Breaking News

Voice of the Fan

Mailbag

Clifford beats odds by getting drafted Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst did the unthinkable last weekend. He selected Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the fifth round with the 149th pick. I thought Clifford maybe would go in the seventh round, at best, and was more likely a free agent. Clifford will now become Jordan Love’s new best friend. Clifford throws well on the run, and NFL teams love his toughness and smarts. But I think his decision making and ball placement are too inconsistent for what is required at the next level. Oh, well. ...

Oh, brother: Steelers lean on family

By Bill Contz For the Mirror If you haven’t noticed the Steelers’ recent penchant for overpromoting the “family-first” concept regarding their roster, then you either don’t follow pro football closely or have been completely mesmerized by the Pirates’ best start in 31 years. After last week’s NFL draft, it’s clear the organization is hell bent on inundating their squad with as many sets of siblings as possible. Last week the Steelers used their fourth-round pick on Nick Herbig, a talented outside linebacker from Wisconsin and reunited him with older brother Nate, ...

Stench of death hanging over this year’s Kentucky Derby

By Paul Newberry The Associated Press They’ll come by the tens of thousands for the party of the year, adorned in the gaudiest of hats and sipping on mint juleps, witnesses to the most thrilling two minutes in sports. Hopefully, they won’t ignore the stench of death that hangs over the Kentucky Derby and its magnificent athletes. Four horses perished in the past week at Churchill Downs, again raising troubling questions about the sport of kings ahead of the 149th run for the roses on Saturday. If this can happen at the world’s most famous track, with the eyes of the world ...

In Vegas, A’s will play with house money

By Jim Caltagirone For the Mirror Identifying the American city which offers the most attractive options for spectator sports is like conducting a national home search based on the probability of avoiding natural disasters. Absolute certainty is purely subjective. For the record, a graphic published in a national magazine several years ago identified the Southwest as the region most frequently spared from tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, floods and earthquakes. By signing a binding purchase agreement for 49 acres just off the Las Vegas strip, the Oakland A’s have crowned ...

Team USA doesn’t need LIV help

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press Players who signed up for Saudi riches of LIV Golf knew there would be a cost. It wasn’t the majors. Top players are still eligible. But it should cost them a chance to play for the U.S. team in the Ryder Cup. For starters, the American team is strong enough it doesn’t need them. LIV players face long odds to earn one of six automatic spots. To be worthy of a captain’s pick? U.S. skipper Zach Johnson says his qualifiers will have a big say. It should be hard to consider a player who turned his back on his tour. Signing up for Saudi riches ...

Mailbag

Altoona loss shouldn’t be blamed on field I read the Mirror article “Defense collapse causes another Altoona defeat,” stating that playing at Juniata contributed to the Mountain Lions’ loss to State College on Thursday. Juniata Sports Complex is run by a non-profit 503-C with a very limited budget that comes from selling advertising signs that surround the ballfield, grants and a few donations from local supporters. The groundskeeper, Kirk Beichler, dedicates many hours researching how to improve the field and its structures on this limited budget. And he also dedicates ...