Bucs, OK; Indians, no way!
As the second-best sports month of the year winds down (with the World Series and the NFL, October reigns), here's a quick recap of what has entertained us.
UThe Pittsburgh Pirates (8-10) are off to a better start than expected. Yes, they are already in last place in the National League Central Division, but that's only because the rest of the division has been playing so well.
Right now, manager Lloyd McClendon is getting decent performances from three starters -- Kip Wells (2-2, 3.00 earned-run average), Kris Benson (2-1, 3.91) and Oliver Perez (2-0, 1.74).
And closer Jose Mesa has earned a save in each of his five opportunities. If only the rest of the bullpen could fare half as well.
Hitting better
Four of the position players are hitting much better than expected, especially Jack Wilson in the No. 2 spot (.397 batting average and eight RBIs).
Craig Wilson, finally getting a chance to be an everyday player, leads the club in homers (five) and RBIs (11), and is second to Jack Wilson in average (.381).
If only starters Ryan Vogelsong (1-3, 9.00) and Josh Fogg (0-3, 17.00) could keep opponents within reach.
UThe Cleveland Indians (8-12) are not doing as well as expected.
We probably shouldn't have expected much when the best the Tribe could produce for a No. 4 starter was former Bucco Jeff D'Amico. Tribe fans have to wonder what happened to all the promising young arms they were told are on the way.
Because Cleveland's opening month has been loaded with American League Central opponents, no one expected this slow of a start. If not for the even-more surprising Kansas City Royals, the Tribe would own the basement.
Next week's four-game homestand against the Boston Red Sox (12-6) will be a good indication on how the rest of the season could go.
Football
UCleveland Browns fans are going to love first-round draft pick Kellen Winslow.
With Jeff Garcia at quarterback and Winslow at tight end, the Browns will offer several new facets to delight their win-starved fans.
UThe Pittsburgh Steelers would be foolish to cut starting quarterback Tommy Maddox even though he's upset.
Yes, first-round draft pick Ben Roethlisberger is the future, but the Steelers owe it to their fans to start the season with their best lineup. That means Maddox should be behind center when the Oakland Raiders come to Heinz Field on Sept. 12.
That said, by taking the quarterback of the future with a first-round selection instead of an immediate impact player, the Steelers are telling their fans they don't expect to challenge for the AFC North Division title this fall.
Should the Steelers stumble to a 2-5 start, the time to start Roethlisberger will be at hand.
UIs any sound sweeter in baseball than Yankees being booed at Yankee Stadium?
Our sympathies to George Steinbrenner, whose ballclub is 1-6 against the Red Sox. Maybe he should have spent some money to bring in some high-profile players.
OK, it's a long season and the Bronx Bombers will turn it around, but it's fun seeing New York occupying a similar position in the standings as the Pirates and Indians.
Hockey
UWith all due respect to the San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames, the National Hockey League's best-possible Stanley Cup Final would pit the Detroit Red Wings against the Philadelphia Flyers.
But it would be nice if an upstart team like the Sharks or Tampa Bay Lightning advanced.
UCongratulations to the Pirates for doing the right thing after Sunday's rain delay of nearly three hours. The Pirates said they will exchange tickets from Sunday's game for any other game this season that's not sold out.
When your payroll is less than $35 million and your best drawing card is promotions such as fireworks, figurines and bobbleheads, the Pirates can't do enough to reward their fans for loyalty.
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.