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Sunday Sports MailBag

First (and last) trip to the Horseshoe

It’s been a long time since I’ve written to the Mirror. The urge usually hits when I feel the need to get something off my chest about my alma mater, Penn State. Thus, I felt compelled to write about my first (and last) trip to Ohio Stadium (aka, “The Horseshoe.”) I will leave it to the sports pundits to dissect the disappointing performance of our football team (note to Cory Giger — you go right on pressing James Franklin about his offensive coordinator’s seeming inability to implement a vertical passing game). No, I want to talk about my experience as a visiting ...

Mailbag

Irwin has earned ‘God’s trophy’ I was fortunate to attend the Bishop Guilfoyle and Tyrone football game last Friday night. At halftime, they honored the greatest person I know — Tom Irwin. I have been fortunate to know Tom and his wonderful wife, Lenora, and family for over 50 years. I have coached with Tom and volunteered with him on projects at the Ecumenical Council and Evergreen Manors’ Gloria Gates Foundation. I have learned so much from him by how he interacts with everyone, regardless of their age or circumstances. Tom will never know how much he has meant to ...

Mailbag

Both genders deserve level field of play On Sunday, Aug. 27, I heard people who are opposed to biological men competing against biological women called vile names, so I referred to the World Track and Field Championships ending the same day for examples. Let’s start with the 100-meter sprints. The men ran it in 9.83 seconds and the women in 10.65, a difference of .88 seconds. A meter is 1.0936137 yards. At those speeds, the men would beat the women by approximately 9 meters, 9.8425 yards. Next, the 1500-meter run. The men ran it in 3 minutes and 29.28 seconds, the women in ...

Ronan was gentleman on, off field

Jimmy Ronan passed away last week, and our local baseball community lost a legend. I was fortunate to be able to grow up watching Ro play as he was a teammate of my dad’s, and his sons Brent and Scooter and I never missed a game or tournament. Later in life, I was able to be his teammate as well as having him as a coach. I was blessed to have many influential people in my life, and Ro is at the top of that list. He was a massive presence on the field and could hit a ball further than anyone I have ever seen, but the way he played the game and his sportsmanship always stuck out ...

Darr left mark on Curve and its fan base

By Jim Caltagirone For the Mirror I have the Altoona Curve to thank for my introduction to George Darr. For as long as I can remember, George was an attendant in a parking area south of the plaza at Peoples Natural Gas Field. He was one of those people who always left a favorable impression. George was blessed with a quick wit, an engaging smile and an upbeat disposition. If George had cares, he never displayed them on the job. It was obvious that he was a proud ambassador of the Curve and that he enjoyed interacting with patrons. He always made me feel special and added ...

Mailbag

With Lestochi’s hiring, time for BG to turn page One of the darkest chapters in the annals of Bishop Guilfoyle ended with the hiring of Ryan Lestochi as boys basketball coach. Only those privy to the behind the scenes maneuvers know how many others were offered the position before Lestochi accepted it. The unacceptable dismissal of Chris Drenning and his loyal, dedicated assistants came as shock and complete surprise to the Bishop Guilfoyle community but not to a select few school board members, administrators and I have to assume my friend and athletic director Joe ...