THE BLACK-N-GOLD NEWS
PIRATES
Our Pirates began the week in the win column as they sank the Miami Marlins 5-2. Congrats to CF Andrew McCutchen who celebrated another milestone in this one, playing his 1000th career game. Congrats, Cutch. May you play your next 1000 games in the Black-N-Gold!
On Tuesday, the Buccos dropped game 2 to the Fish by the same score of 5-2. Also, INF Pedro Florimon cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple A Indy.
Wednesday, the Bucs came back to raise the Jolly Roger in a 7-2 victory. They took the series on Thursday by edging Miami 2-1. There was also an announcement that former 1st round pick, SS Cole Tucker, had shoulder surgery. He is expected to be out for up to a year. Get well soon, Cole!
Friday the Pirates returned home to PNC where they opened a 3-game set with the Colorado Rockheads, taking the opener 5-3. The Pirates also picked up the win on Saturday night by a score of 4-3.
The Pirates announced that the August 3rd rainout with the Chicago Cubbies would be made up as part of a day/night doubleheader on September 15. A chance to beat our division rivals twice in one day.
Unfortunately, the Bucs weren't able to clean house yesterday, as they were blanked by the Rockheads 5-0.
They're off today as they take their show on the road to Milwaukee where they open a 3-game series with the Brewers on Tuesday. You can't win the division if you don't beat the teams in the division. Go out and kick Brewer butt. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
STEELERS
Our Steelers continued to shuffle their roster as injuries have piled up during the preseason. WR David Nelson was placed on the Reserve/Injured List. The Steelers brought back OL Doug Legursky to help the O-Line. Also, QB Bruce Gradkowski had surgery on a finger to his non-throwing hand. Ultimately, Gradkowski was placed on IR due to a shoulder that kept him on the PUP list at the start of training camp. This could be the end of Gradkowski's career in Black-N-Gold, especially on the heals of QB Michael Vick signing a contract.
Mrs. Black-N-Gold has heard many different sides regarding the controversial signing of Vick. Of course the heinous crimes that he committed are wrong and he certainly deserved to be punished. That being said, the man did do the time and seems apologetic for his actions. He has even continued to work with animal-rescue organizations long after his court-mandated requirements. However, Mrs. Black-N-Gold just didn't agree with this signing from a football standpoint. He's 35 years old and his best days are clearly behind him. Of course then Vick makes Mrs. Black-N-Gold look wrong by throwing a 65-yard TD pass to WR Martavis Bryant (more on him later) in the Buffalo game on Saturday. All I know is if it gets to the point that Vick is in the starting lineup, then the Steelers are in trouble because that will mean that QB Ben Roethlisberger is hurt. Vick may be able to step in for Ben in a pinch but I sincerely doubt that Black-N-Gold Nation wants to see Vick under center for the better part of the season.
The Steelers received more news from the Commissioner's office this week as Bryant was handed a 4-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. It was ultimately revealed that Bryant had failed at least 4 previous tests for marijuana usage. Bryant is expected to appeal his suspension once he finishes his bag of Doritos.
Word came this week that C Maurkice Pouncey may miss at least 10 games this season due to the injury he suffered in the Green Bay game. The Steelers may place him on the IR/Return List.
Finally, the Steelers did play another exhibition game this week, although you couldn't tell it by the scoreboard, dropping this one to Buffalo by an embarrassing score of 43-19. They also lost K Garrett Hartley to a hammy in the process. No word yet on the extent of the injury.
The Steelers play their final preseason game on Thursday in Carolina. Typically, the starters make only cameos in this one as they get ready for the regular season. We'll see if they can stay healthy and improve their performance. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
PENGUINS
Our Penguins have signed F Tom Sestito to a tryout contract. Sestito is known as a goon in NHL circles and may be they man that can stand up to the likes of the Philly Cryers this season if he makes the team.
Pens Coach Mike Johnston made some remarks this week regarding the lines that he'll try in training camp. Coach wants to put Phil Kessel on Sidney Crosby's line and Patric Hornqvist on Evegeni Malkin's. Of course that doesn't mean that anything is etched in stone or even in ice, for that matter. We'll see how things shake out as the season draws nearer. Let's Go Pens!!!
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