If there was a Mt. Rushmore for important Pirates figures during the franchise's long and illustrious history, one could make a strong case for Jim Leyland, who managed the club from 1986-1996.
Leyland announced his retirement from baseball on Monday, and he left behind a legacy that included 1700 victories, several postseason appearances, three World Series appearances, and a World Series victory in 1997 while managing the Florida Marlins.
As a Pirates fan, the legacy he left behind in Pittsburgh is the one I'd like to write about today.
Leyland was an unknown who coached under Tony LaRussa with the Chicago White Sox before being hired for the job in Pittsburgh.
Leyland spent 13 seasons in the minors and never even had a cup of coffee in the big leagues as a player, but his true calling was as a big league manager.
He took over a Pirates franchise that had just gone through the notorious baseball drug trials, had threatened to move to another city, had just gone through a high profile ownership change, and maybe more importantly, from a budding new manager's perspective, had just finished in last place the previous two seasons.
Long-gone were the glory days of the 70s, complete with a system from the majors to the minors that was stacked with talent, and in their place was an era where the Pirates were a laughing-stock, who lost over 100 games in 1985 and drew just 700,000 fans to old Three Rivers Stadium.
The talented players were few and far between, but thankfully, Syd Thrift, the Pirates gm from 1985-1988, and the man who actually hired Leyland, was fairly adept at player procurement and player development and soon would re-stock the organization with much-needed talent.
The Pirates would finish in last place again in 1986, but players such as future home run king Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla and John Smiley were on the roster. And in 1987, just before the start of the season, Thrift traded the team's most popular player, catcher Tony Pena, to the Cardinals in exchange for outfielder Andy Van Slyke, catcher Mike Lavalliere and pitcher Mike Dunne. Van Slyke and Lavalliere would cement a core group of players that would resurrect the franchise and restore its once proud heritage.
Leyland was able to mold these players, like most athletes, diverse and often egotistical, into a cohesive unit.
In 1988, after three straight last place finishes and a tie for fourth place the year before, the Pirates actually clinched second place in the National League East, and Leyland cried like a baby. Some might laugh at such a response, but Leyland knew where the franchise had been and how close it had been to leaving town.
Two years later, in September of 1990, there were more tears of joy as the Pirates won their first division title in 11 seasons.
There would be two more division titles in ensuing seasons, along with those tears from Leyland, who admittedly, has always worn his emotions on his sleeves.
Whether he was crying about a watershed victory or chewing a player out for not performing well, there were no secrets about how Leyland was feeling.
In some specials I watched about the early 90s Pirates teams, Leyland's former players gushed over his communication skills. Bob Walk, a Pirates starting pitcher during the glory years of the early 90s and a current broadcaster for the team, said that regardless of Leyland's relationship with a player, that player always knew where he stood. I'm sure any athlete on the planet could appreciate that. Heck, anyone who has ever had a boss will tell you that, more than anything, they want to know where they stand.
A lot of people in Pittsburgh praise Leyland for a confrontation he had with Bonds in spring training of 1991, but Leyland has gone on record as saying he doesn't want that to be his legacy as manager of the Pirates.
According to Leyland, he had many disagreements with players over the years, and the one he had with Bonds just happened to be out in the open.
Speaking of Bonds, he certainly had a reputation as being quite difficult all throughout his major league career. However, he always showed great respect and admiration for Leyland, and if that doesn't speak volumes for the man, I don't know what does.
Former Pirates Jay Bell and Gary Redus have said that Leyland's ability to communicate and get the most out of his reserve players and his bullpen may have been his greatest attribute.
Finally, I mentioned Leyland's emotional side and how he would cry after important victories. During that special about the early 90s Pirates teams, Leyland, who at that point was managing the Tigers and 15 years removed from his days in Pittsburgh, got emotional when discussing things such as the 1990 division title and the depressing Game 7 loss in the 1992 NLCS.
Forget great manager. Jim Leyland is a great man.
Thanks for everything, Skipper.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Pirates magical campaign: Part two
--Unlike 1992, when I practically needed a therapist to get me through the Pirates' Game 7 loss in the NLCS, I was over Pittsburgh's loss in the NLDS fairly quickly. I mean, I was disappointed for a night (when you spend a whole day "knowing" your team is going to win, it's a little hard to deal with when it doesn't happen), but, like a lot of Pirates fans who walked through the desert of losing baseball for two decades , it was hard to feel too disappointed. What the team gave its faithful this year was something that, quite honestly, I never thought I'd see again. And that's not hyperbole, it's a fact. I've been talking about the disparity between large and small market baseball teams for a reason, and that's because it's a big deal. It was a big enough deal that, if it hadn't been for the front office sticking to a true rebuilding plan and doing so aggressively, we may have never had a Game 5 loss to be sad about. Much kudos goes to majority owner Bob Nutting, team president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington for the work they did over the past six seasons and the slings and arrows they had to put up with from the fans and media. I'm not saying a lot of those slings and arrows weren't justified (many were), but whatever wrongs there were in previous seasons, they were mostly righted once the current regime took over. It would have been easy to deviate from the plan in the face of public outrage, but there was never going to be a true championship-level baseball team in Pittsburgh again unless a true small market plan was adhered to. That's exactly what happened, and now the Pirates have an organization, from top to bottom, that's on the rise and probably won't be enduring much public outrage anytime soon.
--If the postseason taught me anything it's the importance of winning a division. Prior to 2012, when there was only one wild card team per league, if a team had a fairly sizable lead in the WC standings coming down the stretch, that team's manager could organize his pitching staff and have it aligned just the way he wanted it for the LDS. But after an extra team was added to the wild card mix in each league, which created a one game playoff, that changed the strategy substantially. Instead of one wild card team having its ace ready for Game 1 of an LDS, two wild card combatants were now forced to use their aces in the "single elimination game"--and rightfully so. If you don't win the wild card game, it won't matter how your pitching staff is aligned. Because the Cardinals won the National League Central over Pittsburgh, they had time to set their starting rotation for the NLDS, meaning ace Adam Wainwright got the nod in Game 1 and Game 5, while Pittsburgh was forced to use ace Francisco Liriano in the Wild Card round, which meant he was only available for Game 3 of the NLDS. Wainwright was masterful in Game 1, shutting the Pirates down in a 9-1 victory. Six days later, with the series tied at two games a piece, Pittsburgh was forced to choose between A.J. Burnett, an outstanding veteran pitcher but with terrible numbers at Busch Stadium, and rookie Gerrit Cole who was awesome down the stretch--including in the Pirates 7-1 victory in Game 2--but only had four months of major league experience. Cole got the nod and did a decent enough job in Game 5, only yielding three runs in five innings, but Wainwright is an ace for a reason, and he shut the Pirates hitters down, again, in a 6-1 complete came series clinching victory. Had Pittsburgh been able to outlast the Cardinals for the division title, the reverse would have happened and Wainwright would have been forced to pitch the Wild Card game, while Liriano would have pitched Games 1 and 5. Lance Lynn, who the Pirates had great success against in the regular season, only had to pitch one game of the NLDS, and it was the only game in which the Pirates batters had great success. Had Lynn been forced to pitch two games, the outcome could have been different. While it sucked for the Pirates purposes, kudos to MLB for strengthening the importance of winning a division.
--"Can the Pirates win again next season?" has been asked countless times since Wednesday. While it's certainly impossible to predict, I see no reason why they can't win again. Will they make the playoffs? Obviously, that's also impossible to predict. I do know one thing, though, Pittsburgh has a legitimate core group of guys on the roster. Like the Penguins in the NHL, the key for continued success is a core group of players. Heading into 2014, the Pirates will have Andrew McCutchen, the current favorite for NL MVP, Pedro Alvarez, the NL co-leader in home runs with 36, who added another three during the playoffs, Starling Marte, coming off his first full major league season, second baseman Neil Walker, catcher Russell Martin, and a pitching staff that will be deep and talented, regardless of what happens with the free agent Burnett. Like the Penguins have done each offseason since becoming true contenders, the Pirates face the prospects of losing several key role players this season, especially veteran right fielder Marlon Byrd, who they acquired in late August. But Pittsburgh still had a successful team prior to Byrd's arrival, and to me, that's why I'm so optimistic for the future. There will always be the Marlon Byrds of the world available at the trade deadline. The key for a gm is to find the right ones and pay the right price. Huntington did that with Byrd, and man was he exceptional. However, without that key core group of players, Byrd wouldn't have been nearly as valuable because he would have been a 36 year old outfielder on a team going nowhere. Right now, the prospects of Pittsburgh winning 94 games again seems rather daunting, but if the players are in place, 94 wins is more than possible, because that's what good baseball teams do.
--I was predicting all summer that the Pirates would kind of bring history back around again and duplicate what the Penguins did in 2008 by losing to a Detroit team in the championship round. Five years ago, the Penguins lost the Stanley Cup Finals to the Red Wings in six games, and I was hoping the Pirates would at least make it as far as the World Series this year before losing to the Tigers. Turns out I was still kind of right. The Red Wings were the class of the NHL back in 2008, winners of the Stanley Cup in '97, '98 and '02 and showed Pittsburgh's young hockey team what championship success looked like, by winning the Cup again at the old Civic Arena. The Cardinals have been the gold standard in the majors for many years, capturing eight division titles since 2000, appearing in three World Series since '04 and winning two since '06. The Pirates might have had St. Louis on the ropes after Game 3, but the Cardinals simply never blinked, and instead of wilting in the face of adversity, they shut Pittsburgh down over the final two games to advance to the NLCS. It's rare for a young team like the Pirates that isn't used to playing in the postseason to have a very successful run in its first year. The young and inexperienced Buccos may have been taught a valuable lesson by a St. Louis team that knows what it takes to win on baseball's biggest stage. It's a lesson that could pay dividends sooner rather than later--the '09 Pens came back and won the Stanley Cup by defeating Detroit in seven games.
--After Wednesday night's 6-1 loss in St. Louis, the Pirates have now scored a total of four runs in their last five games in which they had a chance to clinch a series, dating back to Game 6 of the 1991 NLCS--pretty interesting.
--Along those same lines, the Pirates' main weakness during the regular season was an offense that struggled with scoring runs and driving in runs with men in scoring position, and in the postseason, that caught up with them. Regardless of the sport, once the postseason rolls around, a team's weaknesses during the regular season will probably be exposed. I remember how awesome the 2001 Steelers were, as they rolled to a 13-3 regular season record and had the number one seed in the playoffs. But perhaps lost in the euphoria of such a great season was the team's deficiencies in special teams where Pittsburgh's unit gave up several kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns. Sure enough, in the divisional round against Baltimore, the Steelers gave up a punt return for a touchdown that made the game closer than it should have been. And then in the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots scored three touchdowns, but two of them were on special teams plays--a punt return for a TD and a blocked field goal that was returned for a TD--and this proved to be the difference in a 24-17 loss.......I don't necessarily think the Pirates are a horrible hitting team. I just think their preparation and approach to hitting can be improved. During the course of the latter part of the season, after Byrd and first baseman Justin Morneau were acquired for the stretch run, coaches and media types would go on and on about the two veterans and their "professional" approach to hitting. Maybe a more professional approach is what the Pirates young hitters need to take that next step--let's hope they learned a thing or two from the two veteran rent-a-players, if their time in Pittsburgh was as brief as I suspect it might be.
--I can't tell you how excited I am about the young pitcher Cole, who was drafted number one overall in the 2011 baseball draft. Cole was fairly consistent all year long, once being called up in June, but down the stretch, after a bit of a tweak with his delivery, he was simply dominant. For as hard as he throws, many wondered why he didn't get that many strikeouts, but whatever change that was made to his delivery in early September (I'm no pitching coach) made all the difference, as Cole's K's picked up greatly. When Cole got the nod for Game 5, I didn't bat an eye because I think the kid is the real deal, and he might be something the Pirates haven't had in my lifetime, and maybe ever, an ace. And I'm not talking about an ace of the staff (every team has an "ace"), I'm talking about an ace of baseball, on par with a Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, etc., etc. If you ask any Pirates expert who the greatest pitchers are in team history, they'll rattle off a list, but most of the players on the list would be from between WWI and WWII. Over the past 40 years, other than Steve Blass, Doug Drabek and John Smiley, it's hard to find a Pirates starting pitcher that was even all-star caliber. Cole, with his 100 mph fastball, has a chance to be something special, and the kind of pitcher fans will actually come out to see.
That's all I have for now. The Pirates magical run was so awesome, I'm sure I'll be writing much more about it in the near future.
Let's Go Bucs!
--If the postseason taught me anything it's the importance of winning a division. Prior to 2012, when there was only one wild card team per league, if a team had a fairly sizable lead in the WC standings coming down the stretch, that team's manager could organize his pitching staff and have it aligned just the way he wanted it for the LDS. But after an extra team was added to the wild card mix in each league, which created a one game playoff, that changed the strategy substantially. Instead of one wild card team having its ace ready for Game 1 of an LDS, two wild card combatants were now forced to use their aces in the "single elimination game"--and rightfully so. If you don't win the wild card game, it won't matter how your pitching staff is aligned. Because the Cardinals won the National League Central over Pittsburgh, they had time to set their starting rotation for the NLDS, meaning ace Adam Wainwright got the nod in Game 1 and Game 5, while Pittsburgh was forced to use ace Francisco Liriano in the Wild Card round, which meant he was only available for Game 3 of the NLDS. Wainwright was masterful in Game 1, shutting the Pirates down in a 9-1 victory. Six days later, with the series tied at two games a piece, Pittsburgh was forced to choose between A.J. Burnett, an outstanding veteran pitcher but with terrible numbers at Busch Stadium, and rookie Gerrit Cole who was awesome down the stretch--including in the Pirates 7-1 victory in Game 2--but only had four months of major league experience. Cole got the nod and did a decent enough job in Game 5, only yielding three runs in five innings, but Wainwright is an ace for a reason, and he shut the Pirates hitters down, again, in a 6-1 complete came series clinching victory. Had Pittsburgh been able to outlast the Cardinals for the division title, the reverse would have happened and Wainwright would have been forced to pitch the Wild Card game, while Liriano would have pitched Games 1 and 5. Lance Lynn, who the Pirates had great success against in the regular season, only had to pitch one game of the NLDS, and it was the only game in which the Pirates batters had great success. Had Lynn been forced to pitch two games, the outcome could have been different. While it sucked for the Pirates purposes, kudos to MLB for strengthening the importance of winning a division.
--"Can the Pirates win again next season?" has been asked countless times since Wednesday. While it's certainly impossible to predict, I see no reason why they can't win again. Will they make the playoffs? Obviously, that's also impossible to predict. I do know one thing, though, Pittsburgh has a legitimate core group of guys on the roster. Like the Penguins in the NHL, the key for continued success is a core group of players. Heading into 2014, the Pirates will have Andrew McCutchen, the current favorite for NL MVP, Pedro Alvarez, the NL co-leader in home runs with 36, who added another three during the playoffs, Starling Marte, coming off his first full major league season, second baseman Neil Walker, catcher Russell Martin, and a pitching staff that will be deep and talented, regardless of what happens with the free agent Burnett. Like the Penguins have done each offseason since becoming true contenders, the Pirates face the prospects of losing several key role players this season, especially veteran right fielder Marlon Byrd, who they acquired in late August. But Pittsburgh still had a successful team prior to Byrd's arrival, and to me, that's why I'm so optimistic for the future. There will always be the Marlon Byrds of the world available at the trade deadline. The key for a gm is to find the right ones and pay the right price. Huntington did that with Byrd, and man was he exceptional. However, without that key core group of players, Byrd wouldn't have been nearly as valuable because he would have been a 36 year old outfielder on a team going nowhere. Right now, the prospects of Pittsburgh winning 94 games again seems rather daunting, but if the players are in place, 94 wins is more than possible, because that's what good baseball teams do.
--I was predicting all summer that the Pirates would kind of bring history back around again and duplicate what the Penguins did in 2008 by losing to a Detroit team in the championship round. Five years ago, the Penguins lost the Stanley Cup Finals to the Red Wings in six games, and I was hoping the Pirates would at least make it as far as the World Series this year before losing to the Tigers. Turns out I was still kind of right. The Red Wings were the class of the NHL back in 2008, winners of the Stanley Cup in '97, '98 and '02 and showed Pittsburgh's young hockey team what championship success looked like, by winning the Cup again at the old Civic Arena. The Cardinals have been the gold standard in the majors for many years, capturing eight division titles since 2000, appearing in three World Series since '04 and winning two since '06. The Pirates might have had St. Louis on the ropes after Game 3, but the Cardinals simply never blinked, and instead of wilting in the face of adversity, they shut Pittsburgh down over the final two games to advance to the NLCS. It's rare for a young team like the Pirates that isn't used to playing in the postseason to have a very successful run in its first year. The young and inexperienced Buccos may have been taught a valuable lesson by a St. Louis team that knows what it takes to win on baseball's biggest stage. It's a lesson that could pay dividends sooner rather than later--the '09 Pens came back and won the Stanley Cup by defeating Detroit in seven games.
--After Wednesday night's 6-1 loss in St. Louis, the Pirates have now scored a total of four runs in their last five games in which they had a chance to clinch a series, dating back to Game 6 of the 1991 NLCS--pretty interesting.
