After days of gnashing of teeth by Pirates fans and the local media, slugging third baseman Pedro Alvarez (and his 23 home runs) was picked by David Wright to replace leading home run hitter, Carlos Gonzalez, who will miss the event due to a sprained finger.
It will be interesting to see how well Alvarez does at Citi Field on Monday night. The last two Pirates to participate in the Derby--Jason Bay and Andrew McCuthen--weren't exactly ideal for a Derby despite their all-around abilities, but Alvarez and his style seem to be taylor made for this contest, as he's known for hitting home runs of the tape-measure variety.
I wasn't as upset as others were when Alvarez was originally passed over, but now I'll at least have a reason to watch something I really only watch when a Pirate is involved--so mostly never.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Now we're up to six losses in eight games for the Pirates, still no time to panic
There's an old saying in sports: "No team is as good as it appears when things are going well, and no team is a bad as it appears when it's sputtering."
Two weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates had everyone in the city dreaming of "We Are Family" after a nine-game winning streak--including sweeps of the Angels, Mariners and Brewers--and when a baseball team is playing that well, as a fan, you can't wait to turn on the radio/TV or even head down to the old ballpark to see the magic unfold.
I know, personally, I started pulling out every old VHS baseball tape I had stored away and watched them over and over. I felt like a little kid again. And to me, that's what is so great about being a fan of a team that hasn't won in such a long time--a great season just feels so much more magical.
However, as I'm sure you probably know by now, things have taken a bit of a nose-dive for the Buccos as of late. Pittsburgh has lost six of its last eight games, including back-to-back 2-1 losses at the hands of the Athletics at PNC Park.
Right now, the Pirates are 53-36 and a game and a half back of St. Louis in the National League Central. That record just seems so ordinary now after a cool spell, doesn't it?
But a few weeks ago, we would have been ecstatic with being 17 games over .500. When the Pirates were in Seattle to play the Mariners in late June, fans were discussing the final 17 games before the All-Star break and handicapping how many times the team would win. Most people said they would be happy with 10 or 11 victories. Here we are two weeks later, and Pittsburgh is 6-6 in the past dozen games. Is sure doesn't seem as magical as a nine-game winning streak, but it's still better than it was three weeks ago, when the Pirates fell to Cincinnati and were 42-30.
If Pittsburgh can get hot again and win three of four before the break, the team would be 56-36--who wouldn't take that mark?
The Pittsburgh Pirates aren't the team that won nine games in a row, and they're not the team that's currently having trouble scoring more than a run a game. They're the team that went 41-25 over the course of 66 games BEFORE the Bucco Fever truly took off.
Being hot is one thing. Being cold is quite another. However, it's what you do in the middle that truly counts.
The Pirates have a nice foundation (and still the second best record in MLB, believe it or not).
It would be wise to keep the faith.
Two weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates had everyone in the city dreaming of "We Are Family" after a nine-game winning streak--including sweeps of the Angels, Mariners and Brewers--and when a baseball team is playing that well, as a fan, you can't wait to turn on the radio/TV or even head down to the old ballpark to see the magic unfold.
I know, personally, I started pulling out every old VHS baseball tape I had stored away and watched them over and over. I felt like a little kid again. And to me, that's what is so great about being a fan of a team that hasn't won in such a long time--a great season just feels so much more magical.
However, as I'm sure you probably know by now, things have taken a bit of a nose-dive for the Buccos as of late. Pittsburgh has lost six of its last eight games, including back-to-back 2-1 losses at the hands of the Athletics at PNC Park.
Right now, the Pirates are 53-36 and a game and a half back of St. Louis in the National League Central. That record just seems so ordinary now after a cool spell, doesn't it?
But a few weeks ago, we would have been ecstatic with being 17 games over .500. When the Pirates were in Seattle to play the Mariners in late June, fans were discussing the final 17 games before the All-Star break and handicapping how many times the team would win. Most people said they would be happy with 10 or 11 victories. Here we are two weeks later, and Pittsburgh is 6-6 in the past dozen games. Is sure doesn't seem as magical as a nine-game winning streak, but it's still better than it was three weeks ago, when the Pirates fell to Cincinnati and were 42-30.
