If this is John Van Benschoten's last chance to see if he can make it as a major-league pitcher, he certainly isn't making the most of that chance.
Van Benschoten, recalled Sunday when Matt Morris was released, made his first two appearances of the season the past two days against the Mets and looked unimpressive in both.
On Tuesday, he came into the game in the bottom of the 11th with the score tied at 4-4. A hit, a balk and two walks loaded the bases before David Wright's single won it. The only out he recorded was via sacrifice.
Wednesday wasn't much better. He was brought in this time in a blowout and gave up the only run the Pirates allowed all day, despite another walk-fest by Tom Gorzelanny. The only positive for Van Benschoten was that he struck out three in two innings.
Van Benschoten is out of minor-league options, meaning if he is sent down again he must clear waivers for the Pirates to keep him. As horrible as he's pitched in the majors, some team would likely pick up Van Benschoten to either pitch or turn him into a Rick Ankiel-type of player. After all, Van Benschoten was a tremendous power hitter at Kent State before the Pirates - in their infinite wisdom - made him a pitcher.
If he can't cut it this time, he's done. Pirates management, who have no real ties to Van Benschoten, should have made that crystal clear to him when he was recalled. If they did, he didn't get the message, at least so far.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Pirates-Mets rained out
Monday's game between the Pirates and New York Mets has been postponed because of rain.
The game has been rescheduled for Monday, Aug. 11 at 1:10 p.m. That day was to be a scheduled off day for both teams. The Pirates play in Philadelphia on the 10th and start a homestand Aug. 12 against Cincinnati. The Mets are home on the 10th and travel to Washington to start a series on the 12th.
Just a reminder that Tuesday's game, which was originally scheduled to be televised on FSN Pittsburgh will not be televised locally.
The game has been rescheduled for Monday, Aug. 11 at 1:10 p.m. That day was to be a scheduled off day for both teams. The Pirates play in Philadelphia on the 10th and start a homestand Aug. 12 against Cincinnati. The Mets are home on the 10th and travel to Washington to start a series on the 12th.
Just a reminder that Tuesday's game, which was originally scheduled to be televised on FSN Pittsburgh will not be televised locally.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Now, that's baseball
Baseball fans used to pay attention to pitching matchups: Koufax vs. Marichal; Carlton vs. Seaver; Clemens vs. The Big Unit.
In today's game, it's tough to find pitchers who fare consistently well on much of any basis. Two of them squared off today in San Diego, and thanks to KTAR radio in Phoenix, I was able to listen to Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks face Jake Peavy of the Padres in a battle between the National League's past two Cy Young Award winners.
Arizona catcher Chris Snyder's two-run homer in the second was all the D-Backs needed to allow Webb to improve to a sparkling 6-0, tying the record for most victories before May 1. Peavy pitched well, too, in the 2-1 loss.
As someone who always has respected good pitching (I couldn't hit a lick when I was a kid), I certainly enjoyed listening to a game that didn't seem like a bunch of guys taking batting practice. Of course, it was a National League contest, meaning no designated hitter.
Now, that's baseball!
Harry's trivia: Who will stand for all eternity as the last major-leaguer to pitch 300 innings in a season? (Hint: He's mentioned in this post.)
In today's game, it's tough to find pitchers who fare consistently well on much of any basis. Two of them squared off today in San Diego, and thanks to KTAR radio in Phoenix, I was able to listen to Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks face Jake Peavy of the Padres in a battle between the National League's past two Cy Young Award winners.
Arizona catcher Chris Snyder's two-run homer in the second was all the D-Backs needed to allow Webb to improve to a sparkling 6-0, tying the record for most victories before May 1. Peavy pitched well, too, in the 2-1 loss.
As someone who always has respected good pitching (I couldn't hit a lick when I was a kid), I certainly enjoyed listening to a game that didn't seem like a bunch of guys taking batting practice. Of course, it was a National League contest, meaning no designated hitter.
Now, that's baseball!
Harry's trivia: Who will stand for all eternity as the last major-leaguer to pitch 300 innings in a season? (Hint: He's mentioned in this post.)
Pirates release Morris
The Pirates released starting pitcher Matt Morris Sunday morning, cutting ties with the 33-year-old despite his hefty contract.
Morris, who was traded to the Pirates July 31 of last year for outfielder Rajai Davis and minor-league pitcher Stephen MacFarland, had been rocked all season. He had an 0-4 record with a 9.67 ERA. Morris lasted only 1 2/3 innings in his final start Saturday with the Pirates when he allowed six runs, three earned, and seven hits.
The Pirates are responsible for his $10,037,283 salary this season plus a $1 million buyout for 2009.
Morris was told of the news Sunday morning in a meeting with Pirates manager John Russell, general manager Neal Huntington and president Frank Coonelly. When he was asked to come to the meeting, Morris knew what news was coming.
"It's been difficult. I could feel it all coming to an end in a hurry," Morris said. "It's not what I planned. But it's best for the organization, best for the team. I've been a burden on the bullpen and it's been hard to deal with mentally.
"We sat down and came to a decision, I had some options, but felt this was the best decision."
Before coming to the Pirates Morris, an 11-year veteran, was a two-time National League All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001 and 2002. He has a lifetime record of 121-92 and an ERA of 3.97.
Huntington called the decision a "difficult" one, but said it was best for everyone to cut Morris at this time.
"We only hope that a number of out pitchers have the success in their careers that Matt's had," Huntington said. "But as we talk about strategically going forward, the best thing for Matt, the best thing for the other 24 guys in this clubhouse, the best thing for this organization, we realized this decision was the best step forward."
John Van Benschoten was recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis to Morris' spot on the roster. He was 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in five starts with the Indians.
Also, Phil Dumatrait, who had been the long reliever out of the bullpen, will take Morris' place in the rotation Thursday when the Pirates play in Washington.
Morris, who was traded to the Pirates July 31 of last year for outfielder Rajai Davis and minor-league pitcher Stephen MacFarland, had been rocked all season. He had an 0-4 record with a 9.67 ERA. Morris lasted only 1 2/3 innings in his final start Saturday with the Pirates when he allowed six runs, three earned, and seven hits.
The Pirates are responsible for his $10,037,283 salary this season plus a $1 million buyout for 2009.
Morris was told of the news Sunday morning in a meeting with Pirates manager John Russell, general manager Neal Huntington and president Frank Coonelly. When he was asked to come to the meeting, Morris knew what news was coming.
"It's been difficult. I could feel it all coming to an end in a hurry," Morris said. "It's not what I planned. But it's best for the organization, best for the team. I've been a burden on the bullpen and it's been hard to deal with mentally.
"We sat down and came to a decision, I had some options, but felt this was the best decision."
Before coming to the Pirates Morris, an 11-year veteran, was a two-time National League All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001 and 2002. He has a lifetime record of 121-92 and an ERA of 3.97.
Huntington called the decision a "difficult" one, but said it was best for everyone to cut Morris at this time.
"We only hope that a number of out pitchers have the success in their careers that Matt's had," Huntington said. "But as we talk about strategically going forward, the best thing for Matt, the best thing for the other 24 guys in this clubhouse, the best thing for this organization, we realized this decision was the best step forward."
John Van Benschoten was recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis to Morris' spot on the roster. He was 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in five starts with the Indians.
