With the Pirates about to fall into the NL Central cellar, unless new acquisition Cesar Izturis will rescue them, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at how the current crop of players came to Pittsburgh.
• Fans were excited this past off-season when the team acquired Adam LaRoche from the Braves. Although he's been somewhat of a disappointment - who wouldn't be, with a .236 batting average - LaRoche is having a better season than the other major-leaguer in the deal. Mike Gonzalez is out for the season after having elbow surgery, but pitched well for the Braves before he went under the knife: 2-0, 1.59 ERA in 17 innings. Pirates fans might want to keep an eye on the third man in the deal, minor-league shortstop Brent Lillibridge, who was promoted from AA to AAA by the Braves this season. Overall, he is hitting .265 with 6 homers, 26 RBI and 28 stolen bases.
• Freddy Sanchez wowed Pittsburgh and at least made a name for himself around baseball by winning the NL batting title last year, after starting the season on the bench behind free-agent bust Joe Randa (whom the Pirates originally let go in the '98 expansion draft). Sanchez became a Pirate by accident. In 2003, Pittsburgh made a deal with Boston involving reliever Brandon Lyon, who turned out to be injured. The Red Sox took him back and decided they'd like to have starting pitcher Jeff Suppan, too. So they shipped Sanchez to Pittsburgh.
• Jose Bautista, who is spending time on the disabled list, is indicative of the Pirates' recent history of administrative snafus. The Orioles snagged him from Pittsburgh in the Rule 5 draft in late 2003, and he spent the first half of the 2004 season bouncing from Baltimore to Kansas City to the New York Mets. Finally, when the Pirates were looking to unload Kris Benson, the Mets included Bautista in the deal. (Also on board was Ty Wiggington, who stunk in Pittsburgh and eventually was released. He since has hit 38 home runs in a season and a half as a Devil Ray.)
• When the Pirates dealt reliever Jason Christiansen to the Cardinals for Jack Wilson, Christiansen reportedly was extremely happy to be leaving Pittsburgh. As for Wilson, the acquisition of Izturis points to the probability of Jack leaving town imminently. And at this point, he'll probably be happy.
• Ex-GM Cam Bonifay pulled off one great trade during his tenure with the Pirates, acquiring Brian Giles for Ricardo Rincon. Giles' salary eventually wore out its welcome, and Pittsburgh dealt him to San Diego in a 2003 deal that included Jason Bay. In 2004, Bay became the Pirates' first Rookie of the Year, and for three straight years he was an All-Star. That's not quite the case this year, as he's struggled at the plate and runners have taken considerable advantage of his questionable ability to throw.
• The Pirates reportedly were more interested in Xavier Nady than Bay when they made the Giles deal. In the short term, it looked like not comparison between the two. But this year, Nady has been the Pirates' most consistent hitter, at .283-14-51. Pirates fans, though, can't help but keep a close watch on the Oliver Perez, whom the Mets acquired for Nady. Perez has spent time on the disabled list this year, but his 8-6 record with a 3.13 ERA indicates that he's still able to pitch well.
• Shawn Chacon has pitched well at times out of the bullpen this year, posting a fairly respectable 3.58 ERA. He certainly is having a better season than the guy he was traded for: After spending half a season with the Yankees, Craig Wilson was signed by Atlanta, but was released in May when his batting average dipped to .172.
Trivia question 51: Which owner of a baseball team was fined $15,000 and suspended two years for making illegal political campaign contributions to Richard M. Nixon?
Showing posts with label Pirates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pirates. Show all posts
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Dice baseball
I recently wrote my newspaper column about a diversion we enjoyed when we were kids, long before the days of video games. You can read it here:
"Bored? Try this for cure"
Our version of "Dice Baseball" comes straight from an essay by the same name, written by D.J. Michael, that appeared in "The Second Fireside Book of Baseball," published in 1958. (We didn't start playing until 1975.)
Click here for a PDF version of the essay.
Back to real-life baseball, the world is returning to normal: The Pirates are sinking like a lead balloon, and the Yankees are about to give the Red Sox a run for their money.
Every few years, Pittsburgh will give fans a false sense of optimism. This summer, it came right before the All-Star break, when the Pirates went on a 9-4 run to pull within eight games of .500. (That might not seem so great, but in Pittsburgh, the big goal is to finish above the break-even point once more in our lifetime.)
After a four-day layoff, the Pirates returned to action by getting swept in Atlanta and at home by Colorado. On Tuesday, yet another mediocre ex-Buc, Josh Fogg, confounded his old team on his way to 6-2 win, lowering his ERA to 5.15 in the process.
The Pirates' worst pitching performance during the losing streak (so far) was turned in Monday by John Van Benschoten, who fell to 0-4 in a 10-8 loss. Van Benschoten -- at least one local sports talk type has tried to give him the handle of "JVB" -- started the game by plunking Willy Taveras with a pitch, then gave up five runs before Pittsburgh even came to bat. In surrendering nine earned runs in two innings, JVB saw his ERA rise to 8.17. All this from a former No. 8 overall pick in the draft, a stud hitter at Kent State whom the Pirates decided would make a better pitcher.
Good call.
As for the Yankees ... hey, when you can afford to pay Roger Clemens about two hundred grand per inning, you should be winning.
Trivia question 50: Who was the oldest player to win his first batting title? (courtesty of Bruce Brown, Society for American Baseball Research)
"Bored? Try this for cure"
Our version of "Dice Baseball" comes straight from an essay by the same name, written by D.J. Michael, that appeared in "The Second Fireside Book of Baseball," published in 1958. (We didn't start playing until 1975.)
