THE BLACK AND GOLD POST

The weekend of August 4th and 5th certainly had a Pittsburgh flair to it as two of our favorite sons finally received their long overdue just recognition. Saturday the 4th broke clear and warm in Canton, Ohio as #88 Lynn Swann took the stage for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Accordingly, there were a number of Black 'n Gold faithful who made the trek from the 'Burgh to see Swann accept his induction and see his presenter and likely next inductee into the Hall, John Stallworth.

A mere 24 hours later and a few hundred miles away, another Pittsburgh legend received his long overdue award as 2nd baseman extrordinare Bill Mazeroski was finally recognized for his defense and gifted glove. Maz batted a career .252 in 17 seasons as a member of the Battlin' Buccos and will always be remembered for his series clinching home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series but he also leads all major leaguers with 1706 double play assists, a record that has stood for 30 years.

You know what they say; Sometimes, getting there is half the fun.

Week 1 - Win: Jacksonville showed strength in the last part of last year, but I think they still have an overall crappy defense. Smith is NOT going to be their #1 receiver anymore after his hospitalization.
Week 2 - Win: Couch is back for Cleveland, but I feel Pittsburgh has learned their lesson from last year.
Week 4 - Win: I haven't followed Buffalo all that much, but Thomas is retired and I don't see them as a contender this year.
Week 5 - Win: Cincinnati still has nothing. I pick a win here, but I also never underestimate any team anymore.
Week 6 - Loss: K.C. is a solid team and will now has Trent Green at QB. Also, the game's IN ArrowHead!
Week 7 - Loss: Tamp Bay now has B. Johnson for QB, but not sure of what string. Excellent defense.
Week 8 - Loss: We just can't beat Tennessee.....PERIOD! Yeah, I know we came close last November, but still.
Week 9 - Win: Baltimore - I'll split this series and say Pittsburgh can beat them at Heinz Field. Week 10 - Win: Cleveland (see previous comments).
Week 11 - Loss: I'll split this series as well. However, I'll need to see how J-ville is doing at this point in the season.
Week 12 - Loss: I just don't think we can beat the Titans.
Week 13 - Win: I know this pick seems wrong, but I think if Pittsburgh can hold Moss, Carter, and the offense, they can win. Minnesota's defense still ranks at the bottom. Plus, I'll be at this one.
Week 14 - Win: Even with Testeverde, I pick a win here.
Week 15 - Loss: IN the SuperBowl champ's home field! - LOSS.
Week 16 - Win: Detroit - we now have Jeff Hartings and Batch is on the downslide of his career.
Week 17 - Win: Cinci sucks!

So, I have the Steelers finishing 10-6 and yet again, probably teetering on the fringe for a playoff hope. It all depends on what the rest of the AFC is doing. The 2nd quarter of the season is going to be rough (K.C., Tamp Bay, Tennessee, and Baltimore all in a row!)

Send me your picks to Mark to see if we all concur.

* The throngs of Steeler Fans continue to grow and grow with these recent additions to our Black 'n Gold brethren:

- MEGAN PATRICIA CHIURAZZI (that's right, mine !!!) born to yours truly and his wife Patti on Mother's Day, May 13th at 3:25 AM. Megan weighed in at 7lbs, 13 oz and measured 21 inches long. Big sister Rachel (23 months) is doing her best to help Mommy and Daddy show the Megan monster that the Steelers are #1 and the Browns are what end up in the diapers.
- ALYSON MACKENZIE KREN born to PSFCOBers Mark and Carrie Kren on May 11th. Alyson weighed 6lbs, 7 oz at birth but Mark feels she'll be tough enough to make a trip or two to The Goose this year. He also noted that she'll have to fight off her Redskin grandparents (in-laws) but, with the way they look this year, it won't be much of a fight.
- LUKE CHRISTOPHER JOYCE born to Kerry (member #0001) Joyce and his wife Jennifer on June 15th at 10:29 PM. Luke measured 20.5 inches and weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz. Luke joins older brothers Thomas (28 months) and John (15 months) in making Team Joyce a future force to be reckoned with.
- KALEIGH ELLEN TICE born on June 20th at 5:07 PM to Fan Club Member John Tice and his wife Diane. Kaleigh weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs, 13 oz and was 19 inches long.
- KYLE MATTHEW NAGLE born to Purple Goose mainstay Chris Nagle and his wife Maribel. Little Kyle measured in at 19 inches and weighed 7 lbs, 1 oz.

Congratulations to all the new parents from your friends in the PSFCOB !!

* This item was submitted by long time member Peggy Drake. It was not edited in any way as I feel Peggy's words tell the whole story:

My news relates to my illness -- and perhaps is a way to reach out to other members who are also cancer survivors.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer (DCIS) in April of 2000 and had a mastectomy with reconstruction of my left breast in July, followed by six weeks of recovery. On April 30th of 2001 I had follow up surgery on the reconstruction that went well but took a good number of weeks to recover from as well.

This summer I will have one more surgery to complete the reconstruction. Tests to date indicate that I am cancer free. I am taking tamoxifen to prevent its recurrence.

P.S. Matt's wife was one of my nurses at Mercy Medical Center during my recovery there last July. What a nice surprise to see a familiar and friendly face. Good Luck, Peggy !!!!!!

* Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Paoletti of Washington, D.C. announce the engagement of their daughter Donna Paoletti to Kris Phillips, son of Michael and Mary Ann Phillips of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

The Bride and Groom-to-be spent their very first "date" at the Purple Goose back in 1997 where they cheered the Steelers on to a post-season victory. Both members of the PSFCOB have attended the annual tailgating parties and trips to Pittsburgh. A November 2001 wedding is planned.

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