Posted on 06/15/2009 8:35:27 AM PDT by flattorney
06.15.09: Pittsburgh Officials Prepare for 350,000 fans at Penguins' Victory Parade
The City of Champions has gone Cup crazy. As Pittsburghers basked in the glow of a second pro sports championship in four months, the Stanley Cup toured PNC Park on Sunday, Sidney Crosby talked about the excitement of a two-title town and people crammed hotels in advance of today's celebration parade Downtown. "It's been an amazing couple of days," Penguins winger Bill Guerin said after throwing out the first pitch at yesterday's Pirates game. "This city is just crazy about it right now. It's awesome. Pittsburgh's such a huge sports town. The fans ... incredible. It's been wild." The Penguins' Stanley Cup victory parade starts at noon today and will take the same route the Steelers did in February after they won their sixth Super Bowl title. It will proceed through Grant Street, loop to the Boulevard of the Allies and end at Stanwix Street. Several Downtown streets will be closed. Pittsburgh officials are planning for the parade to draw as many as 350,000 people, the number who turned out for the Super Bowl victory parade, said Joanna Doven, a spokeswoman for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a trimphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting. - General George S. Patton Jr.
Chicago signs up for a 12 year Hossa curse!
Since that didn't work, I guess he's going for the cash now, and I can't blame him for that either. I'd say Chicago is a little desperate giving anyone a 12-year deal, but I'd have to look at the fine print in the contract too see what the deal really is for.
It sure looks to me that Detroit is the class of the West and the Penguins are the class of the East for the next several years. But you never know for sure. That's why they play the games.
I can’t figure why they gave him a 12 year deal, unless it has something to do with the salary cap.
Don’t recall too many 12 year contracts either. Especially for a 30 year old player.
A lot of those guys can go into their 40s, but after the early 30s, it's usually a year-to-year deal. I'd bet ypu are right that it's a cap thing.
Chris Chelios is 47!
Bill Geurin (re-signed with the Penguins) is 38!
Adding Hossa certainly makes the Blackhawks a strong team this coming season. Someone to beat up on the Red Wings!
No doubt about that. He's damn good. But 12 years??? There's a catch somewhere.
Word has it the salary cap will lower in 2 years. It’s probably structured to allow them to fit their budget under the cap and still let Hossa get his “bonus” money up front.
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