Bluey Blog - Official Blog of Robert B. Bluey

Washington’s New Cookie-Cutter Stadium

The Washington Nationals new ballpark is a wonderful addition to the city and a marked improvement over RFK Stadium. As a partial season-ticket holder for the past four seasons, I was as ready as anyone for a new home this season.

After two games in the new park (including yesterday’s rain-delayed action), I’m thrilled that I’ll be watching 18 more games there. But at the same time, I’m disappointed it doesn’t have the distinguishing characteristics of ballparks like Camden Yards in Baltimore, PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Comerica Park in Detroit.

Instead, Nationals Park resembles in many ways the architecture of Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park, this era’s version of the cookie-cutter stadium. The stadium’s designers promised a view of the U.S. Capitol, but not from my seat — or the majority of the ballpark. In fact, two unsightly parking garages overshadow the D.C. skyline, making the view beyond the outfield wall one of the blandest in baseball. Don’t get me wrong, there are great aspects of the ballpark, including the beautiful scoreboard, but there’s nothing that makes the park uniquely Washington.

While the architecture isn’t my favorite, the food certainly makes up for it. Despite the outrageously high prices, I know I’ll enjoy Five Guys, Red Hot & Blue and Gifford’s Ice Cream throughout the season. A greater selection of beers (no Saranac, unfortunately) also makes the stadium an improvement over RFK.

Now if only the pitiful play of the Nationals improves, fans will have a reason to celebrate D.C.’s newest attraction.

Baltimore Has Seen Better Days

Last night we drove to Baltimore to watch the Orioles take on the Seattle Mariners at Camden Yards. It was a rare treat to visit one of our favorite ballparks so early in the season, and I have my Uncle Ted to thank for the tickets.

Of all the years I’ve been going to Orioles games, dating back to at least 2002, I can’t remember one so sparsely populated. There were so few people at the game, it was hard to believe that it was the opening week of the season — and on a Friday night nonetheless. The announced attendance of 14,429 seemed quite generous.

This sparked my interest, so I went back and had a look at the first three games over the past five seasons, dating to before the Washington Nationals arrived in the area. With the exception of 2006, this year’s attendance is significantly lower.

March 31, 2008 vs. Tampa Bay: 46,807
April 2, 2008 vs. Tampa Bay: 10,505
April 4, 2008 vs. Seattle: 14,429

April 2, 2007 vs. Minnesota: 48,711
April 3, 2007 vs. Minnesota: 24,439
April 4, 2007 vs. Minnesota: 25,539

April 3, 2006 vs. Tampa Bay: 46,986
April 5, 2006 vs. Tampa Bay: 16,083
April 6, 2006 vs. Tampa Bay: 13,194

April 4, 2005 vs. Oakland: 48,271
April 6, 2005 vs. Oakland: 22,415
April 7, 2005 vs. Oakland: 16,395

April 4, 2004 vs. Boston: 47,683
April 6, 2004 vs. Boston: 35,355
April 7, 2004 vs. Boston: 28,373

I’m not sure if this year’s pathetic attendance can be attributed to the weather or an opening series against Tampa Bay, but I suspect it probably also has something to do with the new Nationals Stadium about an hour down the road in Washington. If that’s true, then perhaps Peter Angelos’ worst fears have come true. That’s too bad for the Orioles. They have a young and exciting team — and a ballpark that’s still one of the best in baseball.

Sports Bring Pride to ‘Downtrodden’ Jeannette

The city of Jeannette, Pa., is back in the national spotlight again today. The New York Times, which has tracked Terrelle Pryor’s path to stardom, writes about the importance of sports in the city of 10,000, where my Dad grew up and my aunt and uncle still live.

Once known as glass city, when 70 percent of the world’s glass was made here, this town is probably better known now as the home to Terrelle Pryor, the No. 1 college football prospect, who signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to attend Ohio State.

Beyond that, though, this economically battered city of 10,000 is fairly unremarkable in southwestern Pennsylvania. Like many cities in the region, it has lost a third of its population, and Clay Avenue, its downtown, is a shadow of its former self.

“It’s just like any other normal industrial town built around one industry,” Mayor Michael Cafasso said. “When the glass plants closed, people left to find work elsewhere.”

As a result, Pryor could be considered one athlete who transcended his community’s circumstances. But Jeannette’s social fabric and volunteer ethic never faded even when the jobs did. Many adults have put in time with the city’s youth sports programs at some point, and sports have long filled residents with pride.

That is particularly true this school year, as Pryor and the Jeannette Jayhawks won state titles in football and basketball.

This is a great story about a city that prides itself on winning, even when the odds are stacked against it.

Pitt’s Remarkable Run Ends, but Inspires Hope for Next Year

Pitt toppled the biggest names in the Big East last weekend with solid shooting beyond the arc from senior Ronald Ramon, a power offense in the paint from junior Sam Young and freshman DeJuan Blair, and a clutch performance from the free-throw line. Unfortunately for the Panthers, just about everything that could go wrong did last night against Michigan State.

The Spartans held Pitt to just 32.7% shooting. They were a pathetic 2 for 17 from 3-point range, and Ramon didn’t hit a single shot from beyond the arc in his final game as a Panther. Michigan State’s tough defense prematurely ended what should have been a long run in the NCAA tournament.

Last week I was so confident in this Panthers’ team that I predicted they would make the Final Four in San Antonio. Both my father and I even followed Bobby Knight’s advice and picked Pitt to win it all. Instead, the Panthers are heading home early, once again failing to make it past the Sweet 16.