Also, Phil Dumatrait, who had been the long reliever out of the bullpen, will take Morris' place in the rotation Thursday when the Pirates play in Washington.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Freddy hates Freddy
Freddy Sanchez hates the person he’s become.
He’s unhappy. He’s frustrated. He’s irritable.
And it’s not just at work. His mood has affected him so much he’s taking his frustrations home with him instead of leaving them at the ballpark.
Sanchez knows things have to change. He’s hopeful that some day very soon they will change.
All he has to do is get a couple of more base hits.
“I don’t like the person I’ve become because I’m not playing well,” Sanchez said.
It may seem a bit trivial to the average person, to let something like a couple of base hits affect someone so much. But hitting is a big part of Sanchez’s job, and like anyone else sometimes work frustrations don’t just stay at work.
It’s to the point now where Sanchez, who after a 7-for-40 slump has seen his average dip from .256 to .213 heading into Saturday’s game with Philadelphia, is wound so tight and so frustrated about his start that an explanation has left the 30-year-old second baseman virtually speechless.
“I’m just not seeing the ball well … I don’t know, I just don’t know,” Sanchez said. “I’ve tried different stances, different mentalities, I’ve tried … it’s just not clicking. For whatever reason it’s just not clicking.”
Throughout his career Sanchez, the 2006 National League batting champion who has batted .344 and .304 the last two seasons, has had his worst month statistically over his career in April. He is a career .272 in April, but the average skyrockets to .331 in May and .325 in June.
Pirates manager John Russell has no thoughts about dropping Sanchez in the order nor does he say that the shoulder injury Sanchez had in spring training is affecting his swing.
“Freddy’s pressing a little bit,” Russell said. “I know he wants to contribute. It’s eating at him a little bit that he’s not contributing right now. He’s going to be fine.”
Part of Sanchez’s problem, according to Russell, is also one of his strengths which is why this skid has been harder to get out of than others.
Sanchez isn’t the most patient hitter on the team, or in the league for that matter. His career high for walks in a season is 32, which came last year. Thing is, that was over almost 650 plate appearances, a low amount for anybody but particularly one who usually hits so high in the order.
He also swings at a lot of the balls out of the strike zone, but when Sanchez is going good he hits a lot of those balls, usually for base hits.
“He’s trying to be more selective,” Russell said. “Once he gets into that mentality where he feels comfortable, then he will hit some of the balls he’s missing now.
“He reminds me of Kirby Puckett, though Puckett obviously had more power,” Russell continued. “Puckett was a great bad-ball hitter. He was tough to pitch to because he could hit balls out of the zone and get hits and Freddy can do that.”
Sanchez admits the slow start and coinciding slump are more mental than anything else.
“I’ve tried too hard over the past few weeks to do too much and I’ve made more problems for myself,” Sanchez said. “I just have to change that. I just have to go up with the approach that whatever is going to happen is going to happen.”
The pressure to perform on the field can be enormous. Add to that a new multi-year contract worth as much as $18.5 million that Sanchez signed in the offseason and that puts even more pressure on him to perform.
This start and slump has been hard to deal with for Sanchez. It’s changed him as a person. Now that he realizes that, it’s time to make another change on, and off the field.
“No one’s more frustrated than me,” Sanchez said. “When you start taking it home with you and being the person that I’m not and that I don’t want to be, that’s when I know I’ve got to take a step back and realize what’s important.”
He’s unhappy. He’s frustrated. He’s irritable.
And it’s not just at work. His mood has affected him so much he’s taking his frustrations home with him instead of leaving them at the ballpark.
Sanchez knows things have to change. He’s hopeful that some day very soon they will change.
All he has to do is get a couple of more base hits.
“I don’t like the person I’ve become because I’m not playing well,” Sanchez said.
It may seem a bit trivial to the average person, to let something like a couple of base hits affect someone so much. But hitting is a big part of Sanchez’s job, and like anyone else sometimes work frustrations don’t just stay at work.
It’s to the point now where Sanchez, who after a 7-for-40 slump has seen his average dip from .256 to .213 heading into Saturday’s game with Philadelphia, is wound so tight and so frustrated about his start that an explanation has left the 30-year-old second baseman virtually speechless.
“I’m just not seeing the ball well … I don’t know, I just don’t know,” Sanchez said. “I’ve tried different stances, different mentalities, I’ve tried … it’s just not clicking. For whatever reason it’s just not clicking.”
Throughout his career Sanchez, the 2006 National League batting champion who has batted .344 and .304 the last two seasons, has had his worst month statistically over his career in April. He is a career .272 in April, but the average skyrockets to .331 in May and .325 in June.
Pirates manager John Russell has no thoughts about dropping Sanchez in the order nor does he say that the shoulder injury Sanchez had in spring training is affecting his swing.
“Freddy’s pressing a little bit,” Russell said. “I know he wants to contribute. It’s eating at him a little bit that he’s not contributing right now. He’s going to be fine.”
Part of Sanchez’s problem, according to Russell, is also one of his strengths which is why this skid has been harder to get out of than others.
Sanchez isn’t the most patient hitter on the team, or in the league for that matter. His career high for walks in a season is 32, which came last year. Thing is, that was over almost 650 plate appearances, a low amount for anybody but particularly one who usually hits so high in the order.
He also swings at a lot of the balls out of the strike zone, but when Sanchez is going good he hits a lot of those balls, usually for base hits.
“He’s trying to be more selective,” Russell said. “Once he gets into that mentality where he feels comfortable, then he will hit some of the balls he’s missing now.
“He reminds me of Kirby Puckett, though Puckett obviously had more power,” Russell continued. “Puckett was a great bad-ball hitter. He was tough to pitch to because he could hit balls out of the zone and get hits and Freddy can do that.”
Sanchez admits the slow start and coinciding slump are more mental than anything else.
“I’ve tried too hard over the past few weeks to do too much and I’ve made more problems for myself,” Sanchez said. “I just have to change that. I just have to go up with the approach that whatever is going to happen is going to happen.”
The pressure to perform on the field can be enormous. Add to that a new multi-year contract worth as much as $18.5 million that Sanchez signed in the offseason and that puts even more pressure on him to perform.
This start and slump has been hard to deal with for Sanchez. It’s changed him as a person. Now that he realizes that, it’s time to make another change on, and off the field.
“No one’s more frustrated than me,” Sanchez said. “When you start taking it home with you and being the person that I’m not and that I don’t want to be, that’s when I know I’ve got to take a step back and realize what’s important.”
Friday, April 25, 2008
Will Utley be the best ever?
Since Philadelphia's Chase Utley is in town this weekend, this would be a good time to bring up a discussion about good offensive second baseman. It was recently suggested by ESPN's Joe Morgan, an outstanding all-around second baseman in his own right, that Utley had the chance to be the best offensive second baseman of all time.
There is some merit to that proclamation. Utley has had some incredible stats for any position, not just second baseman, since he came into the league in 2003. Before Friday's game, Utley has 107 career home runs, including 10 already this season, and 429 RBI. Over the last three seasons, Utley has averaged more than 27 home runs and 103 RBI and batted .310 over that time.
If the 29-year-old can keep up this pace then yes, he has a chance to be ONE OF the best offensive second baseman of all time, but it will be very hard to become the best.