If Pittsburgh can get hot again and win three of four before the break, the team would be 56-36--who wouldn't take that mark?
The Pittsburgh Pirates aren't the team that won nine games in a row, and they're not the team that's currently having trouble scoring more than a run a game. They're the team that went 41-25 over the course of 66 games BEFORE the Bucco Fever truly took off.
Being hot is one thing. Being cold is quite another. However, it's what you do in the middle that truly counts.
The Pirates have a nice foundation (and still the second best record in MLB, believe it or not).
It would be wise to keep the faith.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Pirates drop four of six--sometimes, baseball teams lose
The Pirates dropped a tough game in Chicago, Sunday afternoon, losing 4-3 in 11 innings to the Cubs. Pittsburgh lost two of three in Wrigley over the weekend, and the loss on Sunday was the fourth in six games for the Pirates since their nine-game winning streak--including a 2-1, 14 inning victory over Milwaukee last Sunday that pushed their record to a season-best 21 games over .500 at 51-30.
That's baseball. I know some Pirates fans are probably feeling a bit uneasy with the recent hit to the win/loss record, but as cliched as it sounds, a baseball season really is a marathon and not a sprint. And sometimes, when you're running a marathon, you hit a wall or two.
I did some research, thanks to baseball-reference.com, and even though I pretty much knew this already, I discovered that those famed Pirates teams of the early 90s that won three-straight division titles had their share of ups and downs over the course of a season.
The past has a way of making us forget about the struggles, as we only hold on to the good times. When we think of those Pirates teams from two decades ago that were led by Barry Bonds, Doug Drabek, Andy Van Slyke, Bobby Bonilla and John Smiley, we only remember the exciting wins and rarely the losses (at least in the regular season). However, even the very best baseball teams lose 60 or more games a year, so a slump or two or three is probably expected throughout the course of the season.
The 1990 Pirates, a team that made us believe in baseball again after the dreadful decade of the 80s, won 18 out of 22 games from April 19th-May 13th. It was the kind of run that made Pittsburgh the talk of baseball (that certainly sounds familiar). Unfortunately, soon after that run, the Pirates dropped eight of 10 games. Much like this season, I'll just bet Buccos fans, many of whom were far too used to the bad times, were just waiting for a complete collapse. There was no such collapse, as Pittsburgh won 10 of its next 12. Were there more slumps throughout the rest of the season? Absolutely, but the Pirates managed to win 95 games and their first division title in 11 seasons.
The 1991 squad was regarded as the best and most complete team the Pirates had during their three-year run. Sure enough, Pittsburgh won 98 games that season and won the NL East by a whopping 14 games.
But that '91 edition did hit a bumpy road or two, along the way. After winning nine games in a row from May 24th-June 2nd (sound familiar?), Pittsburgh lost 12 of 20. Later that summer, the Pirates lost eight games in a row and 13 of 15.
The 1992 edition surprised many by winning the East for a third time despite not having the services of stars Bobby Bonilla and John Smiley. Early in the season, the Pirates, once again, won nine games in row. Immediately after that run, however, Pittsburgh dropped 11 of 12 games. Later in the summer, on July 29th, the Pirates had a very ordinary 53-48 record and were tied for first place. But starting on July 30th, Pittsburgh won 11 games in a row and never looked back, winning 96 games overall and outpacing the rest of the division by seven games.
It's almost inevitable that a team that's hot will cool down for a spell. Like any marathon runner, the 2013 Pirates have just hit a wall.
If they can replenish their fluids and make it to the postseason, 20 years from now, we'll probably only remember the good times.
That's baseball. I know some Pirates fans are probably feeling a bit uneasy with the recent hit to the win/loss record, but as cliched as it sounds, a baseball season really is a marathon and not a sprint. And sometimes, when you're running a marathon, you hit a wall or two.
I did some research, thanks to baseball-reference.com, and even though I pretty much knew this already, I discovered that those famed Pirates teams of the early 90s that won three-straight division titles had their share of ups and downs over the course of a season.
