News and Notes

Your Pittsburgh news and notes for Wednesday:

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.

The News

--A Big 10 official who reffed the OSU-Illinois game has a "history of bankruptcy, casino gambling, child abuse and allegations of sexual harassment.” He didn't work the Pitt-WVU game by chance, did he?

--Here's recon footage of Rich Rodriguez sneaking out of town to talk to Michigan. Many photos included.

--My two favorite Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger and Willie Parker, were both named to the Pro Bowl. They join first-timer James Harrison, Free Agent Faneca, and a bearded, long-haired fellow who occasionally plays safety.

--It looks like Bill Parcells is coming back to take over the Falcons. In totally unrelated news, look for the Falcons to sign Curtis Martin, Keyshawn Johnson, and Richie Anderson very soon.

--SURPRISE! Big Ben is ranked as the #5 QB in the NFL by ESPN. Finally, he's ahead of Carson Palmer, but he's still behind Tony Underwood-Simpson, who, to the best of my knowledge, has never won a playoff game.

--Here's another surprise: Men's Health has a feature on America's Drunkest Cities, and Pittsburgh ranks a lowly #52, with an embarrassing #88 in binge drinking. A drinking town with a football problem? Surely you jest.

--Pity Dick Groat for having to choose sides in the big Pitt-Duke game tomorrow.

--Britney Spears' 16-year-old sister, Jamie-Lynn Spears, is with child.

--This week's entry into the non-existent "Insane Steeler Fan of the Year" contest. That narrowly edges last week's entry, the Steeler fan who went into a rage after the Patriots loss.

--Update on my Pirates franchise in the Sporting News 1986 simulation: we're 15-21, a full 10 games behind Baba Booey's Mets. And our own Mike Diaz is leading the league with 38 RBI.

--Bill Simmons publishes his annual NBA Trade Value rankings. It's long.

--This just in: Tiger Woods is jacked.

--Peter Puck is coming back!

--Woody Paige takes his Hall of Fame ballot very seriously.

--Time to recap another week of NHL action. It's fannnnntastic!

--Who wants the Michael Vick Pit Bull football?

--Google ads, not really helping baseball with its performance enhancers problem.

--A Cleveland contractor finds $182,000 hidden in a wall. The generous homeowner refuses to give him any of it.

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