That claim still has to go to Rogers Hornsby. Now, very few people alive today ever saw Hornsby play, after all he retired in 1937. But there is little doubt in my mind that Hornsby wasn’t the best offensive second baseman ever.
Hornsby won seven batting championships. He hit 301 home runs during a time when the ballparks were a lot bigger than they are today. He also had 1,584 runs batted in and a .358 career batting average which included four seasons of .400 or better.
Hornsby also had one of the best offensive seasons for any player at any position. In 1922, Hornsby batted .401 with 250 hits. He had 46 doubles, 14 triples, 42 home runs, 152 RBI, 141 runs scored, 17 stolen bases and, for all of you Sabermetric statheads out there, an OPS of 1.188. He did all of that in 154 games.
There can be cases made for a number of other great offensive second basemen as well. Morgan, for example, won two Most Valuable Player awards with the Big Red Machine in the 1970’s and hit 268 home runs.
Nap Lajoie, a contemporary of Hornsby’s, won three batting titles and was the sixth player ever to be elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Some of the players I grew up watching included Ryne Sandberg, who had 282 home runs, including 40 in 1990, and 1,061 RBI. Roberto Alomar was an outstanding offensive second baseman during his career, and current player Jeff Kent has the most home runs ever for a second baseman with 368.
Utley is good, very good actually. But he has a lot more work ahead of him to be the best offensive second baseman ever.
There is some merit to that proclamation. Utley has had some incredible stats for any position, not just second baseman, since he came into the league in 2003. Before Friday's game, Utley has 107 career home runs, including 10 already this season, and 429 RBI. Over the last three seasons, Utley has averaged more than 27 home runs and 103 RBI and batted .310 over that time.
If the 29-year-old can keep up this pace then yes, he has a chance to be ONE OF the best offensive second baseman of all time, but it will be very hard to become the best.
That claim still has to go to Rogers Hornsby. Now, very few people alive today ever saw Hornsby play, after all he retired in 1937. But there is little doubt in my mind that Hornsby wasn’t the best offensive second baseman ever.
Hornsby won seven batting championships. He hit 301 home runs during a time when the ballparks were a lot bigger than they are today. He also had 1,584 runs batted in and a .358 career batting average which included four seasons of .400 or better.
Hornsby also had one of the best offensive seasons for any player at any position. In 1922, Hornsby batted .401 with 250 hits. He had 46 doubles, 14 triples, 42 home runs, 152 RBI, 141 runs scored, 17 stolen bases and, for all of you Sabermetric statheads out there, an OPS of 1.188. He did all of that in 154 games.
There can be cases made for a number of other great offensive second basemen as well. Morgan, for example, won two Most Valuable Player awards with the Big Red Machine in the 1970’s and hit 268 home runs.
Nap Lajoie, a contemporary of Hornsby’s, won three batting titles and was the sixth player ever to be elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Some of the players I grew up watching included Ryne Sandberg, who had 282 home runs, including 40 in 1990, and 1,061 RBI. Roberto Alomar was an outstanding offensive second baseman during his career, and current player Jeff Kent has the most home runs ever for a second baseman with 368.
Utley is good, very good actually. But he has a lot more work ahead of him to be the best offensive second baseman ever.
Good start, bad start
A guy named Cliff Lee who pitches up in Cleveland is putting up ridiculous numbers. They'd have been ridiculous in the Dead Ball Era.
Lee is off to a 4-0 start this season. He has given up 11 hits, walked only two batters and surrendered a lone earned run, making his ERA a beyond-minuscule 0.28.
If you haven't heard of Cliff Lee, he's not exactly a household name, even after the Indians' playoff run last year. Following a 14-win season in 2006, he spent much of '07 in the minors, and his future in Cleveland was in doubt entering this spring.
The Indians as a whole are off to a disappointing start, especially reigning AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia. He did put in a six-inning, 11-strikeout, no-earned-run performance against Kansas City on Tuesday for his first win of the year. That stellar outing dropped his season ERA to 10.12; he'd given up nine earned runs in each of his previous two starts.
The two Cleveland pitchers might have similar numbers by the end of the year. But for now, they're at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Another good start, and Sabathia will have a better earned-run average than Pittsburgh's Matt Morris. The team's highest-paid pitcher is up to 9.15, which, of course, represents more than one earned run per inning. And almost one earned run per million dollars he earns.
Bruce Brown's trivia: The answer to yesterday's question is Doug DeCinces, whom Pirates fans may remember as playing for the Orioles against Pittsburgh in the '79 World Series.
Today, Bruce asks: What future Rookie of the Year winner was released by the Dodgers in 1978 after having spinal fusion surgery? (Hint: He was the first manager of the Schaumburg Flyers.)
Lee is off to a 4-0 start this season. He has given up 11 hits, walked only two batters and surrendered a lone earned run, making his ERA a beyond-minuscule 0.28.
If you haven't heard of Cliff Lee, he's not exactly a household name, even after the Indians' playoff run last year. Following a 14-win season in 2006, he spent much of '07 in the minors, and his future in Cleveland was in doubt entering this spring.
The Indians as a whole are off to a disappointing start, especially reigning AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia. He did put in a six-inning, 11-strikeout, no-earned-run performance against Kansas City on Tuesday for his first win of the year. That stellar outing dropped his season ERA to 10.12; he'd given up nine earned runs in each of his previous two starts.
The two Cleveland pitchers might have similar numbers by the end of the year. But for now, they're at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Another good start, and Sabathia will have a better earned-run average than Pittsburgh's Matt Morris. The team's highest-paid pitcher is up to 9.15, which, of course, represents more than one earned run per inning. And almost one earned run per million dollars he earns.
Bruce Brown's trivia: The answer to yesterday's question is Doug DeCinces, whom Pirates fans may remember as playing for the Orioles against Pittsburgh in the '79 World Series.
Today, Bruce asks: What future Rookie of the Year winner was released by the Dodgers in 1978 after having spinal fusion surgery? (Hint: He was the first manager of the Schaumburg Flyers.)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Pirates-Phillies: Here's what to look for
Here are some trends to keep an eye on this weekend during the Pirates series at home against the Philadelphia Phillies (Hint: Could be a number of strikeouts for Philly's Geoff Jenkins):
Friday: Zach Duke (Pittsburgh) vs. Adam Eaton (Philadelphia):
Adam LaRoche is 3-for-6 against Eaton. ... Ryan Howard is 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Duke. ... Jenkins has struck out seven times in 12 at bats.
Saturday: Matt Morris (Pittsburgh) vs. Kyle Kendrick (Philadelphia):
Nate McLouth (solo home run), Freddy Sanchez and LaRoche are the only Pirates to have a hit off Kendrick and each has only one. … Jenkins has seven RBI against Morris but has struck out 10 times. ... Pat Burrell is 7-for-21 with a home run and five RBI.
Sunday: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh) vs. Brett Myers (Philadelphia):
Jason Bay is 5-for-10 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI against Myers. ... Xavier Nady is 3-for-8 with a home run and two RBI. ... Burrell is 3-for-9 with a home run and four RBI against Maholm while So Taguchi is 7-for-12.
