"THE BILLY RIPKEN BOBBLEHEAD"

Well, it looks like we're smack-dab in the middle of a full-blown controversy. The Tom Gorzelanny "middle-finger" bobblehead story has spread like wildfire, and is now being compared by Yahoo! Sports to the infamous Billy Ripken error card of 19 years ago.

Amidst all the hubbub, the Pirates have finally chimed in. Spokesman Jim Trdinich told WTAE/The Pittsburgh Channel that "he can't tell which finger is sticking out of Gorzelanny's glove in the photo that went to the bobblehead company, but he said it was not done in bad taste."

Despite their current/predictable basement status, the Pirates have already given us the Nate McLouth hitting streak, the end of the Matt Morris Era, The Great Byung-Hyun Kim Experiment, the pig-out section, and a controversial bobblehead. And it's only April. This season might not be so bad after all.

The Twi-Nighter: Introducing the 'Billy Ripken' bobblehead [Yahoo!]

Is Pittsburgh Pirates Bobblehead Giving The Finger? [The Pittsburgh Channel]

That Didn't Last Long

One this year's more intriguing stories, "The Great Byung-Hyun Kim Experiment", didn't last long, as he was bought out by the Pirates for the bargain price of $300,000.

Kim's sparkling spring line including 5 innnings pitched, 5 HR allowed, and a 14.40 ERA. Given one more chance to not impress the team yesterday, Kim said he was ill and got permission to leave McKechnie Field. What a gamer.

Besides Kim, the Pirates made a fleury of moves yesterday:

--Nate McLouth was named as the starting CF, but Nyjer Morgan will stick around as a backup.

--Jaret Wright, aka Turd Ferguson, was released.

--The contracts of IF Luis Rivas and utilityman Doug Mientkiewicz were purchased from AAA Indianapolis, which means pitcher Jonah Bayliss will have the opportunity to watch Pacer games on a regular basis.

--They released reliever Juan Perez.

--Acquired reliever Tyler Yates from the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Todd Redmond.

--Kevin Thompson, Elmer Dessens and Casey Fossum were also sent to Indy.

--Designated infielder Josh Wilson for assignment and reassigned infielder Jorge Velandia to minor-league camp.

--Relievers Sean Burnett, Phil Dumatrait, Franquelis Osoria, Evan Meek, Hector Carrasco and Masumi Kuwata are battling for three spots. Osoria and Dumatrait are believed to be locks.

Just a few days left until Ian Snell and John Smoltz face off in Atlanta on Monday. Can you feel the excitement building? Me neither.

Pirates acquire Yates from Atlanta, buy out Kim [PG]

Spring Training: Pirates set to buy out Kim [PG]

Monday Morning Wrapup

--The Penguins must've watched the Pitt-Notre Dame game last week, because their three-goal lead against Ottawa evaporated just like the Panthers' 11-point second half lead against the Irish. The Senators rallied to send the game into OT, ultimately winning on a Daniel Alfredsson lamp-lighter with 3.2 seconds left in the extra period. Sens 4, Pens 3. Drive home safely.

Unfortunately, Sunday's effort was equally as heartbreaking, as Ty Conklin watched three goals whistle past him in the shootout of a 2-1 loss to San Jose. The blood-colored fluid dripping from the injured Zamboni proved to be a sign of things to come, as the Pens could only muster an Erik Christensen goal in regulation.

--Pitt continued their slide into mediocrity with a 75-73 loss against Louisville. The Cardinals became the first team to win twice at the Pete (other than Pitt, of course). Sam Young and Dejuan Blair each scored 20 for the Panthers, who dropped their third in a row for only the second time under Jamie Dixon. After a 15-2 start, the Panthers are 4-6 in their past 10. Not the way you want to enter the month of March.

--King Pryor's Jeannette Jayhawks won the WPIAL title with an 82-68 win over Beaver Falls. With 39 points, 24 rebounds, 10 blocked shots, and 6 assists, I think it's safe to say that Pryor had something to do with the victory.

--The Red Sox signed Bartolo Colon to a minor league deal, thankfully killing off any hopes of the Pirates bringing him to town.

--The PG had a great story on the 1988 Pitt Panthers and their upset loss to Vanderbilt in the tournament.

--Sidney Crosby adds "Two-Time Dapper Dan Sportsman of the Year" to his resume, while Pitt women's basketball coach Agnus Berenato wins the female honor for the second time in three years.

--Cy Young candidate Byung-Hyun Kim arrives at Pirate camp:

--New American Gladiator female champ Monica Carlson has an interesting past

The Final Piece is in Place

Today the Pirates made a bold move, and by bold move I mean bringing in a pitcher with a 6.08 ERA and three employers last season. In an obvious attempt to upstage the Steelers' big signing of Travis Kirschke yesterday, the Buccos landed pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim, who brings along his best pitch, the exotic Gopherball, shown below in the 2001 World Series:

Kim had such a great 2007 campaign that not one, not two, but three teams decided they no longer needed his services. He held down the role of Horrible Starter for Colorado, Arizona, and Florida, and at the bargain price of only $2.5 mil. But players who underperformed in the past usually turn over a completely new leaf when joining the Pirates, so look for a big season out of the submariner.

Pirates reach agreement with pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim [PG]

Byung-Hyun Kim [Inappropriately long Wikipedia page]