Click here for a PDF version of the essay.
Back to real-life baseball, the world is returning to normal: The Pirates are sinking like a lead balloon, and the Yankees are about to give the Red Sox a run for their money.
Every few years, Pittsburgh will give fans a false sense of optimism. This summer, it came right before the All-Star break, when the Pirates went on a 9-4 run to pull within eight games of .500. (That might not seem so great, but in Pittsburgh, the big goal is to finish above the break-even point once more in our lifetime.)
After a four-day layoff, the Pirates returned to action by getting swept in Atlanta and at home by Colorado. On Tuesday, yet another mediocre ex-Buc, Josh Fogg, confounded his old team on his way to 6-2 win, lowering his ERA to 5.15 in the process.
The Pirates' worst pitching performance during the losing streak (so far) was turned in Monday by John Van Benschoten, who fell to 0-4 in a 10-8 loss. Van Benschoten -- at least one local sports talk type has tried to give him the handle of "JVB" -- started the game by plunking Willy Taveras with a pitch, then gave up five runs before Pittsburgh even came to bat. In surrendering nine earned runs in two innings, JVB saw his ERA rise to 8.17. All this from a former No. 8 overall pick in the draft, a stud hitter at Kent State whom the Pirates decided would make a better pitcher.
Good call.
As for the Yankees ... hey, when you can afford to pay Roger Clemens about two hundred grand per inning, you should be winning.
Trivia question 50: Who was the oldest player to win his first batting title? (courtesty of Bruce Brown, Society for American Baseball Research)
Friday, June 29, 2007
Protest nears
People are supposed to protest the ownership of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.
Joe Tuscano, assistant sports editor for our newspaper, The Observer-Reporter, has written a column about the efforts. Click here to give a read.
Personally, I've managed to avoid paying a cent toward the Pirates ownership this year after attending probably an average of 20 times a season since PNC Park opened in 2001. Fool me six years ...
Congratulations to Frank Thomas (500 home runs) and Craig Biggio (3,000 hits) on reaching their respective milestones yesterday.
I've heard debate today about Biggio's qualifications for the Hall of Fame. Oh, come on! Just because the guy wasn't hitting balls into the ozone with the frequency of McGwire, Sosa and Palmeiro, let's not diminish his accomplishments. He's a very well-respected player who has put in 20 years with the same team, a rarity not only in these nomadic times but in major-league history.
By the way, he has hit 286 home runs so far. He also has scored 1,821 runs, hit 658 doubles (tops among active players) and stolen 413 bases to go along with a respectable .282 lifetime batting average. And he's done all that from switching his position from catcher to second base to center field, then back to second base.
He might not make it on the first ballot, but when all is said and done, Craig Biggio deserves a plaque in Cooperstown.
Trivia question 46 (courtesy of Bruce Brown): Who was the last 20th Century player to appear in 120 games in consecutive seasons for the same manager, but on different teams? Hint: He was an All-Star as a player and as a manager. Answer at bottom right
Joe Tuscano, assistant sports editor for our newspaper, The Observer-Reporter, has written a column about the efforts. Click here to give a read.
Personally, I've managed to avoid paying a cent toward the Pirates ownership this year after attending probably an average of 20 times a season since PNC Park opened in 2001. Fool me six years ...
Congratulations to Frank Thomas (500 home runs) and Craig Biggio (3,000 hits) on reaching their respective milestones yesterday.
I've heard debate today about Biggio's qualifications for the Hall of Fame. Oh, come on! Just because the guy wasn't hitting balls into the ozone with the frequency of McGwire, Sosa and Palmeiro, let's not diminish his accomplishments. He's a very well-respected player who has put in 20 years with the same team, a rarity not only in these nomadic times but in major-league history.
By the way, he has hit 286 home runs so far. He also has scored 1,821 runs, hit 658 doubles (tops among active players) and stolen 413 bases to go along with a respectable .282 lifetime batting average. And he's done all that from switching his position from catcher to second base to center field, then back to second base.
He might not make it on the first ballot, but when all is said and done, Craig Biggio deserves a plaque in Cooperstown.
Trivia question 46 (courtesy of Bruce Brown): Who was the last 20th Century player to appear in 120 games in consecutive seasons for the same manager, but on different teams? Hint: He was an All-Star as a player and as a manager. Answer at bottom right
Monday, June 25, 2007
Irate fans
I've heard some mixed opinions on the planned protest of the Pirates coming up on Saturday at PNC Park. But in my opinion, the guys who are organizing it are showing that there still is interest in baseball in Pittsburgh, and those who still care are, to borrow from the late Peter Finch, mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.
In a nut(ting)shell, the protest is planned for Saturday's game against the Washington Nationals. The objective is for people who are in attendance to walk out after the third inning, after they've collected their Bob Walk bobbleheads. But for those who don't want to give the Pirates ownership their money on Saturday, the organizers of the protest are planning activities on the public streets outside the ballpark (which, itself, came about pretty much with public money, apparently so that whoever ran the baseball team could turn a profit regardless of the product on the field).
Anyway ... supporting the protest is a group with a really catchy name for its Web site, Irate Fans, featuring a logo that sort of looks like there's a "P" in front of "Irate." Give credit where it's due when it comes to creativity. The site has been in place since last spring, and the publicity surrounding the protest really must be generating some hits these days.