Friday: Zach Duke (Pittsburgh) vs. Adam Eaton (Philadelphia):
Adam LaRoche is 3-for-6 against Eaton. ... Ryan Howard is 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Duke. ... Jenkins has struck out seven times in 12 at bats.
Saturday: Matt Morris (Pittsburgh) vs. Kyle Kendrick (Philadelphia):
Nate McLouth (solo home run), Freddy Sanchez and LaRoche are the only Pirates to have a hit off Kendrick and each has only one. … Jenkins has seven RBI against Morris but has struck out 10 times. ... Pat Burrell is 7-for-21 with a home run and five RBI.
Sunday: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh) vs. Brett Myers (Philadelphia):
Jason Bay is 5-for-10 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI against Myers. ... Xavier Nady is 3-for-8 with a home run and two RBI. ... Burrell is 3-for-9 with a home run and four RBI against Maholm while So Taguchi is 7-for-12.
TV Schedule changes
For those you with a Pirates television schedule, take note of these changes on FSN Pittsburgh.
Games added to the schedule are May 3, June 22, July 26 and August 16.
Games removed from the schedule are April 29, August 8, August 14 and August 23.
Games added to the schedule are May 3, June 22, July 26 and August 16.
Games removed from the schedule are April 29, August 8, August 14 and August 23.
Quiet, but effective
Middle relief pitchers are like offensive linemen in football, you usually don't hear about them unless they do something wrong.
Most middle relievers are kind of quiet, unassuming guys anyway who go out and do their jobs without a lot of fanfare.
John Grabow fits the classic middle reliever role perfectly. It's a little hard to believe this is Grabow's fifth full season in the majors. Over that time the left-handed Grabow has become one of the top set-up men in the National League, regardless of which side he throws from.
This season, Grabow has taken his excellence to another level. Heading into Thursday's game with St. Louis, Grabow has not allowed a run in 12 appearances this season over 11 2/3 innings.
Grabow used to be more of a situational pitcher used the majority of the time against left-handed batters. This season, Pirates manager John Russell is using Grabow against both equally and Grabow has responded. He has held left-handed batters to a .143 batting average (2-for-14) and righties to a .167 average against (5-for-30).
Though Grabw has a good changeup, he said the difference this season has been an improvement on his fastball, moreso in location than velocity.
"I worked on getting ahead with my fastball and keeping my fastball down," Grabow said before Thursday's game. "Just working off that pitch which makes other pitches more effective. If you're ahead in the count, it's easier to get to those pitches."
Who knows how much longer Grabow's scoreless innings streak will last? However long it does, he's just enjoying it while it happens.
"I'm just trying to ride it," Grabow said. "These things don't always last that long and I'm just trying to enjoy it."
Most middle relievers are kind of quiet, unassuming guys anyway who go out and do their jobs without a lot of fanfare.
John Grabow fits the classic middle reliever role perfectly. It's a little hard to believe this is Grabow's fifth full season in the majors. Over that time the left-handed Grabow has become one of the top set-up men in the National League, regardless of which side he throws from.
This season, Grabow has taken his excellence to another level. Heading into Thursday's game with St. Louis, Grabow has not allowed a run in 12 appearances this season over 11 2/3 innings.
Grabow used to be more of a situational pitcher used the majority of the time against left-handed batters. This season, Pirates manager John Russell is using Grabow against both equally and Grabow has responded. He has held left-handed batters to a .143 batting average (2-for-14) and righties to a .167 average against (5-for-30).
Though Grabw has a good changeup, he said the difference this season has been an improvement on his fastball, moreso in location than velocity.
"I worked on getting ahead with my fastball and keeping my fastball down," Grabow said before Thursday's game. "Just working off that pitch which makes other pitches more effective. If you're ahead in the count, it's easier to get to those pitches."
Who knows how much longer Grabow's scoreless innings streak will last? However long it does, he's just enjoying it while it happens.
"I'm just trying to ride it," Grabow said. "These things don't always last that long and I'm just trying to enjoy it."
The South's gonna do it again
My colleague Brad Hundt, who went to graduate school in the Atlanta area and is a Braves fan, sent me this tidbit about what happened when a Pirates fan attended a game at Turner Field:
Opposing fan assaulted at Braves game, Police seek rowdy fans who broke jaw of Pirates fan
Brad says, "Maybe I should be careful when I wear my Braves cap to PNC Park in a couple of weeks."
I think you'll be OK, Brad. You won't be around a bunch of Jo-ja rednecks who still are fighting the War of Northern Aggression ...
Bruce Brown's trivia
The answer to yesterday's question is none other than Reginald Martinez Jackson, who also put his name on a heck of a good candy bar in the '70s.
Today's questions: Who replaced Brooks Robinson at third base for the Orioles and was later traded to the Angels to make way for Cal Ripken Jr.?
Hint: He is a member of the Pierce College (Los Angeles) Hall of Fame.
Opposing fan assaulted at Braves game, Police seek rowdy fans who broke jaw of Pirates fan
Brad says, "Maybe I should be careful when I wear my Braves cap to PNC Park in a couple of weeks."
I think you'll be OK, Brad. You won't be around a bunch of Jo-ja rednecks who still are fighting the War of Northern Aggression ...
Bruce Brown's trivia
The answer to yesterday's question is none other than Reginald Martinez Jackson, who also put his name on a heck of a good candy bar in the '70s.
Today's questions: Who replaced Brooks Robinson at third base for the Orioles and was later traded to the Angels to make way for Cal Ripken Jr.?
Hint: He is a member of the Pierce College (Los Angeles) Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wilson progressing slowly
Pirates manager John Russell said during his pre-game meeting with reporters that shortstop Jack Wilson is progressing slowly in his rehabilitation in Bradenton, Fla.
Wilson, on the disabled list since April 4 with a strained left calf, is "feeling a little better every day" according to Russell and that the stiffness in the calf is lessening a little each day.
Russell said Wilson probably won't go out to play minor-league games until "mid to late next week." He will do so in either Class AA Altoona or Class AAA Indianapolis.
As of right now, Wilson is still only taking batting practice off the coaching staff. Russell cautioned that the organization doesn't want Wilson to come back too quickly for fear he might aggravate the injury.
"We'll see how it goes before we get him actual at bats," Russell said. "We don't want him coming out of the box too quickly and straining it a little bit."
Assuming Wilson plays in minor-league games late next week, that would likely put his return to the major-league club at around the beginning of the next homestand, May 6, against San Francisco.
Wilson, on the disabled list since April 4 with a strained left calf, is "feeling a little better every day" according to Russell and that the stiffness in the calf is lessening a little each day.
Russell said Wilson probably won't go out to play minor-league games until "mid to late next week." He will do so in either Class AA Altoona or Class AAA Indianapolis.
As of right now, Wilson is still only taking batting practice off the coaching staff. Russell cautioned that the organization doesn't want Wilson to come back too quickly for fear he might aggravate the injury.
"We'll see how it goes before we get him actual at bats," Russell said. "We don't want him coming out of the box too quickly and straining it a little bit."
Assuming Wilson plays in minor-league games late next week, that would likely put his return to the major-league club at around the beginning of the next homestand, May 6, against San Francisco.
