Picking This Weekend's Winners

It's that time again...time for you to do better than me at picking five football games for the coming weekend.

For those of you scoring at home, readers now have a three-game lead on yours truly for the season. This experiment is quickly turning against me. Regardless, I will keep trying. On to the slate:

Catch the Monthly Celebration of the 1960 World Series

It's been a few days since someone has celebrated the 1960 World Series, but that long drought will soon come to an end. Credit for that slump-busting goes to Bing Crosby, who had the foresight to get a video of Game Seven made for home viewing 50 years ago. And because Crosby also had the foresight to keep those films, Pittsburgh gets another party, happening November 13 at the Byham Theater, when the tapes will be shown to the public for the first time.

Penguins Unveil Winter Classic Jerseys

Another year, another new jersey design for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who rolled out their newest Winter Classic sweater today. The Pens' website has a 16-photo gallery of the fresh duds, with ample shots of a smiling Russian spokesmodel accounting for most of the pics. And no, it's not Maria Sharapova.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc: twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

James Harrison Lands the Cover of Sports Illustrated

Congratulations go out to James Harrison, who scored his first Sports Illustrated cover today. Sure, the occasion is a cover story about devastating hits, but a cover's a cover, right?

And besides, it couldn't be any worse than the last time the Steeler was on an SI cover, in case you've forgotten:

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Best of the Web

Today I'm rolling out the new column I've been working on for 93.7 The Fan, entitled, "Best of the Web". It's basically the marriage of a few concepts I've used over the years all rolled into one as a giant, weekly collection of the web's most interesting and popular links and videos.

The first installment includes more than 20 links and videos, so it should keep you busy for at least a few minutes. It's mostly Pittsburgh-related, but a few funny NFL, NBA, and MLB links managed to slip in as well.

You'll also notice that a few links are "repeats" from MH, but that's due to the fact that this will be tied into an on-air feature with the station and I wanted to include those for the radio side. (I'll pass along info on the on-air part of this as soon as it's finalized, which should be very soon).

So check it out, give it a test drive, and as always, tell me your likes and dislikes. Also, I wanted to put the word out to fellow Pittsburgh blogs that I'm especially interested in linking your unique-angled posts for future offerings, so please shoot me an email and link if you think it could be a good fit.

Best of the Web [93.7 The Fan]

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc: twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Baltimore Nuns Auctioning Rare Honus Wagner Baseball Card

If you ever drive through Carnegie (as I happened to be doing the other day), you'll see a very large blowup of the baseball card pictured above. It's the most valuable card of all-time, it usually makes news when one is sold, and naturally, it depicts a Pirate.

Nerd vs. Food: The McRib

It's been a while since I've done a new installment of Nerd vs. Food, so I figured that the occasion of the McRib's re-release upon the general public would validate a post.

Cotton Candy Man: The Movie

There seems to be a new movie shot in Pittsburgh every day. Adventureland, Zach and Miri, Unstoppable, The Next Three Days....heck, there are no fewer than eight major motion pictures in 2010 alone being shot in the Burgh.

That being said, there are a few "indie" films that pop up here and there to go against the major studio pics. And I must say, Cotton Candy Man is a biopic a long time in the making that's sure to gain quite the cult following. Look at all the accolades it's received so far. This could be the biggest thing since Sudden Death in local nerd circles.

Kudos to the filmmaker behind this touching tale of a man and his sweets that's coming to a computer screen near you. The Pittsburgh movie-making legacy lives on.

[HT: Empty Netters]

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

John Barbero Auction Right Around the Corner

On Tuesday, I spent a good while working on details for the upcoming John Barbero Sports and Celebrity Auction, which is coming up on Sunday, November 7 at the Mon Valley YMCA, from 1-4 PM.

Proceeds from the event benefit the YMCA's Youth and Teen Programs, and a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded on behalf of John Barbero to a high school student pursuing education or broadcasting in college.

I have much more info on the event since the last time I mentioned it, so please take a second and check out the revised lineup below.

Here are the major points of interest:

-Tickets are just $5 and cover pizza, refreshments, snacks, and door prize entries.  

No hidden costs. Five bucks for all you food and for your door prize entries! Seriously! Just announced: kids 12 and under get in for free.

-Drawings will take place every half hour for door prizes, which include cash, memorabilia, and all sorts of other items. 