--Along those same lines, the Pirates' main weakness during the regular season was an offense that struggled with scoring runs and driving in runs with men in scoring position, and in the postseason, that caught up with them. Regardless of the sport, once the postseason rolls around, a team's weaknesses during the regular season will probably be exposed. I remember how awesome the 2001 Steelers were, as they rolled to a 13-3 regular season record and had the number one seed in the playoffs. But perhaps lost in the euphoria of such a great season was the team's deficiencies in special teams where Pittsburgh's unit gave up several kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns. Sure enough, in the divisional round against Baltimore, the Steelers gave up a punt return for a touchdown that made the game closer than it should have been. And then in the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots scored three touchdowns, but two of them were on special teams plays--a punt return for a TD and a blocked field goal that was returned for a TD--and this proved to be the difference in a 24-17 loss.......I don't necessarily think the Pirates are a horrible hitting team. I just think their preparation and approach to hitting can be improved. During the course of the latter part of the season, after Byrd and first baseman Justin Morneau were acquired for the stretch run, coaches and media types would go on and on about the two veterans and their "professional" approach to hitting. Maybe a more professional approach is what the Pirates young hitters need to take that next step--let's hope they learned a thing or two from the two veteran rent-a-players, if their time in Pittsburgh was as brief as I suspect it might be.
--I can't tell you how excited I am about the young pitcher Cole, who was drafted number one overall in the 2011 baseball draft. Cole was fairly consistent all year long, once being called up in June, but down the stretch, after a bit of a tweak with his delivery, he was simply dominant. For as hard as he throws, many wondered why he didn't get that many strikeouts, but whatever change that was made to his delivery in early September (I'm no pitching coach) made all the difference, as Cole's K's picked up greatly. When Cole got the nod for Game 5, I didn't bat an eye because I think the kid is the real deal, and he might be something the Pirates haven't had in my lifetime, and maybe ever, an ace. And I'm not talking about an ace of the staff (every team has an "ace"), I'm talking about an ace of baseball, on par with a Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, etc., etc. If you ask any Pirates expert who the greatest pitchers are in team history, they'll rattle off a list, but most of the players on the list would be from between WWI and WWII. Over the past 40 years, other than Steve Blass, Doug Drabek and John Smiley, it's hard to find a Pirates starting pitcher that was even all-star caliber. Cole, with his 100 mph fastball, has a chance to be something special, and the kind of pitcher fans will actually come out to see.
That's all I have for now. The Pirates magical run was so awesome, I'm sure I'll be writing much more about it in the near future.
Let's Go Bucs!
Friday, October 11, 2013
2013 Pittsburgh Pirates: A re-birth of a franchise
The 2013 season was a great one for the Pirates, as they enjoyed their first winning campaign since 1992, their first postseason berth since 1992, and technically, won their first postseason "series" since 1979, after defeating Cincinnati in the National League Wild Card game at PNC Park on Tuesday, October 1. Pittsburgh didn't get it done in the NLDS, falling to the mighty Cardinals in a deciding fifth game, but this was a season I, and thousands upon thousands of other Pirates faithful, will certainly never forget.
Below, I'd like to share some thoughts about the magical ride:
--If you've ever seen the movie The Natural, starring Robert Redford, you're probably familiar with the scene toward the beginning of the film where the struggling and last place New York Knights are playing before a sparse home crowd, as Roy Hobbs, Redford's character in the movie, quietly arrives to change things forever. The final scene of the movie has the red hot Knights playing on the same home field, before a packed and excited crowd, as they take on a fictional Pirates team in a one-game playoff for the right to go to the World Series. As I think about the real Pirates 2013 season, I can't help but think of that movie. On April 7, while bowling in my local league, I watched Pittsburgh fall to 1-5 after a loss at Dodgers Stadium. The lanes my team bowled on that night were situated right next to the TV, but it was hardly a distraction for me, and certainly not for most of the bowlers at the alley. It was just your typical Pirates loss. And while I certainly didn't expect a last place finish, especially after two straight late summer flirtations with contention in the previous two seasons, I couldn't have envisioned in my wildest dreams that Pittsburgh's fledgling baseball team would improve upon its 79-83 record from 2012 by a whopping 15 games and make the postseason for the first time since before Bill Clinton was in office. But that's exactly what happened. In between was a magical ride, as the Pirates flirted with, not only first place in the National League Central Division, but with the major's best record, as they battled the tough and talented Cardinals and Reds for divisional supremacy. The Pirates missed out on the division by three games, as St. Louis captured the crown, as well as, the top seed in the National League. But Pittsburgh did make its way to the NLDS, thanks to one of the most memorable nights in team history. On October 1, the Pirates defeated Cincinnati in the National League "single-elimination" Wild Card Game, before a raucous and baseball starved crowd at PNC Park, that came dressed in black and was alive and loud the entire night. To finish my "Natural" narrative, five nights later, on October 6 (almost exactly six months to the day after that apathetic baseball night in April), I was back at that same bowling alley, and on the exact same lanes next to the exact same TV, as I tried to concentrate on my bowling match while I watched the Pirates defeat St. Louis in Game 3 of the NLDS to go up 2-1 in the series. PNC Park was electric that night, as were most of the people at the alley. Believe me when I tell you, it was the most alive I've ever felt watching a Pirates game. When Pedro Alvarez drove in Josh Harrison with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Jason Grilli slammed the door in the ninth, it was the single greatest feeling I ever had after watching a Pirates game. Unfortunately, it was the last great feeling of the season, as the Cardinals came back and won the next two. However, I'll never forget everything that transpired between April 7 and October 6, and how this city was transformed and transfixed by its often forgotten baseball team. After 20 years, it was great to be in-love with baseball again.
--Fortunately, there are enough wise Pirates fans who didn't forget about the history of the team. While 2013 certainly seemed like the "birth" of the franchise, it was actually just a "re-birth." Many people might not know this, but the Pirates are one of the most successful teams in the history of baseball. Pittsburgh actually played in the very first modern World Series, back in 1903. All-in-all, the Pirates have nine National League pennants, and five World Series titles. Furthermore, the Bucs won nine Eastern Division titles from 1969- 1992 (including six division titles in the 1970s).
--The great on-field success over the years is obviously due to the many greats who have donned Pirates black and gold. From Honus Wagner to Roberto Clemente to Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski, Ralph Kiner Barry Bonds and the Waner Brothers, the Pirates are certainly more than well-represented in Cooperstown.
--But while the Pirates may be the most glaring example of a once proud franchise that suffered a dark period, they're certainly not alone. I suppose someone had to suffer the longest losing streak of all the small market teams, but what about other once great and successful baseball organizations that got lost in the wake of free agency and the disparity between big and small baseball markets?
-Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have had a big resurgence in recent years, but they also endured a lengthy postseason drought of their own, missing the playoffs for 15 straight years, before finally capturing the NL Central crown in 2010. While Cincinnati has enjoyed postseason success three of the past four seasons, it hasn't been back to the Fall Classic since 1990--a 4-0 sweep of the A's. Like Pittsburgh, the Reds enjoyed a great deal of success in the 70s, winning six NL West titles, four NL pennants, and back-to-back World Championships in '75 and '76. The Reds also have nine total pennants and five World Series rings.
-Baltimore Orioles. From 1966-1983, the Orioles captured six American League pennants and won the World Series three times. However, the O's haven't been back to the Fall Classic since '83 and have only made three appearances in the postseason--including just once since 1997.
-Kansas City Royals. From 1976-1985, the Royals captured six American League West titles, advanced to the World Series twice and won it after defeating St. Louis in 1985. Unfortunately, Kansas City hasn't been back to the postseason since, with only a handful of winning seasons to brag about.
--The Pirates have been criticized for having an inept front office and frugal owners for the better part of the past 21 seasons (and rightfully so), but can we honestly assume that all the above mentioned teams were just as inept? We're talking about a group of small market franchises that appeared in 14 World Series from 1966-1985 and won seven titles. Isn't it a little coincidental that, of the four franchises, only one has been to and won a World Series since '85? Is the main source of the lengthy struggles ineptitude, or is the core of the problem the growth of local TV revenue for large market teams, which, in turn, drastically increased the amount of money those teams could spend on top of the line free agents? I'm leaning toward the latter.
Whoa, this is longer than I thought it would be. I think I'll share more thoughts at a later time. Enjoy this one for now, though!
Go Bucs in 2014 and beyond!
Below, I'd like to share some thoughts about the magical ride:
--If you've ever seen the movie The Natural, starring Robert Redford, you're probably familiar with the scene toward the beginning of the film where the struggling and last place New York Knights are playing before a sparse home crowd, as Roy Hobbs, Redford's character in the movie, quietly arrives to change things forever. The final scene of the movie has the red hot Knights playing on the same home field, before a packed and excited crowd, as they take on a fictional Pirates team in a one-game playoff for the right to go to the World Series. As I think about the real Pirates 2013 season, I can't help but think of that movie. On April 7, while bowling in my local league, I watched Pittsburgh fall to 1-5 after a loss at Dodgers Stadium. The lanes my team bowled on that night were situated right next to the TV, but it was hardly a distraction for me, and certainly not for most of the bowlers at the alley. It was just your typical Pirates loss. And while I certainly didn't expect a last place finish, especially after two straight late summer flirtations with contention in the previous two seasons, I couldn't have envisioned in my wildest dreams that Pittsburgh's fledgling baseball team would improve upon its 79-83 record from 2012 by a whopping 15 games and make the postseason for the first time since before Bill Clinton was in office. But that's exactly what happened. In between was a magical ride, as the Pirates flirted with, not only first place in the National League Central Division, but with the major's best record, as they battled the tough and talented Cardinals and Reds for divisional supremacy. The Pirates missed out on the division by three games, as St. Louis captured the crown, as well as, the top seed in the National League. But Pittsburgh did make its way to the NLDS, thanks to one of the most memorable nights in team history. On October 1, the Pirates defeated Cincinnati in the National League "single-elimination" Wild Card Game, before a raucous and baseball starved crowd at PNC Park, that came dressed in black and was alive and loud the entire night. To finish my "Natural" narrative, five nights later, on October 6 (almost exactly six months to the day after that apathetic baseball night in April), I was back at that same bowling alley, and on the exact same lanes next to the exact same TV, as I tried to concentrate on my bowling match while I watched the Pirates defeat St. Louis in Game 3 of the NLDS to go up 2-1 in the series. PNC Park was electric that night, as were most of the people at the alley. Believe me when I tell you, it was the most alive I've ever felt watching a Pirates game. When Pedro Alvarez drove in Josh Harrison with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Jason Grilli slammed the door in the ninth, it was the single greatest feeling I ever had after watching a Pirates game. Unfortunately, it was the last great feeling of the season, as the Cardinals came back and won the next two. However, I'll never forget everything that transpired between April 7 and October 6, and how this city was transformed and transfixed by its often forgotten baseball team. After 20 years, it was great to be in-love with baseball again.
--Fortunately, there are enough wise Pirates fans who didn't forget about the history of the team. While 2013 certainly seemed like the "birth" of the franchise, it was actually just a "re-birth." Many people might not know this, but the Pirates are one of the most successful teams in the history of baseball. Pittsburgh actually played in the very first modern World Series, back in 1903. All-in-all, the Pirates have nine National League pennants, and five World Series titles. Furthermore, the Bucs won nine Eastern Division titles from 1969- 1992 (including six division titles in the 1970s).
--The great on-field success over the years is obviously due to the many greats who have donned Pirates black and gold. From Honus Wagner to Roberto Clemente to Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski, Ralph Kiner Barry Bonds and the Waner Brothers, the Pirates are certainly more than well-represented in Cooperstown.
--But while the Pirates may be the most glaring example of a once proud franchise that suffered a dark period, they're certainly not alone. I suppose someone had to suffer the longest losing streak of all the small market teams, but what about other once great and successful baseball organizations that got lost in the wake of free agency and the disparity between big and small baseball markets?
-Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have had a big resurgence in recent years, but they also endured a lengthy postseason drought of their own, missing the playoffs for 15 straight years, before finally capturing the NL Central crown in 2010. While Cincinnati has enjoyed postseason success three of the past four seasons, it hasn't been back to the Fall Classic since 1990--a 4-0 sweep of the A's. Like Pittsburgh, the Reds enjoyed a great deal of success in the 70s, winning six NL West titles, four NL pennants, and back-to-back World Championships in '75 and '76. The Reds also have nine total pennants and five World Series rings.
-Baltimore Orioles. From 1966-1983, the Orioles captured six American League pennants and won the World Series three times. However, the O's haven't been back to the Fall Classic since '83 and have only made three appearances in the postseason--including just once since 1997.
-Kansas City Royals. From 1976-1985, the Royals captured six American League West titles, advanced to the World Series twice and won it after defeating St. Louis in 1985. Unfortunately, Kansas City hasn't been back to the postseason since, with only a handful of winning seasons to brag about.
--The Pirates have been criticized for having an inept front office and frugal owners for the better part of the past 21 seasons (and rightfully so), but can we honestly assume that all the above mentioned teams were just as inept? We're talking about a group of small market franchises that appeared in 14 World Series from 1966-1985 and won seven titles. Isn't it a little coincidental that, of the four franchises, only one has been to and won a World Series since '85? Is the main source of the lengthy struggles ineptitude, or is the core of the problem the growth of local TV revenue for large market teams, which, in turn, drastically increased the amount of money those teams could spend on top of the line free agents? I'm leaning toward the latter.
Whoa, this is longer than I thought it would be. I think I'll share more thoughts at a later time. Enjoy this one for now, though!
Go Bucs in 2014 and beyond!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Pirates lose Game 4 of NLDS, off to St. Louis for epic Game 5 on Wednesday
I'm always preaching about the awesomeness of the NFL playoffs and how a game is such an emotional roller coaster because of the lack of "tomorrows."
Today, on Monday, October 7, 2013, I'm glad there will be an October 9, because the Pirates will still be playing baseball, despite a 2-1 to St. Louis in Game 4 of the NLDS at PNC Park.
Like most Pittsburgh fans, I just assumed business would be taken care of in front of the home folks, but the Cardinals are not the Cardinals for nothing, and they usually have something up their sleeve, elimination game or no elimination game.
That something was rookie pitching sensation Michael Wacha, who pitched 7 1/3 hitless innings before yielding a one out home run to Pedro Alvarez in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull the Pirates to within a run, at 2-1.
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Josh Harrison was caught stealing later in the inning on a hit and run. And in the bottom of the ninth inning, after Neil Walker drew a two-out walk, Andrew McCutchen popped out to end the game and send the series back to Busch Stadium on Wednesday.
I'm obviously very disappointed in Monday's results, and I know a lot of people are already chalking up a win for the Cardinals, but I have a feeling Wednesday will be a special day for Bucco Nation.
You see, manager Clint Hurdle named rookie phenom Gerrit Cole as the Game 5 starter. It was a gutsy move by Hurdle, because if Cole struggles, and the Pirates lose, he'll be second-guessed by people who will say he should have gone with the veteran A.J. Burnett.
But like I said, it is a gutsy move, and maybe it's just the eternal optimist in me, but my gut tells me Cole will show the baseball world just what kind of phenom he truly is.
As for the Cardinals starter, they'll be trotting out Adam Wainwright, their ace and the man who shut down Pittsburgh in Game 1. However, no man is perfect, and I have the feeling that Wainwright's curve ball won't be curving as much as it did last Thursday, and the Pirates are going to get them some.
Not only am I predicting a Pirates victory, I'm predicting an easy win.
Regardless of what happens, though, I think it's important to remember just how magical this season has already been. I hate to be like one of "those" fans that I always argue with online, but there was no sin in how the Pirates lost Game 4.
The Cardinals are tough, and like most great teams, they know how to win when their backs are against the wall. If Pittsburgh falls on Wednesday, hey, it wouldn't be the first team to lose to the Cardinals.
World Series or not, I honestly think this is just the beginning for these Pirates. They don't look like a team that's going to struggle for respectability in the ensuing seasons. If I had to make a wager, I'd say they have a really good chance of being the Tampa Rays of the National League and competing for many more years to come.
Big picture, I remember the days when anticipating a Game 5 was nothing more than a fantasy. Now, it's a reality. And in terms of the emotions I felt while watching Game 3, Sunday afternoon and into evening? It was by far the most fun I've ever had watching a Pirates game.
Nothing will take away how that game made me feel, and I just hope Wednesday is another great chapter in an already remarkable story.
Ah yes, there is still one more tomorrow for these Pirates, and I actually wish it was tomorrow and not Wednesday.
I shouldn't be pumped up, but I am.
Let's Go Bucs!
Today, on Monday, October 7, 2013, I'm glad there will be an October 9, because the Pirates will still be playing baseball, despite a 2-1 to St. Louis in Game 4 of the NLDS at PNC Park.
Like most Pittsburgh fans, I just assumed business would be taken care of in front of the home folks, but the Cardinals are not the Cardinals for nothing, and they usually have something up their sleeve, elimination game or no elimination game.
That something was rookie pitching sensation Michael Wacha, who pitched 7 1/3 hitless innings before yielding a one out home run to Pedro Alvarez in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull the Pirates to within a run, at 2-1.
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Josh Harrison was caught stealing later in the inning on a hit and run. And in the bottom of the ninth inning, after Neil Walker drew a two-out walk, Andrew McCutchen popped out to end the game and send the series back to Busch Stadium on Wednesday.
I'm obviously very disappointed in Monday's results, and I know a lot of people are already chalking up a win for the Cardinals, but I have a feeling Wednesday will be a special day for Bucco Nation.
You see, manager Clint Hurdle named rookie phenom Gerrit Cole as the Game 5 starter. It was a gutsy move by Hurdle, because if Cole struggles, and the Pirates lose, he'll be second-guessed by people who will say he should have gone with the veteran A.J. Burnett.
But like I said, it is a gutsy move, and maybe it's just the eternal optimist in me, but my gut tells me Cole will show the baseball world just what kind of phenom he truly is.
As for the Cardinals starter, they'll be trotting out Adam Wainwright, their ace and the man who shut down Pittsburgh in Game 1. However, no man is perfect, and I have the feeling that Wainwright's curve ball won't be curving as much as it did last Thursday, and the Pirates are going to get them some.
