Mini Pony of the Day 5-15-07

So its been awhile since PSaMP has given you a cool miniature horse of the day. However, PSaMP is back from its mini vacation. In essence, today's MPotD has got to be huge, in order to make up for lost time.

PSaMP was a fan of the 1st season of Rob and Big, even though MTv pretty much sucks. However, the 2nd season is about to start, and word is that the duo has a mini pony to go along with Meaty, the skateboarding bulldog. This video will fill you in on the rest. I hope RaB doesn't get overplayed and watered down, a la "Osbournes" and "Jackass." Rob and Big without a mini pony. Awesome. Rob and Big with a mini pony. Even cooler.

Do work.

Can Anyone Stop the Passion? Rhetorical Question. The Answer Is No.

The Northern Division is beginning to get competitive, but your Pittsburgh Passion are clearly the team to beat. With an overpowering 53-7 win over the Philadelphia Phoenix on Saturday, the Passion now sit at an undefeated 4-0. Erie and Cleveland are both 3-1, but both teams’ quest for perfection were marred by the unstoppable Passion.

Torina Henley never ceases to amaze PSaMP. She has surpassed her previous week’s yards per carry mark in every game, and it seemed impossible for her to continue the streak, after averaging an astounding 17.3 yards per carry last week. However, Henley quieted any critics, and continued her dominance by averaging 17.4 yards against Philly. Her 9 rushes went for 157 yards. She also added 4 touchdowns. Henley is 5th in the league, with 501 yards on the ground.

Lisa Horton completed 7 of her 13 pass attempts for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns. Her passer rating of 123.7 was absurd again. She has passed for 535 yards on the season, good for 4th in the league. Her passer rating for the season stands at 137.8, a full 21.8 points above Phoenix’s Angela D’Rossi. Wilma Walton, an obvious deep threat, caught one pass for 53 yards and a score. With only 7 receptions on the season, Walton is 5th in the league with 261 receiving yards. Her yards per catch average is an unheard-of 37.3 yards per.

Defensively, the Passion are emitting shades of the Steel Curtain (Yeah, I said it). Olivia Griswold recorded 4 solo tackles among her 18 total tackles. The Steelers should have drafted her in the first round. She’s 5th in the league (I sense a trend here) with 48 tackles on the season. Almost more impressive this week was Kim Zubovic. This is PSaMP’s first mention of Zubovic, but she deserves it. All 12 of her tackles were of the solo variety. Incredible!

The Passion didn’t need to punt at all. Compare that to Philly’s 9 punts.

Pittsburgh is 2-0 at home and on the road. The team’s 2nd bye is this weekend, depriving Pittsburgh’s NWFA fans of their favorite team, but play in Cleveland against the Fusion on the 26th. The Passion defeated Cleveland 28-14 in their season opener, and will look to duplicate that feat when the teams meet again.

The Passion also have their own Dance Team! Rockin’!

Haven't met the team? Then check out this video.

PSaMP Is A Homer? You're Kidding!

Real quick, I wanted to give a shout out to the University of Delaware men's lacrosse team, who beat UVA 14-8 in the Division 1 men's tourney. I'm currently in the state of Delaware, and in true homer fashion, I've decided to give credit where credit is due. Pittsburgh isn't really known for lax (unless you count the Crossefire, the Steel City's former indoor team that was home to lacrosse legend Gary Gait), so PSaMP has adopted the Blue Hens as my team to root for. Fitting that UD won while I'm briefly in the state. The Blue Hens better win their next game, which is against the University of Maryland Baltimore County, an unseeded team much like UD, on May 20th.

Great job, Delaware men's lacrosse! Way to make PSaMP proud!

That is all.

Where In The World Is Carmen Sandi...uh PSaMP?

Sorry about going all Rockapella on you, but I figured I'd touch base about PSaMP's notable absense. Don't worry, PSaMP's self-induced leave will be over soon, and you, the reader, can go back to not reading my stuff. I feel kinda bad, depriving you of your daily mini pony fix, but I really needed some time off. My mind has been in a million places while I finished college. The above picture is President Bush at the podium, giving the commencement speech to my class. Don't get it twisted, PSaMP is far from a Bush supporter, but it was cool that he came to my small school, I guess.

