Savor Success, Stupid!
By John Mehno

People are crazy.

You understand that, you accept it, and, of course, you try to find ways to take advantage of it.

The most recent illustration of the insanity came when the Penguins were on their march to the Stanley Cup final and some people couldn't enjoy it. They were too busy obsessing about possible free agency losses and what next year's team would look like.

The concept is not new. When the Steelers surprised everyone by going 15-1 a few years ago, some people couldn't stop worrying about the possible free agent departure of Plaxico Burress. He left, and the Steelers won the Super Bowl in their first season without him.

So when the Penguins were buzzsawing through three rounds of playoffs and barely breaking a sweat, it was too good. People had to get out their calculators and try to figure ways to keep all the free agents. Then they fretted about those who wouldn't fit into the plan. Think about that. This makes as much sense as standing in line to see a hit movie that's gotten rave reviews and moaning that the sequel will probably be lousy.

If there's one thing we've learned from the Pirates, it's never to take success for granted. If your favorite team is having a great season, enjoy it. Savor it. Don't spend every free moment worrying that it won't last. Let yourself live in the moment, and let the team worry about paying everyone.

In other matters: *  Sen. Arlen Specter probably locked up a lot of votes in western Pennsylvania by obliquely suggesting the New England Patriots cheated to beat the Steelers in two AFC Championship games. Beyond the grandstanding by a politician who loves the spotlight, what's the point? If Specter is worried about doing a service to sports fans, have him investigate why a dollar's worth of beer costs $8 in a stadium.

*  Now that the Matt Morris debacle is over, there's just one piece of business to address. Find out which of the many Pirates advisors turned in a favorable scouting report on Morris. Then fire him.

*  Almost two years after the Penguins declined to renew his contract as general manager, Craig Patrick has emerged to do some media interviews. Patrick is hopeful of getting another job in hockey. Friends have advised him to raise his profile and remind the hockey world that he helped build the foundation the Penguins now have. Sidney Crosby wasn't exactly a dark horse draft pick, but Patrick did acquire some of the Penguins' current players. It wouldn't be a shock if Patrick wound up back in the Penguins' organization. He didn't burn any bridges on his way out, and Mario Lemieux likes and respects him. At 62, there might not be another GM job for Patrick, but he could wind up in an advisory capacity.

*This just in: Sen. Arlen Specter is looking into baseball's 1919 Black Sox Scandal. He's said to be outraged.

John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehno (at) lycos.com. His book, "The Best Pittsburgh Sports Arguments" is available in stores and through online retailers.