Not only am I predicting a Pirates victory, I'm predicting an easy win.
Regardless of what happens, though, I think it's important to remember just how magical this season has already been. I hate to be like one of "those" fans that I always argue with online, but there was no sin in how the Pirates lost Game 4.
The Cardinals are tough, and like most great teams, they know how to win when their backs are against the wall. If Pittsburgh falls on Wednesday, hey, it wouldn't be the first team to lose to the Cardinals.
World Series or not, I honestly think this is just the beginning for these Pirates. They don't look like a team that's going to struggle for respectability in the ensuing seasons. If I had to make a wager, I'd say they have a really good chance of being the Tampa Rays of the National League and competing for many more years to come.
Big picture, I remember the days when anticipating a Game 5 was nothing more than a fantasy. Now, it's a reality. And in terms of the emotions I felt while watching Game 3, Sunday afternoon and into evening? It was by far the most fun I've ever had watching a Pirates game.
Nothing will take away how that game made me feel, and I just hope Wednesday is another great chapter in an already remarkable story.
Ah yes, there is still one more tomorrow for these Pirates, and I actually wish it was tomorrow and not Wednesday.
I shouldn't be pumped up, but I am.
Let's Go Bucs!
Pirates playoff intensity: Get some!
After not having much to be intense about over the past 20 years, the Pirates are sure making up for lost time in 2013.
After a thrilling, 5-3, victory over the Cardinals at PNC Park in Game 3 of the NLDS on Sunday, Pittsburgh can clinch a trip to the NLCS with a Game 4 win at PNC on Monday afternoon, and it's going to be intense and emotional.
How do I know this? Because that's how the entire season has been for me since about late June. On a Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, when the Pirates came back from three runs down in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game and then won it in the 10th inning to complete a sweep of the Angels, I became emotionally invested, and my emotions continued to be heightened the rest of the summer.
It's funny that I was so intense all summer, because, really, with regards to at least a wild card berth, Pittsburgh didn't have a ton to worry about once a 7.5 game lead was established, following that previously mentioned exciting win in California.
But when all you're used to is NFL intensity, it gets kind of hard to not think of every baseball game as do or die. I remember pacing the floors of my apartment during the Pirates 16 inning loss to Arizona, and that was all the way back in August--a loss that shaved the Pirates wild card lead to 7.5 games with 39 to go.
Two weeks ago, when the Pirates blew that 5-2 lead against Cincinnati in the top of the ninth inning, it felt like the end of the world. I seriously woke up the next morning feeling like I did after that infamous Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS.
Of course, the Pirates would eventually be OK in the "making the playoffs" department, and actually clinched their first postseason berth with a win at Wrigley Field on September 23, and it did relax me a little.
Instead of worrying about if and when Pittsburgh would clinch a postseason berth, I used that week as a chance to celebrate, even though the Pirates still had a relatively realistic shot at winning the NL Central. Of course, the Cardinals still had a two game lead with six to play, and I knew the chances of catching St. Louis were pretty slim.
Therefore, I slowly began to anticipate the probable Wild Card play-in match-up against the Reds to be played on the Tuesday after the regular season finale. The only question would be where the game would be played. Both the Pirates and Cincinnati clinched a wild card berth on the same day, and when the two teams met for the final regular season series of the year at Great American Ballpark, the Pirates were a game ahead, and if they took two of three, they would host the game. If the reverse happened, the Reds would host the game.
Truthfully, I was only mildly concerned about where the game would be played. I mean, it's baseball, and home-field advantage (at least for one game) probably isn't that important. However, I still desired a game at PNC Park, simply because I knew just how awesome of an atmosphere it would be.
Thankfully, Pittsburgh actually swept the Reds to clinch home-field, and much like I had anticipated, the fans were JACKED for the game. Thanks to Twitter suggestions from several Pirates players, there was a black-out, as the fans donned black shirts for the game, which made PNC Park look at awful lot like the Oakland Coliseum during an old Raiders game from the 70s--kind of fitting, I suppose, cause, you know, Pirates/Raiders.
Anyway, back to the dreading part for Yours truly. I'm not going to lie. Despite the sweep in Cincinnati, I kind of felt like the Reds were just lying in wait for Pittsburgh and wanted to show the Pirates what postseason baseball was all about.
I thought about it, and I thought about it, and I thought about it for days--this kind of thing is normally reserved for playoff football.
When the moment finally arrived last Tuesday evening, at 8:07, I was very nervous. In fact, I didn't want to watch or listen to the game. I simply wanted it to be over with.
I had to pick my mom up from church, right after work, and the route took me right past PNC Park during the "win or go home" battle. I was simply amazed at all the boats that were parked in the river, just outside the park, as well as, all the people sitting and watching the events unfold as they stood along the shore, across the river--it was quite the sight to behold.
Still, though, I couldn't turn the radio on, and I didn't want anyone to give me any updates (after all that build up, the last thing I wanted to hear was something like "Reds 4, Pirates 0, top of the third").
After I dropped my mom off at her house, I drove to my place. As I walked by the other apartments to get to mine, I listened for cheers from my neighbors, and I heard nothing.
About an hour after arriving home, I finally started to check social media, and that's when I realized things might be going fairly well. In addition to that, I turned my cell phone on (had to shut it off. I didn't want any updates from anyone, via text), and that's when I saw a text from my uncle, "Where the hell are you?" (I was supposed to watch it over his house, but I was just too damn scared), and my brother "Are you nervous?"
I turned my phone off again, and I paced back and forth until maybe 11:30 or so, and that's when I finally knew the Pirates had won. It was such a great night, a night that I didn't get to experience live, but I sure felt like I played.
What felt so unnatural to me was the fact that the Pirates had to be in St. Louis to play Game 1 of the NLDS less than 48 hours later. I wanted like a week to celebrate such a great night--but this isn't the NFL playoffs we're talking about.
Speaking of the NLDS, you know what I discovered? It was quite hard to get my emotions back up for Game 1. I don't know if it was the fact that I had a volleyball match, or the fact that it wasn't "win or go home," but I just didn't have it. Don't get me wrong, I was pretty disappointed when I discovered that Pittsburgh was down, 7-0, fairly fast, but I guess I was just flat--much like the players, I suppose.
It's been an incredible ride, and after 21 years, a learning experience.
Baseball playoffs are intense, but even the most intense fan can't keep up the intensity every day.
But then there was Game 3 and sweating in the form of bullets--more on that in another post.
Let's Go Bucs!
After a thrilling, 5-3, victory over the Cardinals at PNC Park in Game 3 of the NLDS on Sunday, Pittsburgh can clinch a trip to the NLCS with a Game 4 win at PNC on Monday afternoon, and it's going to be intense and emotional.
How do I know this? Because that's how the entire season has been for me since about late June. On a Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, when the Pirates came back from three runs down in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game and then won it in the 10th inning to complete a sweep of the Angels, I became emotionally invested, and my emotions continued to be heightened the rest of the summer.
It's funny that I was so intense all summer, because, really, with regards to at least a wild card berth, Pittsburgh didn't have a ton to worry about once a 7.5 game lead was established, following that previously mentioned exciting win in California.
But when all you're used to is NFL intensity, it gets kind of hard to not think of every baseball game as do or die. I remember pacing the floors of my apartment during the Pirates 16 inning loss to Arizona, and that was all the way back in August--a loss that shaved the Pirates wild card lead to 7.5 games with 39 to go.
Two weeks ago, when the Pirates blew that 5-2 lead against Cincinnati in the top of the ninth inning, it felt like the end of the world. I seriously woke up the next morning feeling like I did after that infamous Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS.
Of course, the Pirates would eventually be OK in the "making the playoffs" department, and actually clinched their first postseason berth with a win at Wrigley Field on September 23, and it did relax me a little.
Instead of worrying about if and when Pittsburgh would clinch a postseason berth, I used that week as a chance to celebrate, even though the Pirates still had a relatively realistic shot at winning the NL Central. Of course, the Cardinals still had a two game lead with six to play, and I knew the chances of catching St. Louis were pretty slim.
Therefore, I slowly began to anticipate the probable Wild Card play-in match-up against the Reds to be played on the Tuesday after the regular season finale. The only question would be where the game would be played. Both the Pirates and Cincinnati clinched a wild card berth on the same day, and when the two teams met for the final regular season series of the year at Great American Ballpark, the Pirates were a game ahead, and if they took two of three, they would host the game. If the reverse happened, the Reds would host the game.
Truthfully, I was only mildly concerned about where the game would be played. I mean, it's baseball, and home-field advantage (at least for one game) probably isn't that important. However, I still desired a game at PNC Park, simply because I knew just how awesome of an atmosphere it would be.
Thankfully, Pittsburgh actually swept the Reds to clinch home-field, and much like I had anticipated, the fans were JACKED for the game. Thanks to Twitter suggestions from several Pirates players, there was a black-out, as the fans donned black shirts for the game, which made PNC Park look at awful lot like the Oakland Coliseum during an old Raiders game from the 70s--kind of fitting, I suppose, cause, you know, Pirates/Raiders.
Anyway, back to the dreading part for Yours truly. I'm not going to lie. Despite the sweep in Cincinnati, I kind of felt like the Reds were just lying in wait for Pittsburgh and wanted to show the Pirates what postseason baseball was all about.
I thought about it, and I thought about it, and I thought about it for days--this kind of thing is normally reserved for playoff football.
When the moment finally arrived last Tuesday evening, at 8:07, I was very nervous. In fact, I didn't want to watch or listen to the game. I simply wanted it to be over with.
I had to pick my mom up from church, right after work, and the route took me right past PNC Park during the "win or go home" battle. I was simply amazed at all the boats that were parked in the river, just outside the park, as well as, all the people sitting and watching the events unfold as they stood along the shore, across the river--it was quite the sight to behold.
Still, though, I couldn't turn the radio on, and I didn't want anyone to give me any updates (after all that build up, the last thing I wanted to hear was something like "Reds 4, Pirates 0, top of the third").
After I dropped my mom off at her house, I drove to my place. As I walked by the other apartments to get to mine, I listened for cheers from my neighbors, and I heard nothing.
About an hour after arriving home, I finally started to check social media, and that's when I realized things might be going fairly well. In addition to that, I turned my cell phone on (had to shut it off. I didn't want any updates from anyone, via text), and that's when I saw a text from my uncle, "Where the hell are you?" (I was supposed to watch it over his house, but I was just too damn scared), and my brother "Are you nervous?"
I turned my phone off again, and I paced back and forth until maybe 11:30 or so, and that's when I finally knew the Pirates had won. It was such a great night, a night that I didn't get to experience live, but I sure felt like I played.
What felt so unnatural to me was the fact that the Pirates had to be in St. Louis to play Game 1 of the NLDS less than 48 hours later. I wanted like a week to celebrate such a great night--but this isn't the NFL playoffs we're talking about.
Speaking of the NLDS, you know what I discovered? It was quite hard to get my emotions back up for Game 1. I don't know if it was the fact that I had a volleyball match, or the fact that it wasn't "win or go home," but I just didn't have it. Don't get me wrong, I was pretty disappointed when I discovered that Pittsburgh was down, 7-0, fairly fast, but I guess I was just flat--much like the players, I suppose.
It's been an incredible ride, and after 21 years, a learning experience.
Baseball playoffs are intense, but even the most intense fan can't keep up the intensity every day.
But then there was Game 3 and sweating in the form of bullets--more on that in another post.
Let's Go Bucs!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Here we are again, playoff baseball
You know those scenes in TV shows or movies, where past lovers unexpectedly run into one another? Usually, one person was left holding the bag in the relationship, and this is the person who may react more emotionally to the moment. Nevertheless, there is awkward tension between both parties, as they try to process this encounter and all those emotions that come flooding back.
Not to sound too dramatic, Pirates playoff baseball, but it's been a long time since I woke up with equal parts excitement and dread about a do-or-die baseball game. The last time I awoke to such a day, it was the morning of Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series, when you guys were about a half a day away from taking on the Braves for the right to go to the World Series.
After two heart-breaking exits in the previous two NLCS's, and after battling back from 3-1 down in '92, I was certain you were going to pull off the come back and give the City of Pittsburgh some awesome World Series moments.
I remember a lot about that day. My uncle was painting my grandmother's living room, and I can still recall the smell of paint as I walked into the house following a day of learning at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (I doubt I learned anything that day, since I was simply thinking of you, Pirates).
I remember talking to my brother on the phone, mere hours before Game 7, and the last thing he said to me was "Go Bucs."
Well, I think you and I both know what happened that night, how you ripped by heart out and then skipped town, leaving a vacuum that was filled with mediocre talent and results that were much, much worse than that.
Here we are after 21 years. I never thought I'd be having these feeling, again, Pirates. Feelings of postseason baseball. That day left a scar that still hurts when I touch it (You know I still can't watch the ninth inning of that dreadful Game 7?)
Others have come along to fill the void you left, but then again, the Steelers have always been No. 1 in my heart (you know I still cringe whenever someone says "Go Steelers" before a big game?), but you were special to me, too, Pirates. In fact, those memories of the early 90's were mostly special, and even though they left me feeling depressed after each season, I never thought you'd leave me for over 20 years.
It just feels so weird, so strange. Are you going to leave again, or are you here to stay? I guess that's the thing about love. The "unknowns" are so alluring, so enticing.
I don't know what's going to happen tonight, but I do know I'll never be the same again.
Go Bucs!
Not to sound too dramatic, Pirates playoff baseball, but it's been a long time since I woke up with equal parts excitement and dread about a do-or-die baseball game. The last time I awoke to such a day, it was the morning of Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series, when you guys were about a half a day away from taking on the Braves for the right to go to the World Series.
After two heart-breaking exits in the previous two NLCS's, and after battling back from 3-1 down in '92, I was certain you were going to pull off the come back and give the City of Pittsburgh some awesome World Series moments.
I remember a lot about that day. My uncle was painting my grandmother's living room, and I can still recall the smell of paint as I walked into the house following a day of learning at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (I doubt I learned anything that day, since I was simply thinking of you, Pirates).
I remember talking to my brother on the phone, mere hours before Game 7, and the last thing he said to me was "Go Bucs."
Well, I think you and I both know what happened that night, how you ripped by heart out and then skipped town, leaving a vacuum that was filled with mediocre talent and results that were much, much worse than that.
Here we are after 21 years. I never thought I'd be having these feeling, again, Pirates. Feelings of postseason baseball. That day left a scar that still hurts when I touch it (You know I still can't watch the ninth inning of that dreadful Game 7?)
Others have come along to fill the void you left, but then again, the Steelers have always been No. 1 in my heart (you know I still cringe whenever someone says "Go Steelers" before a big game?), but you were special to me, too, Pirates. In fact, those memories of the early 90's were mostly special, and even though they left me feeling depressed after each season, I never thought you'd leave me for over 20 years.
It just feels so weird, so strange. Are you going to leave again, or are you here to stay? I guess that's the thing about love. The "unknowns" are so alluring, so enticing.
I don't know what's going to happen tonight, but I do know I'll never be the same again.
Go Bucs!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Buctober for the first time in 21 years
It's been a long road, and mostly an empty feeling being a Pirates fan over the past 21 seasons. Instead of stress of a pennant race, there was just anger and frustration akin to how one would feel if they had to go into work everyday knowing they hated their job.
As you may or may not know, the Pirates ended the longest streak of losing seasons by a professional sports team this year (20), and to make it even doubly sweet, their 94-68 record was good enough for second place in the National League Central and qualified them for a one game wild card playoff showdown with Cincinnati on Tuesday night at PNC Park.
After the 20 years of losing as well as the previous two summers of late-season collapses, it was quite the anxious 2013 campaign, as I watched the Buccos climb to 21 games over .500 by late June and stay around that mark the rest of the way.
The main reason I was so nervous was that I obviously didn't want to see Pittsburgh collapse and clinch a 21st straight season of futility. But another reason why the highs were so high and the lows were so low was because the Pirates built a pretty substantial wild card lead fairly early, and any tick off that number was a source of angst for Yours truly. I continued to stress out about that number all the way until Pittsburgh finally clinched a spot in the postseason a week ago, Monday.
Since that day, I've been pretty relaxed and proud, proud to be a Pirates fan. I've fished out old VHS tapes of times when the local baseball team was once among the best in the sport and watched with great joy.
It's been a good feeling being this relaxed and content with my baseball team. After 21 years of feeling barely anything, and a few summers of the frustration and disappointment of what could have been, it's certainly welcome.
However, Tuesday night, I, and many other Pirates fans like me, get thrown from the frying pan straight into the fire. There's really no other way to describe the first postseason match-up in over two decades that will have the exact same "Game 7" consequences as the previous match-up in 1992, when former Bucco Sid Bream slid across home plate to win the National League pennant for the Braves and tear the heart out of the entire city of Pittsburgh--a wound that never fully healed until the boys got to whip out that champagne at Wrigley Field after wrapping up a postseason berth last week.
The Pirates will be at home for the big showdown, and they'll be coming off a weekend sweep at Cincinnati that clinched the top wild card spot in the National league and gave the team a lot of momentum. And the fans, the ones who bought playoff tickets, will have the extra bonus of seeing the long playoff drought come to an end in person.
But, the difference between an ordinary "best of " playoff series and the single-elimination wild card format that MLB enacted last year means that someone will be going home tomorrow night a loser after 162 games of hard work, and a fan base will be depressed after months and months of cheering, praying and hoping.
It just seems so final....unless Pittsburgh wins, of course. Fortunately, as a huge Steelers fan, I'm used to the whole "single-elimination" playoff format, and really, because of the unique set-up, the build-up and anticipation, it actually feels like I'm getting ready to "endure" an NFL playoff game. It might not be natural in a baseball sense, but it's basically the same feeling.