The past has a way of making us forget about the struggles, as we only hold on to the good times. When we think of those Pirates teams from two decades ago that were led by Barry Bonds, Doug Drabek, Andy Van Slyke, Bobby Bonilla and John Smiley, we only remember the exciting wins and rarely the losses (at least in the regular season). However, even the very best baseball teams lose 60 or more games a year, so a slump or two or three is probably expected throughout the course of the season.
The 1990 Pirates, a team that made us believe in baseball again after the dreadful decade of the 80s, won 18 out of 22 games from April 19th-May 13th. It was the kind of run that made Pittsburgh the talk of baseball (that certainly sounds familiar). Unfortunately, soon after that run, the Pirates dropped eight of 10 games. Much like this season, I'll just bet Buccos fans, many of whom were far too used to the bad times, were just waiting for a complete collapse. There was no such collapse, as Pittsburgh won 10 of its next 12. Were there more slumps throughout the rest of the season? Absolutely, but the Pirates managed to win 95 games and their first division title in 11 seasons.
The 1991 squad was regarded as the best and most complete team the Pirates had during their three-year run. Sure enough, Pittsburgh won 98 games that season and won the NL East by a whopping 14 games.
But that '91 edition did hit a bumpy road or two, along the way. After winning nine games in a row from May 24th-June 2nd (sound familiar?), Pittsburgh lost 12 of 20. Later that summer, the Pirates lost eight games in a row and 13 of 15.
The 1992 edition surprised many by winning the East for a third time despite not having the services of stars Bobby Bonilla and John Smiley. Early in the season, the Pirates, once again, won nine games in row. Immediately after that run, however, Pittsburgh dropped 11 of 12 games. Later in the summer, on July 29th, the Pirates had a very ordinary 53-48 record and were tied for first place. But starting on July 30th, Pittsburgh won 11 games in a row and never looked back, winning 96 games overall and outpacing the rest of the division by seven games.
It's almost inevitable that a team that's hot will cool down for a spell. Like any marathon runner, the 2013 Pirates have just hit a wall.
If they can replenish their fluids and make it to the postseason, 20 years from now, we'll probably only remember the good times.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Liriano pitches his (and team's) first complete of season in 6-2 win at Wrigley
One thing I find neat in baseball is a complete game, shut-out by a starting pitcher. Short of that, any complete game is pretty cool in my book. Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Francisco Liriano pitched a complete game in a 6-2 victory for the visiting Pirates.
Not only was it Liriano's first complete game of the season, it was the team's, as well. Pittsburgh's staff, from the starters to the relievers, might be the talk of baseball, but those relievers need a rest every now and then.
In Thursday's loss to the Phillies, many fans were critical of manager Clint Hurdle for his quick hook on rookie pitcher Gerrit Cole despite only throwing a minimal amount of pitches. Turns out, the move back-fired, as the bullpen gave up five runs.
Friday afternoon, there was no such hook for Liriano, as he shut the Cubs' lineup down most of the afternoon.
I won't get into anymore specifics about the victory (mainly because it's late, and I'm tired), but I continue to be excited about this Pirates team. I think, after such a long winning/playoff drought, fans are more apt to panic in the sight of a couple of losses. For example, fans were getting pretty testy on blogs and message boards after Thursday afternoon's loss to Philadelphia, which gave the Phillies two victories in the three game series at PNC Park, and I think most of the reason for the anger was because of the whole "winning series" thing people like to focus on.
However, would it really matter that the Phillies took two of three in Pittsburgh, if the Pirates sweep the Cubs this weekend? It would still be four wins in six games.
The only series I'm worried about are the ones with direct playoff implications. Right now, the Pirates are on an 11 out of 13 run, and if they can keep having runs like that, they'll have some REAL series to worry about in October.
Not only was it Liriano's first complete game of the season, it was the team's, as well. Pittsburgh's staff, from the starters to the relievers, might be the talk of baseball, but those relievers need a rest every now and then.
In Thursday's loss to the Phillies, many fans were critical of manager Clint Hurdle for his quick hook on rookie pitcher Gerrit Cole despite only throwing a minimal amount of pitches. Turns out, the move back-fired, as the bullpen gave up five runs.
Friday afternoon, there was no such hook for Liriano, as he shut the Cubs' lineup down most of the afternoon.
