The Latest in Pittsburgh Sports
There has been plenty of news recently regarding Pittsburgh sports. I know that you are all craving the latest Pirates information (they killed Philly the other day), but I will be focusing on some stories besides the ever-exciting MLB spring training.
The Passing of Myron Cope
Legendary Pittsburgh broadcaster Myron Cope passed away this past Wednesday at the age of 79. The city has been mourning him and today the radio was abuzz with Myron memories. Fans from Pittsburgh and beyond recognize Myron as the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I know several people who turned the volume down on their televisions as they watched the game each week, preferring to listen to the unique musings of Myron Cope rather than the televised commentators.
He was more than just a radio personality however. Myron Cope was part of the city as a community, and his contributions as a person are just as admirable as what he did for the Steelers as a franchise. His donation of the Terrible Towel trademark to the Allegheny Valley School, a center for the mentally disabled, has raised millions of dollars to help the organization. Pittsburgh was lucky to have a man of this caliber among us for as long as we did.
Of course Myron’s memory will live on, and the city will constantly be reminded of his legacy as we Steelers fans waive his creation, the Terrible Towel, to support our team. I am sure that Steeler Nation joins me in extending condolences to Myron’s family and close friends.
The Departure of Alan Faneca
There is really no way to transition from that, so I will just continue. On a much lighter side of the Steelers, Alan Faneca has officially left the team as expected. Faneca had been requesting a contract renegotiation for several years, and promised to leave the team after this year. He signed with the Jets today for four years, eight million dollars per. For as good as Faneca is, he could not help our porous offensive line this season. The Steelers will have to address his absence in the draft. I hope that they focus on the offensive line with several picks.
The Penguins Acquire Marian Hossa
In what is to be considered the blockbuster trade of the NHL this year, the Penguins traded Colby Armstrong and Erik Christiansen Christensen and other players/picks to Atlanta for Marian Hossa (and Pascal Dupuis). Hossa made his debut for the Penguins on Thursday, but unfortunately was injured during that game. Luckily it is nothing serious, and soon both Crosby and Hossa will return (to the same line no less).
I really hope that Hossa works out, because it is tough to see players like Armstrong and Christensen go. Armstrong was a tough player and an important piece of team chemistry (he roomed with Crosby on road trips). Christensen was a decent player who was solid during shootouts. The Pens also lost a draft pick and a prospect in the trade, so this is definitely a high-risk investment.
Hossa is a great offensive player, so it is likely that he will be a great fit with Crosby on the same line. In Sid’s absence Evgeni Malkin has proven he has the skills and the leadership to carry the team. I think Evgeni can hold a line of his own at this point, and they will be just as legitimate a threat as the Crosby/Hossa line. We will see how things work out, but they better do it quickly. The NHL playoffs are fast approaching.
What are your thoughts on the recent news in Pittsburgh? Let me know in the comments. (And Happy Leap Day)
Image courtesy the Steelers official website
March 1st, 2008 | 10:23 am
I’m sad to see myron cope depart. Also faneca will be sorely missed. Penguins trade I think will not do a whole heck of a lot. Fleury needs to go however.
March 1st, 2008 | 10:32 am
It’s definitely sad to hear that Myron Cope passed away. I loved listening to him announce Steelers games over the radio. He really meant a lot to the Steelers organization and will be missed dearly.
It’s nice to see the team that the Penguins are putting together. They have been doing well this year, and I excited to see the results when Crosby comes back healthy, paired with Hossa. I just hope that they can continue paying all of this talent a few years from now.
With the departure of Alan Faneca, I’m curious to see what the Steelers do in the draft this year. I think that they will definitely improve the offensive line, but I’m not sure if they need “several” players for it (if “a few” is 3, and “several” is at least 4.)
March 1st, 2008 | 10:45 am
@Nathaniel, I think the first pick needs to be the best offensive linemen available. At the very least they need to spend a third-rounder there as well, but only if the second round pick is a bruiser at RB. I think we could use some help there as well to spell Willie Parker.
March 1st, 2008 | 7:45 pm
why I worry about the pens trade is that everybody on the team unanimously admitted that colby was the binding between them. He was also a tough guy who wasn’t afraid to stand up for his team. I.e. Saku Koivu last year. Christiensen was money on shootouts but not much more. Hossa has a lot to live up too.
March 1st, 2008 | 10:14 pm
i think the trades pittsburgh made this year will make for an exciting post season for the penguins. This gives the pens two talented first lines wit hossa and crosby healthy. with a hot goalie the pens could do some damage this year. the only question is will there be enough time for them to gell as a team? i say pens will get passed the first round and who knows how far after that
March 1st, 2008 | 10:35 pm
R.I.P. Myron Cope. Happy birthday Xane Mahtani. Alan Faneca is obviously a big loss, and we definitely need to get a couple offensive lineman, but personally I think that we very badly need a great cornerback. Despite what our statistics may have been our pass defense was terrible this year, and has been the past couple previous seasons. They cannot stop the big plays when they need to. Mark must be smoking pope, because this Penguins trade is great in my opinion. Yes, Armstrong was a big locker room guy, and you need those types of players. However, it’s not every day you get one of the best pure scoring players in the league, in Marian Hossa. Also, one of the best wingers in the league, which we desperately needed to play along Crosby. The team can overcome the fact that Armstrong was a big time character that they all loved, because after all…The NHL, like every other sport is a business, and the players are payed to win and they can overcome the loss of Armstrong for a more effective player that will be a big piece to a deep playoff run. The question is, can we manage to sign him after the season? If we make a good solid run, and Hossa benefits from playing with Crosby (no doubt he will), I think he’ll make a wise career decision in signing. I love Pittsburgh.
March 1st, 2008 | 10:37 pm
Also, it’s Christensen, not “Christiansen”, or in Mark’s case, “Christiensen”.
March 1st, 2008 | 10:47 pm
haha that made me laugh out loud. I meant Christensen. anyways i also loved, “player that will be a big piece”. anyways i think that we should trade michele terrien for mike tomlin. Coach tomlin, Coach tomlin…