As has been rumored for almost a month plus, the Pirates parted way with Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. What was kind of suprising is that they did it with one fell swoop and dealt both to the Yankees.
In return the Pirates recieved four minor leagers. Two of the initial names in the deal have been replaced. The four new Pirates are outfielder Jose Tabata, and pitchers Jeff Karstens, Daniel McCutchen, and Ross Ohlendorf.
While a rival GM reportedly hit the roof at seeing what the Pirates had gotten in return from the Yankees(it doesn't take a genius to venture a guess of Theo Epstein) it makes sense on these terms.
The Pirates have probably the worst minor league system in the majors. The Pirates are absolutley barren of talent save Andrew McCutchen, their young outfield prospect. That above any other reason is why the Pirates have been so consistantly bad for so long.
The hard truth is the Pirates won't have a winning season this year, and they will tie the Phildelphia Phillies mark of 16 consectutive losing seasons. More then likely they will break it next season. But if the Pirates are to have any type of future, they need to rebuild their farm system. It's an absolute neccessity, no matter what the on-field cost is.
The Pirates have reaped what incompentent GMs Cam Bonifay and Dave Littlefield sowed for them. That being very little. Neal Huntington has proven worthy so far. He made to great bench signings in Jason Michaels and Doug Miekienwicz that have provided great dividends for the team. His hiring of John Russel has looked solid so far. The drafting of Pedro Alverez was a big step in the right direction.
But now this trade, and any future ones before the deadline will prove his worth. Dave Littlefield made this type of deal time again, and the prospects he always got in return almost universally failed. The infamous Aramis Ramirez trade(read: give away) still brings up growns among Pirates fans.
Tabata is the third ranked prospect in the Yankees organization, but is in the middle of a tough year. Some have compared him to a Manny Ramirez, but he also seems to have Man Ram's temperment. He was suspended in the middle of season for his conduct, and he admitted he was having problems with the high expectations put on him. A change of scenary to Pittsburgh should help that, as high expectations are nowhere to be found.
Jeff Karstens was 6-4 with an 3.80 ERA at AAA Wilkes-Barre, but has been a bit of a journey man through his career. Daniel McCutchen is 4-6 at AAA, but has won his last three starts. Ross Ohlendorf started the year in the Yankees pen, making 25 appearances. He was sent down in June and is 1-1 in five starts with a 4.03 ERA.
If Tabata turns into the type of hitter then think he can then the Pirates will have really struck a good deal. The pitchers have to make an impact of some kind, which shouldn't be hard seeing how absolutley dreadful the Pirates pitching has been this year.
But, with everything considered this is Huntington's first big test. Granted we won't know if he gets a passing grade for a little while, but still. The Pirates have sunk for a decade and half now, and have showed some signs of swimming like a nervous 6-year old pushing off the wall for the first time. This trade working out and signing of Alverez before August 15 are absolutes musts if the Pirates are to have a future.
Also, happy trails to Xavier Nady. He was a true class act, and was as steady of a producer for the Pirates as they have had in a long time. Nady rebounded in Pittsburgh, as the former high draft pick of the Padres didn't florish there and was seeing platoon duty with the Mets before being acquired here. He seemed finally realized his potential here, and he was grateful for it. As opposed to guys who couldn't wait to have their bags on the next plane out of town (*cough* Brian Giles *cough*) he really wanted to stay here. Damaso Marte was much of the same, as he was a steady professional for the Pirates in his two plus seasons.
Obviously this makes the Pirates a weaker team right now. So what? It's not like they were competiting or had a reasonable chance at a winning record. If they are to do both things in the future, this trade will have to play a big part. At least we can hope that it does in a positive way.
Well, it took a couple of generations, but the Yankees will once again play baseball in the city of Pittsburgh. The last time that happened, there was slightly more at stake.
That being of course the 1960 World Series. The overmatched Pirates scrapped with the Yanks of Mantle, Maris, Berrea, and Ford and found a way to win in the end. That being of course one of the most dramatic moments in all of sports, and was recently voted the greatest moment in Pittsburgh sports history; that being Bill Mazeroski's 9th inning walk-off homer to win a crazy Game 7 and the series.
