His attempt to manipulate the Pirates, (and Pedro Alvarez for that matter) just to inflate his ego, is deplorable.
To even suggest renegotiating a two-week-old contract makes a mockery of the draft process and of the signing deadline. Alvarez would be smart to hold a press conference announcing his disassociation with this man before this goes to arbitration.
The loser in all this will be Alvarez.
Pittsburgh fans have a long memory. He will be booed for years to come at PNC Park, no matter what uniform he ends up wearing.
On top of that, if he goes back into the draft he has very little to gain, having been the second pick overall.
An injury could end up costing him millions.
It's a big gamble for $200,000 worth of ego.
Don Ciambotti
Altoona
Curve deals appreciated
While I did not get to Curve games as much as I would have liked this year, it was nice to see that Todd Parnell and his staff took a several positive steps to help fans get through tough economic times.
The dollar hot dogs and half-price burgers were a welcome relief to my family, and I am sure many others.
I even noticed that during a rain delay at one game, at least one concession area offered patient fans dollar soft drinks, a nice touch that was appreciated by my sons as we waited for the rain to clear.
It has been a frustrating year on the field of play as the new Pirates' management struggles to establish a formula that will bring winning baseball to Pittsburgh after an entire generation of futility.
Despite such frustration, our local team's 10th anniversary was an enjoyable one for many reasons.
I look forward to seeing what Parney and his crew cook up in 2009!
Bob Trumpbour
Duncansville
What makes success at PSU?
Offseason antics, the now yearly melodrama, ''Will he stay or go?'' Who will start at quarterback?
At Penn State, there's more questions than answers for a season that last November looked very promising. Perhaps the first test will come when the Illini visit on Sept. 27.
Ron Zook has a number of talented players - some recruited from Washington, D.C., Penn State's backyard.
So my question/comment is this:
Does 9-3 or 8-4 make for a successful season when those losses are to the usual suspects? Michigan (I know all the reasons this year will be a win, but can you take it to the bank), the Buckeyes and those Fightin' Illini?
Greg Guise
Falls Church, Va.
Been away? 10 things you missed
In case you've been on Planet Hollywood for the last year, here are 10 sports quandaries that might convince you to go back:
1. After breaking Aaron's HR record in '07, no team is willing to take a chance on Barry Bonds in '08.
2. After being the doormats of the American League East for the last decade, the current first-place Tampa Bay Rays make no moves by the trade deadline to help their club for the stretch drive.
3. These same Rays opened a recent series in Tampa with the Angels, both teams atop their divisions yet a mere 15,000 fans (capacity 38,000) showed up to watch.
4. Mr. Gold, Michael Phelps, was questioned by reporters after winning his eighth gold in Beijing about the use of illegal substances. Yet, to date, no one has brought the topic up with Usain Bolt, Jamaca's 100M and 200M men's sprinter who literally blew away the competition with unheard of world records.
5. Lack of height was thought to be an issue for the USA men's basketball team in China, yet 6-foot-10 world champion Kevin Garnett was never asked to play, not to mention teammate and playoff MVP Paul Pierce.
6. Although Peyton Manning insists he'll be ready for the Colts' opener with the Bears next week, one must wonder why he waited until the middle of July to have surgery.
7. Philly fans who once booed Santa Claus are now booing last year's MVP and current Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
8. One win down and one year to go on his contract, JoePa could end up catching Bobby Bowden for all-time wins this year due to who defaults sooner.
9. Cincy wideout Chris Henry was suspended for the first four games by the Bengals because of several off-field actions, but now due to Bengals' injuries, management wants to welcome him back early with open arms.
10. If the minor-league version of Class A is just an eventual extension of or to Class AA, then Curve fans suffering through a year-long losing season have got to wonder what 2009 has in store when the Spikes are 15-50.
Stan Risser
Martinsburg
