NEWS AND NOTES

--Breaking news: the Pirates sign another international prospect....the Iraqi shoe thrower. [Bugs and Cranks]--But seriously, the Pirates are now looking at utilityman Jerry Hairston and pitcher Daniel Cabrera. And (again, seriously), Ty Wigginton. [PG]--Jason Michaels is now a former Pirate after joining the Houston Astros. His legacy includes a dramatic home run against the Cardinals on July 12 and a .224 average. [Houston Chronicle]--Now to a team people care about: the Penguins, who might welcome back Ryan Whitney as early as December 23 against the Pittsburgh South Lightning. [Trib]--Ravens coach John Harbaugh says he doesn't believe Frank Walker spit in the face of Mitch Berger, setting the stage for yet another storyline if the teams meet (which is very possible) in the playoffs. [ESPN]--The Pitt Panthers are quietly off to a 10-0 start and ranked #3 in this week's poll. Yet they're somewhat of an afterthought in a world of Sidneys, Santonios, and Shadys. That wil...