Maz will throw out the first pitch tonight, and fitting honor for the man who is still involved with the Pirates organization. Some people scoff at Inter-League play, but I think series like this are the reason to have it. The Pirates and their fans have no other chance to see the teams like the Yankees, and the historical preisdent of the series also add interest.
Around the Diamond for the Bucs
-People are complaining that every chance the Pirates get at going over .500, they fail. Let's realize that they are over-achieving to be four under right now. Look at some the individual numbers on the team. Ian Snell, 3-7 ERA close to 6. Tom Gorzelanny 5-6 with a ERA at 6 and a half. And those are supposed to be the top of rotation guys. If before the year you told me that the Pirates would have the worst staff ERA in the league I would say they would be 25 games under .500, not 4. They have gotten nothing from Adam LaRoche, very little from Jose Batista. Freddy Sanchez is trying to battle through a shoulder injury, but he hurting himself and his team with a lack of production.
-Speaking of Sanchez, someone needs to sit him down and tell him to shut it down for the year. The shoulder is obviously not getting any better, and neither is his play. He needs surgery and rest, and both right now.
-Man, if Ryan Doumit could only stay healthy. Ditto for Xavier Nady.
-Is it bad that Ian Snell is starting to remind me of Oliver Perez?
-Nate McLouth should be starting the All-Star Game for the National League. He is playing that well. But, seeing that nobody knows who he is, and the Pirates can't do the hometown ballot box stuffing that they did for Jason Bay two years ago, he has no chance.
-Should the Pirates stay the course and make moves to improve the farm system so they can have a chance at competing down the road or should they keep the roster at present and try for over .500? I realize that being over .500 is not the long term goal of a team, but few teams have had 15+ summers of losing. In fact only one has. I think you have to crawl before you can walk.
-Are the Pirates four games under .500 with Jim Tracy at the helm? Not a chance. The Pirates have shown more willingness to play for Russel in three months then they did for Tracy in 2 years.
-Similarly, does Dave Littlefield draft Pedro Alverez this past draft? I highly doubt it.
-The Pirates have drafted pitchers in the first round 10 of the last 12 drafts prior to Alverez. Off that 10, only one didn't have to have major arm surgery. John Van Benschoten and Bryan Bullington are lost causes. Kris Benson did have a hot wife. Bobby Bradley sure did have a bunch of tattos. Paul Maholm is decent, if inconsistent. They might be able to salvage Brad Lincoln. Daniel Moskos still is wrong pick.
-Any wonder the Pirates have lost for so long with a farmy system producing like that?
Tomorrow starts the 121st season of Pirates baseball. Is there any reason that this season will be any different then the previous 15? It is well documented that the Pirates haven't had a winning season since old Bush was in office. As much changes were made in manangement of the team, there were little to none to the team that will take the field tomorrow. And that is a team that won 68 games last year. Even though (GASP!) their payroll will exceed $50 million this year, it will still be $25 million less then everybody else in the division. Here is a preview of the 2008 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Position Players
C- Ronnie Paulino, Ryan Doumit
He may not know it, but Ronnie Paulino's career is at a crossroads. After a good rookie year, Paulino's effort in his sophomore season was nothing short of embrassessing. His effort was almost non-existant, he fell off at the plate, and his defense was atrocious. Yet, for reasons still not explained, he continuely got a free pass from Jim Tracy and made start after start. Paulino dropped some weight before reporting to camp this year, but didn't have a much improved spring. Ryan Doumit pushed Paulino hard in camp, but Paulino will get the starting nod. This could be temporary. New manager John Russel has liked Doumit's work behind the plate, and if Paulino struggles like he did last year, he will find himself on the bench. Doumit has been a serviceable player over the years, but he hasn't been able to keep himself healthy. If Paulino does show up this year, Doumit is bound to get some starts in the outfield as he proved adequate there.
