HOLYCRAPTHAT'SALOTOFLEGOS!

Props to Jason Burik, who created a to-scale model of PNC Park...with Legos.

I was a huge Lego fan back in the day. I'm also a huge Pirates fan, so right now, I'm drifting back to a time when the Pirates were still good, and Lego-building consumed most of my day. We visited the Lego phenomenon back during the toy's 50th birthday. My thoughts:


I grew outta Legos when they started making those massive sets where you could build like a castle or interactive building of some sort. I was used to the simple sets where your imagination dictated what you built. I could build a ridiculous stick/tower.


Yeah, I think it would be safe to say that I wouldn't have the energy to build a scale model of PNC Park, even though the stadium is superbly badass.

You can check out more of Jason's Lego creations, including Heinz Field (!) here.

Arena Development Delayed

Still clinging to the last few seasons of the majestic Civic Arena? Well, you'll have at least one extra season to keep those memories.

Originally supposed to open in time for the 2009-10 hockey season, the HOK Sport-designed, multi-purpose Hill District (that's a lot of words) arena will not open until the 2010-11 season.

The last thing the Penguins wanted was a half-assed job in a limited time frame. Spokesman Tom McMillan said:

"The right thing to do is to do it the right way," he said. "The matter of a few more months will enable us to do that."

Oh well. I love the Civic Arena (I do not call it Mellon). Yet, there comes a time when landmarks need to fall. I was emotional when Three Rivers went down. However, the end result of that implosion was the creation of the finest stadiums in the MLB and NFL.

I'll probably get all choked up when the Igloo vanishes, too, but the team needs it to happen. Just look at the artist's depiction of the new arena. Its gonna be sick. Plus, with the extra few months, the arena can put on some concerts before the Pens actually play a game. Hell, Heinz Field did just that with 'N Sync. Maybe we can score a Backstreet Boys reunion tour prior to Sid and Co. taking the ice.

Pirates Fans Planning a Walk Out

Jeez. It only took 14 years.

Disgruntled Pirate fans are planning a walk-out of the June 30th home game to show disgust over poor management and front-office decisions. More info/thoughts here. Many thanks to reader Julie_Gong, who PSaMP knows and loves, for tipping me off about the story.

Andy Chomos and Sean Lucas are the two organizers of the Fans for Change campaign, which they hope will show Pirates management the level of disappointment in today's Buccos fans. They plan on having fans leave after the 3rd inning.

Chomos also wants the fans to wear green shirts, to symbolize money leaving the building. So if the fans throw themselves out of the upper decks and onto the field, would they figuratively be "making it rain?"

PSaMP is sorta on the fence about this one. Has the organization made some terrible decisions over the past 14 years? Yes. Do the fans, who paid for the stadium, have the right to walk out? Yes again. It sounds like a kickass plan, but when in the past 14 years has the organization actually listened to the fans? That answer is never. Sure, a walk-out might gain media attention, but I don't see it as the means to an end. Is Dave Littlefield, sitting in his Lexus Club seat behind home plate, really going to redo the last (10 or so) draft(s) just because fans leave? Its not like PNC is full to capacity anyway. Unless, of course, its the All-Star game, or its fireworks night.

So PSaMP applauds the fans for sticking up for their team. I for one can't stand the direction the team has gone since Sid Bream beat a Barry Bonds throw home some 15 years ago. The fans have the right idea. PSaMP just hopes that Pirates management listens for once.

Penguins Choose Arena Design Firm

What? Penguins news!

Its been awhile, but PSaMP felt it was time to finally move past the disheartening playoff loss to the Senators, and give an update on your Pittsburgh Penguins. Plus, I wanted an excuse to post this badass Pens' logo from the '68 season. Its simplicity makes it a PSaMP favorite. Much better than that triangular deal that they tried to pass off as a logo in the '90s. I couldn't stand that thing.

The Pens have decided on a design firm for the new multi-purpose arena that was at the center of our collective attention just 2 months ago. HOK Sport has been given the green light, and has the awesome task of building another beautiful Pittsburgh sports arena.

HOK designed PNC Park and Heinz Field, which both opened in 2001. If the new Penguins arena is half as nice as the other 2 HOK-designed Pittsburgh sports complexes, then Penguins fans have nothing to worry about. The arena has a tentative price tag of $290 million. It should be open for the start of the '09-'10 season.

The best part of the deal is that HOK is based in Kansas City, the area that desperately wanted the Pens prior to the new 30-year agreement with the city of Pittsburgh. HOK not only is centered in KC, but also designed the Sprint Center, the arena that was offering the Pens a rent-free deal. Yet another kick in the teeth to all those hopeful fans at My KC Penguins. Great job getting all worked up for nothing, ya weirdos.

I can't wait to see what the good people at HOK have in store for all us Pens fans. After seeing their works for the Buccos and Stillers, PSaMP is eager to witness an arena that is good enough for Darren McCord in Sudden Death 2.