Pirates-Cardinals: Here's what to look for
Here are some trends to keep an eye on this week during the Pirates series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals (Hint: Could be another bad series for the Pirates):
St. Louis has the most wins of any opponent at PNC Park. The Cardinals are 41-17 lifetime at PNC Park. The only year the Pirates had a winning record against the Cardinals at home was 2006 (5-4).
Wednesday: Ian Snell (Pittsburgh) vs. Todd Wellemeyer (St. Louis):
Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino is 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against Wellemeyer. ... Jason Bay is 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. Wellemeyer has 11 strikeouts and three walks against the current Pirates' roster. ... Albert Pujols is 9-for-16 with two doubles, four home runs and seven RBI off Snell. ... Yadier Molina (.385, one HR), Chris Duncan (.267, one HR) and Cesar Izturis (.300) have also hit well of Snell.
Thursday: Tom Gorzelanny (Pittsburgh) vs. Joel Pineiro (St. Louis):
Bay and Xavier Nady have each homered off Pineiro and are a combined 5-for-13 lifetime against him. ... The three ex-American League players (Doug Mientkiewicz, Luis Rivas and Chris Gomez) each have at least 18 at bats against Pineiro, who used to pitch with Seattle, and all three have had moderate success against him. Mientkiewicz is 7-for-25 with two doubles, Rivas is 5-for-22 with a double and a triple and Gomez is 6-for-18 with two doubled and a triple. ... While Pujols is only 3-for-13 off Gorzelanny, light-hitting second baseman Aaron Miles if 6-for-9. ... Rick Ankiel is also 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
St. Louis has the most wins of any opponent at PNC Park. The Cardinals are 41-17 lifetime at PNC Park. The only year the Pirates had a winning record against the Cardinals at home was 2006 (5-4).
Wednesday: Ian Snell (Pittsburgh) vs. Todd Wellemeyer (St. Louis):
Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino is 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against Wellemeyer. ... Jason Bay is 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. Wellemeyer has 11 strikeouts and three walks against the current Pirates' roster. ... Albert Pujols is 9-for-16 with two doubles, four home runs and seven RBI off Snell. ... Yadier Molina (.385, one HR), Chris Duncan (.267, one HR) and Cesar Izturis (.300) have also hit well of Snell.
Thursday: Tom Gorzelanny (Pittsburgh) vs. Joel Pineiro (St. Louis):
Bay and Xavier Nady have each homered off Pineiro and are a combined 5-for-13 lifetime against him. ... The three ex-American League players (Doug Mientkiewicz, Luis Rivas and Chris Gomez) each have at least 18 at bats against Pineiro, who used to pitch with Seattle, and all three have had moderate success against him. Mientkiewicz is 7-for-25 with two doubles, Rivas is 5-for-22 with a double and a triple and Gomez is 6-for-18 with two doubled and a triple. ... While Pujols is only 3-for-13 off Gorzelanny, light-hitting second baseman Aaron Miles if 6-for-9. ... Rick Ankiel is also 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
Oh, no!
I didn't particularly like the Pirates game last night.
Nate McLouth, the team's lone bright spot this season, suffered through his first hitless game of '08. Not only that, he was called out trying to steal second when he clearly was safe.
And the Pirates' pitching staff gave up only two runs. I was looking for another 10-plus outing, to keep that earned-run average floating skyward.
If you're going to be bad, you may as well do it on an historic level!
Bruce Brown's trivia: Which player went to high school with the brother of an Israeli Prime Minister? (Hint: Mount St. Helens famously erupted on his 34th birthday.)
Nate McLouth, the team's lone bright spot this season, suffered through his first hitless game of '08. Not only that, he was called out trying to steal second when he clearly was safe.
And the Pirates' pitching staff gave up only two runs. I was looking for another 10-plus outing, to keep that earned-run average floating skyward.
If you're going to be bad, you may as well do it on an historic level!
Bruce Brown's trivia: Which player went to high school with the brother of an Israeli Prime Minister? (Hint: Mount St. Helens famously erupted on his 34th birthday.)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Looks like a trip to Cabela's
Moments after I finished talking with Doug Mientkiewicz after Tuesday's 3-2 win about his barehanded play to get Hanley Ramirez with the third out, I was walking out of the clubhouse when I stopped and saw Adam LaRoche, who picked the ball cleanly to record the out.
In case you missed it, Florida was down 3-2 with two outs and runners on first and third. Ramirez hit a slow roller to Mientkiewicz, making his second career start at third base. On the last homestand, Mientkiewicz made his first career start at third and said he "didn't want to embarrass the family."
He didn't then, nor on Tuesday either.
Mientkiewicz charged the grounder, fielded it barehanded and threw to LaRoche, who picked the ball cleanly. On a bang-bang play, Ramirez was called out. Had he been called safe, the game would have been tied.
During his lone postgame interview with yours truly, Mientkiewicz gave all of the credit to LaRoche. Before I had a chance to talk with LaRoche myself, Mientkiewicz looked over and said to the Pirates' first baseman "I owe you some camo (camouflage) for that one."
In case you missed it, Florida was down 3-2 with two outs and runners on first and third. Ramirez hit a slow roller to Mientkiewicz, making his second career start at third base. On the last homestand, Mientkiewicz made his first career start at third and said he "didn't want to embarrass the family."
He didn't then, nor on Tuesday either.
Mientkiewicz charged the grounder, fielded it barehanded and threw to LaRoche, who picked the ball cleanly. On a bang-bang play, Ramirez was called out. Had he been called safe, the game would have been tied.
During his lone postgame interview with yours truly, Mientkiewicz gave all of the credit to LaRoche. Before I had a chance to talk with LaRoche myself, Mientkiewicz looked over and said to the Pirates' first baseman "I owe you some camo (camouflage) for that one."
Teke: Don't give up yet
Kent Tekulve admits we've heard it all before.
But the former Pirates relief great says that after 15 straight losing seasons, the current team has the talent to do much better. It just needs to put everything together.
Teke spoke Tuesday to members of the Rotary Club of Washington, reassuring them that it's early in the season and the Pirates' poor showing so far can be attributed in part to a tough schedule. After serving as an advance scout for Pittsburgh and seeing other teams around the National League, he likes the Pirates' chances in the long run.
Click here for video highlights of his talk.
But the former Pirates relief great says that after 15 straight losing seasons, the current team has the talent to do much better. It just needs to put everything together.
Teke spoke Tuesday to members of the Rotary Club of Washington, reassuring them that it's early in the season and the Pirates' poor showing so far can be attributed in part to a tough schedule. After serving as an advance scout for Pittsburgh and seeing other teams around the National League, he likes the Pirates' chances in the long run.
Click here for video highlights of his talk.
If not now, when?
Before Tuesday's game with the Marlins, Pirates manager John Russell was asked how he and the team are dealing with the adversity of their current six-game losing streak.
"You can't push the panic button, saying 'It's a must-win, we have to win,'" Russell said. For all of the years I played and all of the years I managed the only must-win games are the ones when you're facing elimination at the end of the season."
That may be true for good teams and winning organizations, but this is the Pirates we are talking about, right? For the last 15-plus years, they have sunk into oblivion by the time Steelers training camp begins in July, if not before.
It has only gotten worse in recent years. Now, any losing streak early in the season like the one the Pirates are in now sends any fans that might have come to the games far away as possible, unless of course there are bobbleheads to be had or fireworks shows to be watched.
