Blogs

. DALLAS — Brief and to the Point … >> My Monday column is about Michael Phelps, who struck me yesterday — more than ever — as someone who was born extraordinarily gifted and sometimes wishes he was not. Very interested in your feedback. >> Also interested in your response to this: When do you [...]

. Looking ahead to first pitch … Game: Pirates (15-18) vs. Houston Astros (15-18) Time: 1:35 p.m. Site: PNC Park TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Here is the live box score. Rob Biertempfel is on the scene. And here is the Pirates’ lineup … Jose Tabata, LF Neil Walker, 2B Andrew McCutchen, CF Pedro Alvarez, [...]

ARLINGTON, Texas – Here is my Sunday feature, as promised, on Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols, both playing here this weekend. My thanks to the greatest hitter I’ve ever seen for his generous one-on-one time yesterday.

. Below is a short news piece accompanying my Sunday feature on Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols and the concept of the game’s best hitter. The feature will be online at 12:30 a.m.: ARLINGTON, Texas — Albert Pujols doesn’t keep tabs on the Pirates the way he did when he dominated them, but his interest remains [...]

. Looking ahead to first pitch … Game: Pirates (14-18) vs. Houston Astros (15-17) Time: 7:05 p.m. Site: PNC Park TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Here is the live box score. Rob Biertempfel is on the scene. And here is the Pirates’ lineup … Jose Tabata, LF Neil Walker, 2B Andrew McCutchen, CF Pedro Alvarez, [...]

. Looking ahead to first pitch … Game: Pirates (14-17) vs. Houston Astros (14-17) Time: 7:05 p.m. Site: PNC Park TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Here is the live box score. Rob Biertempfel wants to rename his team the Colt .45s. And here is the Pirates’ lineup … Jose Tabata, RF Nate McLouth, LF Andrew [...]

. >> My Friday column collects a whole bunch of randomness regarding the Stanley Cup playoffs. Would love to hear some of your own pluses and minuses to date, not just related to Penguins. >> It’s so easy for me or anyone to say without standing in the batter’s box ourselves, but … man, I [...]

. Looking ahead to first pitch … Game: Pirates (14-16) vs. Washington Nationals (18-12) Time: 7:05 p.m. Site: PNC Park TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan Here is the live box score. Rob Biertempfel could crush Stephen Strasburg’s fastball. And here is the Pirates’ lineup … Jose Tabata, RF Alex Presley, LF Andrew McCutchen, CF Pedro [...]

Here’s today’s chat transcript. Thanks to all for participating.

. Brief and to the Point … >> Watching the Capitals and Rangers lie down all night and eat pucks made for some pretty lousy hockey. Washington usually doesn’t do it systematically, but New York does. It’s terrible to watch and no fun to play, either. I’ve covered a lot of coaches/managers getting fired. I’ve [...]