Since the last post on this, I have an update on what we'll be giving away. Door prizes include (2) prizes of $500 in cash, $1,000 in cash, a 50-inch plasma flat-screen TV, (4) tickets to the Pirate Lexus box, and much, much more TBA. Entry for the door prizes is included in the price of your $5 ticket!

-There will be three types of auctions going on, including a Chinese auction, a silent auction, and a live auction. We'll have several hundred items available across all fields and in all price ranges.

The live auction will include an overnight stay with breakfast and $250 amenity credit to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort; (4) Penguin tickets; a one-week condo vacation in Hilton Head; and (4) Steeler tickets.

-The memorabilia auction will feature signatures from such luminaries as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Troy Polamalu, Jack Lambert, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Joe Paterno, Art Rooney, and many, many more. There will be over 200 pieces of autographed memorabilia up for bidding.

-Several local mascots will be on hand, including the Pirate Parrot, Steely McBeam, and the Washington Wild Thing. We're also close to confirming some Pittsburgh athletes but I don't want to name names until they're official.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about the event via my email address below, or you can call the YMCA directly at 724-483-8077. Tickets will be available at the door or by contacting the Y.

I really hope that some of you can join us for this unique event in John's honor. More updates will be posted as info becomes available.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Penguins Get Ghostly Love on "Ghost Adventures"

So I'm watching Ghost Adventures Friday night on the Travel Channel (I know, another night living life on the edge), and I see that they're in New Castle, of all places. 

In the clip above, Zak Bagans, the Keanu Reeves-ish host known for his "aggressive tactics", was having your everyday, run-of-the-mill conversation with the undead at the supposedly haunted Hillview Manor, a home for the poor, aged and insane. That's quite an eclectic mix of roommates, if I do say so. 

As you will see, Bagans finds out that his ghostly interviewee is actually a hockey fan; the natural follow-up question reveals what you probably would've guessed: Pittsburgh is his favorite team. Unfortunately, the interview didn't get the ghost's thoughts on the new Consol Energy Center, but I'm sure they were positive.

So the Pens are big in the spirit community. Doesn't surprise me; as we've seen before, they can market themselves to any demographic. But who knows how many other ghosts are fans of the Flightless Birds? I'm guessing that number would probably rival the amount of living, breathing Pirate fans at this point.

[Major HT to Kiss Morning Freak Show for the video]

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Don't Miss Your Chance For a $40 Bottle of Water

Maybe I missed this, maybe it's been out for a while and I didn't see it, but it's news to me. A reader just sent me a link to the NHL online store offering what looks like a very small bottle of water melted down from the Mellon Arena ice.

OK, that's a neat (but not exactly unique) concept. I've seen my share of Fenway Park dirt and similarly-themed products over the years. So what the value of a vial of melted Mellon ice these days? I'd say with the proper packaging and marketing, you might be looking at a $20-$25 retail, keeping in mind that you're essentially selling people a small bottle of water. WRONG.

Whoever is in charge of selling this product has much greater aspirations, because the SRP through the NHL website is a whopping $39.99, plus another $6 for shipping. Who knows how many have actually sold, but if they can get $46 for this, what's the total value of Mellon Arena in terms of memorabilia? We saw some high prices at the auction of Three Rivers Stadium, but that was 10 years ago in a memorabilia market not as rabid as it is today. Seats, signs, urinals (or troughs)...the sky's the limit for collectors wanting a piece of the Igloo when it eventually comes down. I know one thing: that's going to be some valuable rubble.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

12 Thoughts on Steelers-Dolphins

STEELERS (5-1) 23

DOLPHINS (3-3) 22

Here are 12 thoughts on the controversial Steelers-Dolphins game from Sunday afternoon, including the loudest Sad Trombone award you may ever hear:

MH November/December Schedule Notes

As longtime Mondesi's House readers know, things tend to get especially hectic in my day job during November and December. That happened a little earlier than usual this year, hence the somewhat choppy posting schedule over the past few weeks. But I sat down with my bosses at The Fan, figured out a new posting/appearance schedule over there, and wanted to note some of the changes that will take place for the last two months of the year:

-My Steeler "thoughts" columns will continue to be posted after games, but will be moving back to MH effective immediately. I'm sure many of you won't have a problem with that.

-I'm starting a new weekly column for The Fan's website beginning on Wednesday night. I'm very excited about it, it's a new angle for me. Radio appearances on various Fan programs will be mixed in here and there.