If there’s any reason to be optimistic, it’s the play of junior Levance Fields since returning from his foot injury. He proved in the stretch run that he was the leader of this team. His play, combined with the emergence of Blair and the steady play of Young, gives Pitt a solid core for next year.

The losses of Ramon and Keith Benjamin aren’t insigificant, but if there’s one thing I like about Pitt, you can count on its players putting the team first. No one from Pitt ever projects to be an NBA lottery pick, yet the Panthers always compete against the big names in the conference like Georgetown, UConn, Syracuse and Louisville. They will again next year, too.

Top High School QB Terrelle Pryor Picks Ohio State

America’s top-rated high school quarterback Terrelle Pryor is headed to Ohio State. The two-sport star at Jeannette (Pa.) High School made his decision in a nationally televised press conference just moments ago. ESPN U carried the decision live and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has details about the decision.

Pryor had delayed making his decision on national signing day, saying he needed more time to make his pick. Each of the four schools under consideration — Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon — would have been a good fit. But by heading to Ohio State, Pryor will play for a team that returns 20 starters and has an established quarterback. It will give him time to grow and eventually take over a team that will be in contention for the national title for several years to come.

Over the past few months, I’ve enjoyed chronicling Pryor’s accomplishments on both the football field and basketball court. I’ll always be connected to Jeannette through my father’s family, and for that reason I’m glad to this tremendous athlete has given the city some attention on the national stage.

Pitt’s Path to the Final Four

I’ve read the predictions. Watched the analysis. Know the history. I don’t care. I’m picking Pitt to make the Final Four.

The last time I felt this confident about the Panthers was the 2002-03 season when Pitt made the Sweet 16, only to be upended by Dwayne Wade and Marquette by three points. That team was led by Brandin Knight, Ontario Lett and Donatas Zavackas.

This year a new combination of stars led the Panthers to an upset against Georgetown in the Big East tournament. Under the direction of a healthy Levance Fields at point guard, Pitt is 17-1. The supporting cast, including Sam Young, Ronald Ramon and DeJuan Blair, pose a tough front on offense and defense.

Looking ahead to Pitt’s competition, the first two rounds should pose little trouble. Oral Roberts and then either Michigan State or Temple are beatable. Should Pitt draw the Spartans from the weak Big Ten, they’ll have the edge solely because Michigan State is a pathetic 7-7 away from home.

Once the Panthers arrive in the Sweet 16, they’ll most likely be matched against Memphis, a team that’s lost just once this season. Although everyone seems to think the Tigers are invincible, if history is any guide, they’ll underachieve once again this year. Despite their high ranking the past two years, the Tigers failed to make the Final Four.

From there, all it takes is a win against Texas in hostile Houston, and Pitt will make it to the Final Four for the first time since 1941. Call me crazy, but I’m feeling good about this team. Pitt is it!

First Football, Then Basketball. What’s Next for Terrelle Pryor?

High school football standout Terrelle Pryor left his mark on Western Pennsylvania athletics last fall when he led the Jeannette Jayhawks to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state title.

This weekend Pryor proved once again why he just may be the greatest athlete ever to play high school sports in Pennsylvania. He led the Jayhawks to another PIAA title, this time in basketball against Philadelphia Strawberry Mansion. When it was all said and done, Jeannette’s seven players — all starters on the football team — won in overtime, 76-72. Pryor finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, 4 assists and 4 steals. (Photos of the game.)

After the game, he also said he would make his decision on a football program this week. He’s narrowed it down to two schools among these four: Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Oregon. I had said earlier that Pryor would pick Michigan, but I’m no longer so certain. My father thinks Ohio State and Penn State probably lead the pack these days.

UPDATE — March 18, 7:47 p.m.: Pryor will announce his decision tomorrow at a noon press conference in Jeannette. Pryor never made an official visit to Penn State or Oregon, meaning neither school will likely make the cut. My gut tells me it’ll be Ohio State. Nothing would make me happier than to see new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez lose his top recruit.

Sid the Kid Makes His Return

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a good team without Sidney Crosby. They’re a great team with him.

Crosby’s teammates kept the Pens in contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference while he recovered from his high ankle sprain. The star made his return tonight, leading the team to a 2-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

When the Pens made their big move last week that landed Marian Hossa, they cemented themselves as the team to beat. Unfortunately, an injury to Hossa kept him from playing with Crosby tonight. The Pens have overcome this kind of adversity throughout the season, which will make them an even tougher contender down the stretch.

I have many fond memories of the Pens’ back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in the early 1990s — a time when hockey trumped football for my attention. For the first time in years, I’m once again excited about the Pens’ prospects.

Big Ben Looks Good in Black and Gold

Steelers fans depressed about Alan Faneca’s deal with the New York Jets got some good news today when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger signed an eight-year, $102 million contract. Like last year’s deal with Troy Polamalu, I can’t think of a better move the Steelers could have made this offseason.

Locking up Roethlisberger assures him and the Steelers that he will play in his prime for the team he led to a Super Bowl championship during his second year as a pro. My hope now is that the Steelers add some protection for Big Ben on the offensive line; after getting sacked 93 times in the past two years, he needs it.

Myron Cope, R.I.P.

Myron Cope, the legendary broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Steelers, died today at the age of 79. Cope left a lasting mark on the Steelers with his screechy voice and famous Terrible Towel. Several video tributes of Cope are available on YouTube, including one from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

I thought this quote from the Trib’s video summed up Cope’s legacy best: “Nobody who ever watched a Steelers game and heard Myron Cope’s voice will ever forget it.”