More on Mushmouth

I was at that game with Andy, and I tend to enjoy watching BP from those seats whenever I'm at PNC Park. The guy stands there waiting for balls every single day, along with his two friends:

• Balding, Ugly Man-child (who seems to do nothing useful except get his back whenever the rest of the section boos him for mauling some poor soul with a ball). This guy looks exactly like every eager 9-year-old with his Little League glove, except he's got to be at least 5 times their age. Still he stands there, bright-eyed and anxious, hoping a ball comes his way. Actually at this particular game, he legitimately caught one of Pujols' other BP bombs to our section. Good for him.
  
• Hairy Opposition Guy (who's always sitting in the far corner of the right-center field section, decked out in the opposing team's gear and a dizzying array of esoteric gadgets on a toolbelt) This Sasquatch lookalike seems to love antagonizing us Pirate fans. The outfit of the day was a McGwire jersey. How very current. He also seemed to know the kid in the full Yankee uniform (why would you wear Yankees schwag to a Pirates-Cardinals game?).

All in all, it was a good time though. Our mutual sniping at Mushmouth's antics made the game that much more fun. I just wish he'd leave the ball-shagging to the kids crowded against the fence who just love this game.

Lyle Odelein

The Penguins came to terms with defenseman Lyle Odelein today. During the 1999 playoffs, when Odelein was on the Devils, he was part of one of the top 10 moments in Pens history. In an attempt to psych the Odelein out, Pens winger Matthew Barnaby told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Odelein's face resembled Dr. Cornelius from Planet of the Apes. When asked for a response, Odelein said that Barnaby's wife was "god-awful to look at." I give Barnaby the nod on this one. Tremendous stuff, just tremendous.