INF- Jack Wilson, Luis Rivas, Jose Batista, Chris Gomez, Adam LaRoche, Freddy Sanchez, Doug Mientkiewicz
In a kind of repete of last year, Freddy Sanchez isn't fully healthy coming into this season. Sanchez had off-season shoulder surgery to take care of a problem that hampered him last season. Sanchez had a light load for most of camp, but still said he felt pain his shoulder as late as last week. Apprentely he is fine, and won't start the season on the DL. It could be awhile before he is able to be the starting 2nd baseman. To a lot of people's surprise, Jack Wilson is still a Pirate. Him and Sanchez are solid up the middle, and if Wilson could stretch his final month at plate last year season wide, it would be a huge boost for the Bucs. Batista has been ok with the glove, but he must pick things up at the plate. LaRoche has to avoid the horrendous start he got off to last season. He was struggling to keep his average above .100 through the first month and half last season. LaRoche came on la ter in the season, but it was much too late. LaRoche reported early to camp to try to combat his slow starts, and had a good spring. But when it turns for real, he can't whilt like he did last year. Gomez was the big off-season signing, and probably won't make a big difference this season. Rivas surprised in making the team, as he had a great spring batting over .340. The former highly touted prospect hit rock bottom last year, but has seemed to rebound here. He could see the start tomorrow and through the first couple of weeks. Doug Mientkiewicz will see spot starts at 1st, and possibly some in the outfield.
OF- Nate McLouth, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, Nyjer Morgan
Jason Bay has to have a rebound year. Bay had his worst offensive season of his career last year. As he nosedived from May on, crash landing at .247 with only 21 homers. Even though he never blamed it, a shaky knee can explain most of that. What isn't explainable is the massive mental laspes that he had in left field. The Pirates seemed ready to part with Bay, but couldn't find a suitable deal. A rebound year could peak team's interest yet again, and if the Pirates find the right move, they should deal Bay. It does seem like a foregone conclusion that Nady will be dealt this year. Nady lead the Pirates in homers and RBIs last year, despite a nagging hamstring injury for most of the season. With Nate McLouth, the Pirates may have finally found the heir apparent to Andy Van Slyke. It only took them a decade and half. McLouth doesn't do anything great, but he does them all very well. He has speed, and plate discipline, a rare commodity on the Pirates. The Pirates record was significantly better with McLouth in center field and at the top of the lineup. Morgan lost out to McLouth in spring training, but will still be kept up with the big club to some surprise. Morgan has to improve at the plate, but is already a very good defensively.
Pitchers
SP- Tom Gorzelanny, Ian Snell, Matt Morris, Zach Duke, Paul Maholm
Gorzo lead the Pirates in wins last year, and was the best starter for the Bucs last year. But there has been numerous Pirates pitchers the last few years that haven't been able to sustain one season to the next. Gorzo looks to break that string, as he is one few pitchers that pitchers have that can throw it past people. Ian Snell had a terrific first half, then fell apart and had a so-so second half. Snell has 15-game winning talent, but can get flustered easily like he did at times last years. Paul Maholm might be the key pitcher for the Pirates this year. Even though his record didn't reflect it, Maholm was the best pitcher for the Bucs in the second half of the year. He also had two of the three complete games last year. Duke struggled through an injury filled year, and even when he was healthy he wasn't anything special. Duke will be the single biggest beneficary of the Jim Tracy staff purge, and he is already throwing like it. Matt Morris had made it clear he doesn't want to be here, and that is fine. He never should have been here in the first place. The only way he is getting out is pitching well enough to make somebody want to pick up that 9.5 million dollar deal,
RP- Matt Capps, John Grabow, Damarso Marte, Evan Meek, Tyler Yates, Franquelis Osoria, Phil Dumatrait
With Capps, the Pirates have a great hidden gem of a closer. Capps is a hammer, and relishes being in the closer role. Marte is a as good of a left handed specialist as there is in the league. Lefties batted .043 against him last year. Grabow continues to be steady. Keeping a third lefty is a bit questionable in Dumatrait, espiecally with a lack of depth in the bullpen. The recently acquired Yates was steady for the Braves last year. Osoria impressed late last season, and has been ok through camp. Meek is probably just a spot filler.