There have also been some other happenings that have made it difficult for me to focus on sports and/or humor, so a mini vacation was greatly needed. I promise that the PSaMP exile will end soon, and I'll provide more offense than the Buccos did against Atlanta tonight. Honestly, how do you put up 13 on a ton of singles and no homers? I guess its been that kind of season.

I'll be back in a bit. I promise...

Please Excuse PSaMP

Yeah, PSaMP is hurting for new posts. My sisters flew in from New York City for my college graduation, and I'm spending some time with them. Today was Baccalaureate, and tomorrow is my actual graduation from St. Vincent College (Steelers' training camp, baby!). I apologize for the complete disregard for new posts, seeing as how I'm very busy right now. I promise that I'll have some kickass content once all this graduation hooplah dies down. In lieu of new posts, here are some selected PSaMP posts that you might enjoy (or not. Yeah, probably not).

-MSNBC Concerned About Circular Weed.
-Reasons to Keep Watching the Bucs This Season. UPDATE. (Reason 14 pending).
-Mike Penner Announces His Transsexuality.
-Let Me Explain...
-Grandma's Boy Quotes. (For good fun).
-Move Over, Willie Parker. Make Way For Fast Torina Henley.

Enjoy (or detest)...

Can Kevan Barlow Catch 3rd Down Screen Passes?

The Steelers signed RB Kevan Barlow. His most notable success came as a member of the 49ers. Last season, Barlow was used sparingly in New York as a member of the Jets. He also called Mike Nolan, Hitler.

Barlow is a local kid, having played college ball at Pitt. Kevan's signing suddenly makes Verron Haynes expendable. Haynes is recovering from a knee injury, and was hoping to be re-signed after being cut earlier this offseason. Lets hope Barlow is up to the task of catching repeated screen passes on every 3rd down.

At the Steelers' Super Bowl victory parade, I got Haynes (and Chris Hoke. Backups of the world, unite on my hat brim!) to sign my Super Bowl Champions hat. Thanks for the autograph, Verron. You will be (kinda) missed.

Oh, and no more national "experts" calling him Vernon. What was up with all that, anyway? The mispronounced name group lost a key member. We're left with Jerame Tuman. Its "Jeramy," not "Jer-aim," you toolbags.

Mini Pony of the Day 5-9-07

I understand that MPotD stands for mini pon-y of the day. Singular. Yet there are times that group photos really capture my attention. Plus, its more cool tiny horses to look at. This picture clearly classifies as multiple mini ponies, thus making it the MPsotD. Whatever. Look at the one in the front who recognizes that someone is taking his cool picture. The others are more concerned about how sweet the grass tastes at this specific point in time.

Bucs Win In 15

Although they have already won a game in 16 innings this season, the Bucs were out to prove that winning long games is no fluke. Jack Wilson admitted that the game was the worst in his career, but his bat atoned for a throwing error in last night's 4-3 win over the Cubbies. The game took 15 innings to complete.

Jonah Bayliss (3-2) pitched 3 strong scoreless innings to get his 3rd win of the season. Bayliss needed a strong outing, after struggling over the past week and a half.

Jack Wilson committed a fielding error in the 7th, allowing Cesar Izturis to reach first. Daryle Ward delivered a pinch-hit single, and Alfonso Soriano drove in Izturis for a 3-2 Cubs lead. Ward looked to be out at 2nd, and Jim Tracy was ejected for arguing the call. Wilson was able to make up for the costly error by delivering a sac fly in the 9th off Ryan Dempster to score Nate McLouth. After unsuccessful attempts to drive in baserunners in the 11th and 12th, Wilson hit another sac fly, which scored the decisive run in the game.

Ian Snell pitched an alright game. He went 8 innings, and struck out 5. However, he allowed 10 Chicago hits. He luckily only gave up 2 earned runs over those 10 hits. No walks issued by Ian, so his control seems to be in the right place.

