Best of the Web: The Top 20 Links of the Week
PITT and WVU will both be wearing Nike Pro Combat uniforms when they take the field for Friday's Backyard Brawl. Yet Pitt refuses to wear the script-style unis that fans have been clamoring for. Does school administration have some sort of allergy to printing money? [Pitt News]
CHAD OCHOCINCO is back in the news for more non-football reasons, this time posing in the nude for a PETA ad. Next week, he can pose in a group picture of the most underachieving team in football. [PFT]
BEN ROETHLISBERGER is not about to get wrapped up in the Versus Network PR-machine-driven-hype of Terrell Owens' comments that the QB is soft. "I don't need to comment on that," Roethlisberger said. "I want to focus on winning championships."
HINES WARD chimed in on the faux controversy as well: "We're not even going to listen to T.O.'s show. When you're at that point, you're just trying to pump up your show as much as you can so people can talk about it."
Burn!
RASHARD MENDENHALL will be appearing at the FedEx store at 4010 William Penn Hwy in Monroeville on December 7 at 10:30 a.m. as part of their national "pack and ship" program. I hope he doesn't fumble anyone's Christmas presents. [DBlairSweepstakes.com]
The CIVIC ARENA was temporarily spared demolition thanks to a nomination of the building as a city historic structure. I appreciate the gesture, but unfortunately I think the Igloo is destined to end up as a pile of rubble that will then be packaged and sold to collectors. [PG]
Everyone knows that SIDNEY CROSBY is the man. But is he underrated? That's the case Rob Rossi made recently in the Trib (and it's worth noting, an argument that Adam Gretz made on Fanhouse back in January, 2009). Sadly, I don't think this theory is going to get much appreciation from the legions of Crosby haters around the globe. Call it a hunch. [Trib, Fanhouse]
Speaking of Sid, it was five years ago this week that he and ALEX OVECHKIN played their first game. Here's a great look back (with video) of what's happened since. [The Pensblog]
SI Writer S.L. Price nominated Crosby for their coveted Sportsman of the Year award, to be handed out on November 29. If he wins, is he still underrated? [SI]
Expect to see a notable number of Pittsburghers chosen in the upcoming 2011 NHL draft, including BRANDON SAAD, ranked #2 among OHL prospects. And I'm pretty excited. It got boring having Western PA dominate only football all these years. [NHL.com]
It flew under the radar a bit this week, but ZACH DUKE is now a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. How will the Pirates ever replace his 5,72 ERA and 15 losses? Oh, I'm sure they'll find a way. [MLB Trade Rumors]
And in more news of lousy Pirate pitchers getting another chance, DANA EVELAND joined the LA Dodger organization. Hope his self-described Jello legs hold up in that California heat. [MLB Trade Rumors]
Looking to watch some winning Pirate baseball? PNC Park might not offer it for a while, but the MLB Network is featuring the '71 Bucs in a Monday episode of Baseball Seasons, airing at 9 p.m. [By Gosh, It's Langosch]
DINESH PATEL, one half of the Pirates' Indian connection, has been released by the team. But don't fret, I'm sure they have room for other reality-show participants somewhere in their system. [Rum Bunter]
The bad news: 2010 was another lousy season on the field for the Pirates. The good news: the team and players raised a lot of money for good causes off the field. [MLB.com]
BOB PRINCE was recently featured in the series Baseball Voices, a CD set highlighting legendary baseball announcers. For a future installment, I'd like to nominate Greg Brown and his breakout, "Freak Show" season of 1997. [Pirates Report]
RIP, fake Penn State-Michigan State rivalry. You will be missed by...no one. [Altoona Mirror]
In concert news, TAYLOR SWIFT is coming to Heinz Field on June 18th, but the bigger news is that NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK and THE BACKSTREET BOYS (also known as NKOTBSB) will be visiting the Consol Energy Center on June 15. I don't have my calendar in front of me, but I know I'm busy both nights. [OK! Magazine]