-As far as your everyday, run-of-the-mill posts, I'll be focusing more on offbeat stuff and opinion pieces, and less on news you could get anywhere.

If I can implement these changes, I think it will provide a much more enjoyable, unique site for you, and a schedule that I can work with and not get burned out on. Being a one-man operation, I've got to do a better job of staying fresh and focusing on content you can only find here, not trying to be a one-person newsroom. Unfortunately, I can't be all things to all people, but this should be a nice compromise. There will be plenty to keep you occupied, and the site will be updated regularly.

As always, your input is extremely important, so if there's anything you especially like or dislike about the site, PLEASE drop me a line with your thoughts. And many thanks to all of you for your continued support of Mondesi's House over the years.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Picking This Weekend's Winners

My schedule has been kinda crazy lately (as you've noticed), so the weekly football preview is getting a little abbreviated this week. But there are still picks to be made - I've gotta make up that two-game gap you're holding on me. Our five spotlight games: Steelers-Fins, Packers-Vikes, Pitt-Rutgers, WVU-Syracuse, and PSU-Minnesota. Let's do it:

Drama-Loving Linebacker Returns to Work

Surprise, surprise. James Harrison's not retiring after all. He sure had me fooled!

James Harrison Talking Retirement

"I'm going to sit down and have a serious conversation with my coach tomorrow and see if I can actually play by NFL rules and still be effective. If not, I may have to give up playing football."

Wednesday Headlines

The major talking points for Wednesday around The Burgh:

Take 5: Brent Johnson, NFL Hypocrisy, 1960 Pirates, Cliff Lee, Steeler Praise

Five opinions that you may or may not agree with on the subjects above:

10 Thoughts on Steelers-Browns

Sunday was a rather big day in the life of one Ben Roethlisberger, and all things considered, it went pretty well. Sure, there were a few protesters, but that was to be expected. For the most part, Pittsburgh fans welcomed him back with open arms. A win and three touchdowns had to be the icing on the cake for #7.

Naturally, I have a few opinions on what I saw during Sunday's Steelers-Browns contest at Heinz Field, and for 10 of them, you can hit up The Fan website for a more in-depth look. There's Sad Trombone, a classic quote from James Harrison, an incredibly dumb comparison by a TV announcer, and much, much more.

10 Thoughts on Steelers-Browns [93.7 The Fan]

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Bryan Trottier Shows Who's #1

From the man who gave the world this timeless and very-NSFW-language-filled video comes this recently unearthed picture from the absolutely awesome SI Vault Twitter page. It's probably safe to say that Trottier wasn't exactly the most shy player in the league back in the day. (Pic circa 1985)

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc:) twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Ines Sainz to Interview Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger

Sainz. Roethlisberger. Two of the NFL's biggest off-field stories will converge in the very near future, as the TV Azteca personality who caused a stir in the Jets locker room will interview some of the Steelers and their returning QB. 

Previewing the Top 5 Games This Weekend

Last week picking the games of the weekend, I was 1-4. You were 2-3. It was embarrassing, but more so for me.

The five shots at digging out of my self-made hole this week? Browns-Steelers, Pitt-Syracuse, Ohio State-Wisconsin, Cowboys-Vikings, and Ravens-Pats. If I get more than two of these wrong I seriously have to re-evaluate my football knowledge.And I'll fall further behind than the two-game lead that Yinz currently have on me.

Previewing the Top 5 Games This Weekend [93.7 The Fan]

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc: twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Welcome Back, DeJuan Blair

It's time for the annual Cleveland Cavaliers Pittsburgh exhibition game, and without LeBron James in tow, the box office was going to need a jump-start. Who will save the day, you ask? Try Pittsburgh's own DeJuan Blair.

The Simpsons Version of Brett Favre's Football in the Groin

Kissing Suzy Kolber is one of my all-time favorite websites, and they hit it out of the park today with their Simpsonized remix of Brett Favre getting hit in the groin with a football yesterday. It's a five-star effort.

I've also gotta give them a plug for their most recent roasting of Big Ben, which had me laughing out loud multiple times.  It quickly made me forget about that horrible Penguins game last night, which I'd rather not discuss if at all possible.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Colton Orr vs. Deryk Engelland Fight Video

In case you missed it, there was quite the throwdown between Deryk Engelland and Toronto heavyweight Colton Orr on Wednesday night. As you can see, Engelland got the best of this one, and the CEC went absolutely bonkers as a result.

