Thumbwrestlers Rule

Indulge me on this slow Friday. I mean, come on...its a leap year/day, for cryin' out loud.

I came across Mental_Floss' WWF Superstars Quiz and started thinking about Thumbwrestlers. There's no adequate video of these amazing toys on the Youtubes, but I found this site. They actually had the commercial to download, so I embedded it using the awful fantastic Blogger video embedder.

I know for a fact I had Big John Studd and Hillbilly Jim. Nothing sick about sticking your thumb into a hole just above a rubber wrestler's ass.

Good times, the '80s.

I'm A Poet

Yesterday, I received an email from Pat at WHYGAVS and the AOL Fanhouse asking if I'd be interested in writing a poem.

I agreed, mainly because I haven't written a poem since about 5th grade, and my poetry skillz could use some practice.

As it turns out, Fanhouse is pimping out some solid local bloggers to write a short preview for their respective MLB franchise...in poetry form. So far, there's been poems, limericks, a haiku or two...the whole deal.

Now, there are not enough drugs and not nearly enough booze to inspire someone to write a poem about our Pittsburgh Pirates, but I gave it a shot anyway. You can find my submission right here. Don't hate (too much).

MLB Poetry Previews: Pittsburgh Pirates

Mini Pony of the Day 2-29-08

Crazy eyes on today's MPotD.

 

 

And that dog looks like he's laughing at how cool his little buddy is. Or the fact that today's the 29th of February.

 

 

...Hey, baby (Flyers suck).

Pirates Win! Pirates Win!

Pittsburgh fans...your Pittsburgh Pirates are currently on a 1-game win streak!

/high fives every Pirates fan in my mind.

The Buccos opened spring training with a solid 5-0 win over...the Manatee Community College Lancers?

I know things have been pretty bad for the Pirates over the past couple 15 seasons, but I guess we'll take a morale boost in whatever form it comes. In case you were wondering, here is a team picture of the vanquished Lancers:




Did that little dude/midget in the middle play this game? That could explain why our excellent rotation held the Lancers to 3 hits.

Haha...Manatee.

Mini Pony of the Day 2-28-08

What. The. Hell.

 

 

Crazy way to end the month...oh, wait...dammit.

 

 

...Hey, baby (to the woman on the left, not the kids, you ignorant jerk).

Rest In Peace, Myron Cope

Yoi.

There are no other words to describe the passing of Myron Cope.

He was family, even if you never met him. We invited him in for so many weekend get-togethers, enjoyed his off-beat antics, and loved him like a father or grandfather.

He will be missed on so many different levels.

This is for you, Myron:

A Review of Deadspin's GSTF Book Tour: Part 2

R.I.P. John Rocker.

No...not the guy (although there are probably a few minorities and some queers with AIDS who just had a mini-fit after reading that. And now that I've written "queers with AIDS," I can expect a rather different crowd of Googlers).

Last night was the final stop on Deadspin's GSTF Book Tour, taking place in Brooklyn at BookCourt, a small, independent book store. And not "cozy" small. Like...nearly-sitting-on-the-dude-next-to-me's-lap-small.

Since I decided to give you a rundown of New York reading #1 yesterday, I figured I'd at least let you know about New York reading #2 (I hope people don't Google "reading #2" often. My traffic is about to increase on an unhealthy level).

Anyway, since it was the final stop on the tour, Will was probably burnt out as all hell. I mean, I'd be if i was in 'Zona, L.A., Alameda, Seattle, Illinois, Missouri, Philly, Boston and New York in only a few weeks. No joke, the farthest west/south I've ever been is somewhere in Tennessee (I was young...I don't remember where exactly).

Back to Rocker. He hasn't left us...only the John Rocker interview that Will has been acting out (with volunteers, nonetheless) during his book tour. With a possible second leg of the tour hitting Atlanta in the summer, John and his girlfriend expressed interest in making an appearance...which would not play out well for the author OR his emo bangs. It is wise to approach THAT audience with a much different selection from the book.

So it is with great sadness that I can relay that I witnessed the final reading of the John Rocker interview. It will be missed.

I went not to get my book signed (already happened), but merely to say thanks...in person...for yesterday's link to my recap. I mean, how often do you get to chat it up face to face with a bigger blogger who linked to you earlier in the day. I'd shoot an email...but that is just a bit informal.

The Q&A at the end of the reading was much longer than Monday's offering, mainly because there were no Barnes and Noble Soup Nazis keeping time. The setting was as relaxed as the tour itself.

To those of you I was able to meet at the past two stops on the tour...Cheers! Blogging nerds/readers of the world were able to unite ( for a minute, at least). If you have yet to read GSTF, I suggest you do so immediately. Because I said so...what more do you need?

Mini Pony of the Day 2-27-08

Cheers to honorary PSaMP staffer Doug for this brilliant image.

 

This is exactly how I made it to New York.

A Review of Deadspin's GSTF Book Tour

To my readers in Pittsburgh, I think its time to let you know that I've recently moved to New York due to work (the kind that pays you money...not the free kind I give you every day). And by recently, I mean very recently.

This move came at the perfect time, because I had been hoping Will Leitch's God Save The Fan Book Tour would stop in the Steel City, but no dice for the first leg. However, the New York stop(s) came right after I got here. Last night was reading/signing #1 in Tribeca. Tonight is reading/signing #2 in Brooklyn.