Monday night there were neither and what the Pirates got was an announced crowd (meaning tickets sold) of 8,444, one of the smallest in PNC Park history. If the Pirates keep consistently playing games like they did Monday (a 10-4 blowout loss in which the home team was out of the game early), this trend will continue even when the weather improves.
There is a theory that the Pirates must play games in April like other, more successful teams would play games in late august in September. This isn't a team or organization that can dig any kind of hole and hope to get out of in time for a pennant chase.
Though Russell obviously wants the team to improve, he isn't gripping just yet.
"You can't change. That's one thing I've learned as a player and manager. You can't panic and change what you do. We've had some exciting games, we won some games and we were .500 then we lost some games and these things happen. You look around baseball and I don't think you're going to have too many teams that don't have the five, seven, eight, even 10-game streaks at some point in the season."
If the Pirates are ever to get back to respectability, they can't let any streak like that happen and must do whatever it takes to stop this current one.
All of the years of futility have drained the public's interest in the Pirates down to next to nothing. If the losing continues, even at this early stage in the season, the Pirates will become an afterthought earlier than at any point in the last 16 years.
They're not panicking, but maybe they should be.
"You can't push the panic button, saying 'It's a must-win, we have to win,'" Russell said. For all of the years I played and all of the years I managed the only must-win games are the ones when you're facing elimination at the end of the season."
That may be true for good teams and winning organizations, but this is the Pirates we are talking about, right? For the last 15-plus years, they have sunk into oblivion by the time Steelers training camp begins in July, if not before.
It has only gotten worse in recent years. Now, any losing streak early in the season like the one the Pirates are in now sends any fans that might have come to the games far away as possible, unless of course there are bobbleheads to be had or fireworks shows to be watched.
Monday night there were neither and what the Pirates got was an announced crowd (meaning tickets sold) of 8,444, one of the smallest in PNC Park history. If the Pirates keep consistently playing games like they did Monday (a 10-4 blowout loss in which the home team was out of the game early), this trend will continue even when the weather improves.
There is a theory that the Pirates must play games in April like other, more successful teams would play games in late august in September. This isn't a team or organization that can dig any kind of hole and hope to get out of in time for a pennant chase.
Though Russell obviously wants the team to improve, he isn't gripping just yet.
"You can't change. That's one thing I've learned as a player and manager. You can't panic and change what you do. We've had some exciting games, we won some games and we were .500 then we lost some games and these things happen. You look around baseball and I don't think you're going to have too many teams that don't have the five, seven, eight, even 10-game streaks at some point in the season."
If the Pirates are ever to get back to respectability, they can't let any streak like that happen and must do whatever it takes to stop this current one.
All of the years of futility have drained the public's interest in the Pirates down to next to nothing. If the losing continues, even at this early stage in the season, the Pirates will become an afterthought earlier than at any point in the last 16 years.
They're not panicking, but maybe they should be.
Baseball trivia
This comes courtesy of Bruce Brown of the Society for American Baseball Research, who sends out thought-provoking questions.
Q: Who hit a home run in the last game at Exhibition Stadium and the first game at SkyDome in Toronto?
Hint: His brother played for the Brewers and Expos.
Further hint: He was the first major leaguer to hit three home runs on Opening Day.
Q: Who hit a home run in the last game at Exhibition Stadium and the first game at SkyDome in Toronto?
Hint: His brother played for the Brewers and Expos.
Further hint: He was the first major leaguer to hit three home runs on Opening Day.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Jack not back until May
As you read here last week (see Blog post "Jack won't be back soon") shortstop Jack Wilson won't be back until at least May 1, if not later.
Pirates manager John Russell said in his office today before the Pirates series opener with the Marlins that Wilson has hit a setback and won't start playing minor league games in Florida until sometime next week. Wilson is beginning his rehabilitation at the Pirates spring training complex in Bradenton, Fla.
Russell said Wilson did some running this morning and felt "some tightness" in the calf. Russell said it's not a major concern, but it did push back Wilson's return to the majors a bit.
Pirates manager John Russell said in his office today before the Pirates series opener with the Marlins that Wilson has hit a setback and won't start playing minor league games in Florida until sometime next week. Wilson is beginning his rehabilitation at the Pirates spring training complex in Bradenton, Fla.
Russell said Wilson did some running this morning and felt "some tightness" in the calf. Russell said it's not a major concern, but it did push back Wilson's return to the majors a bit.
Pirates-Marlins: Here's what to look for
Here are some trends to keep an eye on this week during the Pirates series at home against the Florida Marlins (Hint: Could be another rough night for Matt Morris):
Monday: Matt Morris (Pittsburgh) vs. Mark Hendrickson (Florida)
Chris Gomez has had the most success in his career against Hendrickson. Gomez is 6-for-18, though all six have been singles. ... Adam LaRoche, horrific as he has been, is 2-for-4 and Jose Bautista, another one who isn't exactly knocking the cover off the ball, is 2-for-5 off Hendrickson. ... The Marlins as a team have a .303 lifetime batting average against Morris. ... The venerable Luis Gonzalez, though only a reserve, might start tonight since he has two home runs and seven RBI against Morris lifetime. ... Josh Willingham is 6-for-10 with a homer and 4 RBI and Mike Jacobs is 5-for-9 with a home run and two RBI.
Tuesday: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh) vs. Ricky Nolasco (Florida)
No Pirates player has more than one hit lifetime against Nolasco. ... The Pirates have batted only .182 as a team against Nolasco. ... Ronny Paulino has three RBI, by far the most against Nolasco, but is only 1-for-5 lifetime. ... Florida's Hanley Ramirez has two hits in 10 at bats against Maholm, both solo home runs. ... Dan Uggla also has two home runs and three RBI in 10 at bats against Maholm. ... A good start is crucial for Maholm. He has a .327 lifetime batting average against against the top two spots in the batting order.
Monday: Matt Morris (Pittsburgh) vs. Mark Hendrickson (Florida)
Chris Gomez has had the most success in his career against Hendrickson. Gomez is 6-for-18, though all six have been singles. ... Adam LaRoche, horrific as he has been, is 2-for-4 and Jose Bautista, another one who isn't exactly knocking the cover off the ball, is 2-for-5 off Hendrickson. ... The Marlins as a team have a .303 lifetime batting average against Morris. ... The venerable Luis Gonzalez, though only a reserve, might start tonight since he has two home runs and seven RBI against Morris lifetime. ... Josh Willingham is 6-for-10 with a homer and 4 RBI and Mike Jacobs is 5-for-9 with a home run and two RBI.
Tuesday: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh) vs. Ricky Nolasco (Florida)
No Pirates player has more than one hit lifetime against Nolasco. ... The Pirates have batted only .182 as a team against Nolasco. ... Ronny Paulino has three RBI, by far the most against Nolasco, but is only 1-for-5 lifetime. ... Florida's Hanley Ramirez has two hits in 10 at bats against Maholm, both solo home runs. ... Dan Uggla also has two home runs and three RBI in 10 at bats against Maholm. ... A good start is crucial for Maholm. He has a .327 lifetime batting average against against the top two spots in the batting order.