Final Analysis- The front office changes that needed to be made were finally done so. Gone are Jim Tracy, Dave Littlefield, and Kevin McClathy and in there place seems to better baseball people. Steve Pearce, Andrew McCutheon, and Neil Walker are the future of this team, and all are waiting in AAA. They are all still probably a year away. This will be a transistional year for the Bucs. The current front office is still left with a lot of the previous ones messes. The Pirates will have to lean hard on their pitching, because the offense is still going to be pretty punchless. They were drilled endlessly this spring, so at the very least they should be a more fundamentally sound team then they were. The party line has been that the Pirates underachieved last year. That is true, but even if they reach full potential this year, that still won't get them to .500 and break the streak.
Hope supposedly springs eternal this time of year. Pitcher and catchers report for a majority of clubs today, as baseball could desperately use any headlines that do not involve the names Roger Clemens or Brian McNammee. Today officially opens the 2008 season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The season represents a new era for the club, as the Pirates as an entirely new regime on and off the field. But as much change as there has been behind the scenes, there has been very little on the field. The starting rotation has already been announced, and there is only one everyday position up for grabs. There is already naysayers pronouncing a 16th consectutive losing season is a mere fomality. The Pirates say that this year will be different, and that things are going to change. Hardened, cyanical Pirates fans like myself have heard this song and dance routine many times before, but at the very least there appears to be some early signs that things have changed. How things play out for the Bucs this year could be formualated in Spring Training. Here are the most pressing questions for this coming spring training and season beyond it.
1. Center of Attention- The only position that the Pirates have opened for competition has been a franchise weak spot ever since Andy Van Slyke stopped protrolling it over a decade ago. Whether it has been Adrian Brown, Jacob Brumfield, Jermaine Allensworth, Mike Kingery, or Tike Redman, the Pirates have been long on decent fielding light litting center fielders. Last year's starter out of spring training Chris Duffy has already been committed to start the season at AAA Indianapolis. The battle for the starting centerfielder will between steady bench player who saw a good deal of time last year, Nate McLouth, and late season call-up that caught fire Nayjar Morgan. Morgan may still be a bit too raw at the plate, but the man can move on the basepaths and plays solid defense. McLouth has much of the same package, but he is a bit more consistent at the plate. McLouth does have a bit of power, where as Morgan is almost strictly a single and doubles hitter. Since both haver pretty good gloves, the winner of the contest will be whoever can get on base with the most consistency. The Pirates have long struggled to find a leadoff man who can get on base with frequency, and then make an impact on the bases when they got on. With the Pirates offensive struggles over recent years, a steady leadoff man who can get on base is a must. If the Pirates can't fix this problem, don't expect much change from the Pirates offense this year.
2. Attitude- A very damning article was written the day after the Pirates fired Jim Tracy on clubhouse happenings during the season. The article quoted an unnamed source that painted the Pirates as anywhere from apathetic to downright lazy when it came to approaching their profession. Stories of certain players more concerned about ping pong tournaments and card games rather then on the field play fit how the Pirates played on the field last year. There are no two ways about it, the effort and attitude in which the Pirates played baseball under Jim Tracy was nothing short of emberassing. Now Jim Tracy mananged his club with great apathy, but the Pirate players are paid professionals and the stories shamed them greatly. Ronnie Paulino was the greatest culprit of this, as he regulary jogged out groundballs, and looked like a lost child behind the plate. He may be the franchises' biggest name player, but Jason Bay was just disgusting to watch last year. Struggles at the plate will happen, but by the way he played defense was inexcuseable, The fact that the couldn't remember what base to throw to in key situtions would just bewildering. New GM Neal Huntington made contact with all of his players, and told them what is expected out of them. New mananger John Russel has talked a lot of creating a winning atomsphere. That has to start with the players themselves. Word is that Ronnie Paulino is slimmed down and has looked better in primilary workouts. Mananagment got rid of malecontents Jose Castillo(that should have happened a long time ago) and Soloman Torres, but they were far from the only ones in the clubhouse. The attitude must change, and it is long overdue. Players must be held accountable for sloppy play, no matter who they are. A change in the players' attitude and focus could really help the Pirates.