Kraig Koelsch, one of the leading Irate Fans, forwarded this information regarding the protest planned by Fans for Change:
Hello everyone,
As you may have heard by now, Fans for Change will hold a formal press conference on Tuesday, June 26th at 2:15pm near the Roberto Clemente statue on Federal Street. At this time, we will officially announce our plans and objectives for the evening of Saturday, June 30th. All regional media outlets have been informed and will be in attendance.
We ask that all supporters of Fans for Change join us (if possible) on Tuesday afternoon, adorned in a green shirt, as a visual representation of the strength that we have gained in the span of less than two weeks! Our group presence will vividly illustrate the strength and passion of fans that truly demand and deserve change.
Remember, this movement is a team movement, and together we have power in unity.
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday afternoon if you can make it.
Sincerely,
Seanpittsburghforchange@yahoo.com
So, if you're not doing anything tomorrow afternoon ... unfortunately, I am, so I won't hear firsthand what the Fans for Change have to say. But I'll pass on the information as I get it.
At any rate, the protest should be picking up a lot of steam following the Pirates' horrific showing on the just-completed West Coast trip, an interleague nightmare that included:
• Being shut out by a pitcher, Seattle's Jeff Weaver, who entered the game with an ERA above 10.
• Being shut out by another Mariners pitcher, Felix Hernandez, who seems to have a lot of potential but also seems to be injury-prone.
• Choking away an early lead and losing to the Los Angeles ... Anaheim ... whatever they're called, in extra innings.
• Giving up 10 runs to the Angels in a game started by Ian Snell, who has been mentioned as a possibility for the Pirates' representative in the All-Star Game (as if they deserve one).
• Tying the game in the ninth but blowing it in extra innings, giving the Angels the most victories in the majors to this point in the season.
Yeah, it's getting easier to protest. It's also getting easier to stay away from PNC Park while the Nutting ownership is reaping the profits. For Pittsburgh-area baseball fans, there's a viable alternative down the road in Washington, PA, with the Frontier League Wild Things. Read more about them in Chris Dugan's blog.
And unless you're protesting, you might want to consider steering clear of PNC.
Trivia question 43: Who was the second pitcher to win a World Series game for the Phillies? (The first was Grover Cleveland Alexander.)
Friday, June 22, 2007
Oh, happy day!
Joe Saunders has to be smiling today. Or at least he will be, when he wakes up on Pacific Daylight Time.
Saunders, who turned 26 last week, is living every pitcher's dream: He faces the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight. Because of injuries in the Angels' rotation, Saunders has been called up from Triple-A Salt Lake City specifically for that purpose.
What a way to return!
Saunders actually has pitched very well when Los Angeles or Anaheim or whatever they heck they're called has used him as a spot starter this season, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.22 ERA. In 19 lifetime starts, he's 10-3.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are traveling down the coast from Seattle after being shut out in consecutive games, the latter marking the major-league-leading eighth time Pittsburgh has failed to score.
At least they were dominated last night by an up-and-coming pitcher, Felix Hernandez, who got back on track after some injuries to even his record at 4-4 and lower his ERA to 4.00. The previous game, the Pirates were shut out by Jeff Weaver, who managed to get his ERA below 9.
Pittsburgh did manage to scratch out six singles and a double against Hernandez and closer J.J. Putz. The Pirates also showed their typical lack of discpline at the plate, striking out 10 times while walking just once.
Here's a note from the Associated Press on the Pirates' ineptitude against certain pitchers this season: "The Pirates, next-to-last in the National League on on-base percentage and owners of its second-fewest hits entering Thursday, made another struggling pitcher happy. Four of their last five shutouts have come against Kyle Lohse, Kameron Loe, Weaver and Hernandez, who were a combined 5-22 until they got well against Pittsburgh."
Joe Saunders hasn't been struggling, but he sure must be happy nonetheless.
When the Pirates return home, "fans" (or more accurately, people who like baseball but are disgusted) are staging a protest.
A site called IrateFans.com contains information about the protest, as well links to relative articles that have been written about bottom-line, no-commitment-to-winning approach by the team's owners, the Nutting "clan."
The June 30 protest might be worth a trip over toward PNC Park, even if you don't spend a dime to get inside the place and give the Nuttings any of your hard-earned cash.
Saunders, who turned 26 last week, is living every pitcher's dream: He faces the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight. Because of injuries in the Angels' rotation, Saunders has been called up from Triple-A Salt Lake City specifically for that purpose.
What a way to return!
Saunders actually has pitched very well when Los Angeles or Anaheim or whatever they heck they're called has used him as a spot starter this season, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.22 ERA. In 19 lifetime starts, he's 10-3.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are traveling down the coast from Seattle after being shut out in consecutive games, the latter marking the major-league-leading eighth time Pittsburgh has failed to score.
At least they were dominated last night by an up-and-coming pitcher, Felix Hernandez, who got back on track after some injuries to even his record at 4-4 and lower his ERA to 4.00. The previous game, the Pirates were shut out by Jeff Weaver, who managed to get his ERA below 9.
Pittsburgh did manage to scratch out six singles and a double against Hernandez and closer J.J. Putz. The Pirates also showed their typical lack of discpline at the plate, striking out 10 times while walking just once.
Here's a note from the Associated Press on the Pirates' ineptitude against certain pitchers this season: "The Pirates, next-to-last in the National League on on-base percentage and owners of its second-fewest hits entering Thursday, made another struggling pitcher happy. Four of their last five shutouts have come against Kyle Lohse, Kameron Loe, Weaver and Hernandez, who were a combined 5-22 until they got well against Pittsburgh."
Joe Saunders hasn't been struggling, but he sure must be happy nonetheless.
