Pete Rose's name missing on Topps baseball cards

But in listing A.J. Pierzynski's 1,645 hits, the card notes that he is "2,611 away from the all-time record of 4,256." No mention of Rose. Not fun stuff.

The ineligible list Rose is on not only precludes him from the Hall of Fame, but also from being included in any officially licensed MLB products. It's ridiculously petty, but typical of the age we live in.

Topps understandably doesn't want to upset its licensing deal, but the company missed an opportunity. It could have said Pierzynski is 2,544 hits behind Ty Cobb for second place. Because we all know what a humanitarian Cobb was.

Forward progress

John Brennan was a deep sub for Neumann-Goretti when it won the 2009 Catholic League championship behind Tony Chennault (Villanova) and Tyreek Duren (La Salle).

While his ex-teammates chase March Madness, Brennan is closing out his career at Penn State Altoona as one of the school's all-time players.

Brennan, a 6-5 power forward, will finish his career in the top 10 in school history in rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. Not bad for a kid who could hardly get on the court for that N-G squad.

"It's been the best, but fastest 4 years of my life," said Brennan, who grew up near 2nd and Ritner in South Philly.