The Sports Monitor

My cousin got married last week and I finally was able to grab a minute to talk to him at the reception. Of course, the topic quickly moved to sports, and he couldn't help but bring up the Pirates. "You know, I was at a game earlier this year, we were in the box and no one cared what was going on during the game," he said. That's understandable and pretty reasonable, I guess, considering how the team has played for 16 years. His next question really stumped me. "When are they going to win again?" he asked. I didn't have an answer. To him, and what seems like many Pirates fans, the baseball season has become a distraction between the end of the Penguins' season and the start of Steelers training camp. After hearing the news Wednesday night about the Pirates' trade of Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves for three minor league players, I'd be able to tell him that it's at least a couple years longer than it was last week. To call the trade a ...

For 20 minutes Tuesday night, the Detroit Red Wings were perfect. At least that's what some people were saying at intermission of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals. And the second period sure did look like a perfect effort, if you didn't glance at the scoreboard and see the game still tied 2-2. But it was tied and the Pens had life. They turned everything around, getting a power-play goal and empty-net goal to cap a 4-2 win and climb back into the series. I don't think this series is over. In fact, a win Thursday night and this series is the Penguins' to win. Why the optimism? The Red Wings got plenty of breaks and bounces in Games 1 and 2. Missed penalties? Check. Penguins' shots hitting posts instead of the back of the net? Check. 2-0 series lead like last year? Check. That's where the similarities end in my book. With all going right for the Wings, they should have won Game 3. Instead, the Pens' survived that second period Tuesday night and put on a displa...

LeBron James is a great basketball player. He has an MVP award, numerous endorsements and millions of fans everywhere. But he's also a poor loser. We witnessed his actions after the Cavaliers lost to the Magic on Saturday, eliminating them from the playoffs. And what he did speaks louder than any commercial. James walked off the court, didn't shake anyone's hand from the Magic, let along congratulate them, and blew off the press. The NBA doesn't need to have a line form at the end of the series and have the players shake hands like they do in hockey. I will admit, though, that hockey has the best tradition around. But what James didn't do, was something that goes all the way back to Little League. You shake a person's hand after a game. Here's what James had to say Sunday, a day after his Cavs lost, trying to explain his actions: "It's hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them. I'm a winner. It's not being a poor sport...

Just when you thought there was a bright spot to the Pirates' season, they go and do it again. First they lost to the Nats, the worst team in baseball. I can give them that one, I guess. After all, they had taken the first three games in their series against them. But they go out and get shut out by a team that gave up 20 runs the night before. It's a good thing I have the Penguins to provide a nice little distraction.

The Wall St. Journal has an interesting article on the mistakes on the Stanley Cup trophy . I think there are a few copy editors available to help for this year.

I know the people in Buffalo desperately want to win a championship of some kind. There's that Wide Right thing in their history, a few other blowouts in the Super Bowl and a near-miss in the Stanley Cup finals. The thirst is there, and nothing's wrong with that. Every city should desire a championship from one of their professional teams. Earlier this week, however, the city of Buffalo crossed the line. They presented Terrell Owens with the key to the city. If I lived in Buffalo, I'd have my locks changed by now. Usually, such an honor might go to someone who's accomplished something. What's T.O. done? If we keep it strictly in postseason terms, not much. If we talk off-field items, then there's a laundry list, which soon will include T.O.'s antics in Buffalo. Owens seemed a bit puzzled. He told the Buffalo News this: “I don’t know why I’m deserving. But I can honestly say that me being here and my dedication, I’ll show you why I’m deserving." Anything...

Yeah, that's the way I like it. Just like Game 7 in the Capitals series, the Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. That's good enough to grab another drink, kick back and relax while cheering every check, shift and shot by the Pens. Unfortunately, the Pens didn't rout the Hurricanes like they did the Caps. It would have been fun, but it wasn't necessary, either. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury overshadowed Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Staal brothers with a strong 25-save performance. This could be a sign that Fleury is getting hot at the right time. A hot goaltender can carry a team. And not to get too far ahead of things, but if you look down the road, a potential matchup against the Red Wings looms. Fleury could be the difference if he's in the zone. But let's get back to Monday night. Malkin had a goal and an assist, Crosby didn't score (!) but he did have an assist, and the Hurricanes were stuffed on offense. The only problem is we'...