When the Pirates return home, "fans" (or more accurately, people who like baseball but are disgusted) are staging a protest.
A site called IrateFans.com contains information about the protest, as well links to relative articles that have been written about bottom-line, no-commitment-to-winning approach by the team's owners, the Nutting "clan."
The June 30 protest might be worth a trip over toward PNC Park, even if you don't spend a dime to get inside the place and give the Nuttings any of your hard-earned cash.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Slumpbusters
Who ya gonna call?
Instead of wearing haz-mat suits and firing proton guns, they put on baseball uniforms and wield (in a manner of speaking) baseball bats.
They're the Pittsburgh Pirates. And if you're a pitcher who feels like he can't get anyone out, bring 'em to your ballpark.
Seattle's Jeff Weaver, who's had a modicum of success at various times during his career, had yet to pitch effectively this season. His 2007 statistics: 0-6, 10.97 ERA, 62 hits allowed in 32 innings. He'd given up six or seven runs in five of his first six starts this year.
But then he must have looked at the schedule and smiled. The Pirates were coming to town.
And just like Aykroyd, Murray, Ramis and Hudson, the men from Pittsburgh came through for Weaver. They managed a grand total of four hits and no runs off him as he went the distance for a 7-0 victory Wednesday night.
Cue up Ray Parker Jr. music.
Weaver now is in the win column, has a sub-9.00 ERA and dropped the batting average against him below .300.
Thank you, Slumpbusters!
Now, let's see what he can do against a real major-league team ...
Jeff Weaver was just the latest in a string of not-so-well-known pitchers who have dominated the Pirates this season. The list also includes:
• April 18: Milwaukee 7, Pittsburgh 3 - Claudio Vargas, 11 strikeouts in six innings
• April 28: Cincinnati 8, Pittsburgh 1 - Matt Belisle, complete-game five-hitter
• May 4: Milwaukee 10, Pittsburgh 0 - Claudio Vargas, six scoreless innings
• May 11: Atlanta 4, Pittsburgh 1 - Kyle Davies, one run in seven innings
• May 12: Atlanta 9, Pittsburgh 2 - Chuck James took no-hitter into seventh inning
• May 23: St. Louis 5, Pittsburgh 3 - Kip Wells, one earned run in seven innings
• May 28: Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 0 - Kyle Lohse, six hits and no walks in complete-game shutout
• June 14: Texas 6, Pittsburgh 0 - Kameron Loe, eight shutouts innings
"Ghostbusters" is a registered trademark of Columbia Pictures Industries Inc. Buy the DVDs!
Monday, June 11, 2007
You're never too old
Viewers who could stomach sitting through the Pirates' trouncing by the Yankees on Sunday were treated, in a manner of speaking, to the major-league debut of Masumi Kuwata. The relief pitcher, a star in Japan since the '80s, is 39 years old.
In making note of Kuwata's advanced age, media reports are circulating the name Diomedes Olivo for the first time in years. Olivo, a lefthanded pitcher and Dominican Republic native, was 41 the first time he appeared in the majors. That also was for the Pirates but during much better times: 1960, the year they beat the Yankees in the World Series. (Some question has persisted about his actual age; for example, a blurb in The Sporting News at the time listed him at 45. But the sources that count list him as being born Jan. 22, 1919.)
I'd never heard of Olivo before I read about his death in 1977, but I always was curious about a player who was so old by the time he made it to the majors. In those days, baseball scouts weren't very prevalent in Latin America (with the exception of those employed by the Washington Senators). Buoyed by the success of Roberto Clemente, the Pirates started taking a closer look at the talent to the south. Apparently, Diomedes still had enough in the tank to warrant a call to The Show. He pitched pretty well, too, in four appearances before returning to the minor leagues.
In 1961, he was lights out for the International League pennant-winning Columbus Jets, compiling a 1.98 earned run average. So the Pirates brought him back for 1962, when he qualified for official rookie status at age 43, breaking Satchel Paige's record. In 62 games, he posted a 5-1 record with 7 saves and a stellar 2.77 ERA. Noting his success during the year were a number of feature stories, including the Sports Illustrated article "An Elderly Diomedes in the Big Show," written by future Pittsburgh Steelers announcer Myron Cope.
Olivo's fame was short-lived. The Pirates shipped him off to St. Louis as part of the ill-fated package that sent the extremely popular Dick Groat to the Cardinals for Julio Gotay, who stunk in Pittsburgh, and Don Cardwell, who wasn't much better. Diomedes faded quickly in St. Louis, exiting the majors after dropping his first five decisions in '63.
On June 7 of that year, he gave up a game-winning home run to Duke Snider, a future Hall of Famer who had seen better days and was playing out the string with the Mets. That was just about the last straw for the Cardinals; Olivo appeared in his final major-league game five days later. He was the last active player to have been born before 1920, by the way.
He had a brother, Federico - more popularly known as Chi Chi - who pitched four years with the Braves, and was "only" 36 in his rookie-qualifying season.
Both Olivo brothers died in February 1977, but I have yet to find information to suggest their deaths so close together represented anything other than coincidence.
In making note of Kuwata's advanced age, media reports are circulating the name Diomedes Olivo for the first time in years. Olivo, a lefthanded pitcher and Dominican Republic native, was 41 the first time he appeared in the majors. That also was for the Pirates but during much better times: 1960, the year they beat the Yankees in the World Series. (Some question has persisted about his actual age; for example, a blurb in The Sporting News at the time listed him at 45. But the sources that count list him as being born Jan. 22, 1919.)