As a side note, you should truly read GSTF if you haven't yet. Its an easy read and captures what its like to be a fan in today's sports world. I'm not going to start reviewing the book, mainly because there's reviews everywhere for you.

Instead, I'll let you know how the tour was. Because I know you weren't there.

I got there early...because that's what I do. I hate being late...so I always end up getting to places crazy early and sitting on my ass until the person(s) I'm meeting shows up. It was a 7 P.M. reading...I was there by 6:30. I was met by a crowd of empty seats (there was no one there yet), so I chose a middle seat a few rows back. I'm not a front-row-center type of guy. I'm more of a few-rows-back-center type of guy.

As the 7 P.M. starting time drew near, the seats started fill up. Luckily, my friend, Ben and sister showed up while there were still some empty chairs.

The reading was fun, with Will and two volunteers acting out the John Rocker interview (if you have yet to read the book...you have no idea what this is. So you should read the book). Then, a short Q&A went down that was tightly policed by a woman who I believe worked at this particular Barnes and Noble. She was all about keeping questions to a minimum, as if there was some big extravaganza in the children's section behind us that needed to start immediately.

After, I was able to get my copy signed. It was cool to finally meet Will. 90%+ of sportsblogs have been influenced (directly or indirectly) by Deadspin (as was PSaMP), so actually meeting someone like Will was pretty crazy. I don't mean to get all stupid and weird about the whole thing...its just unique to meet an author...especially one who writes for a huge sportsblog. Evidence of my signed copy is below:



The note reads: Welcome to NYC! It's HORRIBLE here!

Fantastic.

Everyone retired to a bar down the street called The Patriot. Before I knew everyone would be heading there, I was hesitant to step foot in that place based solely on my hate for the football team of the same name. It wasn't as bad as the team.

Despite the bar being the hottest, and the music being the loudest...I had a blast meeting some Deadspin commenters/Leitch friends.

Part 2 of the NYC signing is going on tonight. I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow. And if you're in the NYC area, stop by the Brooklyn BookCourt for the reading. I'll be the dork in the white, button-down shirt and brown corduroy pants (because that's what I wore to work...and there's no way I make a stop between work and the reading) amidst the throng of unfortunate-looking bloggers/blog readers. Gimme a holler.

Mini Pony of the Day 2-26-08

Wow. What a 'do.

 

...Hey, baby. (Hoping that's a chick)

Jerome Bettis Picks Minor League Baseball Over DWTS

Sorry for getting your hopes up over The Bus possibly starring in the upcoming edition of Dancing With The Stars.

It isn't happening. Here's the official list. Jason Taylor, for whatever reason, is the NFL-entry. Stupid NY Post...lying to my face and whatnot.

However, the one-time Miller Lite spokesman/bar and grille entrepreneur/Detroit native has shifted some of his focus towards his part in an ownership group of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (the former Durham Bulls), a low-level minor league baseball team. The ownership group also includes Eddie "Married-to-a-Member-of-SWV" George.

Now, JB already has experience dealing with minor league baseball, as he is part of an ownership group of the Altoona Curve and the State College Spikes.

In looking at the Pelicans' Wikipedia page, it appears that a good number of current and former Atlanta Braves played for the Pelicans in the past (since the team is affiliated with Bobby Cox's major league squad). The list includes Rafael Furcal, Jeff Francoeur, Marcus Giles, Wilson Betemit and the Pirates' very own...ADD LaRoche.

The Curve, the Spikes...now the Pelicans. What's next for The Bus...the Lancaster Barnstormers? I don't think Clipper Magazine Stadium could handle it.

Mini Pony of the Day 2-25-08

Many thanks go out to reader Gina for emailing this picture on Friday. In case you live under a rock or ARE a rock (hmmm...existential), the image came from ICHC.

 

I'ma guess Leetle horse. If I'm wrong, then I need to run away from Giant Bebe right now.

Jared Zabransky Is The Pittsburgh Steelers

I have no real posts to type on this cold-ass Friday, so I'm just going to direct you to a solid story by Joe Starkey at the Trib.

It involves new Steelers QB Jared Zabransky, and his improbable run from near-Fiesta Bowl-goat, to Fiesta Bowl hero, to unlikely NCAA 08 coverboy, to Arizona Cardinals castoff, to likely Steelers 3rd-string QB. And really, being a 3rd-stringer in Pittsburgh has got to be an o.k. job for a guy who couldn't stick anywhere last year.

Plus, since Pittsburgh usually likes to keep 3 QBs around, Zabransky will possibly be spending some time on an actual NFL sideline this fall. Goodbye, Brian St. Pierre...hello, Jared Zabransky.

Starkey also informs us that Zabransky's agent is originally from Monroeville (crazy), and the ridiculous combination of a player and team that both boast a spot in the final 8 of ESPN's dumb "Greatest Highlight" (although I don't see the Fiesta Bowl play). Zabransky - Fiesta Bowl; Steelers - Immaculate Reception. Maybe Jared and Dan Rooney can chat it up at some point.

I'll stop spoiling the article now. Go read it for yourself.

Mini Pony of the Day 2-22-08

Old boy is cold. I like his sweater. It's come in handy if he was in New York right now.

Plus, his cool beard oughta help.