Tonight's game pits Tom Gorzelanny (4-1 2.97 ERA) against Jason Marquis (4-1 2.09 ERA). Both pitchers have started the season as well as they could have hoped. Marquis has won his last 4 starts, and Gorzo recorded wins in 3 of his past 4 starts. Gorzo or Marquis could tie the league lead with their 5th win tonight.

Time For Some Rebut

After I posted my feelings on the Matt Capps suspension, I received several emails complaining about my reasoning. Here is one email that I would like to share, complete with my rebuttal. The email came from a reader by the name of Brady Quinn.*

You need to look at the tape again. Prince Fielder was not hit in the elbow he was hit in the shoulder. Oh and by the way the reason he was hit in the shoulder? He lifted his shoulder to protect his head. I am all for the pitcher having the inside corner, but that's not what happened here. Capps was head hunting and it could have either seriously hurt Fielder or incited an ugly brawl.

Even Jim Tracy commented after the game that he understood why Fielder was upset. I can agree that four games may be harsh, however your stance is ridiculous.

Take your homer blinders off.

Here is my response to Brady Quinn.

Shoulder...Elbow...My bad. I typed that in a hurry cos I had to go to a meeting.
Capps headhunting? Could be. But is Capps known as a head hunter? Does he have a history of going after guys just because the batter before him is having an
unbelievable series? Thats a stretch to even think of. And should an isolated instance warrant an automatic ejection coupled with an overdone suspension and
fine?

And Fielder? His exaggerated spin, the stare at Capps, the glaring into Milwaukee's dugout to see if retaliation was coming in the next inning, and the childish antics he displayed on Sunday really begs the question if Fielder was doing a little acting. At least a little. And Capps was immediately ejected because of it. And now has four games to think about it.

Yeah I heard Tracy say that (about Fielder being upset). Fielder has every right to be upset, because the pitch was well inside. And he got hit by it. I'd be mad at that, too. I'm only saying that Capps' suspension is wrong, and Fielder, who was blatantly calling a hit on the Pirates in the next inning by constantly staring into his own dugout, is partly to blame.

Fielder gets hit sorta in between the shoulder and the elbow. Here's some crappy video. Note the elongated "lay on the ground and stare at Matt Capps."

And here is a quote from ESPN.com's account of Sunday's game.

Fielder just eluded catcher Ryan Doumit's tag as the throw home was up the third-base line. After he slid across the plate, Fielder popped up and repeatedly punched his fists toward the Pirates' bench, prompting plate umpire Tim Timmons to step in front of him and point him toward the Brewers' dugout.

Doumit followed with:

It was a nice slide," he said. "My hat is off to him, but I think that's pretty bush league what he did afterwards.

Oh, and the homer blinders part? That's part of the site. The name is Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies, and I elude to seeing the world through black and gold colored glasses in my "About" section:

Yeah, my Pittsburgh bias is evident, and if it shows itself in my posts, then you'll just have to deal with it.

Its kinda part of the site. This isn't the place for unbiased analysis. Of course I'm gonna take Capps' side.


* Names have been changed for comedic purposes.

Mini Pony of the Day 5-8-07

I can't really speak for the pseudo-Indiana Jones (or even Jack Bandit. Wa Na Nah) chick in the background, but I will say that the mini pony in this picture rules. Staying with the Doug Funnie theme, I would totally change into Quailman, and use this mini pony as Quailhorse.

Central PA Vipers Stood No Chance Against Your 3-0 Pittsburgh Passion

This past weekend (Sorry that this is a little late. I'm consumed in finals week), your Pittsburgh Passion absolutely man-handled (woman-handled?) the Central PA Vipers, 52-0. Wilma Walton (above) led the game off for the Passion with a 49 yard touchdown, which was way too much for the Vipes to handle. Walton is 5th in the league with 208 yards receiving on the season.

PSaMP's favorite Passion player, Torina Henley, completed another game in which her yards per carry mark exceeded the previous game's total. She only rushed for 70 yards, but those yards were gained on only 4 carries! That's 17.3 yards per! She also scored a touchdown in every game, leading the Passion with 5 TDs. Her yards per carry average on the season stands at 11.2. Shelley Zoelle also amassed 70 yards on the ground on 7 carries. Still impressive, Shelley.