I'd never heard of Olivo before I read about his death in 1977, but I always was curious about a player who was so old by the time he made it to the majors. In those days, baseball scouts weren't very prevalent in Latin America (with the exception of those employed by the Washington Senators). Buoyed by the success of Roberto Clemente, the Pirates started taking a closer look at the talent to the south. Apparently, Diomedes still had enough in the tank to warrant a call to The Show. He pitched pretty well, too, in four appearances before returning to the minor leagues.
In 1961, he was lights out for the International League pennant-winning Columbus Jets, compiling a 1.98 earned run average. So the Pirates brought him back for 1962, when he qualified for official rookie status at age 43, breaking Satchel Paige's record. In 62 games, he posted a 5-1 record with 7 saves and a stellar 2.77 ERA. Noting his success during the year were a number of feature stories, including the Sports Illustrated article "An Elderly Diomedes in the Big Show," written by future Pittsburgh Steelers announcer Myron Cope.
Olivo's fame was short-lived. The Pirates shipped him off to St. Louis as part of the ill-fated package that sent the extremely popular Dick Groat to the Cardinals for Julio Gotay, who stunk in Pittsburgh, and Don Cardwell, who wasn't much better. Diomedes faded quickly in St. Louis, exiting the majors after dropping his first five decisions in '63.
On June 7 of that year, he gave up a game-winning home run to Duke Snider, a future Hall of Famer who had seen better days and was playing out the string with the Mets. That was just about the last straw for the Cardinals; Olivo appeared in his final major-league game five days later. He was the last active player to have been born before 1920, by the way.
He had a brother, Federico - more popularly known as Chi Chi - who pitched four years with the Braves, and was "only" 36 in his rookie-qualifying season.
Both Olivo brothers died in February 1977, but I have yet to find information to suggest their deaths so close together represented anything other than coincidence.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Ouch!
Pirates fans have to wonder if they got a glimpse of the future or an unfortunately timed anomaly.
The day after Pittsburgh made lefthanded pitcher Daniel Moskos the fourth player taken in the amateur draft, Moskos hurled for the Clemson Tigers in the Starkville (Miss.) Super Regional tournament. He was chased by Mississippi State in the sixth inning after giving up nine hits and five earned runs, taking the loss in an 8-6 decision.
Sure, they used aluminum bats against Moskos. But they're college players. If they're lighting him up like that, imagine what major-leaguers will do, even with Louisville Sluggers. Of course, that's if No. 4 ever makes it that far through the system.
Certainly, the Pirates' scouting department, management and ownership might know something about this southpaw that's eluding us mere observers. But everyone who has any interest in the team - and the numbers continue to shrink rapidly - seems to be questioning the selection.
I hope we're wrong, if nothing else because I don't like to kick a young man when he's down. Then again, he's going to have plenty of money - although, we're guessing, not nearly as much as the No. 5 pick on which the Pirates passed.
That's the kind of operation they run, and the kind that doesn't deserve to collect your hard-earned money.
Trivia question 37: What 19th-century star commissioned the first Louisville Slugger bat?
The day after Pittsburgh made lefthanded pitcher Daniel Moskos the fourth player taken in the amateur draft, Moskos hurled for the Clemson Tigers in the Starkville (Miss.) Super Regional tournament. He was chased by Mississippi State in the sixth inning after giving up nine hits and five earned runs, taking the loss in an 8-6 decision.
Sure, they used aluminum bats against Moskos. But they're college players. If they're lighting him up like that, imagine what major-leaguers will do, even with Louisville Sluggers. Of course, that's if No. 4 ever makes it that far through the system.
Certainly, the Pirates' scouting department, management and ownership might know something about this southpaw that's eluding us mere observers. But everyone who has any interest in the team - and the numbers continue to shrink rapidly - seems to be questioning the selection.
I hope we're wrong, if nothing else because I don't like to kick a young man when he's down. Then again, he's going to have plenty of money - although, we're guessing, not nearly as much as the No. 5 pick on which the Pirates passed.
That's the kind of operation they run, and the kind that doesn't deserve to collect your hard-earned money.
Trivia question 37: What 19th-century star commissioned the first Louisville Slugger bat?
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Here we go again
I might be mistaken. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. But I thought I detected a lack of enthusiasm among the Pirates' announcers when they delivered news of Pittsburgh's first pick in the 2007 amateur draft, midway through the team's 3-2 win at Washington today.
The No. 4 overall selection was Daniel Moskos, a lefthanded pitcher from Clemson who did decently last summer as Team USA's closer. But the announcers didn't know too much about him when word came across. John Wehner was looking on Baseball America's Web site, trying to read what he could about Moskos and provide some positive PR.
The Pirates are going to need it. Moskos might turn out to be the next Steve Carlton, but for now, it looks as if Pittsburgh drafted another college pitcher just to avoid paying a bigger bonus to a better player. Those in the know said the Pirates' best bet would have been to take Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters, who apparently is infinitely closer to becoming a Johnny Bench than Moskos is to morphing into Koufax reincarnated.
But Wieters' agent is the notorious hard bargainer Scott Boras, a fact that apparently steered the Pirates in a more economic direction. The Boras connection, though, didn't deter the Baltimore Orioles from making Wieters the sixth overall choice. Seems like a wise move, according to what Yahoo! has to say about Wieters:
"Outstanding defensive catcher with a strong, accurate arm. Best position player in draft is switch-hitter with tremendous power potential from both sides. Quietly put together solid season for Yellow Jackets: .358, 10, 59. Also served as team's closer for most of his three seasons with fastball that regularly hit mid-90s. Projected as potential All-Star catcher despite above-average height for position."