I won't get into anymore specifics about the victory (mainly because it's late, and I'm tired), but I continue to be excited about this Pirates team. I think, after such a long winning/playoff drought, fans are more apt to panic in the sight of a couple of losses. For example, fans were getting pretty testy on blogs and message boards after Thursday afternoon's loss to Philadelphia, which gave the Phillies two victories in the three game series at PNC Park, and I think most of the reason for the anger was because of the whole "winning series" thing people like to focus on.
However, would it really matter that the Phillies took two of three in Pittsburgh, if the Pirates sweep the Cubs this weekend? It would still be four wins in six games.
The only series I'm worried about are the ones with direct playoff implications. Right now, the Pirates are on an 11 out of 13 run, and if they can keep having runs like that, they'll have some REAL series to worry about in October.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
If Paul Chryst is in it for the long haul at Pitt then closing the door on Rushel Shell was the right move
When it was reported that Pitt prized recruit Rushel Shell, the WPIAL's all-time leading rusher, would be leaving the program to transfer elsewhere, it was a feeling of "Here we go again" for Panthers fans who have had to deal with a lot in recent years, from a revolving door at head coach, to numerous player arrests.
For a football program just months away from joining the ACC, it seemed like a rather demoralizing turn of events.
However, last week, it was rumored that Shell was having second thoughts and wanted to return to the football team, and my thought was, "This guy is talented, and Pitt needs all the talent it can get right now." I figured it would be a no-brainer that Shell would be welcomed back to the team with open arms. Turns out, Pitt head coach Paul Chryst not only folded his arms, he closed the door on the possibility of Shell ever returning.
I was stunned, but then when I thought about the quote that I always hear associated with Chryst, "I'm trying to build a program here and not a team," it made more sense.
If that's Chryst's mantra, consider me on board. Fact is, the Panthers have had some pretty decent running backs in recent years--LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis, Ray Graham--but that hasn't gotten the program anywhere other than the Sun Bowl and a few BBVA Compass Bowls.
Larry Fitzgerald and Darrelle Revis, two of the most productive players in the NFL, both played at Pitt within the past decade or so, and the football team still didn't get anywhere near an elite level.
My point is, no one player is bigger than the team, and as the past three decades of Pitt football have shown us, no one or two players is going to get it where the fans have been clamoring for it to get back to since the days of Jackie Sherrill and Dan Marino: An elite level.
College football is all about coaches and recruiting. Chryst proved he could recruit and develop players when he was an offensive coordinator at Wisconsin, and if he can have that same kind of success as the head man, that's Pitt's best bet to finally get to the next level.
Unlike his predecessor, Chryst appears to be a man of integrity. I believe he showed that when he didn't even entertain the thought of taking the head coaching job at Wisconsin (his alma mater and the state in which he was born), and he proved it again with the Shell decision.
The decision to not bring Shell back might not be the most popular move, and it might backfire if Shell goes on to have a stellar college career wherever he ends up, but sometimes, you have to break a few "Shells" in order to make a tasty omelette.
I believe the Panthers finally have the right man doing the cooking for the football program. Hopefully, the end result will be quite delicious.
For a football program just months away from joining the ACC, it seemed like a rather demoralizing turn of events.
However, last week, it was rumored that Shell was having second thoughts and wanted to return to the football team, and my thought was, "This guy is talented, and Pitt needs all the talent it can get right now." I figured it would be a no-brainer that Shell would be welcomed back to the team with open arms. Turns out, Pitt head coach Paul Chryst not only folded his arms, he closed the door on the possibility of Shell ever returning.
I was stunned, but then when I thought about the quote that I always hear associated with Chryst, "I'm trying to build a program here and not a team," it made more sense.
If that's Chryst's mantra, consider me on board. Fact is, the Panthers have had some pretty decent running backs in recent years--LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis, Ray Graham--but that hasn't gotten the program anywhere other than the Sun Bowl and a few BBVA Compass Bowls.
Larry Fitzgerald and Darrelle Revis, two of the most productive players in the NFL, both played at Pitt within the past decade or so, and the football team still didn't get anywhere near an elite level.
My point is, no one player is bigger than the team, and as the past three decades of Pitt football have shown us, no one or two players is going to get it where the fans have been clamoring for it to get back to since the days of Jackie Sherrill and Dan Marino: An elite level.