Lisa Horton finished 3 for 4 for 101 yards and a touchdown. Sticking to the game plan and keeping the ball on the ground, Horton gained 55 yards on 4 rushes, also adding a touchdown with her feet. Lisa is 3rd in the league in passing with 419 yards on the season. Her passer rating leads the league at an unheard-of 139.4.

Aside from Horton's league lead in passer rating, Pittsburgh punter Daniel Sepulvelda...I mean JoJo Warner, leads the league with her 39 yard average per punt. With Pittsburgh's unbelievable offense, Warner has only been called on to punt twice, but she's made those punts count. And hell yeah, I will celebrate any Pittsburgh player who leads the league in any stat.

Impressively, the Passion have scored 137 points trough 3 games, only allowing 21 points against. Their scoring marks are only bested by the 3-0 Chattanooga Locomotion, who have scored 160 points and only given up 7. In 3 games. Some of these stats are ridiculous!

Next week, the Passion host the Philadelphia Phoenix (1-2).

Generic ATHF?

So this caught my eye at McDonalds. Apparently, the company isn't big enough, so its banking on the popularity of another fad to "boost" sales.

This picture was on a child's booster seat tabletop at the restaurant. The image is of childish-looking, anthropomorphic food items. The picture looked awfully familiar...

Great job ripping off Aqua Teen Hunger Force. And peddling your rip-off heroes to some child. Very commendable.

Matt Capps Suspended, Prince Fielder Babied

Reliever Matt Capps was suspended 4 games for his actions against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. Capps plunked Prince Fielder on the elbow, and was immediately ejected by home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez. Jim Tracy was not happy at the time. Neither was Capps.

Sure, Capps had just given up a homer to J.J. Hardy, only the 2nd run he's allowed this year. He plunked Fielder, the next batter, on a rising inside fastball that caught the 1st baseman on the elbow. The ball looked like it could be going towards Fielder's head, but was deflected when Prince raised his arm.

I was perturbed with how quickly Capps was ejected from the game. I'm no fan of the "I'm gonna warn both benches" tactic, and if an ump is going to warn a team, it means he thinks they are in the wrong. Ejections are a much better way to deal with intentional hits.

With that being said, an ejection and 4 game suspension plus an undisclosed fine was a little overboard for the hit on Fielder's elbow. Capps had just given up a home run, and needed to reestablish his control over the inside of the plate. Sure, the ball was high and inside, but it wouldn't have hit Fielder's head. The only reason it hit Fielder's elbow was because Prince flailed his elbow out when he saw the ball coming inside. Fielder is a smart player. The guys in the booth couldn't stop talking about that fact for the entire series. He was shown paying attention to the littlest of details, and we were all treated to his superior knowledge of how the game is supposed to be played (blah, blah, blah). Any batter coming up after an "insurance" home run knows that the pitcher is probably going to come inside with the next few pitches. As soon as Fielder saw the the pitch coming, his elbow went up, and he dramatically spun around to the ground, staring at Capps.

Marquez wasted no time, and ejected an obviously heated Capps. Jim Tracy seemed upset with the swift ejection, and Capps ran his mouth the whole way to the dugout. Here's Capps' take on the situation:

I had him 0-and-1," Capps said. "So he had a quick hook. Obviously, stuff
like that is a judgmental call on his part, and I'm not going to question what
he did. I have to show him I can pitch inside. If they don't like it, that's
their problem. I'm going to continue to throw the ball on the inside part of the
plate.

The Pirates look to Ian Snell to help the team get back on track tonight versus the Cubs. Snell is following up his worst performance of the season from this past Wednesday, when he allowed 4 runs on 4 hits. He also walked 4, threw a wild pitch, and hit a batter (and wasn't suspended for 4 games). The Buccos face Ted Lilly, who the Pirates touched up for 5 runs and 9 hits over 5 1/3 innings on May 1st.

Mini Pony of the Day 5-7-07

Today's MPotD is snacking so hard. I can't imagine if I was tiny enough to stand behind an absolute mountain of cool food. If I was tiny, though, I'd want to stand next to a giant pile of spaghetti and just feast on it.