Compare that with Yahoo!'s assessment of Moskos:
"Just 3-5 with 2.91 ERA heading into super regionals, Moskos has three potentially dominant pitches: 93-95 mph fastball, wicked slider that hits mid- to upper-80s and a good curve. Really grabbed scouts' attention last summer when he struck out 35 in 21 innings and had six saves as Team USA's closer. Currently projects as No. 3-type starter in pros, but could also end up coming out of bullpen as stopper."
Using a No. 4 overall pick on a "No. 3-type starter"? The Pirates already have been there and done that, with Bryan Bullington. Sort of. He was the top overall pick in 2002. Today, he's pitching in Indianapolis, recovering from arm surgery that kept him out all last season.
Around Pittsburgh, they're probably starting a pool on how long it will take for Dan Moskos to go under the knife.
If you're planning to go to PNC Park this summer ... please, save your money and keep it out of the Nuttings' pockets!
Trivia question 36: The free-agent amateur draft was instituted in 1965. Who was the first overall pick?
The No. 4 overall selection was Daniel Moskos, a lefthanded pitcher from Clemson who did decently last summer as Team USA's closer. But the announcers didn't know too much about him when word came across. John Wehner was looking on Baseball America's Web site, trying to read what he could about Moskos and provide some positive PR.
The Pirates are going to need it. Moskos might turn out to be the next Steve Carlton, but for now, it looks as if Pittsburgh drafted another college pitcher just to avoid paying a bigger bonus to a better player. Those in the know said the Pirates' best bet would have been to take Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters, who apparently is infinitely closer to becoming a Johnny Bench than Moskos is to morphing into Koufax reincarnated.
But Wieters' agent is the notorious hard bargainer Scott Boras, a fact that apparently steered the Pirates in a more economic direction. The Boras connection, though, didn't deter the Baltimore Orioles from making Wieters the sixth overall choice. Seems like a wise move, according to what Yahoo! has to say about Wieters:
"Outstanding defensive catcher with a strong, accurate arm. Best position player in draft is switch-hitter with tremendous power potential from both sides. Quietly put together solid season for Yellow Jackets: .358, 10, 59. Also served as team's closer for most of his three seasons with fastball that regularly hit mid-90s. Projected as potential All-Star catcher despite above-average height for position."
Compare that with Yahoo!'s assessment of Moskos:
"Just 3-5 with 2.91 ERA heading into super regionals, Moskos has three potentially dominant pitches: 93-95 mph fastball, wicked slider that hits mid- to upper-80s and a good curve. Really grabbed scouts' attention last summer when he struck out 35 in 21 innings and had six saves as Team USA's closer. Currently projects as No. 3-type starter in pros, but could also end up coming out of bullpen as stopper."
Using a No. 4 overall pick on a "No. 3-type starter"? The Pirates already have been there and done that, with Bryan Bullington. Sort of. He was the top overall pick in 2002. Today, he's pitching in Indianapolis, recovering from arm surgery that kept him out all last season.
Around Pittsburgh, they're probably starting a pool on how long it will take for Dan Moskos to go under the knife.
If you're planning to go to PNC Park this summer ... please, save your money and keep it out of the Nuttings' pockets!
Trivia question 36: The free-agent amateur draft was instituted in 1965. Who was the first overall pick?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Ex-Pirates
Of the myriad sources of frustration for Pirates fans, one of the toughest to swallow is the success of players who couldn't cut it in Pittsburgh but flourish elsewhere.
This year, Exhibit A is Oliver Perez, the left-hander who sizzled in 2004, fizzled in '05 and pitched himself out of the Pirates' plans in '06. They shipped him to the Mets, with whom he hurled well enough in last fall's playoffs to raise hopes among New Yorkers that he could regain his form.
So far this season, he's looking like the Ollie of '04, if not better. Last night, Perez beat Atlanta, 3-0, his third win against the Braves this season. He pitched seven shutout innings, giving up four hits and walking just two, in improving his record to 6-3 and lowering his earned run average to 2.54.
Most people who follow the Pirates saw this coming. The Pittsburgh hierarchy had attempted to have Ollie change his pitching delivery, and he obviously didn't respond well. The culture of losing permeating PNC Park probably didn't help much, either. Now that he's on a team that looks as if it's bound for the postseason again, he seems to be back on track. And more good news for the Mets: He won't turn 27 until later this season.
(Maybe his resurgence will mean the autographed poster I have of him might be worth something someday ...)
As if Perez's success weren't enough, the Pirates suffered the humiliation of losing last night to former teammate Kip Wells. Having landed in St. Louis by way of his trade from Pittsburgh to Texas last season, Wells was off to a horrible start this year: 1-8, 6.75 ERA. Against the Pirates, he tossed seven innings and gave up one earned run.
Watching results like that, the big question around Pittsburgh is: When does Steelers training camp start?
Trivia question 34: Speaking of pitchers who stunk in Pittsburgh and went on to better things elsewhere ... who posted a 2-19 record for the Pirates and later led the league in strikeouts for St. Louis?
This year, Exhibit A is Oliver Perez, the left-hander who sizzled in 2004, fizzled in '05 and pitched himself out of the Pirates' plans in '06. They shipped him to the Mets, with whom he hurled well enough in last fall's playoffs to raise hopes among New Yorkers that he could regain his form.