College football is all about coaches and recruiting. Chryst proved he could recruit and develop players when he was an offensive coordinator at Wisconsin, and if he can have that same kind of success as the head man, that's Pitt's best bet to finally get to the next level.
Unlike his predecessor, Chryst appears to be a man of integrity. I believe he showed that when he didn't even entertain the thought of taking the head coaching job at Wisconsin (his alma mater and the state in which he was born), and he proved it again with the Shell decision.
The decision to not bring Shell back might not be the most popular move, and it might backfire if Shell goes on to have a stellar college career wherever he ends up, but sometimes, you have to break a few "Shells" in order to make a tasty omelette.
I believe the Panthers finally have the right man doing the cooking for the football program. Hopefully, the end result will be quite delicious.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Pirates lose to Phillies to halt nine game winning-streak
All good things must come to an end. It's been a fun ride for the Pirates over the past 13 days as they won nine games in a row, built a nine game lead in the wild card standings and even built a two game bulge in the National League Central Division over St. Louis. All the while, the hype and excitement surrounding the team grew with each victory, including sellout crowds at PNC Park to witness a weekend sweep of the Brewers.
Pittsburgh built a 51-30 record, the best start for the franchise since 1972.
Tuesday night, before another great crowd at PNC, the Pirates finally dropped a game, a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Phillies, and now they look mortal again.
It was a loss you could see coming from miles away. After defeating Milwaukee, 10-3, Friday night, the Pirates offense struggled in the last two games of the weekend series, scoring only four runs over the final 23 innings (Sunday's game went 14 innings), but thanks to the team's dominant pitching, the sweep was achieved, and the excitement continued for another day.
It was the Pirates longest winning streak since their 10-game streak back in the summer of 2004. Of course, the difference between then and now, is that streak only brought Pittsburgh to within seven games of .500.
My, how times have changed.
The great thing about baseball is you can go get'em tomorrow!
Here's to a new winning-streak and a bigger bulge in the standings.
Let's Go Bucs!
Pittsburgh built a 51-30 record, the best start for the franchise since 1972.
Tuesday night, before another great crowd at PNC, the Pirates finally dropped a game, a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Phillies, and now they look mortal again.
It was a loss you could see coming from miles away. After defeating Milwaukee, 10-3, Friday night, the Pirates offense struggled in the last two games of the weekend series, scoring only four runs over the final 23 innings (Sunday's game went 14 innings), but thanks to the team's dominant pitching, the sweep was achieved, and the excitement continued for another day.
It was the Pirates longest winning streak since their 10-game streak back in the summer of 2004. Of course, the difference between then and now, is that streak only brought Pittsburgh to within seven games of .500.
My, how times have changed.
The great thing about baseball is you can go get'em tomorrow!
Here's to a new winning-streak and a bigger bulge in the standings.
Let's Go Bucs!
It feels good to see the Pirates turn the tables on Milwaukee
I remember it well. It was NFL Draft Day 2010, and the Steelers selected center Maurkice Pouncey out of Florida with their first round selection. I found it appropriate that Pittsburgh selected a center because earlier in the day, at PNC Park, someone needed to block the Brewers from ever touching home plate again after their 20-0 butt-whipping of the Pirates before what I'm only guessing was a pretty sparse crowd.
If ever a game was a microcosm of the Pirates' struggles against Milwaukee in recent years, it was April 22nd, 2010. To say the Brewers have owned Pittsburgh would be a huge understatement. From 2008-2012, Milwaukee went 63-18 against the Pirates--including 14-1 in 2008 when the Brewers clinched their first playoff spot in 26 years.
If ever there was a tormentor the Pirates had to vanquish on their way to (hopefully) clearing the Clint Hurdle, it was Milwaukee.
The Pirates' struggles with the Brew Crew are very reminiscent of the problems Pittsburgh had with those nasty Mets' teams back in the mid-to-late-80s. From 1986-1988, the Pirates went 13-41 against New York--including 1-17 in the Mets' '86 World Series season.
According to Bob Walk on an old FSN production of Spotlight: 1990 Pirates, the Mets not only liked to beat up on Pittsburgh, they loved to talk about it. And boy did they have a cast of characters you loved to hate, including guys like Lenny Dykstra, Darryl Strawberry and Dwight "Pirates are like a little league team" Gooden.