3. Set Rotation?- As much as the Pirates starters struggled last year outside of Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelany, it is a big question why the Pirates have already announced their starting five for the coming season. Along with Snell and Gorzo, there will be Matt Morris, Zach Duke, and Paul Maholm. Duke continued his fall from rookie grace, as he was injured for most of the season and never was on track when he wasn't. The departing of Jim Colburn will undoubtably help Duke who needlessly had his mechanics messed up by Colburn, and hasn't been the same since. Paul Maholm was hit or miss in the early part of the season, as he would diasterous outings, but also threw two of the three complete games for the Bucs. Maholm got better as the season went on, but couldn't get any run support. He has to make a big stride this year for the Bucs to do anything this year. Matt Morris has already blasted the Pirates as a team that can't compete. And while he may be trying to buy his ticket out of Pittsburgh, there are simply nobody that will be as stupid as David Littlefield was to take on that contract with how Morris is performing. Morris is staying for the time being, and the best way to get out of town is to make somebody want you. Tom Gorzelany was the best starter on the staff last year, but must avoid a sophomore downturn. Ian Snell started out great, but withered in the second half. A more complete season out of Snell could help the Bucs.
4. Relief?- The Pirates made a good move in off-season by signing new closer Matt Capps to a multi-year deal. Capps was extraordinary, first as a set-up man, and then taking over as the closer in June. John Grabow had a down year, but had elbow trouble much of the year, Grabow is reported as healthy and ready to go. Demarso Marte was lights out against lefties, as good as a sitution left-hander as there is in the league. Beyond that though, the Pirates bullpen is a very unclear picture. Much of what made up the bullpen last year is gone or in the minors to startout, and that is probably a good thing. But, as it stands right now, the Pirates have little bridge to Capps. How the Pirates don't have a go-to righty or clear set-up man is a big problem. A bullpen must be fleshed out quickly, or the Pirates are going to have to ask a lot from their starters this year.
5. Offensive Offense- The Pirates biggest problem has been offense. Or, more appropiately, a lack their of. Supposed savior Adam LaRoache got off to a dreadful start and didn't recover to mid-season. He was ok after that, but he wasn't the power hitter that he had been sold as. Jason Bay took a nosedive in June and never recovered at the plate. Xavier Nady and Freddy Sanchez were about the only consistant bats, and Jack Wilson came on late. But still, the Pirates suffer from a lack of power, Nady and Bay can hit home runs, but neither is a consistent power threat. LaRoache has already started hitting this year in an attempt to stay out of his traditional early season slumps. The Pirates won't have much pop coming off of the bench, so the starting players really have to pick things up. The Pirates have proven they can do two things well when it comes to offense: hit singles and strike out. Power numbers have to rise, but clearly the Pirates really don't have the personall right now to do that. Bay was floated in the off-season, and could be again if he finds his previous form. Stephen Pearce and Bryan Bixler are waiting in the wings, and a slip at the plate could mean losing a starting job.
2007 was an interesting year in city of Black and Gold. There was unusual, sometimes refreshing changes and surprises. There also lingering and staggering disappointments. But like all years, there was plenty of good to go with the bad, and vice versa. Here is a team by team breakdown of the good and the bad in Pittsburgh sports. Here's to looking back at 2007 and hoping for an even better 2008.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Good- This year brought the rarest of the rare events in Pittsburgh sports, a Steelers head coaching change. A realtive unknown defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings leapfrogged in-house and fan favorite candidates Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm. Of course that man was Mike Tomlin. Tomlin became the first ever black head coach in the history of Pittsburgh sports, when he officially got the job on January 20th. The first ever Camp Tomlin opened in late July, and was a very physical camp. Sometimes there were three-a-day practices. The Steelers jumped out of the gate and pounded the Browns without mercy, 34-7 on opening day. The Steelers would win five of their first six, including shutting out their Super Bowl XL opponents the Seattle Seahawks 21-0. 2007 was a special year, as it marked the club's 75th Aniversary. In what has been a year long celebration, an All Time team was chosen by fans, which included all the greats from the Dynasty 70s and four current players. A gala was held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center where the team was gathered, and all things Steelers were celebrated. The current Steelers squad threw their own party, and beat the #### out of the rival Ravens on Monday Night Football, 35-7. The Steelers would sweep the Browns in a dramatic comeback effort at Heinz Field, lead my a memorable scramble by Ben Roethlisberger. The team held a share or outright lead of the AFC North all season, and clinched their record 18th Division Title with a loss of the Browns. Mike Tomlin, like his predecessor, will lead his team to the playoffs in his first season. Also, QB Ben Roethlisberger bounced back from the torrent '06 season, and has set the record for most TD passes in a season, breaking Terry Bradshaw almost 30 year club record.