So far this season, he's looking like the Ollie of '04, if not better. Last night, Perez beat Atlanta, 3-0, his third win against the Braves this season. He pitched seven shutout innings, giving up four hits and walking just two, in improving his record to 6-3 and lowering his earned run average to 2.54.
Most people who follow the Pirates saw this coming. The Pittsburgh hierarchy had attempted to have Ollie change his pitching delivery, and he obviously didn't respond well. The culture of losing permeating PNC Park probably didn't help much, either. Now that he's on a team that looks as if it's bound for the postseason again, he seems to be back on track. And more good news for the Mets: He won't turn 27 until later this season.
(Maybe his resurgence will mean the autographed poster I have of him might be worth something someday ...)
As if Perez's success weren't enough, the Pirates suffered the humiliation of losing last night to former teammate Kip Wells. Having landed in St. Louis by way of his trade from Pittsburgh to Texas last season, Wells was off to a horrible start this year: 1-8, 6.75 ERA. Against the Pirates, he tossed seven innings and gave up one earned run.
Watching results like that, the big question around Pittsburgh is: When does Steelers training camp start?
Trivia question 34: Speaking of pitchers who stunk in Pittsburgh and went on to better things elsewhere ... who posted a 2-19 record for the Pirates and later led the league in strikeouts for St. Louis?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Cold Rain and Snow
It hasn't been quite as bad weather-wise here in Pittsburgh compared with up the turnpike in Cleveland. But this sure isn't spring, and it sure isn't baseball weather.
Somehow, the inconsistent (a kind way of putting it) Pirates pitching managed to give up two home runs to Barry Bonds on Friday night, aiding and abetting the inevitable. That might end up being the last game in Pittsburgh for the guy who started his career here 21 years ago as a skinny kid.
With a chilly, miserably drizzle starting Saturday afternoon and persisting for the foreseeable future, the Pirates decided against playing last night, opting instead for the dreaded (from a team profit standpoint) doubleheader Sunday afternoon.
Well, the weather is even worse this morning, and the Pirates have decided there won't be any baseball at PNC Park this afternoon, either.
According to the Pirates' Web site, "The doubleheader will be rescheduled for a date later in the season." When will that be? San Francisco was scheduled for just this one visit in Pittsburgh this season. If the Giants can't swing by this neck of the woods again, it shouldn't have any bearing on the standings. I have both these teams finishing last in their respective divisions. The Associated Press report on the situation give some vague possibilities about rescheduling the games, but it looks like it can't be done without major inconveniences.
So, is that it for Barry Bonds playing in Pittsburgh?
If so, too bad. I enjoyed hearing the booing.
• • •
Today is Jackie Robinson Day, a full-fledged celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Hall of Famer's major-league debut. Of course, in today's world of baseball, even the most well-intentioned plans generate some controversy, and the beef this week seemed to be who was entitled to wear Robinson retired No. 42. Whole teams offered to wear the uniform number in tribute, including the Dodgers, which is entirely appropriate.
If the Pirates would have played today, they were to have been among the all-42 teams. That also is appropriate. In 1971, Pittsburgh fielded the first starting lineup of exclusively African Americans.
Philadelphia also is on the list as "all players" wearing No. 42 today.
Huh?
History books usually cite the Phillies as being on the major instigators in the backlash against Robinson's breaking the color barrier, with manager Ben Chapman, a Southerner, supposedly a particular thorn in Jackie's side.
Then again, no one playing for today's Phillies have anything to do with that unfortunate situation. So if those guys want to honor Jackie Robinson, go for it!
Trivia question 19: Who was Jackie Robinson's manager when he made his major-league debut 60 years ago? (This is straight from the list of "opening day" trivia questions presented at yesterday's meeting of the Forbes Field chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research. Joe Elinich, the chapter's president, called it a "geek" question. That is, anyone who got it right has studied far too much baseball history!)
Somehow, the inconsistent (a kind way of putting it) Pirates pitching managed to give up two home runs to Barry Bonds on Friday night, aiding and abetting the inevitable. That might end up being the last game in Pittsburgh for the guy who started his career here 21 years ago as a skinny kid.
With a chilly, miserably drizzle starting Saturday afternoon and persisting for the foreseeable future, the Pirates decided against playing last night, opting instead for the dreaded (from a team profit standpoint) doubleheader Sunday afternoon.
Well, the weather is even worse this morning, and the Pirates have decided there won't be any baseball at PNC Park this afternoon, either.
According to the Pirates' Web site, "The doubleheader will be rescheduled for a date later in the season." When will that be? San Francisco was scheduled for just this one visit in Pittsburgh this season. If the Giants can't swing by this neck of the woods again, it shouldn't have any bearing on the standings. I have both these teams finishing last in their respective divisions. The Associated Press report on the situation give some vague possibilities about rescheduling the games, but it looks like it can't be done without major inconveniences.
So, is that it for Barry Bonds playing in Pittsburgh?
If so, too bad. I enjoyed hearing the booing.
• • •
Today is Jackie Robinson Day, a full-fledged celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Hall of Famer's major-league debut. Of course, in today's world of baseball, even the most well-intentioned plans generate some controversy, and the beef this week seemed to be who was entitled to wear Robinson retired No. 42. Whole teams offered to wear the uniform number in tribute, including the Dodgers, which is entirely appropriate.
If the Pirates would have played today, they were to have been among the all-42 teams. That also is appropriate. In 1971, Pittsburgh fielded the first starting lineup of exclusively African Americans.
Philadelphia also is on the list as "all players" wearing No. 42 today.
Huh?