With two periods in the books, Toronto holds a 4-3 lead over the Pens. MAF has given up four goals on 12 shots and has heard it from the crowd. Chris Kunitz, Max Talbot, and Sidney Crosby have all scored their first goals of the season for the Pens. Mike Comrie, Brooks Orpik, and Zbynek Michalek are all spectators in this one. And speaking of spectators, Bill Guerin is taking in the game in Mario's luxury suite.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Pirates Interview Dale Sveum; Wedge Remains Front-Runner

The Pirates' long and winding managerial search continued on Wednesday, as 47-year-old former Bucco Dale Sveum sat down with the single-best management team in baseball for an interview.

Huge Turnout for Latest 1960 World Series Celebration

If there's one thing Pittsburgh loves, it's celebrating a winning baseball team. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to do so in a very long time, which means all that love gets thrust upon triumphant teams from the past. Today was the latest example, as several thousand people gathered at the Forbes Field Wall in Oakland to listen to an audio version of a 50-year-old game.

The Top 10 Respected Enemies of Pittsburgh Teams

It's been a few weeks since I've done a Top 10 list, and that streak will continue, because I didn't do this one, either. A longtime reader named Mike Viola came up with today's topic (and the list) and it was so well-done that I asked to use it for the site. His only qualifier was that the list can’t include someone who has ties to Pgh or Western PA, as it would be too easy and sentimental. On to the list:

Great News! The McRib Returns November 2

Excuse me for the occasional venture outside of our Pittsburgh sports bubble for a moment, but I must share my joy over the news that McDonald's is bringing back the McRib on November. This transcends Pittsburgh, and it transcends sports.

That's right, the pseudo-pork-boneless-rib-style sandwich, slathered in BBQ sauce, pickles, and onions, will be available at over 14,000 McDonald's for a span of six weeks. You can virtually guarantee that Nerd vs. Food will be there on opening day to cover the local action.

For your afternoon sports fix, I've got a fun top 10 list to share, so check back in a bit and I'll have that posted. 

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Pirate Interview Banister, Macha

The Pirates interviewed two more managerial candidates today, bringing their total to five since firing John Russell after the 2010 season ended.

The Return of "Treats From the Inbox"

After a long hiatus, "Treats from the Inbox" is making a comeback. MH readers have come through once again with a bevy of new Terrible Towel and fan pics from around the globe, and some of the top submissions come after the jump. Remember, click on the photo for a larger view. Now on to the pics...

Tuesday News and Notes

Today's news includes the Steelers switching to the Swoosh, an update on Orpik and Michalek, U2 coming to Heinz Field, Russian Penguin fans, and much more...

Colt McCoy May Start vs. Steelers

Could this character be the starting quarterback for the Browns when they face the Steelers on Sunday?

Pirates Interview John Gibbons

48-year-old John Gibbons became the third person to officially interview for the vacant Pirates managerial position on Monday, joining former Indians manager/Neal Huntington co-worker Eric Wedge and former Arizona Diamondbacks third-base coach Bo Porter.

Pens, Johnson Get First Win in New Jersey

Brent Johnson, starting in place of the much-maligned Marc-Andre Fleury, stopped 30 of 31 shots as the Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils by a 3-1 final Monday afternoon to gain their first win of the 2010-11 regular season.

Monday News and Notes

Catching up on a backlog of links, we've got info on another 1960 World Series party, what James Harrison hunted during the bye week, Lavar Arrington on Paterno, new Penguin lines for today's game, Mama's Family in Greensburg, a Pittsburgh-filled music video, and much more:

Previewing the Top 5 Games This Weekend

I regressed badly in last week's pick-off, going 2-3 and once again falling behind the readers' collective picks (I lost on Penn State, as a reward for the one time I go out on a limb for them). But I'll try to get back on track with this weekend's Steelerless slate of games, including Pitt-Notre Dame, PSU-Illinois, WVU-UNLV, LSU-Florida, and a game I can't wait for, Vikings-Jets on Monday Night.

As for the Black and Gold, I'll consider this weekend a victory if no one shows up on either the police blotter or TMZ.com during their time off. A big victory.