The Bad- All Pro and perrenial Pro Bowl Guard Alan Faneca had a nasty salary dispute with manangement, one that lead to him boycotting a couple of days of mini-camp. Faneca has vowed this will be his last year as a Steeler, and so far, it looks like that will hold. Jeff Hartings retired and was replaced with the very ineffective Sean Mahen. The Steelers so far have only been 3-4 on the road, and only one of those wins come against a club with a winning record. The ugly loss to the Jets has put the team in a late season swoon. Anthony Smith made himself notorious by guaranteeing victory over the Patriots, and then the Steelers got slammed in Foxboro. The Jags then pushed them around, as the Steelers surrended their highest rushing total in 7 years. Ben Roethlisberger had had a career year, but has been on his back the second most times in the league. Willie Parker was also having a career year, but broke his right fibula and will be done for the season. Aaron Smith also suffered a season ending injury. The Steelers haven't played defense all that well in the latter half of the season, giving up 87 points in a three game stretch.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Good- 2007 was a remarkable year for the Penguins. After losing to Flordia Panthers on January 7th, they wouldn't go pointless in a game until President's Day. Sidney Crosby proved his Next One Status, as he won Points Title and MVP of the league. Evgeni Malkin may not know the English language very well, but he sure can play hockey, as had a steller rookie campaign, finishing with 85 points and winning the Rookie of the Year Award. Jordan Staal, who wasn't even supposed to make the club his first year, became the youngest player to ever record a Hat Trick in a memorable comeback win in Toronto. The Penguins traded for new fan favorites Gary Roberts and Georges Laraque, and they have made a definite impact on the club. The Penguins finished with the third most points in Eastern Conference, their most since 1993, and one of the biggest improvements in from one season to the next ever. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2001, and restored a rabid fanbase to the Mellon Arena. Most importantly, all the off-ice drama involving a possible sell and moving of the club, was finally settled as the Penguins will stay in Pittsburgh, and will have a new arena in 2009-10. So far this season, the Penguins are about where they are when they began their big run last season. Sidney Crosby is still the best player in the league. Tyler Kennedy has proved to be a sparkplug, as has Chris Letang. Letang has two winners in the shootout, and capped the Penguins first ever sweep of the West Coast Canandian teams.
The Bad- The Penguins lost their opening round series 4-1 to the Ottawa Senators, who would eventually represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals. They just looked overmatched at times, and lost both games at home. The acqusitions of Daryl Sydor and Petr Sykora have worked out stekchedly at best. Marc-Andre Fluery has so far had a very hit and miss campaign, and went down with a severe high ankle sprain. Defensive play has been again, rather hit and miss, and they just lost their best defender Mark Eaton again to a torn ACL. The Penguins have not fared so well inside the Atlantic Division this year, which has gotten substantially tougher.
The Pittsburgh Pirates- It was long overdue, but the Pirates managment changes that needed to be made finally were. Kevin McClathy resigned in June, and Dave Littlefield and Jim Tracy were fired. Also the directors of baseball operations and scoting were let go. An entire new set of personell will lead the Pirates next year, as Frank Coonley will be the new President, Neal Huntington the new GM, and John Russel the new mananger. Tom Gorzelanny proved to be a solid arm, winning 14 games. Matt Capps took over the closer's role in June, and despite few chances, performed very well in it. Xavier Nady lead the club in the major offensive categories. Freddy Sanchez rebounded from a slow start to finish with another solid year at the plate. Najar Morgan and Stephen Pierce looked promising as September callups.