Last week, I heard a radio personality say that baseball playoffs are torture. That's actually how the late Sparky Anderson once described them, and that makes me feel better, because I thought I was the only one who felt that way. There's no clock in baseball, and all it takes is a walk, a bloop and a blast to turn a five run lead into a nail-biter.
After tomorrow, if Pittsburgh wins, it'll be a day to celebrate before heading to St. Louis for the best of five NLDS.
Tuesday night around 11pm can't come fast enough.
Welcome to playoff torture, Pirates fans.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
As you may or may not know, the Pirates ended the longest streak of losing seasons by a professional sports team this year (20), and to make it even doubly sweet, their 94-68 record was good enough for second place in the National League Central and qualified them for a one game wild card playoff showdown with Cincinnati on Tuesday night at PNC Park.
After the 20 years of losing as well as the previous two summers of late-season collapses, it was quite the anxious 2013 campaign, as I watched the Buccos climb to 21 games over .500 by late June and stay around that mark the rest of the way.
The main reason I was so nervous was that I obviously didn't want to see Pittsburgh collapse and clinch a 21st straight season of futility. But another reason why the highs were so high and the lows were so low was because the Pirates built a pretty substantial wild card lead fairly early, and any tick off that number was a source of angst for Yours truly. I continued to stress out about that number all the way until Pittsburgh finally clinched a spot in the postseason a week ago, Monday.
Since that day, I've been pretty relaxed and proud, proud to be a Pirates fan. I've fished out old VHS tapes of times when the local baseball team was once among the best in the sport and watched with great joy.
It's been a good feeling being this relaxed and content with my baseball team. After 21 years of feeling barely anything, and a few summers of the frustration and disappointment of what could have been, it's certainly welcome.
However, Tuesday night, I, and many other Pirates fans like me, get thrown from the frying pan straight into the fire. There's really no other way to describe the first postseason match-up in over two decades that will have the exact same "Game 7" consequences as the previous match-up in 1992, when former Bucco Sid Bream slid across home plate to win the National League pennant for the Braves and tear the heart out of the entire city of Pittsburgh--a wound that never fully healed until the boys got to whip out that champagne at Wrigley Field after wrapping up a postseason berth last week.
The Pirates will be at home for the big showdown, and they'll be coming off a weekend sweep at Cincinnati that clinched the top wild card spot in the National league and gave the team a lot of momentum. And the fans, the ones who bought playoff tickets, will have the extra bonus of seeing the long playoff drought come to an end in person.
But, the difference between an ordinary "best of " playoff series and the single-elimination wild card format that MLB enacted last year means that someone will be going home tomorrow night a loser after 162 games of hard work, and a fan base will be depressed after months and months of cheering, praying and hoping.
It just seems so final....unless Pittsburgh wins, of course. Fortunately, as a huge Steelers fan, I'm used to the whole "single-elimination" playoff format, and really, because of the unique set-up, the build-up and anticipation, it actually feels like I'm getting ready to "endure" an NFL playoff game. It might not be natural in a baseball sense, but it's basically the same feeling.
Last week, I heard a radio personality say that baseball playoffs are torture. That's actually how the late Sparky Anderson once described them, and that makes me feel better, because I thought I was the only one who felt that way. There's no clock in baseball, and all it takes is a walk, a bloop and a blast to turn a five run lead into a nail-biter.
After tomorrow, if Pittsburgh wins, it'll be a day to celebrate before heading to St. Louis for the best of five NLDS.
Tuesday night around 11pm can't come fast enough.
Welcome to playoff torture, Pirates fans.
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Pirates clinch first playoff spot in 21 years after thrilling victory at Wrigley Field
It's amazing how the times and technology (and a bad TV) can make something truly memorable.
On Monday night, I was following the Bucs Dugout gamethread on the Internet, when I noticed everyone reacting to the fact that Starling Marte hit a ninth inning home run to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
As soon as I read that, I immediately began to try to turn my TV on. Now the reason I wrote "try" is because my TV has been dysfunctional for a very long time, and instead of biting the bullet and getting a new one, I've just gotten used to the process of holding the "power" button on my remote and allowing the set to warm up and finally turn on--a process that takes about 10 minutes, give or take.
While I was doing this on Monday, I was also visiting the Cardinals official team website on my laptop computer because St. Louis was playing the Nationals (the only team left who could destroy Pittsburgh's postseason prospects), and I wanted to keep tabs on the score because a Washington loss combined with a Pirates win would give the Buccos their first postseason berth since before Bill Clinton was President.
Beings that the Pirates are currently chasing St. Louis for the NL Central crown, I suppose I had mixed feelings about a Cardinals win, but any postseason berth is wonderful, and since you don't get to see "clinches" everyday, I was rooting for St. Louis, at that moment.
Anyway, while continuing with the whole "trying to turn my TV on process," I heard people talking on my laptop. Turns out, a "live look-in" of the Pirates/Cubs game popped up on the Cardinals site, thanks to MLB.com, the flagship site that houses every team's official website, so as I was still trying to get my TV to turn on, I was standing in front of my laptop, watching Jason Grilli get the second out of the ninth inning, thanks to a force-play at second base.
There was a runner on first, and the count on the Cubs batter was 2-2. Just then, as I anticipated seeing closer Jason Grilli punch out the last batter, so Pittsburgh could clinch at least a tie for the second wild card, MLB.com stopped the feed (dirty play). In the meantime, my TV came on, so I quickly turned to WGN, Chicago's superstation that I get on my basic cable package (the Pirates cable station, Root Sports, isn't available on basic cable, so I was hoping the Cubs game would be on WGN). Turns out, after all that trouble, I realized the Cubs game wasn't on, so I turned the TV off and turned the radio on (why didn't I just check WGN's website for its tv listings? Shut up!).
Just as I turned the radio on, I heard the final play of the game. With Nate Schierholtz on first base, Ryan Sweeney hit a pop fly single to shallow right-center field, that right fielder Marlon Byrd misplayed. Schierholtz would have wound up at third, anyway, but because of the error by Byrd, Chicago's third base coach decided to send Schierholtz home. A split second after Byrd's error, Pirates all-world center and potential MVP Andrew McCutchen, who was backing Byrd up on the play, picked the ball up and threw it toward home plate, missing two cut-off men. First baseman Justin Morneau, like Byrd, a late August acquisition, grabbed the baseball, a la Derek Jeter, and threw to catcher Russell Martin who tagged Schierholtz for the game-ending out.
I reacted like I would normally react following a big Steelers win, because on September 23, with a playoff berth on the line, any baseball win by the home team is special.
About 20 minutes later, the Cardinals defeated Washington, and the goggles and champagne were plentiful in the Pirates clubhouse.
I'm glad the Pirates celebrated like they hadn't reached the postseason for 21 years, instead of maybe the business-like celebration a more postseason savvy team might have.
After six Presidential elections, the fans deserved as much.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Pirates magic No. down to two as the team has a decent shot to wrap up postseason bid, Monday night
What's the best tonic for a traumatic loss after your favorite baseball team gave up three runs in the top of the ninth inning to its biggest division rivals?
Winning the next night, of course, and it doesn't hurt when the magic number for a playoff spot gets reduced from four to two in a span of 36 hours.
The Pirates led Cincinnati, 5-2, through eight innings, Friday night at PNC Park. Yours truly had already all but penciled in a victory for the Buccos. Unfortunately, thanks to some less than stellar defensive play by shortstop Jordy Mercer and third baseman Pedro Alvarez, the Reds were able to tie the game at five in the ninth and went on to win in 10 innings.
The Nationals have rarely lost over the past four weeks, and their 8-0 thrashing of Miami on Friday night reduced Pittsburgh's lead for that second wild card to five with eight games remaining. Yes, the odds were still pretty long for another historic collapse by the Pirates, but man, that loss to Cincinnati was just so hard to deal with for many in a fan base that have seen mostly depressing, heartbreaking baseball over the past two decades.
Fortunately, A.J. Burnett pitched perhaps his most important game as a Pirate, Saturday night, going seven strong innings and striking out 12 along the way, as Pittsburgh bounced back to win 4-2 and reduce their magic number to three for clinching a wild card spot.
The Nationals game was rained out, Saturday, but they split their doubleheader with Miami on Sunday, and despite another less than ideal performance by former All Star Jeff Locke, who gave up five runs in the first inning on Sunday, as the Reds took the rubber game, 11-3, Sunday afternoon at PNC Park in the Bucs home finale, Pittsburgh's magic for a playoff spot was reduced to two.
With his ineffective performance, Locke may have also given away any shot of pitching in the postseason, as I don't see any way Clint Hurdle allows him to pitch in any meaningful October baseball games.
While Pittsburgh played its final regular season home game at PNC Park on Sunday, whether or not it plays a game there in the postseason will be determined by what happens over the final six games. By the Reds coming to PNC and taking two games, they now sit along side Pittsburgh, atop the Wild Card standings.
Not to be forgotten is that the Cardinals are still two games up with six to go in the NL Central, and a division title doesn't look good for Pittsburgh (making Friday night's loss all the more important in that regard).
However, a five game lead in the wild card standings with six remaining means that we're all but assured of watching at least one postseason game.
Hopefully, PNC Park will be lit up one more time before all is said and done.
Winning the next night, of course, and it doesn't hurt when the magic number for a playoff spot gets reduced from four to two in a span of 36 hours.
The Pirates led Cincinnati, 5-2, through eight innings, Friday night at PNC Park. Yours truly had already all but penciled in a victory for the Buccos. Unfortunately, thanks to some less than stellar defensive play by shortstop Jordy Mercer and third baseman Pedro Alvarez, the Reds were able to tie the game at five in the ninth and went on to win in 10 innings.
The Nationals have rarely lost over the past four weeks, and their 8-0 thrashing of Miami on Friday night reduced Pittsburgh's lead for that second wild card to five with eight games remaining. Yes, the odds were still pretty long for another historic collapse by the Pirates, but man, that loss to Cincinnati was just so hard to deal with for many in a fan base that have seen mostly depressing, heartbreaking baseball over the past two decades.
Fortunately, A.J. Burnett pitched perhaps his most important game as a Pirate, Saturday night, going seven strong innings and striking out 12 along the way, as Pittsburgh bounced back to win 4-2 and reduce their magic number to three for clinching a wild card spot.
The Nationals game was rained out, Saturday, but they split their doubleheader with Miami on Sunday, and despite another less than ideal performance by former All Star Jeff Locke, who gave up five runs in the first inning on Sunday, as the Reds took the rubber game, 11-3, Sunday afternoon at PNC Park in the Bucs home finale, Pittsburgh's magic for a playoff spot was reduced to two.
With his ineffective performance, Locke may have also given away any shot of pitching in the postseason, as I don't see any way Clint Hurdle allows him to pitch in any meaningful October baseball games.
While Pittsburgh played its final regular season home game at PNC Park on Sunday, whether or not it plays a game there in the postseason will be determined by what happens over the final six games. By the Reds coming to PNC and taking two games, they now sit along side Pittsburgh, atop the Wild Card standings.
Not to be forgotten is that the Cardinals are still two games up with six to go in the NL Central, and a division title doesn't look good for Pittsburgh (making Friday night's loss all the more important in that regard).
However, a five game lead in the wild card standings with six remaining means that we're all but assured of watching at least one postseason game.
Hopefully, PNC Park will be lit up one more time before all is said and done.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The Pirates may owe their lofty status to their record in interleague play.......ironically enough
Coming into the 2013 season, the Pirates had the all-time worst mark in interleague play, with a record of 91-138, dating back to 1997--the first year the AL and NL began to play one another on an annual basis. In fact, Pittsburgh was the only team not to reach triple digits in victories.
A trip to New York, Boston, or even Detroit, Minnesota and Cleveland was often met with less than stellar results. And a trip out West was an even bigger exercise in futility, as your average series against the Angels or A's was way less than competitive.
Of course, this went hand-in-hand with the Pirates, themselves, being way less than competitive for the majority of years since interleague play's inception--for example, the 2010 Pirates (57-105) were 2-13 against the Junior circuit.
However, much like the Pirates, themselves, their level of success in interleague play during the previous two seasons was a bit more respectable, as the team combined to go 18-15 in 2011 and 2012.
The 2013 season has been a watershed one for the Buccos, complete with a winning season and one of the best records in baseball at 84-61. And ironically enough, they may owe a good portion of their lofty status to their stellar play against the American League.
Pittsburgh concluded its 2013 interleague schedule this week by sweeping the Rangers in Arlington, which gave the team a phenomenal final record of 15-5 against the American League. Included in the 15 victories was a total road sweep of the AL West, as the Pirates went 8-0 in Anaheim, Seattle and Arlington.
Let's say the Pirates' record in interleague play this year was more reflective of their previous two seasons, and they were 10-10.
Instead of being only a game back of the Cardinals in the NL Central, Pittsburgh would be six games back, with 17 to play and all but mathematically eliminated. In addition to that, the Pirates would only be three games up on the Nationals and in a dog fight for that second NL Wild Card spot.
Finally, after all these years, interleague baseball has some redeeming qualities.
A trip to New York, Boston, or even Detroit, Minnesota and Cleveland was often met with less than stellar results. And a trip out West was an even bigger exercise in futility, as your average series against the Angels or A's was way less than competitive.
Of course, this went hand-in-hand with the Pirates, themselves, being way less than competitive for the majority of years since interleague play's inception--for example, the 2010 Pirates (57-105) were 2-13 against the Junior circuit.
However, much like the Pirates, themselves, their level of success in interleague play during the previous two seasons was a bit more respectable, as the team combined to go 18-15 in 2011 and 2012.
The 2013 season has been a watershed one for the Buccos, complete with a winning season and one of the best records in baseball at 84-61. And ironically enough, they may owe a good portion of their lofty status to their stellar play against the American League.
Pittsburgh concluded its 2013 interleague schedule this week by sweeping the Rangers in Arlington, which gave the team a phenomenal final record of 15-5 against the American League. Included in the 15 victories was a total road sweep of the AL West, as the Pirates went 8-0 in Anaheim, Seattle and Arlington.
Let's say the Pirates' record in interleague play this year was more reflective of their previous two seasons, and they were 10-10.
Instead of being only a game back of the Cardinals in the NL Central, Pittsburgh would be six games back, with 17 to play and all but mathematically eliminated. In addition to that, the Pirates would only be three games up on the Nationals and in a dog fight for that second NL Wild Card spot.
Finally, after all these years, interleague baseball has some redeeming qualities.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Pirates sweep Rangers in Arlington, reduce magic No. to 10 for playoff berth
Is it possible to finally let out a sigh of relief that the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates are officially out of the woods? Probably not, but they are nearing the part of the wilderness where they can probably see signs of civilization.
After getting swept in St. Louis over the weekend in a series that was barely competitive, the Pirates traveled to Arlington, Monday night, to begin a three-game interleague series against the Rangers that had most fans fearing the worst. And, once again, like I've said many times this season, who could really blame them?
Funny how things begin to turn around when you least expect them.
While the Bucs didn't dominate Texas, they did just enough in every game to walk away with a very impressive three game sweep over a team that came into the series in the same kind of divisional dogfight, but without the similar eight game cushion in the wild card race--the Rangers entered the day two games back of the A's for first place in the AL West and just four games up on Baltimore for the second wild card.
On Wednesday, A.J. Burnett took the mound and was dominate, early on, striking out six the first time through the Rangers' order and retiring the first 13 men he faced.
The Pirates offense gave Burnett a 4-0 cushion through 5 1/2 innings, but he began to struggle a bit in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with nobody out. Fortunately, he was able to induce a double-play and a fly out to end the inning.
After Pittsburgh added two more runs in the top of the seventh to make it 6-2, Burnett couldn't make it out of the bottom of the inning, as the Rangers scored three runs to make it a tight 6-5 game.
But shortstop Clint Barmes, who apparently had words with Burnett after Texas' two run sixth inning, added insurance with a solo blast in the top of the eighth for the game's final run, as the Pirates held out for a very satisfying 7-5 victory.
With the Nationals, the closest non-NL Central team in the wild card race, on a bit of a roll and winners of four straight, things could have gotten very shaky in a hurry for Pittsburgh, this week.
But now the Pirates will have no worse than an eight game lead over Washington with just 17 left in the season.
Perhaps, more importantly, Pittsburgh moves to within half a game of the Cardinals for first place in the Central, pending Wednesday night's action.
The Pirates reduced their magic number for a playof spot to 10 games and will be coming back home for their final homestand of the season.
After getting swept in St. Louis over the weekend in a series that was barely competitive, the Pirates traveled to Arlington, Monday night, to begin a three-game interleague series against the Rangers that had most fans fearing the worst. And, once again, like I've said many times this season, who could really blame them?
Funny how things begin to turn around when you least expect them.
While the Bucs didn't dominate Texas, they did just enough in every game to walk away with a very impressive three game sweep over a team that came into the series in the same kind of divisional dogfight, but without the similar eight game cushion in the wild card race--the Rangers entered the day two games back of the A's for first place in the AL West and just four games up on Baltimore for the second wild card.
On Wednesday, A.J. Burnett took the mound and was dominate, early on, striking out six the first time through the Rangers' order and retiring the first 13 men he faced.
The Pirates offense gave Burnett a 4-0 cushion through 5 1/2 innings, but he began to struggle a bit in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with nobody out. Fortunately, he was able to induce a double-play and a fly out to end the inning.
After Pittsburgh added two more runs in the top of the seventh to make it 6-2, Burnett couldn't make it out of the bottom of the inning, as the Rangers scored three runs to make it a tight 6-5 game.