A cast of loathsome baseball players who were obnoxious and loved to kick you to the ground and then rub dirt in your face? That certainly sounds a lot like some recent Brewers rosters that included Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks.
Back to those 80s Mets teams. Even though the Pirates still struggled a bit with New York in 1990, going 8-10 that season, Pittsburgh swept the Mets in a three-game series in early September to extend its lead in the National League East from a half a game to three and a half. This ultimately proved to be the difference in the Pirates winning the division that year, as they clinched the title with three games left in the regular season.
Pittsburgh soon turned the tables on the struggling Mets' franchise, going a combined 26-10 against New York the following two seasons on the way to winning two more division titles.
Unlike those early 90s Pirates teams, it remains to be seen if the 2013 edition has truly turned the corner in general, but they may have turned the tide against Milwaukee. So far this season, Pittsburgh is 9-4 against the Brewers--the Pirates hadn't won more than five games against Milwaukee in any of the past five seasons--and it sure feels good to kick some dirt in an old tormentor's face.
It was a great weekend at PNC Park, as the Pirates swept Milwaukee for the first time since 2009, including a blow-out victory and a couple of 2-1 triumphs that had to leave the Brewers players shaking their heads in frustration--that sure sounds like how a lot of recent trips to Miller Park have gone for the Pirates, doesn't it?
If the Pirates have truly turned the corner, I will relish the next season or so, because, in edition to Milwaukee, they have a lot of bullies to pay back.
You hear that, San Diego Padres? We're coming for you!
If ever a game was a microcosm of the Pirates' struggles against Milwaukee in recent years, it was April 22nd, 2010. To say the Brewers have owned Pittsburgh would be a huge understatement. From 2008-2012, Milwaukee went 63-18 against the Pirates--including 14-1 in 2008 when the Brewers clinched their first playoff spot in 26 years.
If ever there was a tormentor the Pirates had to vanquish on their way to (hopefully) clearing the Clint Hurdle, it was Milwaukee.
The Pirates' struggles with the Brew Crew are very reminiscent of the problems Pittsburgh had with those nasty Mets' teams back in the mid-to-late-80s. From 1986-1988, the Pirates went 13-41 against New York--including 1-17 in the Mets' '86 World Series season.
According to Bob Walk on an old FSN production of Spotlight: 1990 Pirates, the Mets not only liked to beat up on Pittsburgh, they loved to talk about it. And boy did they have a cast of characters you loved to hate, including guys like Lenny Dykstra, Darryl Strawberry and Dwight "Pirates are like a little league team" Gooden.
A cast of loathsome baseball players who were obnoxious and loved to kick you to the ground and then rub dirt in your face? That certainly sounds a lot like some recent Brewers rosters that included Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks.
Back to those 80s Mets teams. Even though the Pirates still struggled a bit with New York in 1990, going 8-10 that season, Pittsburgh swept the Mets in a three-game series in early September to extend its lead in the National League East from a half a game to three and a half. This ultimately proved to be the difference in the Pirates winning the division that year, as they clinched the title with three games left in the regular season.
Pittsburgh soon turned the tables on the struggling Mets' franchise, going a combined 26-10 against New York the following two seasons on the way to winning two more division titles.
Unlike those early 90s Pirates teams, it remains to be seen if the 2013 edition has truly turned the corner in general, but they may have turned the tide against Milwaukee. So far this season, Pittsburgh is 9-4 against the Brewers--the Pirates hadn't won more than five games against Milwaukee in any of the past five seasons--and it sure feels good to kick some dirt in an old tormentor's face.
It was a great weekend at PNC Park, as the Pirates swept Milwaukee for the first time since 2009, including a blow-out victory and a couple of 2-1 triumphs that had to leave the Brewers players shaking their heads in frustration--that sure sounds like how a lot of recent trips to Miller Park have gone for the Pirates, doesn't it?
If the Pirates have truly turned the corner, I will relish the next season or so, because, in edition to Milwaukee, they have a lot of bullies to pay back.
You hear that, San Diego Padres? We're coming for you!
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