The Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday signed two 20-year-old Indian 'pitchers' to free-agent contracts. Dinesh Patel and Rinku Singh, who have never played baseball, were finalists earlier this year in an Indian reality show called "Million Dollar Arm". They then came to the US and worked out with pitching coach Tom House. A recent try-out before 30 major league scouts brought them to the attention of the Pirates. Wonder how Bucco fans are taking the latest move by their team, mired in wretchedness for way too long. For what it's worth, the move is the first time that the Pirates have ventured into the Asian market.
Yesterday I heard Tommy Lasorda on Philadelphia radio. Lasorda, who is from the area and was originally drafted by the Phillies, gave kudos to the Phils on their World Series championship. "If it can't be us, I'm happy that it's them," was the message. Lasorda was on a visit home. Not a huge fan of that Dodger blue stuff but it was sad to hear him sounding unlike his usual hale and hearty, blustery self.
Last night the 76ers played the Bobcats in Charlotte. Larry Brown, now coach of the Bobcats, was interviewed on radio duringthe halftime show and almost immediately mentioned how much he missed Philadelphia, especially with all that went on there in October. His family, he said, was there for all of it. Sweet to hear that Larry, one of the best coaches ever, still keeps those Philadelphia ties strong.
Hmm, just caught an unknown face on ESPN news talking in oh-so pedestrian terms about hot stove baseball. He was also wearing an awful shirt and tie (colors did not work, at least not on my TV) and sporting a Buster Olney haircut. Surprise, surprise, it was Keith Law, who often sounds pompous and arrogant when I read him but was bland, boring, and Midwestern this afternoon. I'll take the written word.