But shortstop Clint Barmes, who apparently had words with Burnett after Texas' two run sixth inning, added insurance with a solo blast in the top of the eighth for the game's final run, as the Pirates held out for a very satisfying 7-5 victory.
With the Nationals, the closest non-NL Central team in the wild card race, on a bit of a roll and winners of four straight, things could have gotten very shaky in a hurry for Pittsburgh, this week.
But now the Pirates will have no worse than an eight game lead over Washington with just 17 left in the season.
Perhaps, more importantly, Pittsburgh moves to within half a game of the Cardinals for first place in the Central, pending Wednesday night's action.
The Pirates reduced their magic number for a playof spot to 10 games and will be coming back home for their final homestand of the season.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Pittsburgh's Best Sports Blog with your host Tony Defeo: 20 years of futility is finally over: Pirates are ...
Pittsburgh's Best Sports Blog with your host Tony Defeo: 20 years of futility is finally over: Pirates are ...: Former Braves pitcher John Smoltz said of his Game 7 performance against Pittsburgh in the 1991 NLCS, "When you picture yourself taking...
20 years of futility is finally over: Pirates are losers no more
Former Braves pitcher John Smoltz said of his Game 7 performance against Pittsburgh in the 1991 NLCS, "When you picture yourself taking the mound in a Game 7, you never imagine having an early lead."
Sort of along those same lines (or not), I often envisioned what it would be like when the Pirates finally broke their long losing streak and ended the years of jokes they and their fans had to endure. Since my favorite baseball team has given me many years to think about it--two decades worth--I've imagined several scenarios. However, most all of them had the team reaching the magical 81 win mark (or 82, for those of you who want to be contrarians about the whole streak-breaking deal) near the end of the regular season, preferably at home, and with a wild celebration ensuing, both in the stands and on the field.
I never pictured it happening on a Tuesday night in Milwaukee on September 3rd. And I never imagined it being just a stepping stone along the way to maybe a championship season. But that's exactly what happened, Tuesday night, after the almost forgotten Travis Snider led off the top of the ninth inning with a home run that broke a 3-3 tie.
Mark Melancon pitched the bottom of the ninth to get his 11th save, and more importantly, set off pockets of celebrations everywhere in Bucco Nation.
It's probably fitting that it happened against the Brewers, a team with a similar small-market resume and a long losing streak of their own that was recently broken, because Milwaukee simply tortured the Pirates for a number of years.
The Brewers went 63-18 against Pittsburgh from 2008-2012--including a 20-0 thrashing one afternoon at PNC Park a few years ago--and if there was ever a sweeter baseball park to end the streak (other than PNC), I can't think of one.
But this isn't a day for vengeance or for rubbing it in the face of your favorite team's most hated rivals.
This is a day (and actually a season) where, as a fan, you can actually believe in baseball again.
Believe me when I tell you, for many years, I simply didn't think the Pirates would ever be relevant again. And it wasn't necessarily because of the losing and the often inept performances by the front office and team management. A lot of it had to do with the economic structure of Major League Baseball and how local TV and radio revenue gave such a huge advantage to the large market teams sans a salary cap.
Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels were winning simply because they could spend the most money. Yes, they did a decent enough job of building up their farm systems, but make no mistake, they were going after the big stars in free agency, and that was the biggest reason they were winning.
If you would look at a Yankees batting lineup from the early-to-mid 2000s, you couldn't tell if it was their lineup, or the starting lineup of the American League All-Star team.
It was quite discouraging.
But, thankfully, the parity that has gripped every other major sport in America (except for maybe LeBron's Miami Heat) has taken hold in baseball. Now, while large market teams are still spending huge amounts of cash, perhaps the smaller market teams have finally figured out how to stay in the race, and that's by developing their own players and refusing to part with their top prospects and younger stars.
The Reds, Brewers, Rays and Orioles have all made their mark in the postseason in recent years, and now it looks like the Pirates are about to do the same.
Again, though, this isn't a day for discussing farm systems, economic structures and winning formulas. This is a day for celebrating.
Tonight could be another milestone moment if the Pirates win No. 82. After that, there's the matter of clinching a playoff spot and then, maybe the division title.
And after that...........dare I dream any more than I already have?
Sure, why not?
Let's Go Bucs!
Sort of along those same lines (or not), I often envisioned what it would be like when the Pirates finally broke their long losing streak and ended the years of jokes they and their fans had to endure. Since my favorite baseball team has given me many years to think about it--two decades worth--I've imagined several scenarios. However, most all of them had the team reaching the magical 81 win mark (or 82, for those of you who want to be contrarians about the whole streak-breaking deal) near the end of the regular season, preferably at home, and with a wild celebration ensuing, both in the stands and on the field.
I never pictured it happening on a Tuesday night in Milwaukee on September 3rd. And I never imagined it being just a stepping stone along the way to maybe a championship season. But that's exactly what happened, Tuesday night, after the almost forgotten Travis Snider led off the top of the ninth inning with a home run that broke a 3-3 tie.
Mark Melancon pitched the bottom of the ninth to get his 11th save, and more importantly, set off pockets of celebrations everywhere in Bucco Nation.
It's probably fitting that it happened against the Brewers, a team with a similar small-market resume and a long losing streak of their own that was recently broken, because Milwaukee simply tortured the Pirates for a number of years.
The Brewers went 63-18 against Pittsburgh from 2008-2012--including a 20-0 thrashing one afternoon at PNC Park a few years ago--and if there was ever a sweeter baseball park to end the streak (other than PNC), I can't think of one.
But this isn't a day for vengeance or for rubbing it in the face of your favorite team's most hated rivals.
This is a day (and actually a season) where, as a fan, you can actually believe in baseball again.
Believe me when I tell you, for many years, I simply didn't think the Pirates would ever be relevant again. And it wasn't necessarily because of the losing and the often inept performances by the front office and team management. A lot of it had to do with the economic structure of Major League Baseball and how local TV and radio revenue gave such a huge advantage to the large market teams sans a salary cap.
Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels were winning simply because they could spend the most money. Yes, they did a decent enough job of building up their farm systems, but make no mistake, they were going after the big stars in free agency, and that was the biggest reason they were winning.
If you would look at a Yankees batting lineup from the early-to-mid 2000s, you couldn't tell if it was their lineup, or the starting lineup of the American League All-Star team.
It was quite discouraging.
But, thankfully, the parity that has gripped every other major sport in America (except for maybe LeBron's Miami Heat) has taken hold in baseball. Now, while large market teams are still spending huge amounts of cash, perhaps the smaller market teams have finally figured out how to stay in the race, and that's by developing their own players and refusing to part with their top prospects and younger stars.
The Reds, Brewers, Rays and Orioles have all made their mark in the postseason in recent years, and now it looks like the Pirates are about to do the same.
Again, though, this isn't a day for discussing farm systems, economic structures and winning formulas. This is a day for celebrating.
Tonight could be another milestone moment if the Pirates win No. 82. After that, there's the matter of clinching a playoff spot and then, maybe the division title.
And after that...........dare I dream any more than I already have?
Sure, why not?
Let's Go Bucs!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Pirates back in first place after 5-2 victory in Milwaukee
One day after getting beaten up by St. Louis in the final game of a three game weekend series at PNC Park, the Pirates came back on Monday afternoon and won a Labor Day matinee in Milwaukee, 5-2. Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, the Cardinals were getting clobbered by the Reds.
The Pirates victory combined with the loss by the Cardinals gives Pittsburgh sole possession of first place in the National League Central Division.
Speaking of the division, three and a half games separate the Pirates, Cardinals and Reds, so with just over three weeks left in the regular season, things are still very much up for grabs.
However, thanks to the mostly awesome play by those three teams, combined with the mediocre play of every other team in the National League not named the Braves or Dodgers, there is no doubt that the second and third place finishers in the Central will square off in the National League Wild Card game, held shortly after the end of the regular season.
This is all but a certainty, thanks to the closest team in the race in recent weeks, the Diamondbacks, failing to capitalize on the struggles of Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
The Pirates, for example, reached their high-water mark of 26 games over .500 (70-44) on August 8th, thanks to a victory over Miami. Not only was Pittsburgh in first place in the division, it had a whopping 11.5 game lead over the Diamondbacks for the second wild card spot. From that point forward, though, the Pirates began a slide that would see them lose four in a row, seven of nine and eventually 11 of 16.
Meanwhile, instead of getting hot and maybe putting some pressure on the Bucs, Arizona basically played .500 ball and only gained a few games in the standings.
Now that Pittsburgh has regained its footing, winning four of six, the D'Backs are floundering and have lost four of five, and are not only 10.5 games behind Pittsburgh, they're seven games back of the Reds for the second wild card spot.
With 25 games remaining, if the Pirates go 13-12 to finish the year, Arizona and/or Washington (also 10.5 back of the Bucs) would have to go 24-2 just to tie--probably not going to happen.
Pittsburgh's magic number for a postseason berth is now 16, and it's not so much a question of if it will happen, but when.
As for that division race? The Pirates play Cincinnati six more times and St. Louis three more games, while the Reds and Cardinals will finish their season series with three more games this week.
The magic number for the winner of the NL Central may not reach 0 until the last day of the regular season.
What a race.......thank God for that second wild card. Other wise, along with the Jolly Roger, my blood pressure may be raised a lot higher.
Let's Go Bucs!
The Pirates victory combined with the loss by the Cardinals gives Pittsburgh sole possession of first place in the National League Central Division.
Speaking of the division, three and a half games separate the Pirates, Cardinals and Reds, so with just over three weeks left in the regular season, things are still very much up for grabs.
However, thanks to the mostly awesome play by those three teams, combined with the mediocre play of every other team in the National League not named the Braves or Dodgers, there is no doubt that the second and third place finishers in the Central will square off in the National League Wild Card game, held shortly after the end of the regular season.
This is all but a certainty, thanks to the closest team in the race in recent weeks, the Diamondbacks, failing to capitalize on the struggles of Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
The Pirates, for example, reached their high-water mark of 26 games over .500 (70-44) on August 8th, thanks to a victory over Miami. Not only was Pittsburgh in first place in the division, it had a whopping 11.5 game lead over the Diamondbacks for the second wild card spot. From that point forward, though, the Pirates began a slide that would see them lose four in a row, seven of nine and eventually 11 of 16.
Meanwhile, instead of getting hot and maybe putting some pressure on the Bucs, Arizona basically played .500 ball and only gained a few games in the standings.
Now that Pittsburgh has regained its footing, winning four of six, the D'Backs are floundering and have lost four of five, and are not only 10.5 games behind Pittsburgh, they're seven games back of the Reds for the second wild card spot.
With 25 games remaining, if the Pirates go 13-12 to finish the year, Arizona and/or Washington (also 10.5 back of the Bucs) would have to go 24-2 just to tie--probably not going to happen.
Pittsburgh's magic number for a postseason berth is now 16, and it's not so much a question of if it will happen, but when.
As for that division race? The Pirates play Cincinnati six more times and St. Louis three more games, while the Reds and Cardinals will finish their season series with three more games this week.
The magic number for the winner of the NL Central may not reach 0 until the last day of the regular season.
What a race.......thank God for that second wild card. Other wise, along with the Jolly Roger, my blood pressure may be raised a lot higher.
Let's Go Bucs!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Pirates add Justin Morneau at August dead-line to complete surreal week of trades by the front office
If you're a Pirates fan, and someone told you your favorite team would trade for either a 36 year old outfielder who has 21 home runs and 71 RBI, a 33 year old catcher with 15 home runs and 60 RBI or a 32 year old first baseman with 17 home runs and 74 RBI who was a former American League MVP, you'd probably take any of those three trades, individually, right?
By grabbing the outfielder, the Pirates would finally have a power bat to put in right field and add protection for both Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez. By grabbing the veteran catcher, Pittsburgh would have a bona fide backup to Russell Martin and a huge upgrade from both Michael Mckenry and rookie Tony Sanchez. Or by getting the first baseman, the Pirates would finally have someone to take the place of both Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez, two players who would probably be better served coming off the bench.
Well, how about landing all three of those guys in a span of five days? That's what team gm Neal Huntington did, when he picked up outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck on Tuesday from the Mets in exchange for minor league second baseman Dilson Herrera, who represented the Pirates in the Futures All-Star Game in July, and reliever Vic Black, who made two appearances for Pittsburgh this season out of its highly touted "Shark Tank" bullpen.
On Saturday, the Pirates shipped utility outfielder Alex Presley and a player to be named later (believed to be another reliever) to Minnesota in exchange for first baseman Justin Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP.
So, in less than a week, pitching rich Pittsburgh has added 53 home runs and 205 RBI to a roster that has struggled to produce hits and runs on a regular basis in 2013.
The Tuesday trade immediately paid huge dividends on Wednesday, when Byrd, making his Pirates debut, hit a three run homer against the Brewers in a 7-1 victory that brought everyone at PNC Park (including Yours truly) to their feet.
It's amazing how cyclical sports can be. When Huntington took over as Pirates general manager in late 2007, there were anonymous baseball executives who said they felt sorry for him because Pittsburgh's farm system was about as barren as any in all of MLB.
Within the span of a few years, Huntington dealt All-Star outfielders Jason Bay and Nate McLouth, productive veteran outfielder Xavier Nady and team favorites second baseman Freddy Sanchez and shortstop Jack Wilson in order to begin replenishing the minor league system.
People were particularly upset about the Bay trade. Up through the time of the deal in the summer of 2008, he was the organization's best commodity with multiple All-Star appearances. In fact, Bay, Nady and McLouth comprised one of baseball's most productive outfields five seasons ago. Bay and Nady combined for 35 home runs and 121 RBI leading up to being traded away, while McLouth would go on to finish his final full season in Pittsburgh with 26 home runs and 94 RBI.
I remember informing my friend Todd of the Bay trade, and he was pretty disappointed, simply saying, "Bad trade."
His sentiment was expressed universally by Pirates fans who couldn't understand why the team would break up such a productive outfield.
It was simple: If Huntington has proven one thing, it's that he's been in it for the long haul. Despite the productivity of the outfield in 2008, the Pirates were still below .500 and struggling to stay out of last place. What good is all that production if it still leads to a last place finish?
Now, in the summer of 2013, with the Pirates currently in first place in the National League Central Division, it's the right time to add that kind of production to the team for the stretch run.
If you click on the link to the story about the Byrd/Buck trade, you'll see that fans and teammates were a bit distraught over losing so much productivity from a Mets team that was struggling in the first place.
And a fan of the Twins said in the comments section of a Yahoo story regarding the Morneau trade: "Twins always acting like a farm team for the rest of MLB."
My how times have changed for the Pirates.
By grabbing the outfielder, the Pirates would finally have a power bat to put in right field and add protection for both Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez. By grabbing the veteran catcher, Pittsburgh would have a bona fide backup to Russell Martin and a huge upgrade from both Michael Mckenry and rookie Tony Sanchez. Or by getting the first baseman, the Pirates would finally have someone to take the place of both Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez, two players who would probably be better served coming off the bench.
Well, how about landing all three of those guys in a span of five days? That's what team gm Neal Huntington did, when he picked up outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck on Tuesday from the Mets in exchange for minor league second baseman Dilson Herrera, who represented the Pirates in the Futures All-Star Game in July, and reliever Vic Black, who made two appearances for Pittsburgh this season out of its highly touted "Shark Tank" bullpen.
On Saturday, the Pirates shipped utility outfielder Alex Presley and a player to be named later (believed to be another reliever) to Minnesota in exchange for first baseman Justin Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP.
So, in less than a week, pitching rich Pittsburgh has added 53 home runs and 205 RBI to a roster that has struggled to produce hits and runs on a regular basis in 2013.
The Tuesday trade immediately paid huge dividends on Wednesday, when Byrd, making his Pirates debut, hit a three run homer against the Brewers in a 7-1 victory that brought everyone at PNC Park (including Yours truly) to their feet.
It's amazing how cyclical sports can be. When Huntington took over as Pirates general manager in late 2007, there were anonymous baseball executives who said they felt sorry for him because Pittsburgh's farm system was about as barren as any in all of MLB.
Within the span of a few years, Huntington dealt All-Star outfielders Jason Bay and Nate McLouth, productive veteran outfielder Xavier Nady and team favorites second baseman Freddy Sanchez and shortstop Jack Wilson in order to begin replenishing the minor league system.
People were particularly upset about the Bay trade. Up through the time of the deal in the summer of 2008, he was the organization's best commodity with multiple All-Star appearances. In fact, Bay, Nady and McLouth comprised one of baseball's most productive outfields five seasons ago. Bay and Nady combined for 35 home runs and 121 RBI leading up to being traded away, while McLouth would go on to finish his final full season in Pittsburgh with 26 home runs and 94 RBI.
I remember informing my friend Todd of the Bay trade, and he was pretty disappointed, simply saying, "Bad trade."
His sentiment was expressed universally by Pirates fans who couldn't understand why the team would break up such a productive outfield.
It was simple: If Huntington has proven one thing, it's that he's been in it for the long haul. Despite the productivity of the outfield in 2008, the Pirates were still below .500 and struggling to stay out of last place. What good is all that production if it still leads to a last place finish?
Now, in the summer of 2013, with the Pirates currently in first place in the National League Central Division, it's the right time to add that kind of production to the team for the stretch run.
If you click on the link to the story about the Byrd/Buck trade, you'll see that fans and teammates were a bit distraught over losing so much productivity from a Mets team that was struggling in the first place.
And a fan of the Twins said in the comments section of a Yahoo story regarding the Morneau trade: "Twins always acting like a farm team for the rest of MLB."
My how times have changed for the Pirates.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Liriano continues mastery of the Cardinals, as Pirates move into tie for first place
The Pirates moved into a tie for first place with St. Louis, Friday night, thanks to another masterful performance by Francisco Liriano, who pitched eight shut-out innings in a 5-0 victory the Cardinals at PNC Park.