Previewing the Top 5 Games This Weekend [93.7 The Fan]

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Pens-Flyers LIVE Blog From the Consol Energy Center

Once again, the Pens were kind enough to invite me back to their friendly confines to cover tonight's  season-opening matchup against the Flyers, and I'll be providing commentary on all things on and off the ice throughout the evening. Be sure to check back/refresh often for the latest from the yet-to-be-nicknamed Consol Energy Center. Also, one quick note: click on the pictures for a much bigger view.

Anyone for New Terrible Towel/Steeler Fan Pics? And Some Steeler Links

I'm sitting on a small pile of Steeler fan pics and other assorted goodies in the old inbox, and since I haven't posted any in a while, consider this a call to submit yours if you've got a fresh one lying around that you'd like to share (mondesishouse@gmail.com). The more, the merrier.

While you're here, a few Steeler links to share:

Live Blogging Pens-Flyers from the Consol Center Thursday

Just wanted to post a brief commercial for the live blog I'll be doing tomorrow night (Thursday) at the Consol Energy Center for the highly anticipated Penguins-Flyers tilt. The live blog should probably start in the 6:00 hour if I had to give an educated guess.

I've done one other live blog in my life, and that was the first time I was permitted into the media area at the CEC. It was a little different from the usual Pens live blog you see around the web, and the second take will once again be along those lines. So I hope you can join me at some point for an historic evening in Pittsburgh.

Now for some REAL Penguin news:

Phil Garner Sounds Interested in Managing the Pirates

Could this former Pirate someday challenge Dave Wannstedt for the title of Best Mustache among Pittsburgh coaches? If it were up to him, the answer sounds like it would be a resounding "yes".

Pirates Interview 2007 AL Manager of the Year Eric Wedge

Eric Wedge played in 39 games as a Major League catcher from 1991-94, and managed in 1,134 more over seven seasons with the Cleveland Indians, winning AL Manager of the Year in 2007. Today, he interviewed in Pittsburgh for the thankless job of Pirates manager. Is it a fantastic entry point for a team on the rise or is Wedge just a glutton for punishment?

Tuesday News and Notes

Big Ben returns, an update on Pitt's RB situation, a former Penguin cut and a former Penguin signed, one last gaffe for the Buccos, Russell replacement candidates, and much, much more...

Pirates Relieve John Russell of Managing the Pirates

At long last, the John Russell Era is finally complete. The final numbers: 186 wins, 299 losses, a .384 winning percentage, and three straight last-place finishes. 

In 2010, the Pirates were last in the National League in offense (.242 batting average), pitching (5.00 ERA) and defense (.979 fielding percentage), also known as the Triple Crown of Ineptitude. They finished the season 57-105 while getting outscored 866-587, and endured eight losing streaks of five games or more. Their 64 road losses were the second-highest total in baseball's modern era. 

Good luck to the next poor sap who inherits this job, for which a new-hire search begins "immediately," according to GM Neal Huntington, who appears to have dodged the unemployment line while building this powerhouse of losing. 

Maybe they can hire that Altoona manager that Pirate fans went to bat for so passionately last week? I hear he needs a job above the Double-A level.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

10 Thoughts on Steelers-Ravens

Ike Taylor holding on to an interception? I'm glad we have photo proof that it actually happened.

And for 10 more thoughts of considerably greater length on the Steelers-Ravens game, I direct you to The Fan website for my weekly wrapup. I've heard that this is a hardship for some of you, but isn't it worth it to see how I handle the awkward situation of awarding the Sad Trombone in a Steeler defeat?

10 Thoughts on Steelers-Ravens [93.7 The Fan]

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Lost 1960 World Series Footage Comes to Pittsburgh Next Month

I'd imagine most of you have already heard about the story of the 1960 World Series Game Seven videos recently found in Bing Crosby's wine cellar. But today, the city of Pittsburgh got some exciting news about the next step for that long-lost footage.

A Special Honor For the Pitt Panthers

So far, so good this week for the Pitt athletic program. No losses. No arrests. A big basketball commitment. And today, the crown of Sports Pickle "Tweet of the Week," courtesy of this incredibly awkward Tweet about Cam Saddler by teammate Kevin Harper. After this national recognition, a win over Florida International on Saturday would simply be icing on the school's cake.

Mondesi's House: The Director's Cut (more links, commentary, etc): twitter.com/mondesishouse
Email: mondesishouse@gmail.com