has not been bad defensively, but have no power, and don’t drive in runs. The outfield is the bright spot, and should be, although Milledge and Jones have slumped. It could be the longest season yet in the 18-year losing streak, if this is really the talent this team possesses. Would the players who were traded away help? The answer is an emphatic NO! I have the stats to prove it:  Nate McLouth batting .159 with one home run and three rbi. Jason Bay batting .269 with NO HOME RUNS and five rbi, Xavier Nady batting .207 with one home run and four rbi. Jack Wilson is .264 zero home runs and six rbi. Freddie Sanchez has not played (DL), John Grabow is 0-2 with an 8.10 era. Ian Snell 0-2 with a 5.14 era. We are actually getting better production from the people who replaced them. At this point, all we can do is wait. I say, bring back Ed Sprague.

Hamlin has the desire to top Johnson, but can he? Written on April 20, 2010, by Bob.

You hear the sound bites “I want to make sure everyone in this room wants it as badly as I do”. The sentiment echoed by NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. He actually made the statement in 2009, but he may have the maturity to do it in 2010. Can Johnson continue to perform at the level he has? Obviously they have for the past four years, and show no sign of stopping. But watching Hamlin go from a wreckless! talent, to a focused man of great desire to be a champion, may be a strong enough force to make Johnson nervous. He is tough as nails, a statement with an exclamation point after watching him run Texas–and WIN less than a week after having surgery on his knee for an ACL tear. He showed me a lot, how about you?

Bye Bye Santonio Written on April 12, 2010, by Bob.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken their stand, and it is the right one!  Santonio Holmes is now a New York Jet. Good riddance. Yes, the Steelers will miss his talent, but lose a headache that brings down the majority of a 53-man roster. It is a shame that the quarterback position is such a critical area to replace, because Ben obviously needs a wake-up as well. Not that I am saying Big Ben should be shipped out, just yet, but if the Steelers stand strong with him and impose a personal conduct suspension–fans will embrace it. Meanwhile, can’t wait to see the Plax to room with Santone.

Setting The Bar High Written on February 1, 2010, by Bob.

Who could have ever thought the Butler wrestling team would be the benchmark in the WPIAL.  This was a program which started from scratch but has quickly become one of the best in the WPIAL since Scott Stoner took over as coach back in 1993.  Currently ranked eighth in the WPIAL, the Tornado are well on their way to having a WPIAL championship, as a team and also a number of individuals as well.

Lets start with the coach, Scott Stoner.  After taking over for Coach McClarnon in 1993, he has turned this program into a perennial powerhouse in the WPIAL.  Posting seasons of 13-3 back in 2003, he and his guys haven’t looked back since.  This year, they may have one of the most dominant wrestlers in the WPIAL.  After going just 7-14 in 06-07, Butler turned things around the next year and 21-6 followed by a school record 23 wins the next season.  This year already, they have 12 wins and only two losses.

Cole Baxter may be one of the most dynamic wrestlers in the WPIAL.  His combination of speed and strength make him a solid bet to win a PIAA state title before it’s al said and done.  Just this past weekend at the Chartiers Valley Duals, Baxter won all five of his matches, four of them by first period falls.  In his first match, Baxter pinned his opponent in 36 seconds to win his 100th career match.  Not Bad!!!  He would quickly add four more to bring his career total to 104 (I am an expert math student)!  Baxter is now number one on the all time wins list, and has a career record of 104-10 in just two and half years at Butler.  He’s just  Junior folks…

In addition to Baxter’s 104 wins, coach Stoner also reached his own milestone by reaching 200 career coaching victories with Butler’s second round win on Saturday.  Stone now has 203 career wins in 17 seasons at the helm of the program.

Some of the other wrestlers we need to talk about are Black Caudill, who is 23-3 on the season and is just a FRESHMAN!!!  Mike Crawford, a junior, suffered a knee injury a few weeks ago but returned to win five matches over the weekend and is not 22-1 on the season .. not bad ..  Senior Chris White is also having an amazing season for Butler.  Wrestling in the 215 pound division, White is 32-4 on the season and, along with Baxter and Crawford, may be the best triple threat in the WPIAL.

This is a program with all the potential in the world to succeed.  With two of their top three wrestlers underclassman, look for them to be contenders for a long time in the WPIAL.

Butler is the number 7 seed in the WPIAL team tournament and will wrestle Franklin Regional in the first round on Tuesday night.

Local Youth Hockey Standout On FSN Tonight Written on January 28, 2010, by Bob.

Jake Curry will be making his television debut tonight on FSN during the Pittsburgh Penguins game.  Not bad for a youth hockey goaltender from Butler.

Jake plays for the North Pittsburgh Wildcats, which is a youth hockey team in Pittsburgh, as a goaltender and will be interviewed by Dan Potash during the pre-game show and the first intermission of the Pens game tonight against the Senators.  The pre-game show starts at 6:30 and the puck drop is 7 on FSN and also WISR 680AM.  Jake will be on FSN.

Jake is the son of Chris and Greta Curry of Butler and if you want to join in on the fun, here is a link to Facebook to get more information.

A Caravan Of FUN!!! Written on January 27, 2010, by Bob.

The Pirates Caravan made it’s way through Butler yesterday and Charlie Morton, Garrett Jones and Ross Ohlendorf entertained a sold out crowd at the Grand Ballroom.  Also there was Tony Beasley, Tim Neverett and Steve Blass.  Not only were the guys fun to talk too, but they were insightful and very conversational with all the fans in attendance.  With the amount of people who showed up to support the Buccos, you would never know they haven’t had a winning season in 17 years.

Even though they haven’t had a winning season in 17 years, you can’t help but be excited with the way the team has started to rebuild (I know they’ve been rebuilding for 17 years) and get some young talent ready to go.  They have all the pieces in place and, I know I say it every year, but it is an exciting time to be a Pirates fan because they will be good, just give it time.

If there is one thing Pirates fans have, it is patience.  You can check out the photos from the Pirates Caravan right here! A good time was had by all!!

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