Liriano improved to 15-6--including 4-0 against the Cardinals--and continues to make a strong case for himself as a National League Cy Young candidate.
Pirates first baseman Garrett Jones was the offensive star, going three for four--including a home run and a double--and drove in four runs. Jones came into the game batting just .119 in August, and if he can get hot down the stretch, it could bode well for Pittsburgh's chances in the tight National League Central race.
The Pirates are now just four wins shy of clinching their first winning season since 1992. Also, with just 28 games remaining in the regular and an 8.5 game lead for the NL's second wild card spot, they're also closing in hard on their first playoff berth since that same season.
Liriano improved to 15-6--including 4-0 against the Cardinals--and continues to make a strong case for himself as a National League Cy Young candidate.
Pirates first baseman Garrett Jones was the offensive star, going three for four--including a home run and a double--and drove in four runs. Jones came into the game batting just .119 in August, and if he can get hot down the stretch, it could bode well for Pittsburgh's chances in the tight National League Central race.
The Pirates are now just four wins shy of clinching their first winning season since 1992. Also, with just 28 games remaining in the regular and an 8.5 game lead for the NL's second wild card spot, they're also closing in hard on their first playoff berth since that same season.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Pirates fans can breathe again......at least for now
As far as stressful sports weeks are concerned, last week's was pretty darn stressful for Pirates fans. After winning nine of 11 games during a homestand that overlapped the end of July and the beginning of August--including four of five over the Cardinals--Pittsburgh dropped five games on a six game road swing through Colorado and St. Louis--including two extra inning losses to the Cardinals.
One of those losses to St. Louis was almost the direct result of Pirates outfielder Starle Marte's inability to snag an easy pop fly with one away in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1 with the team ahead, 3-2.
After the game, many Pirates fans were beside themselves (including Yours truly), and since it was August, a third straight epic collapse was feared.
During a short three-game homestand last weekend, Pittsburgh had a chance to put some distance between itself and a Diamondbacks team that was the only real threat to its playoff chances. While Arizona didn't put a huge dent in the Pirates' large wild card lead, the D-Backs did gain a game in the standings after taking two of three--including a 16-inning loss on Sunday in-which Pittsburgh failed to score a single run over the final 13 innings.
You'd have to forgive most Pirates fans if they were a little worried at the onset of the team's current seven-game swing through San Diego and San Francisco. After all, it was almost a year ago to the day that Pittsburgh vanquished the Cardinals in a 19-inning marathon, only to get swept by the Padres at Petco Park right after that.
In fact, following the victory over St. Louis on August 19th of last year, the Pirates only won 12 games the rest of the way.
If such a slide came about after what should have been a confidence boosting victory over the World Series Champions a year ago, what would happen after three extra inning losses in five days?
The current answer is: "You're overreacting, Tony!"
Unlike the previous two seasons, when the sub-.500 Padres were the villains that starred in an unsatisfactory final chapter in what should have been a "feel good" baseball story, the Pirates have played like a team with the second best record in baseball and have taken the first two games in San Diego by a combined score of 11-2.
The Pirates two best pitchers, Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett, have pitched a combined 14 innings and have yielded only one run. And in Tuesday night's game, Pittsburgh's bats came to life and scored eight runs after not posting more than six runs in a game since July 30th.
During their modest two game winning streak, the Pirates have managed to pick up a game in the wild card standings on Arizona, who lost to the Reds, Monday night and have gained a game each on St. Louis and Cincinnati, who each lost Tuesday night and are a little further in the Pirates National League Central rear-view mirror.
Does this mean the Pirates are out of the woods, and it will be smooth sailing the rest of the way? Heck no. But maybe, just maybe there won't be a monumental collapse, after all.
One of those losses to St. Louis was almost the direct result of Pirates outfielder Starle Marte's inability to snag an easy pop fly with one away in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 1 with the team ahead, 3-2.
After the game, many Pirates fans were beside themselves (including Yours truly), and since it was August, a third straight epic collapse was feared.
During a short three-game homestand last weekend, Pittsburgh had a chance to put some distance between itself and a Diamondbacks team that was the only real threat to its playoff chances. While Arizona didn't put a huge dent in the Pirates' large wild card lead, the D-Backs did gain a game in the standings after taking two of three--including a 16-inning loss on Sunday in-which Pittsburgh failed to score a single run over the final 13 innings.
You'd have to forgive most Pirates fans if they were a little worried at the onset of the team's current seven-game swing through San Diego and San Francisco. After all, it was almost a year ago to the day that Pittsburgh vanquished the Cardinals in a 19-inning marathon, only to get swept by the Padres at Petco Park right after that.
In fact, following the victory over St. Louis on August 19th of last year, the Pirates only won 12 games the rest of the way.
If such a slide came about after what should have been a confidence boosting victory over the World Series Champions a year ago, what would happen after three extra inning losses in five days?
The current answer is: "You're overreacting, Tony!"
Unlike the previous two seasons, when the sub-.500 Padres were the villains that starred in an unsatisfactory final chapter in what should have been a "feel good" baseball story, the Pirates have played like a team with the second best record in baseball and have taken the first two games in San Diego by a combined score of 11-2.
The Pirates two best pitchers, Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett, have pitched a combined 14 innings and have yielded only one run. And in Tuesday night's game, Pittsburgh's bats came to life and scored eight runs after not posting more than six runs in a game since July 30th.
During their modest two game winning streak, the Pirates have managed to pick up a game in the wild card standings on Arizona, who lost to the Reds, Monday night and have gained a game each on St. Louis and Cincinnati, who each lost Tuesday night and are a little further in the Pirates National League Central rear-view mirror.
Does this mean the Pirates are out of the woods, and it will be smooth sailing the rest of the way? Heck no. But maybe, just maybe there won't be a monumental collapse, after all.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Pirates end four-game losing skid, knock off Cardinals, behind masterful performance by Liriano
Francisco Liriano started the skid by giving up 10 rounds in only two innings, last Friday night in a 10-1 loss in Colorado, and he ended it, Wednesday night, by pitching his best (and maybe more important) game of the season. Only needing 94 pitches, Liriano pitched a complete game, as the Pirates ended their four-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory in St. Louis.
Pedro Alvarez (29) and Garrett Jones (11) got things going for Pittsburgh in the first inning by smacking solo home runs, and Starling Marte plated two in the fourth inning with a double to give Liriano all the cushion he would need.
The victory was much-needed for the Pirates, one night after losing in 14 innings. Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, left fielder Marte dropped an easy pop fly, resulting in a two-base error and eventual game-tying hit with two away.
After two straight end-of-season meltdowns, a loss like the one to the Cardinals could have been hard to come back from. However, maybe this Pittsburgh team really is different.
We shall see.
It is worth noting that the Pirates participated in memorable marathon clashes in each of the previous two seasons. In 2011, Pittsburgh lost a 19-inning affair to the Braves after Jerry Meals blew a call at home plate. From there, the Pirates would go on to lose 43 of 62 down the stretch to finish completely out of the race at 72-90.
Last August, Pittsburgh got the better end of a 19-inning affair, this time against the Cardinals, but it still wasn't enough to spur the team to victory, as the Pirates would suffer a second-straight collapse and a 20th straight losing season.
So, maybe they're right when they say there's no such thing as momentum in baseball.
All I know is the Pirates are 71-48 and gave me a nice sigh of relief.
Pedro Alvarez (29) and Garrett Jones (11) got things going for Pittsburgh in the first inning by smacking solo home runs, and Starling Marte plated two in the fourth inning with a double to give Liriano all the cushion he would need.
The victory was much-needed for the Pirates, one night after losing in 14 innings. Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, left fielder Marte dropped an easy pop fly, resulting in a two-base error and eventual game-tying hit with two away.
After two straight end-of-season meltdowns, a loss like the one to the Cardinals could have been hard to come back from. However, maybe this Pittsburgh team really is different.
We shall see.
It is worth noting that the Pirates participated in memorable marathon clashes in each of the previous two seasons. In 2011, Pittsburgh lost a 19-inning affair to the Braves after Jerry Meals blew a call at home plate. From there, the Pirates would go on to lose 43 of 62 down the stretch to finish completely out of the race at 72-90.
Last August, Pittsburgh got the better end of a 19-inning affair, this time against the Cardinals, but it still wasn't enough to spur the team to victory, as the Pirates would suffer a second-straight collapse and a 20th straight losing season.
So, maybe they're right when they say there's no such thing as momentum in baseball.
All I know is the Pirates are 71-48 and gave me a nice sigh of relief.
Monday, August 12, 2013
The Pirates drop third straight in Colorado, swept away by the Rockies
I knew it would happen eventually. Last week, after the Pirates' fourth straight victory, my uncle and I were talking online, and he said, "Man, they just keep winning and winning." Even though Pittsburgh won the next day, I just knew a slide was coming in the very near-future.
Sure enough, the Rockies came along to prove my suspicions.
The Pirates traveled to Colorado this weekend to take on a Rockies' team that was below .500 and well out of the wild-card discussions. Unfortunately, they still have a lot of fight in them (at least over the weekend) and swept Pittsburgh in three straight games, with each loss being more frustrating than the last.
Friday night, behind Cy Young candidate Francisco Liriano, the Pirates were pounded, 10-1, and utility man Josh Harrison was brought in to pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Saturday night, behind ace A.J. Burnett, the Pirates took a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning but found themselves down 6-3 by the time they batted in the top of the seventh, eventually losing, 6-4.
Sunday afternoon's loss was the most frustrating. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead, behind Pedro Alvarez's 28th home run, Pittsburgh did nothing on offense the rest of the way. And after a critical error by Alvarez late in the game, the Pirates were trailing, 3-2, heading to the top of the ninth.
Neil Walker singled to start the inning, and after a strike out to Russell Martin, Tony Sanchez doubled to right-center. Walker was held at third, but the Pirates still had runners on second and third with one away.
But if you've been paying attention to the 2013 club, you'd know that its biggest Achilles heel is scoring runs, and the biggest symptom is a lack of production with runners in scoring position. In true form, Jordy Mercer lined out to third, and then Alex Presley ended things by weakly popping out to third.
It was a frustrating weekend, but the good news is the Pirates only lost a game in the standings to St. Louis, who lost two of three to the Cubs over the weekend.
The Diamondbacks, the only real threat right now to Pittsburgh's chances of making the playoffs, lost two of three to the Mets and are still 10 1/2 games back for the second wild card.
So, are Pirates fans beginning to panic? I'm sure they are. But I'm sure they were also panicking after the six of eight slide just before the All-Star break and the three of four slide in the days leading up to the epic five game series against the Cardinals.
Two weeks ago, the Pirates won their fourth straight game to improve to 23 games over .500--the first time they were that many games over .500 at that point in the summer since 1972. This weekend, Pittsburgh dropped three games to fall back to 23 above .500.
I think the Pirates will be fine.
Sure enough, the Rockies came along to prove my suspicions.
The Pirates traveled to Colorado this weekend to take on a Rockies' team that was below .500 and well out of the wild-card discussions. Unfortunately, they still have a lot of fight in them (at least over the weekend) and swept Pittsburgh in three straight games, with each loss being more frustrating than the last.
Friday night, behind Cy Young candidate Francisco Liriano, the Pirates were pounded, 10-1, and utility man Josh Harrison was brought in to pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Saturday night, behind ace A.J. Burnett, the Pirates took a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning but found themselves down 6-3 by the time they batted in the top of the seventh, eventually losing, 6-4.
Sunday afternoon's loss was the most frustrating. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead, behind Pedro Alvarez's 28th home run, Pittsburgh did nothing on offense the rest of the way. And after a critical error by Alvarez late in the game, the Pirates were trailing, 3-2, heading to the top of the ninth.
Neil Walker singled to start the inning, and after a strike out to Russell Martin, Tony Sanchez doubled to right-center. Walker was held at third, but the Pirates still had runners on second and third with one away.
But if you've been paying attention to the 2013 club, you'd know that its biggest Achilles heel is scoring runs, and the biggest symptom is a lack of production with runners in scoring position. In true form, Jordy Mercer lined out to third, and then Alex Presley ended things by weakly popping out to third.
It was a frustrating weekend, but the good news is the Pirates only lost a game in the standings to St. Louis, who lost two of three to the Cubs over the weekend.
The Diamondbacks, the only real threat right now to Pittsburgh's chances of making the playoffs, lost two of three to the Mets and are still 10 1/2 games back for the second wild card.
So, are Pirates fans beginning to panic? I'm sure they are. But I'm sure they were also panicking after the six of eight slide just before the All-Star break and the three of four slide in the days leading up to the epic five game series against the Cardinals.
Two weeks ago, the Pirates won their fourth straight game to improve to 23 games over .500--the first time they were that many games over .500 at that point in the summer since 1972. This weekend, Pittsburgh dropped three games to fall back to 23 above .500.
I think the Pirates will be fine.
Sidney Crosby gets superstar treatment at DMV, and people care way more than they should
In a story that could only make national (or since the NHL is God in Canada, sort of international) news in 2013 is the one involving Penguins superstar center Sidney Crosby's preferential treatment when he went to the DMV to get his license renewed.
Upon arriving at the DMV, he was quickly ushered to the front of the line. According to the link provided in the first paragraph, it was DMV supervisors who determined that it was the best course of action as to not create delays with people bothering Crosby for autographs and pictures, and not some diva-like demand by Crosby, himself.
In fact, it also states quite clearly that this is standard policy for most celebrities, so my guess is the only people reacting negatively to Crosby are the people who either didn't read the story or already hate him.
I think a little perspective is needed in this instance. Crosby didn't cut to the front of the line at Presby's emergency room. He didn't call up a Toys R Us and demand that every toy in the store be taken off the shelf so he could buy them and deprive every little kid in the neighborhood presents for Christmas.
You know what else Crosby didn't do? He didn't utter a racial slur at a Kenny Chensey concert. He isn't awaiting trial for the murder of Odin Lloyd. He didn't lie about using performance enhancing drugs and then fess up when he realized he had no other alternative.
Sidney Crosby is a good dude, and if your car is stuck in snow at the airport, he may just help shovel it out.
My, how quickly people forget.
Upon arriving at the DMV, he was quickly ushered to the front of the line. According to the link provided in the first paragraph, it was DMV supervisors who determined that it was the best course of action as to not create delays with people bothering Crosby for autographs and pictures, and not some diva-like demand by Crosby, himself.
In fact, it also states quite clearly that this is standard policy for most celebrities, so my guess is the only people reacting negatively to Crosby are the people who either didn't read the story or already hate him.
I think a little perspective is needed in this instance. Crosby didn't cut to the front of the line at Presby's emergency room. He didn't call up a Toys R Us and demand that every toy in the store be taken off the shelf so he could buy them and deprive every little kid in the neighborhood presents for Christmas.
You know what else Crosby didn't do? He didn't utter a racial slur at a Kenny Chensey concert. He isn't awaiting trial for the murder of Odin Lloyd. He didn't lie about using performance enhancing drugs and then fess up when he realized he had no other alternative.
Sidney Crosby is a good dude, and if your car is stuck in snow at the airport, he may just help shovel it out.
My, how quickly people forget.
Monday, August 5, 2013
My nightmare scenario about the Pirates clinching their first playoff spot in 21 seasons
The Pirates are currently in first place by two games over St. Louis in the National League Central Division. Considering the Cardinals have the second best record in baseball and have scored 46 runs in their past five games (or seven more than Pittsburgh did in June), it's safe to say the race for the division title could very-well come down to the last day of the regular season.
Thankfully, Major League Baseball has added four wild card entrants to the postseason mix over the course of the past 18 seasons (two in each league), and this has assured that teams who have the second or third best record in their league don't miss the postseason simply because of being in a loaded division.
As a fan of a team that hasn't given me much to cheer for during most of the past 20 years, I'm certainly thankful for a backup postseason plan in 2013, just in-case the Cardinals keep averaging nine runs a game the rest of the year.
Speaking of that backup plan. The Pirates currently hold an 11 game lead for the second National League wild-card spot--the biggest lead of any postseason consequence since the last day of the 1991 season, when Pittsburgh finished 14 games atop the National League East. I might be knocking on wood as I type this, but the idea of experiencing the playoffs for the first time since 1992 is becoming an almost "can't miss" possibility.
I have tickets to the last home game of the regular season on September 22nd, and I've had dreams of witnessing a division championship dancing in my head (in my dream, I catch Pedro Alvarez's Central-clinching home run and then sell it off for millions). That certainly would be epic and something I'd always remember, but with the race against St. Louis figuring to come down to the final days, it's hard to believe that the Pirates could win the division with six games left in the regular season.
As for clinching a postseason spot of any kind, however, with only 51 games to go and an 11 game lead, that is very tangible, and could happen well before the final home game.
In 2012, the Braves clinched the NL's top wild card spot on September 25th, or about a week before the end of the regular season, which ended on October 3rd. With Pittsburgh's current lead, and if the team can keep up the pace it's been on since the seventh game of the season (a .628 winning percentage), clinching one of the two wild-card spots could come as early as the mid-point of September.
That would be awesome, but what if that's all the Pirates get to celebrate in 2013? It's been 21 years since our favorite baseball team has been able to enjoy a postseason berth. To borrow from what Joey Porter said following Super Bowl XL, I want the bells and whistles; I want the parade--I guess a parade might be too much to ask for, but I do want the hats and t-shirts. Yes, that's right, you might be surprised to know that MLB handed out "Playoffs" hats and t-shirts to 2012's four wild-card clinching teams, even though the playoffs would only be "one and done" for two of them.
