IN Fox Chapel Magazine: No Typical Moments for FCA Grad

Check out "No Typical Moments for FCA Grad," a piece on how Fox Chapel graduate Andrew Gottlieb uses social media to chase his sports and entertainment career goals and encourage others to do the same. Andrew landed a job with the Washington Wild Things shortly after this was published. Way to go!

Fixing Pedro Alvarez

A Pittsburgh Sports Report exclusive on how to fix the Pirates' would-be slugging savior, Pedro Alvarez. Baseball America's Jim Callis, ESPN's Keith Law, Fangraphs' Eric Seidman and Pirates hitting coach Gregg Ritchie all weigh in on how Pedro can start popping homers at PNC Park.

http://www.pittsburghsportsreport.com/PSR/node/3842

BaseballAnalytics: Reds Get Marshall at High Cost

The Reds get a durable, dominant reliever in Sean Marshall, but the Cubs win this deal in the long run:

http://www.baseballanalytics.org/baseball-analytics-blog/2011/12/23/reds-get-marshall-at-high-cost.html

BaseballAnalytics: White Sox Lock Up Danks

My take on John Danks' contract extension with the White Sox, plus a look at what makes his cutter/changeup combo so effective:

http://www.baseballanalytics.org/baseball-analytics-blog/2011/12/22/white-sox-lock-up-john-danks.html

Fangraphs: Edinson Volquez: 2012 Value Pick?

When is a pitcher with a Boeing-sized ERA worth drafting in a fantasy league? When he misses lots of bats and gets to pitch at Petco Park, whose dimensions make Yellowstone seem puny.

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/edinson-volquez-2012-value-pick/

BaseballAnalytics: Rollins Returns to Philly

My take on the Phillies signing Jimmy Rollins through at least 2014 (and probably 2015).

http://www.baseballanalytics.org/baseball-analytics-blog/2011/12/19/rollins-returns-to-philly.html

BaseballAnalytics: Kubel to Arizona a Head-Scratcher

In the quest to score more runs, the Diamondbacks signed an outfielder who has about as much range as Keanu Reeves. That's a bad thing when your starting pitchers give up a bunch of fly balls, and you already had a great young fielder at the position:

http://www.baseballanalytics.org/baseball-analytics-blog/2011/12/19/kubel-to-arizona-a-head-scratcher.html

Check out Off The Bluff!

What do Johnny Unitas, Polish liquor and linguini have in common? Bloomfield, Pa., of course. If you want to learn more about the people, places and history of Pittsburgh's "Little Italy," from its roots as a place of opportunity for European immigrants during the city's industrial heyday to the present day, check out Off The Bluff, a Society of Professional Journalists and Duquesne University publication. I co-edited and wrote a few articles for the 2011 edition Off The Bluff . Read a PDF version of the magazine here.