History books usually cite the Phillies as being on the major instigators in the backlash against Robinson's breaking the color barrier, with manager Ben Chapman, a Southerner, supposedly a particular thorn in Jackie's side.
Then again, no one playing for today's Phillies have anything to do with that unfortunate situation. So if those guys want to honor Jackie Robinson, go for it!
Trivia question 19: Who was Jackie Robinson's manager when he made his major-league debut 60 years ago? (This is straight from the list of "opening day" trivia questions presented at yesterday's meeting of the Forbes Field chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research. Joe Elinich, the chapter's president, called it a "geek" question. That is, anyone who got it right has studied far too much baseball history!)
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Too early to gauge
Pittsburgh Pirates fans were enthusiastic a few months ago about that trade that brought power-hitting first baseman Adam LaRoche from Atlanta for reliever Mike Gonzalez.
LaRoche, who still is in his 20s and had a monster second half of the season for the Braves, seemed like a welcome change of pace from the usual suspects the Pirates have brought in the past several years, over-the-hill veterans like Jeromy Burnitz and Derek Bell, or obviously short-time solutions like Kenny Lofton and Reggie Sanders.
With the short right-field porch at PNC Park, LaRoche seemed like a natural to belt some balls into the Allegheny River.
It's just the start of the season, but after Tuesday night's game, plenty of Pirates fans already are second-guessing the trade.
LaRoche went hitless again in the 3-2, 12-inning loss to St. Louis, dropping his batting average to .097. And Salomon Torres, who inherited Gonzalez' job as closer, gave up a pair of runs in the ninth inning to allow the Cardinals to tie the game (and to negate a stellar pitching effort by starter Tom Gorzelanny).
Might the result have been different if Gonzalez finished the game and, say, Brad Eldred were playing first base?
Before Pirates fans turn on LaRoche after he's played exactly two home games, consider that he has a history as a slow starter. Last year, as of May 1, he was hitting .195 with four home runs. His 2006 power surge didn't really start until July 7, when he whacked a pair of homers in San Diego.
As for Torres, I watched him pitched enough the past few years in middle relief to start cringing when he walked toward the mound. He may be what they call a crafty veteran, and he was off to a hot start this year, earning saves in the Pirates' first four victories.
But I suspect there will be plenty of blown saves as the year progresses. Visions of Mike Williams and Jose Mesa might be haunting Pirates fans.
Tuesday's loss also featured a mental lapse by Jason Bay, who threw to the wrong base and allowed the tying run to advance to second before scoring on a single. Bay has established himself as someone who is going to have a stellar stat line at the end of each season, but for anyone who has watched him in clutch situations, his performance often leaves a lot to be desired.
Gorzelanny's performance, on the other hand, marks six decent starts in six tries for the top three pitchers in the Pirates' rotation: Zach Duke, Ian Snell and Gorzelanny. That's very encouraging, even if Snell has nothing to show so far but an 0-1 record.
At this point, the team needs a lot more run support. And the fans' expectations have a lot of that riding on LaRoche.
Give him a break for now. Would you rather see Jeromy Burnitz out there again?
Trivia question 13: Adam LaRoche's father, Dave, pitched in the majors for 14 years, on five teams. For which team did he make the most appearances?
LaRoche, who still is in his 20s and had a monster second half of the season for the Braves, seemed like a welcome change of pace from the usual suspects the Pirates have brought in the past several years, over-the-hill veterans like Jeromy Burnitz and Derek Bell, or obviously short-time solutions like Kenny Lofton and Reggie Sanders.
With the short right-field porch at PNC Park, LaRoche seemed like a natural to belt some balls into the Allegheny River.
It's just the start of the season, but after Tuesday night's game, plenty of Pirates fans already are second-guessing the trade.
LaRoche went hitless again in the 3-2, 12-inning loss to St. Louis, dropping his batting average to .097. And Salomon Torres, who inherited Gonzalez' job as closer, gave up a pair of runs in the ninth inning to allow the Cardinals to tie the game (and to negate a stellar pitching effort by starter Tom Gorzelanny).
Might the result have been different if Gonzalez finished the game and, say, Brad Eldred were playing first base?
Before Pirates fans turn on LaRoche after he's played exactly two home games, consider that he has a history as a slow starter. Last year, as of May 1, he was hitting .195 with four home runs. His 2006 power surge didn't really start until July 7, when he whacked a pair of homers in San Diego.
As for Torres, I watched him pitched enough the past few years in middle relief to start cringing when he walked toward the mound. He may be what they call a crafty veteran, and he was off to a hot start this year, earning saves in the Pirates' first four victories.
But I suspect there will be plenty of blown saves as the year progresses. Visions of Mike Williams and Jose Mesa might be haunting Pirates fans.
Tuesday's loss also featured a mental lapse by Jason Bay, who threw to the wrong base and allowed the tying run to advance to second before scoring on a single. Bay has established himself as someone who is going to have a stellar stat line at the end of each season, but for anyone who has watched him in clutch situations, his performance often leaves a lot to be desired.
Gorzelanny's performance, on the other hand, marks six decent starts in six tries for the top three pitchers in the Pirates' rotation: Zach Duke, Ian Snell and Gorzelanny. That's very encouraging, even if Snell has nothing to show so far but an 0-1 record.
At this point, the team needs a lot more run support. And the fans' expectations have a lot of that riding on LaRoche.
Give him a break for now. Would you rather see Jeromy Burnitz out there again?
Trivia question 13: Adam LaRoche's father, Dave, pitched in the majors for 14 years, on five teams. For which team did he make the most appearances?
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