Did you click on the "Playoffs" link? Did you see the joy and the champagne in Oakland's clubhouse? I want that for the Pirates. I don't know if there was more champagne in the A's clubhouse a couple days later when they actually clinched the AL West, but the point is they got to celebrate at least one time.
My biggest fear is seeing the Pirates clinch their first postseason berth in 21 seasons on a day off, or God forbid, after a loss.
And look who's coming to PNC Park for a series in mid-September: San Diego. We all know what the Padres do to the Pirates in late-summer, they beat the living hell out of them.
I can just see the headline now: "Despite the 17-0 loss to San Diego, Pirates clinch first playoff spot since '92."
Would there be a celebration? Maybe. But more than likely, Hurdle would say something like, "We have bigger fish to fry," and then the guys would go out for sushi, or whatever.
There would be no celebratory scrum in the middle of PNC's diamond. There would be no hats and shirts covered in champagne.
What if those fish don't get fried, the Pirates don't actually clinch the division, and they go on to lose the "crap-shoot" NLDS play-in game?
I've been waiting for over two decades to see something.Even if it's only a bell and not a whistle, I want to ring that bell.
Thankfully, Major League Baseball has added four wild card entrants to the postseason mix over the course of the past 18 seasons (two in each league), and this has assured that teams who have the second or third best record in their league don't miss the postseason simply because of being in a loaded division.
As a fan of a team that hasn't given me much to cheer for during most of the past 20 years, I'm certainly thankful for a backup postseason plan in 2013, just in-case the Cardinals keep averaging nine runs a game the rest of the year.
Speaking of that backup plan. The Pirates currently hold an 11 game lead for the second National League wild-card spot--the biggest lead of any postseason consequence since the last day of the 1991 season, when Pittsburgh finished 14 games atop the National League East. I might be knocking on wood as I type this, but the idea of experiencing the playoffs for the first time since 1992 is becoming an almost "can't miss" possibility.
I have tickets to the last home game of the regular season on September 22nd, and I've had dreams of witnessing a division championship dancing in my head (in my dream, I catch Pedro Alvarez's Central-clinching home run and then sell it off for millions). That certainly would be epic and something I'd always remember, but with the race against St. Louis figuring to come down to the final days, it's hard to believe that the Pirates could win the division with six games left in the regular season.
As for clinching a postseason spot of any kind, however, with only 51 games to go and an 11 game lead, that is very tangible, and could happen well before the final home game.
In 2012, the Braves clinched the NL's top wild card spot on September 25th, or about a week before the end of the regular season, which ended on October 3rd. With Pittsburgh's current lead, and if the team can keep up the pace it's been on since the seventh game of the season (a .628 winning percentage), clinching one of the two wild-card spots could come as early as the mid-point of September.
That would be awesome, but what if that's all the Pirates get to celebrate in 2013? It's been 21 years since our favorite baseball team has been able to enjoy a postseason berth. To borrow from what Joey Porter said following Super Bowl XL, I want the bells and whistles; I want the parade--I guess a parade might be too much to ask for, but I do want the hats and t-shirts. Yes, that's right, you might be surprised to know that MLB handed out "Playoffs" hats and t-shirts to 2012's four wild-card clinching teams, even though the playoffs would only be "one and done" for two of them.
Did you click on the "Playoffs" link? Did you see the joy and the champagne in Oakland's clubhouse? I want that for the Pirates. I don't know if there was more champagne in the A's clubhouse a couple days later when they actually clinched the AL West, but the point is they got to celebrate at least one time.
My biggest fear is seeing the Pirates clinch their first postseason berth in 21 seasons on a day off, or God forbid, after a loss.
And look who's coming to PNC Park for a series in mid-September: San Diego. We all know what the Padres do to the Pirates in late-summer, they beat the living hell out of them.
I can just see the headline now: "Despite the 17-0 loss to San Diego, Pirates clinch first playoff spot since '92."
Would there be a celebration? Maybe. But more than likely, Hurdle would say something like, "We have bigger fish to fry," and then the guys would go out for sushi, or whatever.
There would be no celebratory scrum in the middle of PNC's diamond. There would be no hats and shirts covered in champagne.
What if those fish don't get fried, the Pirates don't actually clinch the division, and they go on to lose the "crap-shoot" NLDS play-in game?
I've been waiting for over two decades to see something.Even if it's only a bell and not a whistle, I want to ring that bell.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Burnett goes the distance, Pirates win Sunday to take weekend series against the Rockies
Now that's how you play against an inferior opponent. A.J. Burnett pitched a complete game, as the Pirates defeated Colorado, 5-1, Sunday afternoon, to take the rubber game of a three game weekend series at PNC Park.
It was Burnett's first complete game of 2013, and the Pirates second of the season (Francisco Liriano pitched a complete game in a 6-2 victory at Wrigley Field, in early July.
After Pittsburgh scored two runs in the first three innings on an RBI single by Andrew McCutchen and a sacrifice fly by Garrett Jones, catcher Russell Martin hit a three run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Burnett more cushion than he would need.
Burnett, a hard-luck pitcher this season after tallying 16 victories in 2012, improved to 5-7 with the win and lowered his ERA to 2.73.
After taking the first four games of a very memorable five-game home series against the Cardinals during the week, the Pirates fell to St. Louis, 13-0, Thursday night and then dropped the first game against the Rockies, Friday evening.
However, Liriano pitched seven solid innings, Saturday night, in a 5-2 victory, and Burnett did him even better on Sunday afternoon.
The Cardinals took two of three in Cincinnati over the week, so the Pirates maintained the one and a half game lead they built by taking four of five from St. Louis, earlier in the week.
Even though the Pirates are currently in first place in the the National League Central Division, it is worth noting that they also have an 11 game lead for the second Wild Card spot--their largest lead of any postseason importance since they finished the 1991 season 14 games up in the National League East.
The Pirates are off Monday, before opening a three game series against the Marlins, Tuesday night.
It was Burnett's first complete game of 2013, and the Pirates second of the season (Francisco Liriano pitched a complete game in a 6-2 victory at Wrigley Field, in early July.
After Pittsburgh scored two runs in the first three innings on an RBI single by Andrew McCutchen and a sacrifice fly by Garrett Jones, catcher Russell Martin hit a three run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Burnett more cushion than he would need.
Burnett, a hard-luck pitcher this season after tallying 16 victories in 2012, improved to 5-7 with the win and lowered his ERA to 2.73.
After taking the first four games of a very memorable five-game home series against the Cardinals during the week, the Pirates fell to St. Louis, 13-0, Thursday night and then dropped the first game against the Rockies, Friday evening.
However, Liriano pitched seven solid innings, Saturday night, in a 5-2 victory, and Burnett did him even better on Sunday afternoon.
The Cardinals took two of three in Cincinnati over the week, so the Pirates maintained the one and a half game lead they built by taking four of five from St. Louis, earlier in the week.
Even though the Pirates are currently in first place in the the National League Central Division, it is worth noting that they also have an 11 game lead for the second Wild Card spot--their largest lead of any postseason importance since they finished the 1991 season 14 games up in the National League East.
The Pirates are off Monday, before opening a three game series against the Marlins, Tuesday night.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Its nice to finally have a baseball team to stand up and fight for the fans
Being a fan of the Pirates over the past 20 seasons wasn't easy. In fact, it felt quite hopeless. From the ineptitude of the front office, to the disparity in financial resources, I didn't even feel like watching or paying attention to baseball, outside of the occasional Buccos game.
Nationally, Pirates fans were often reminded that it was all about the Yankees and Red Sox (the greatest rivalry in all of baseball, don't you know?), and our team wasn't exactly a VIP. Oh sure, we were at the party, but usually in the same sense that a butler is at a party--in other words, it was easy to feel totally alienated and out-of-touch if you called yourself a Pirates fan.
The home team certainly didn't help in that regard, especially with "acquisitions" like Derek Bell and Jeromy Burnitz.
Speaking of that hopeless feeling. We certainly had that as we watched Pittsburgh take on the cream of the crop and be totally embarrassed and owned by the other team's superstar. How many home runs did Albert Pujols hit against the Buccos when he was with St. Louis? Certainly enough to be forever ingrained in our minds.
It's a vulnerable feeling when your favorite baseball team is a laughingstock. Every personnel move seems like a disaster. Every quote from the front-office makes headline news, but for all the wrong reasons.
Today, things feel a lot different for me. These new and improved Pirates are certainly capable of ending that hopeless feeling, and they have a ton of fight in them.
We have a veteran pitcher in A.J. Burnett who will not only compete every time he's on the mound and so do rather effectively, he'll argue with the other team, the umpires and even his own manager. What does arguing and telling an opposing player to "sit the bleep down" have to do with anything tangible? Not much. But it's sure nice to have a player that's been around the block and isn't intimidated by the spotlight.
What is very tangible is an entire pitching staff that is capable of silencing the likes of a Pujols on a rather consistent basis.
The Pirates also have a superstar of their own in Andrew McCutchen, a player who, when he's on, he's as good an all-around player as anyone in the major leagues, and he's shown that he can carry his team on his back when he's at the top of his game.
And then, of course, there's Pedro Alvarez, a home run weapon, capable of hitting a baseball out of any stadium--and I almost mean that literally. Plus, he's had great success against two of the Pirates biggest tormentors in recent years, the Brewers and Cardinals, and has a combined 21 home runs in a little under three seasons.
Yes, it's certainly great to have a baseball team quite capable of standing toe-to-toe with anyone.
I don't feel so hopeless, these days. In fact, I feel like a VIP.
Nationally, Pirates fans were often reminded that it was all about the Yankees and Red Sox (the greatest rivalry in all of baseball, don't you know?), and our team wasn't exactly a VIP. Oh sure, we were at the party, but usually in the same sense that a butler is at a party--in other words, it was easy to feel totally alienated and out-of-touch if you called yourself a Pirates fan.
The home team certainly didn't help in that regard, especially with "acquisitions" like Derek Bell and Jeromy Burnitz.
Speaking of that hopeless feeling. We certainly had that as we watched Pittsburgh take on the cream of the crop and be totally embarrassed and owned by the other team's superstar. How many home runs did Albert Pujols hit against the Buccos when he was with St. Louis? Certainly enough to be forever ingrained in our minds.
It's a vulnerable feeling when your favorite baseball team is a laughingstock. Every personnel move seems like a disaster. Every quote from the front-office makes headline news, but for all the wrong reasons.
Today, things feel a lot different for me. These new and improved Pirates are certainly capable of ending that hopeless feeling, and they have a ton of fight in them.
We have a veteran pitcher in A.J. Burnett who will not only compete every time he's on the mound and so do rather effectively, he'll argue with the other team, the umpires and even his own manager. What does arguing and telling an opposing player to "sit the bleep down" have to do with anything tangible? Not much. But it's sure nice to have a player that's been around the block and isn't intimidated by the spotlight.
What is very tangible is an entire pitching staff that is capable of silencing the likes of a Pujols on a rather consistent basis.
The Pirates also have a superstar of their own in Andrew McCutchen, a player who, when he's on, he's as good an all-around player as anyone in the major leagues, and he's shown that he can carry his team on his back when he's at the top of his game.
And then, of course, there's Pedro Alvarez, a home run weapon, capable of hitting a baseball out of any stadium--and I almost mean that literally. Plus, he's had great success against two of the Pirates biggest tormentors in recent years, the Brewers and Cardinals, and has a combined 21 home runs in a little under three seasons.
Yes, it's certainly great to have a baseball team quite capable of standing toe-to-toe with anyone.
I don't feel so hopeless, these days. In fact, I feel like a VIP.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
With each victory, the Pirates are redefining what a collapse would look like
Two seasons ago, the Pirates were 53-47 on July 25th and tied for first place in the National League Central division. After finishing with just 57 wins the year before, they were the surprise of baseball. Unfortunately, instead of breaking 18 years of losing, Pittsburgh went on to lose 43 of its final 62 games and, not only fell well out of contention, finished with a losing record for a record 19th straight season.
In 2012, the Pirates started out even better.
On August 6th, after a 7-6 victory over the Diamondbacks at PNC Park, Pittsburgh was 63-47 and only two and a half games back of the Reds in the Central. Furthermore, they were a major player in the wild card race, along with the Cardinals and a few other teams.
From that point on, however, the Pirates went 16-36 to finish with a losing record for the 20th straight season. It was the latest that any team had ever been that many games over .500 before finishing with a losing record--in other words, the collapse was historic.
Thanks to the very depressing end to each of the past two seasons, Pirates fans, already beaten down by the first 18 losing seasons, are walking around with a sense of paranoia, waiting for the other shoe to drop--a shoe big enough to fit another historic collapse.
The only problem for Pirates fans is the team is so good right now (the best record in baseball at 64-42), it would take a 16-40 finish to have a 21st straight losing season.
I know the Pirates have been bad, but NOBODY's that bad. If Pittsburgh has that kind of finish and breaks its own historical record, the players in that clubhouse should all just retire because they would obviously have mental problems. Furthermore, every member of the front office--including gm Neal Huntington--should be fired on the spot and banned from baseball for life.
I may be knocking on wood as I type this, but I feel as if ending the losing streak is all but assured.....but that doesn't mean another collapse isn't possible.
The Pirates only have 56 games left. With 64 victories already in the bank, anything short of 85 wins would have to be considered a collapse. Think about it. In order to finish with 85 victories, Pittsburgh would have to go 21-35 the rest of the way......not exactly a great finish. Heck, if the Pirates simply play .500 ball down the stretch, they'll win 92 games.
Even if you would be happy with 85 wins (something we all would have signed up for in April), would you be happy with missing the playoffs?
I'll give you that winning the division at this point is far from a done deal (Pittsburgh is one and half games up on the Cardinals as of this writing),but a wild card seems all but assured. The Pirates currently lead Arizona by 10 games for the National League's second wild card spot.
If Pittsburgh finishes the year at 26-30, the Diamondbacks would have to go 36-20 just to finish in a tie. If the Pirates close the year by going 30-26, Arizona would have to go 40-16 to catch them.
While I want a division title above all else, at the bare minimum, I want at least on of those wildcard spots.
Sometimes, all a kid wants for Christmas is a toy under the tree. It doesn't matter what the toy is, or how much it costs, it's just what it represents. I know, at this moment, if the Pirates finish with a winning record but miss the playoffs, I would be very disappointed.
Forget about breaking the losing streak. It's playoffs or bust" for the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 2012, the Pirates started out even better.
On August 6th, after a 7-6 victory over the Diamondbacks at PNC Park, Pittsburgh was 63-47 and only two and a half games back of the Reds in the Central. Furthermore, they were a major player in the wild card race, along with the Cardinals and a few other teams.
From that point on, however, the Pirates went 16-36 to finish with a losing record for the 20th straight season. It was the latest that any team had ever been that many games over .500 before finishing with a losing record--in other words, the collapse was historic.
Thanks to the very depressing end to each of the past two seasons, Pirates fans, already beaten down by the first 18 losing seasons, are walking around with a sense of paranoia, waiting for the other shoe to drop--a shoe big enough to fit another historic collapse.
The only problem for Pirates fans is the team is so good right now (the best record in baseball at 64-42), it would take a 16-40 finish to have a 21st straight losing season.
I know the Pirates have been bad, but NOBODY's that bad. If Pittsburgh has that kind of finish and breaks its own historical record, the players in that clubhouse should all just retire because they would obviously have mental problems. Furthermore, every member of the front office--including gm Neal Huntington--should be fired on the spot and banned from baseball for life.
I may be knocking on wood as I type this, but I feel as if ending the losing streak is all but assured.....but that doesn't mean another collapse isn't possible.
The Pirates only have 56 games left. With 64 victories already in the bank, anything short of 85 wins would have to be considered a collapse. Think about it. In order to finish with 85 victories, Pittsburgh would have to go 21-35 the rest of the way......not exactly a great finish. Heck, if the Pirates simply play .500 ball down the stretch, they'll win 92 games.
Even if you would be happy with 85 wins (something we all would have signed up for in April), would you be happy with missing the playoffs?
I'll give you that winning the division at this point is far from a done deal (Pittsburgh is one and half games up on the Cardinals as of this writing),but a wild card seems all but assured. The Pirates currently lead Arizona by 10 games for the National League's second wild card spot.
If Pittsburgh finishes the year at 26-30, the Diamondbacks would have to go 36-20 just to finish in a tie. If the Pirates close the year by going 30-26, Arizona would have to go 40-16 to catch them.
While I want a division title above all else, at the bare minimum, I want at least on of those wildcard spots.
Sometimes, all a kid wants for Christmas is a toy under the tree. It doesn't matter what the toy is, or how much it costs, it's just what it represents. I know, at this moment, if the Pirates finish with a winning record but miss the playoffs, I would be very disappointed.
Forget about breaking the losing streak. It's playoffs or bust" for the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates.
No major deals at baseball's non-waiver trade deadline
Looks like it really is a "seller's market. Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline came and went at 4 p.m EST, Wednesday afternoon, and no deals of note were made. There had been many discussions in recent weeks about teams placing a higher value on their own young players and how the sellers were asking for a king's ransom, especially now that two extra wild card spots have been added to the postseason.
More teams are in the race (or think they are, anyway) and are less likely to want to sell at the deadline. And the teams that are really out of it--the Marlins and Astros of the world--have more leverage because more teams are shopping for the piece that will put them over the top.
Regarding the Pirates and what they would do at the deadline, many wondered if gm Neal Huntington would make a minor move or a major splash. A major splash like acquiring Miami's Giancarlo Stanton. But Stanton, 23, is one of the fastest players in baseball history to reach 100 home runs, and he'll be a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.