Friday, April 18, 2008
One streak continues, one stops
Two interesting notes from Friday's Pirates-Cubs game:
1. Nate McLouth hit a solo home run to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. The last Pirates player to begin a season with a hitting streak this long was Al Oliver, who had an 18-game streak in 1972.
2. Though the Pirates made a couple of bad choices on defense Friday, they were not charged with an error in the game.
This marked the first time since opening day, a streak of 14 games, that the Pirates did not commit an error in the game. The Pirates lead the majors in errors with 21.
1. Nate McLouth hit a solo home run to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. The last Pirates player to begin a season with a hitting streak this long was Al Oliver, who had an 18-game streak in 1972.
2. Though the Pirates made a couple of bad choices on defense Friday, they were not charged with an error in the game.
This marked the first time since opening day, a streak of 14 games, that the Pirates did not commit an error in the game. The Pirates lead the majors in errors with 21.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Pirates-Cubs: Here's what to look for
Here are some trends to keep an eye on this weekend during the Pirates series in Chicago against the Cubs (Hint: Look for Derrek Lee to have a big weekend):
Friday: Ian Snell (Pittsburgh) vs. Rich Hill (Chicago)
* Lee is 6-for-18 with 6 RBI against Snell. … Ronny Paulino is 7-for-14 with one home run and three RBI against Hill. … Jose Bautista (0-for-14) and Jason Bay (0-for-12) are a combined 0-for-26 against Hill.
Saturday: Tom Gorzelanny (Pittsburgh) vs. Jason Marquis (Chicago)
* Lee is 6-for-10 with one home run and three RBI vs. Gorzelanny. … Geovany Soto is 5-for-7 with three RBI against Gorzelanny. … Bay is 4-for-9 against Marquis while Nate McLouth is 4-for-11 with one home run and three RBI. … Ryan Doumit is also 4-for-12 with one home run and two RBI.
Sunday: Zach Duke (Pittsburgh) vs. Ryan Dempster (Chicago)
* Lee is 8-for-24 with a solo home run against Duke. … Aramis Ramirez is 8-for-24 and Ronny Cedeno is 8-for-18 against Duke. … Xavier Nady is 4-for-11 with two home runs against Dempster and Chris Gomez is 5-for13.
Friday: Ian Snell (Pittsburgh) vs. Rich Hill (Chicago)
* Lee is 6-for-18 with 6 RBI against Snell. … Ronny Paulino is 7-for-14 with one home run and three RBI against Hill. … Jose Bautista (0-for-14) and Jason Bay (0-for-12) are a combined 0-for-26 against Hill.
Saturday: Tom Gorzelanny (Pittsburgh) vs. Jason Marquis (Chicago)
* Lee is 6-for-10 with one home run and three RBI vs. Gorzelanny. … Geovany Soto is 5-for-7 with three RBI against Gorzelanny. … Bay is 4-for-9 against Marquis while Nate McLouth is 4-for-11 with one home run and three RBI. … Ryan Doumit is also 4-for-12 with one home run and two RBI.
Sunday: Zach Duke (Pittsburgh) vs. Ryan Dempster (Chicago)
* Lee is 8-for-24 with a solo home run against Duke. … Aramis Ramirez is 8-for-24 and Ronny Cedeno is 8-for-18 against Duke. … Xavier Nady is 4-for-11 with two home runs against Dempster and Chris Gomez is 5-for13.
For the record - predictions
In case you missed the O-R's baseball season preview Sunday, March 30, here are my predictions for this season:
National League
East
1. New York Mets
2. Atlanta
3. Philadelphia
4. Washington
5. Florida
Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Cincinnati
3. Milwaukee
4. Houston
5. Pittsburgh
6. St. Louis
West
1. Arizona
2. San Diego
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado
5. San Francisco
American League
East
1. Boston
2. New York Yankees
3. Toronto
4. Tampa Bay
5. Baltimore
Central
1. Cleveland
2. Detroit
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Minnesota
5. Kansas City
West
1. Seattle
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Texas
4. Oakland
Playoffs
National League
New York Mets def. San Diego (Wild card); Chicago Cubs def. Arizona
New York Mets def. Chicago Cubs
American League
Boston def. Detroit (Wild card); Cleveland def. Seattle
Cleveland def. Boston
World Series
Cleveland def. New York Mets 4 games to 2
National League
East
1. New York Mets
2. Atlanta
3. Philadelphia
4. Washington
5. Florida
Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Cincinnati
3. Milwaukee
4. Houston
5. Pittsburgh
6. St. Louis
West
1. Arizona
2. San Diego
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado
5. San Francisco
American League
East
1. Boston
2. New York Yankees
3. Toronto
4. Tampa Bay
5. Baltimore
Central
1. Cleveland
2. Detroit
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Minnesota
5. Kansas City
West
1. Seattle
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Texas
4. Oakland
Playoffs
National League
New York Mets def. San Diego (Wild card); Chicago Cubs def. Arizona
New York Mets def. Chicago Cubs
American League
Boston def. Detroit (Wild card); Cleveland def. Seattle
Cleveland def. Boston
World Series
Cleveland def. New York Mets 4 games to 2
McLouth does it again
Nate McLouth singled and scored in the sixth inning Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
According to the Pirates game notes and the Elias Sports Bureau, the last Pirates player to begin a season with a hitting streak this long was Al Oliver in 1972 with 18 games.
For the record, Oliver finished that season with a .312 average, 12 home runs and 89 RBI. Those are pretty tame numbers by today's standards, until you consider that Oliver made his first of seven All-Star appearances that year and finished seventh in the National League Most Valuable Player voting.
According to the Pirates game notes and the Elias Sports Bureau, the last Pirates player to begin a season with a hitting streak this long was Al Oliver in 1972 with 18 games.
For the record, Oliver finished that season with a .312 average, 12 home runs and 89 RBI. Those are pretty tame numbers by today's standards, until you consider that Oliver made his first of seven All-Star appearances that year and finished seventh in the National League Most Valuable Player voting.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Pirates odds and ends
Former No. 1 pick Sean Burnett is 1-0 with three saves and a 0.00 ERA at
Class AAA Indianapolis. He has not allowed a run in seven innings over
four games. “Sean’s answered the first round of questions very well,”
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said of Burnett’s conversion to a
relief pitcher. “Sean has continued to throw the ball great, has had a
great approach and has been a true professional.”
* Huntington on the signing of Craig Wilson to a minor-league contract:
“It was an opportunity to add a veteran bat. It was an opportunity to add
a person and player who was very popular in this organization. If Craig
returns to full health (from his shoulder injury) and if he swings the bat
the way he did pre-injury than I could see some major-league value. But
the Craig Wilson we signed was more to help (Class AAA) Indianapolis.”
* Nate McLouth’s first-inning single Tuesday gave him a 14-game hitting
streak. It’s the longest hitting to start a season since Willie Stargell
had a 14-game streak in 1976.
Heading into Tuesday’s game, McLouth was leading the majors in hits with
23. He is also first in the National League in total bases (39) and was
tied for the lead in extra-base hits with 11.
* Pirates reliever John Grabow is off to a tremendous start to the season.
Heading into Tuesday night’s game, Grabow is tied for the league lead in
appearances (9). He has struck out eight and has not allowed a run in 9
2/3 innings. Right-handed batters are hitting only .167 off Grabow while
left-handed batters are hitting .154.
