Sports Mailbag: 4/14/06
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84 Lumber's stunning tournament announcement fails to register with fan
I, like many people in the region, just read the announcement about the 84 Lumber Classic. I am surprised. The company wants to make more money, but it is taking its name off [an event that will draw] a national TV audience. [84 Lumber officials] said that their profit has doubled since 2002, which, [coincidentally], was about the same time the tournament started. I hope that they would try to become a tournament again in the future, because it put the national spotlight on this region for four days.
RYAN GURRENTZ, Murrysville
Batman strikes out
Who does Michael Keaton think he is? His comments at the home opener were totally inappropriate. He needs to know when to keep is mouth shut. After all, he was an invited guest.
Recently, at an affair honoring director Ron Howard in New York, out of the blue he made some very insulting remarks about actor Russell Crowe that brought sighs of disbelief from attending guests. Keaton is a man of terrible manners and ignorance. What wonderful projects has he done lately to make him an authority on anything? Now that is a C-list actor.
No Pittsburgh Pride he!
JAMES ROSSI, Plum
Dapper Dander up
Pittsburghers should take exception to Joe Paterno being awarded the Dapper Dan Lifetime Achievement Award. Dapper Dan is a local organization that honors local sports figures. How does a man who is located 2 1/2 hours away qualify as a local sports figure?
In addition, what has Joe Paterno meant to/done for Pittsburgh? All Paterno had done to Pittsburgh is terminate one of the greatest rivalries in the history of college football for nothing but his own selfish grudge. Yet a Pittsburgh organization is going to honor him.
When will local organizations and sports writers realize that Penn State is not a local school?
BRANDON DUNN, Ross
Time to walk the plank
The Pirates handed out eye patches for opening day. Wouldn't it have been easier to pass out blindfolds instead?
MIKE FUNWELA, McKees Rocks
Everyone needs to grow up
Apparently, Gene Collier's white knight, Zach Duke, wasn't the smart, mature pitcher he thought he would be. Duke served up stupid home run after stupid extra-base hit just like the Collier's slow-witted and immature whipping boy from south of the border, Ollie Perez, did two days earlier. Funny how Perez seemed ready for his opener, but Duke didn't.
Maybe Collier in all his wisdom forgets that these are young kids rushed into a job by a team desperate for hope; a team that must rent its experience until its core players are consistently ready for prime time.
I expected the Pirates' pitching staff would have to grow up this year. With his virulent and hateful personal attack, I was surprised to learn that Collier needs to do some growing up as well.
STEPHEN MORROW, Friendship
NFL did fans no favors
The NFL has come out with a fan unfriendly schedule for those that travel to Pittsburgh for home games. Neither the night games or the 4:15 p.m. games are convenient for fans who must travel three-plus hours.
In addition, the league keeps open the option for six weeks to move afternoon games to night late in the year when the weather becomes questionable. With only one 1 p.m. game before Nov. 12, it is a bad schedule.
While I realize the NFL must cater to the TV networks, a stadium was built for the fans that someday will not be filled.
This comes on the heels of the low number of tickets available for the Super Bowl. With 20 season tickets for over 30 years, not being able to get a ticket without paying $3,000 scalper's price is just not fair.
GERRY WEBER, Camp Hill
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First Published April 14, 2006 12:00 am