It would be very unlikely that Pittsburgh could re-sign Stanton, especially with Andrew McCutchen's contract extension set to kick in, and players the caliber of Pedro Alvarez approaching arbitration in the near future.
It would be one thing if Miami was willing to accept mid-to-lower level prospects for Stanton, but the Marlins wouldn't part ways with their superstar for anything less than one or both of Pittsburgh's top prospects, which would more than likely be pitcher Jameson Taillon and outfielder Gregory Polanco.
Both prospects are highly thought of and in the top 15 of MLB's top 100 prospects. In fact, both players have a chance to be with the big club next season. If Polanco even approaches the talent of a McCutchen, he's going to make the Pirates outfield one of the best in baseball.
The Pirates have done such a wonderful job of restocking their once barren farm system, and to trade two of their top prospects away for a player that would be around for little over a season would make little sense.
Other players mentioned as possibilities for the Pirates were outfielder Alex Rios of the White Sox and pitcher Bud Norris of the Astros--two nice pieces but probably not game-changers. But, again, because it's such a seller's market these days, Pittsburgh would have had to overpay for them.
Honestly, I don't know why any team would want to sell off its future for "now" anymore. In the 70's, 80's, and early 90's, when only four teams made the playoffs, and clinching a World Series meant winning two "best of" series, it made more sense to sell off the future for the present. But today, with the playoff field expanding by 60% since 1995, it makes more sense for a team to keep its homegrown talent and develop as much of it as possible.
It's quite conceivable that the Pirates will wind up with the second best record in baseball and still have to settle for a wild card. Would it really make a lot of sense to mortgage so much of their future and chance the outcome of a one-game playoff?
A team like the Pirates, with their young core and rapidly improving farm system, has a chance to remain contenders for a long time, especially with an extra wild card added to the mix.
The fact that very little happened around baseball at the deadline tells me that more teams are going to try to keep their young prospects, and I believe that levels the playing field for the small market teams.
If you can't buy a championship anymore, and you can't raid another organization to get one, you must develop from within.
Maybe I'm just being overly optimistic and a bit naive, but perhaps the gap between the large and small market teams is narrowing very rapidly.
A Pirates/Rays World Series? It never seemed more realistic than it does right now.
More teams are in the race (or think they are, anyway) and are less likely to want to sell at the deadline. And the teams that are really out of it--the Marlins and Astros of the world--have more leverage because more teams are shopping for the piece that will put them over the top.
Regarding the Pirates and what they would do at the deadline, many wondered if gm Neal Huntington would make a minor move or a major splash. A major splash like acquiring Miami's Giancarlo Stanton. But Stanton, 23, is one of the fastest players in baseball history to reach 100 home runs, and he'll be a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.
It would be very unlikely that Pittsburgh could re-sign Stanton, especially with Andrew McCutchen's contract extension set to kick in, and players the caliber of Pedro Alvarez approaching arbitration in the near future.
It would be one thing if Miami was willing to accept mid-to-lower level prospects for Stanton, but the Marlins wouldn't part ways with their superstar for anything less than one or both of Pittsburgh's top prospects, which would more than likely be pitcher Jameson Taillon and outfielder Gregory Polanco.
Both prospects are highly thought of and in the top 15 of MLB's top 100 prospects. In fact, both players have a chance to be with the big club next season. If Polanco even approaches the talent of a McCutchen, he's going to make the Pirates outfield one of the best in baseball.
The Pirates have done such a wonderful job of restocking their once barren farm system, and to trade two of their top prospects away for a player that would be around for little over a season would make little sense.
Other players mentioned as possibilities for the Pirates were outfielder Alex Rios of the White Sox and pitcher Bud Norris of the Astros--two nice pieces but probably not game-changers. But, again, because it's such a seller's market these days, Pittsburgh would have had to overpay for them.
Honestly, I don't know why any team would want to sell off its future for "now" anymore. In the 70's, 80's, and early 90's, when only four teams made the playoffs, and clinching a World Series meant winning two "best of" series, it made more sense to sell off the future for the present. But today, with the playoff field expanding by 60% since 1995, it makes more sense for a team to keep its homegrown talent and develop as much of it as possible.
It's quite conceivable that the Pirates will wind up with the second best record in baseball and still have to settle for a wild card. Would it really make a lot of sense to mortgage so much of their future and chance the outcome of a one-game playoff?
A team like the Pirates, with their young core and rapidly improving farm system, has a chance to remain contenders for a long time, especially with an extra wild card added to the mix.
The fact that very little happened around baseball at the deadline tells me that more teams are going to try to keep their young prospects, and I believe that levels the playing field for the small market teams.
If you can't buy a championship anymore, and you can't raid another organization to get one, you must develop from within.
Maybe I'm just being overly optimistic and a bit naive, but perhaps the gap between the large and small market teams is narrowing very rapidly.
A Pirates/Rays World Series? It never seemed more realistic than it does right now.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Pirates sweep double-header, take first three games of epic five game series against St. Louis
Am I dreaming? If I am, don't wake me. In what must seem like a "pinch me" moment for Pirates fans everywhere, the Buccos swept a double-header over St. Louis at PNC Park, Tuesday night, to not only take the first three games of a very important five game series, but also take first place in the National League Central division by one and a half games.
After winning in dominant fashion over the Cardinals, Monday night, Pittsburgh won the first game of Tuesday night's double-header, thanks to a one-out single by Alex Presley in the 11th inning that drove in Russell Martin for the 2-1 victory.
Veteran pitcher A.J. Burnett pitched seven outstanding innings, only yielding one run on three hits in a no-decision. The Pirates' bullpen continued its dominant ways, contributing four scoreless innings, as reliever Vin Mazzaro picked up the win.
In the night-cap, Brandon Cumpton, a call-up from triple AAA Indianapolis, pitched seven shut-out innings in a spot-start, as Pittsburgh dominated the Cardinals in a 6-0 victory.
Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run home run in the win, as Pittsburgh improved to a season high 22 games over .500 at 64-42--the first time the Pirates have been that many games over .500 since 1992. Not only does Pittsburgh now hold a one and a half game lead in the NL Central, in terms of the wild card, the lead is now up to 10 games, thanks to Arizona's loss to the Rays.
Before the series, any Pirates fan would have been happy with taking three games and gaining a game in the standings. Now, it's time to be stingy. A split in the next two games would assure gaining three games on the Cardinals in just four days.
So far in the series, the Pirates have outscored St. Louis, 17-3.
Just another "pinch me" moment in a "pinch me" kind of season for the Pirates.
After winning in dominant fashion over the Cardinals, Monday night, Pittsburgh won the first game of Tuesday night's double-header, thanks to a one-out single by Alex Presley in the 11th inning that drove in Russell Martin for the 2-1 victory.
Veteran pitcher A.J. Burnett pitched seven outstanding innings, only yielding one run on three hits in a no-decision. The Pirates' bullpen continued its dominant ways, contributing four scoreless innings, as reliever Vin Mazzaro picked up the win.
In the night-cap, Brandon Cumpton, a call-up from triple AAA Indianapolis, pitched seven shut-out innings in a spot-start, as Pittsburgh dominated the Cardinals in a 6-0 victory.
Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run home run in the win, as Pittsburgh improved to a season high 22 games over .500 at 64-42--the first time the Pirates have been that many games over .500 since 1992. Not only does Pittsburgh now hold a one and a half game lead in the NL Central, in terms of the wild card, the lead is now up to 10 games, thanks to Arizona's loss to the Rays.
Before the series, any Pirates fan would have been happy with taking three games and gaining a game in the standings. Now, it's time to be stingy. A split in the next two games would assure gaining three games on the Cardinals in just four days.
So far in the series, the Pirates have outscored St. Louis, 17-3.
Just another "pinch me" moment in a "pinch me" kind of season for the Pirates.
Pirates start epic series off with a bang, ground the Cardinals, 9-2, in opening game
Francisco Liriano, this year's A.J. Burnett but without the actual acknowledgement, pitched seven innings, striking out eight and walking two, as the Pirates defeated St. Louis, 9-2, Monday night, to open the important five game series at PNC Park.
Liriano improves to 11-4 on the season and has been one of the most incredible (if mostly under the radar) additions to the team in quite some time. There was much made about the acquisition of Burnett a season ago, and the contributions he made to the team, both on the field and in the clubhouse.
The fact is, Burnett was a Godsend, going 16-10 and mentoring many of the young Pirates players as they learned how to be professional major leaguers and compete in a pennant race.
However, as good as Burnett was a year ago, Liriano is even better this season. In addition to his 11-4 mark, Liriano also has a 2.16 ERA. And believe it or not, the experts on ESPN were actually including him in discussions for the National League Cy Young award.
In all fairness, pitching is often about luck and what your offense does the day you're on the mound. Speaking of Burnett, his ERA this season is 2.96, or over a half a point lower than it was in 2012. Unfortunately, he's been pitching on the days when the Pirates often anemic offense is really, really anemic. And if it's not the offense, it's the defense, like in Burnett's previous start in Washington last Thursday, when the defense committed three errors in a four run first inning in what would be a 9-7 loss. Burnett (4-7) didn't take the loss, but he sure deserved a better fate.
No, sometimes, it's all about being fortunate. Monday night, Liriano benefited from the much-maligned Pittsburgh offense getting off to a hot start. It helped that Jake Westbrook, now 1-8 lifetime against the Pirates, was the mound opponent. Nine pitches into the game, Pittsburgh had a 4-0 lead, thanks to a walk to Jose Tabata to start off the game, a hits batsmen on Neil Walker, a single by Andrew McCutchen and a three run bomb by Pedro Alvarez (now the National League home run leader with 27 bombs).
The Pirates tacked on five more runs in the bottom of the seventh, and the route was on.
The victory pulled Pittsburgh to within a half a game of the Cardinals in the National League Central and four and half games ahead of the Reds, who lost in San Diego, Monday night.
Burnett takes the mound in Game 1 of a double-header, Tuesday afternoon, and if all goes well, the Pirates could find themselves all alone in first place by night's end. .
Liriano improves to 11-4 on the season and has been one of the most incredible (if mostly under the radar) additions to the team in quite some time. There was much made about the acquisition of Burnett a season ago, and the contributions he made to the team, both on the field and in the clubhouse.
The fact is, Burnett was a Godsend, going 16-10 and mentoring many of the young Pirates players as they learned how to be professional major leaguers and compete in a pennant race.
However, as good as Burnett was a year ago, Liriano is even better this season. In addition to his 11-4 mark, Liriano also has a 2.16 ERA. And believe it or not, the experts on ESPN were actually including him in discussions for the National League Cy Young award.
In all fairness, pitching is often about luck and what your offense does the day you're on the mound. Speaking of Burnett, his ERA this season is 2.96, or over a half a point lower than it was in 2012. Unfortunately, he's been pitching on the days when the Pirates often anemic offense is really, really anemic. And if it's not the offense, it's the defense, like in Burnett's previous start in Washington last Thursday, when the defense committed three errors in a four run first inning in what would be a 9-7 loss. Burnett (4-7) didn't take the loss, but he sure deserved a better fate.
No, sometimes, it's all about being fortunate. Monday night, Liriano benefited from the much-maligned Pittsburgh offense getting off to a hot start. It helped that Jake Westbrook, now 1-8 lifetime against the Pirates, was the mound opponent. Nine pitches into the game, Pittsburgh had a 4-0 lead, thanks to a walk to Jose Tabata to start off the game, a hits batsmen on Neil Walker, a single by Andrew McCutchen and a three run bomb by Pedro Alvarez (now the National League home run leader with 27 bombs).
The Pirates tacked on five more runs in the bottom of the seventh, and the route was on.
The victory pulled Pittsburgh to within a half a game of the Cardinals in the National League Central and four and half games ahead of the Reds, who lost in San Diego, Monday night.
Burnett takes the mound in Game 1 of a double-header, Tuesday afternoon, and if all goes well, the Pirates could find themselves all alone in first place by night's end. .
Sunday, July 28, 2013
First weekend of Steelers training camp is in the books
The Steelers completed their first weekend of training camp without much hoopla, other than the usual fights, conditioning troubles and slight injury tweaks, and I don't have a feel for what the team is going to be all about in 2013, and neither does anyone else.
A lot of what happens for Pittsburgh this season will depend on many things such as injuries, age and how well the rookies and other young and mostly unproven players develop. It's a rather risky endeavor to depend on unproven players, especially rookies, but I've heard it said more than once that the Steelers are hoping that running back Le'Veon Bell, the team's second round pick, hits the ground running (no pun intended) and wins the starting job right off the bat.
That sentiment has merit, considering that most experts will tell you that making the transition from college to the pro game is probably easier for running backs than any other position.
However, it is worth noting that the Steelers and their fans were excited about rookie running backs each of the past three seasons--Jonathan Dwyer, Baron Batch and Chris Rainey--only to be disappointed by injuries, poor conditioning and an overall lack of production. And let's not forget, Bell's selection was seen as an underwhelming reach by many, especially with backs the caliber of Eddie Lacy still on the board.
I hope Bell does well, but I'm more excited about the prospects of receiver Markus Wheaton, the team's pick in the third round. No matter how much we love the ground game in Steeler Country, the NFL is a passing league, and you simply need big play receivers and tight ends in 2013 in order to make an impact on offense.
Fans want to downplay the loss of Mike Wallace and what he brought to the offense, but nobody was doing that pre-contract dispute when he was regarded as the best deep-threat in the NFL and had the body of work to back that up.
Is Wallace a complete receiver? No, but he was probably the best one the Steelers had over the past three seasons, and I really feel that he took the pressure off Antonio Brown, as defenses had to account for No. 17's over the top speed. If Wheaton can come in and be a break-out rookie, it would be HUGE for an offense that will also be missing Heath Miller at the beginning of the season due to the knee injury he suffered near the end of 2012.
With all that in mind, however, I truly believe the Steelers' 2013 season will come down to two things:
The ability to win the close games--Pittsburgh played in eight games where the margin of the final score was three points or less and finished with a record of 3-5 in those games. Bill Cowher used to say there was a fine-line between winning and losing in the NFL, and Mike Tomlin's teams have personified that sentiment. The Steelers won the majority of close games in 2011 and made the playoffs; a season ago, they missed the postseason by a game because they were on the wrong side of the line.
Another factor will be how Dick Lebeau's defense does in taking the football away. It's no secret that the Steelers have had one of the best defenses in the NFL over the past two seasons. But while the defense has been stout, it's been far from opportunistic, taking the football away a total of 36 times over the past two years.
In 2010, Pittsburgh took the football away 35 times in 16 games and made it all the way to the Super Bowl.
The Steelers' defense has been sorely lacking a playmaker. Whether it be a healthier Troy Polamalu, or another player, such as the dripping with potential Lawrence Timmons, someone is going to have to step up to make this defense more dynamic in 2013.
Maybe it'll be Jarvis Jones, but rookies never do well in Lebeau's sophisticated defense, right? Right?
The season kicks off in six weeks. Can't believe the offseason is pretty much over.
A lot of what happens for Pittsburgh this season will depend on many things such as injuries, age and how well the rookies and other young and mostly unproven players develop. It's a rather risky endeavor to depend on unproven players, especially rookies, but I've heard it said more than once that the Steelers are hoping that running back Le'Veon Bell, the team's second round pick, hits the ground running (no pun intended) and wins the starting job right off the bat.
That sentiment has merit, considering that most experts will tell you that making the transition from college to the pro game is probably easier for running backs than any other position.
However, it is worth noting that the Steelers and their fans were excited about rookie running backs each of the past three seasons--Jonathan Dwyer, Baron Batch and Chris Rainey--only to be disappointed by injuries, poor conditioning and an overall lack of production. And let's not forget, Bell's selection was seen as an underwhelming reach by many, especially with backs the caliber of Eddie Lacy still on the board.
I hope Bell does well, but I'm more excited about the prospects of receiver Markus Wheaton, the team's pick in the third round. No matter how much we love the ground game in Steeler Country, the NFL is a passing league, and you simply need big play receivers and tight ends in 2013 in order to make an impact on offense.
Fans want to downplay the loss of Mike Wallace and what he brought to the offense, but nobody was doing that pre-contract dispute when he was regarded as the best deep-threat in the NFL and had the body of work to back that up.
Is Wallace a complete receiver? No, but he was probably the best one the Steelers had over the past three seasons, and I really feel that he took the pressure off Antonio Brown, as defenses had to account for No. 17's over the top speed. If Wheaton can come in and be a break-out rookie, it would be HUGE for an offense that will also be missing Heath Miller at the beginning of the season due to the knee injury he suffered near the end of 2012.
With all that in mind, however, I truly believe the Steelers' 2013 season will come down to two things:
The ability to win the close games--Pittsburgh played in eight games where the margin of the final score was three points or less and finished with a record of 3-5 in those games. Bill Cowher used to say there was a fine-line between winning and losing in the NFL, and Mike Tomlin's teams have personified that sentiment. The Steelers won the majority of close games in 2011 and made the playoffs; a season ago, they missed the postseason by a game because they were on the wrong side of the line.
Another factor will be how Dick Lebeau's defense does in taking the football away. It's no secret that the Steelers have had one of the best defenses in the NFL over the past two seasons. But while the defense has been stout, it's been far from opportunistic, taking the football away a total of 36 times over the past two years.
In 2010, Pittsburgh took the football away 35 times in 16 games and made it all the way to the Super Bowl.
The Steelers' defense has been sorely lacking a playmaker. Whether it be a healthier Troy Polamalu, or another player, such as the dripping with potential Lawrence Timmons, someone is going to have to step up to make this defense more dynamic in 2013.
Maybe it'll be Jarvis Jones, but rookies never do well in Lebeau's sophisticated defense, right? Right?
The season kicks off in six weeks. Can't believe the offseason is pretty much over.
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