Marvin Miller and Curt Flood
Marvin Miller was the longtime director of the Major League Baseball
Players Association, a labor he helped found and turn into THE most
powerful labor union in all of sports and one of the most powerful labor
unions in the country, period.
Miller was director for 20 years and he helped establish free agency for
players and to take away the reserve clause, which basically stripped the
players of any rights until it was abolished.
The reason it was abolished was because of Curt Flood, a very good player
in the 1960's and 70's. He was the player to take a stand against the
reserve clause when he refused to accept a trade to the Philadelphia
Phillies and is a main reason baseball players and other athletes have the
rights they do today.
This letter came in my email and shows why Flood, and Miller for that
matter though he is not named, should be eventually put into baseball's
Hall of Fame.
An Open Letter to the Major League Baseball Player's Association
April, 13 2008
By *Bill Fletcher Jr.*
Executive Director, The Black Commentator
Dear Executive Director Donald M. Fehr:
It has now been more than ten years since the death of Curt Flood. Many of
us, baseball fans and fans of Curt Flood in particular, were hoping that the
10th anniversary of his passing would bring with it a broader recognition of
his contributions to Major League Baseball as well as his entrance into the
Baseball Hall of Fame. While Flood's memory and contributions did garner
broader attention, he was no closer to entering the Hall of Fame than on the
day he passed away.
We, who honor the memory and contributions of Flood, recognize that his
brave struggle to end the notorious 'reserve clause' and bring about 'free
agency' could not have happened had it not been for the active support of
the Players' Association. For that we will always be in your debt.
Nevertheless we are at a moment when more is needed from your association.
We need the Players' Association to help lead a campaign to get Curt Flood
into the Hall of Fame. We need your association to stand up to the owners
and their media allies and insist that today's baseball might very well look
quite different had it not been for the stand of that player from the St.
Louis Cardinals, Curt Flood.
We realize that the Players' Association, for understandable reasons, does
not take positions on who should go into the Hall of Fame. While in general
this makes perfect sense, in the case of Curt Flood it entirely misses the
mark. Not only was Curt Flood an outstanding player, but more than anything
he was prepared to take a stand when others suggested silence, if not
complicity with the wretched system of the reserve clause.
Emerging out of the Black American experience with injustice, Curt Flood
took a stand on behalf of the players, be they Black, White, or Latino (and
now Asian). He did not have to take such a stand. He could have meekly
accepted the trade to the Philadelphia Phillies and, quite probably, have
lived a fairly comfortable life. Nevertheless, he decided that the time had
come to take a stand; and he did so with the support of your Association.
That stand cost him a great deal, including friends, family, his career, and
quite probably, years on his life.
We need you to step forward and insist that the time has come to right a
great wrong. Curt Flood must be honorably admitted into the Baseball Hall of
Fame and recognized not only for his outstanding abilities, but for his
contribution to the sport of baseball.
In solidarity,
Bill Fletcher, Jr., Executive Editor The Black Commentator
The Great Bronson Arroyo
Bronson Arroyo could have been called any number of things when he started
his career with the Pirates, but great wouldn't have been one of them.
Arroyo, like so many others during the Cam Bonifay-Dave Littlefield eras,
struggled during their time as a young player in Pittsburgh yet went onto
flourish somewhere else.
Arroyo was a third-round pick by the Pirates in the 1995 draft and made
his way up the minor-league ladder before debuting in Pittsburgh in 2000.
After three nondescript seasons in which he was shuttled between the
starting rotation and bullpen, Arroyo was put on waivers and claimed by
the Boston Red Sox. He pitched three seasons in Boston and won a world
championship in 2004. He was traded to Cincinnati just before the 2006
season and made it on the All-Star team that season, where he played in the
game in Pittsburgh.
Now Arroyo is a veteran in Cincinnati's starting rotation. He is also not
afraid to speak his mind, which is where the "great" part comes in. Arroyo
always gives honest, from-the-heart answers, not canned cliche responses
like so many other athletes.
He said he likes coming back to Pittsburgh and wishes things could have
been different for he and others like Aramis Ramirez and Jason Schmidt and
others like them who were teammates with Arroyo in Pittsburgh but
flourished into All-Stars elsewhere.
"It was just a weird vibe here, man," Arroyo said. "There was just a lot
of young guys that really weren't comfortable at the (major-league)level.
And losing just breeds a bad environment.
"It was tough to perform for a lot of us. A lot of guys went onto perform
other places and blossomed a lot."
Even his "good" quotes, which the above are, are better than most athletes' great quotes these days.
The stuff he says off the record is even better.
And that is what makes him great.
Jack won't be back soon
Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson is eligible to come off of the disabled list on Saturday.
Don't expect him to be in uniform for the Pirates that day, or any time soon for that matter.
Though Wilson made the trip with the team to Los Angeles and Chicago this
week, his calf injury is nowhere from being fully healed.
Throughout the course of this past homestand, Wilson walked with a
noticeable limp throughout the Pirates clubhouse and dugout. He isn't
ready to do any on-field activities yet, let along play in a game.
Once Wilson can show he is healthy, whenever that may be, he's going to
need to go out on a minor-league rehab assignment to get back into game
shape. That itself could take up to a week.
Even if Wilson shows dramatic improvement this week, don't expect him
playing with the Pirates until at least the next homestand and possibly
not until around May 1.
Hurting Pirates
There's a lot of news on the injury front for the Pirates and none of it is good. Worse yet, even the coaches are finding themselves in the infirmary.
In case you missed it late Tuesday night, and with an 11-2 score I'm sure most of you did, Pirates hitting coach Don Long got hit with a flying broken bat late in the game.
When Nate McLouth doubled in the eighth, his bat splintered and flew towards the dugout. Long, standing on the top step, was watching the ball and did not see the bat flying towards him and he got hit in the face.
Luckily for Long, he didn't get hit with the sharp, splintered end but got hit with the barrel of the bad. Luckily No. 2, be got hit just below the eye instead of on the eye. If either scenario happened the other way it could have been a lot worse for Long other than a few stitches.
The other news comes from the sickbay, as a virus is spreading through the Pirates' clubhouse. First baseman Adam LaRoche got it first on Saturday and he has been out of action since other than a pinch-hitting appearance.
Catcher Ryan Doumit has been a bit under the weather and apparently has contracted the virus as well. The virus causes congestion and cold-and-flu symptoms.
In case you missed it late Tuesday night, and with an 11-2 score I'm sure most of you did, Pirates hitting coach Don Long got hit with a flying broken bat late in the game.
When Nate McLouth doubled in the eighth, his bat splintered and flew towards the dugout. Long, standing on the top step, was watching the ball and did not see the bat flying towards him and he got hit in the face.
Luckily for Long, he didn't get hit with the sharp, splintered end but got hit with the barrel of the bad. Luckily No. 2, be got hit just below the eye instead of on the eye. If either scenario happened the other way it could have been a lot worse for Long other than a few stitches.
The other news comes from the sickbay, as a virus is spreading through the Pirates' clubhouse. First baseman Adam LaRoche got it first on Saturday and he has been out of action since other than a pinch-hitting appearance.
Catcher Ryan Doumit has been a bit under the weather and apparently has contracted the virus as well. The virus causes congestion and cold-and-flu symptoms.
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