The Bad- The embrassing overly long consectutive losing seasons streak has now reached an incomprehensible 15 straight seasons. The Bucs weren't competitive in a division that begged everybody to be. Major off-season acquisition Adam LaRoche had a dreadful first two months, as he struggled to keep his average above .100. He eventually leveled out, but was mostly inconsistent the rest of the year. Zach Duke continued his decline from his rookie year, as he was hit hard before being out most of the season with an injury. Paul Malohm was awful the first couple of months, but when he figured some things out, he had the worst run support out of any pitcher in the league. Ronnie Paulino was an absolute embrassement behind and at the plate, yet got start after start. Ian Snell fell apart in the second half of the season, wrecking what looked like a promising season. His comments about the Rockies stealing his signs just seemed to be him blaming his struggles on others. The free agent signing of Tony Armas Jr. was an unmitigated diaster. There was the pointless trades for Matt Morris and Caesar Izturis. Jim Tracy showed complete apathy in dealing with his team, and at most times, seemed to not care at all. Pitching coach Jim Colburn continued his mis-manangement of his staff, while picking fights with other players, one very publicy with Jack Wilson. Team defense was appauling, e####ally that of Jason Bay. Bay went into a month long spiril in June, and never really recovered. Middle relieft was hapless, and Solomon Torres compounded his erratic pitching by lauching a complaint against the team, saying they tricked him into signing a below market deal. There was also a fan protest, where some fans rallied before a game, and then walked out.
Penn State Football
The Good- The Nittany Lions beat the #### out of Notre Dame, avenging last season's loss in South Bend. They also thrashed Wisconsin at home. Dan Connor had another strong year, and surpassed Paul Posluzny's record for tackles. Sean Lee looks poised to break that record next year, as he also had a very strong year. Rodney Kinlaw filled in nicely for Austin Scott. Joe Paterno, after a year wait, was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame.
The Bad- The off the field run-ins with the law are almost too numerous to mention. A fight that involved Chris Baker and Anthony Scirrato lead the whole team having to clean up Beaver Stadium after home games. Austin Scott was charged with rape and left the team. There were also other fights involving players that lead to arrests. Anthony Morelli look poised for a break through, but instead was terribly inconsistent, and played e####ally poorly against against big game opponents. His three turnovers inside the 20 lost a game to Illinois, others he just failed to show up. The loss to Michigan came after that team had lost two in a row and were reeling. Losing the season finale to a poor Michigan State team was just inexcusable. A team that had the talent to compete for a National Title, instead terribly underacheived, and will settle for the Alamo Bowl.
Pitt Football
The Good- LaSean McCoy is the real deal. The freshman running back came out of nowhere to the Panthers lone threat on offense, and even then most defenses had a tremendous time stopping him. He set a new record for yards in a season by a freshman, passing some guy named Dorsett. The team showed some heart in raising up to beat Cincinnati. Scott McKillop was at the top of the Nation in tackles. In the year of the upset, Pitt saved a big one for last, as they went into Morgantown and stunned the Moutaineers. It was a landmark win in the history of the Backyard Brawl, and the first big win for Dave Wannstedt.
The Bad- Pitt suffered big losses to injuries, from WR Derek Kinder at the beginning of the season to Gus Mustakais. They were blown out in back to back weeks by Virginia and UConn. They suffered bad losses to Navy, Louisville, and Rutgers, all which they had a chance to win, but wound up with turnovers inside the 5. Dave Wannstedt struggled for most the season, as he team seemed to be searching for an identity all season. Pat Bostick had a surreal first year, as he left camp to deal with personal problems, returned, and wound up starting for most of the year due to injury and ineffectiveness. The much hailed recruit had a shaky first year at best. They finished below .500 and will miss a bowl for the third consectutive year.
Pitt Men's Baskeball Ball
The Good- Pitt had a nice win over Georgetown at the beginning of the year. They made another deep run in the Big East Tourney, as they deafeated their nemesis Marquette, and had a big comeback win over Louisville to make the Final. They advanced to the Sweet 16, beating Wright State and a very scrappy Virginia Commonwealth team. So far this year, they are 11-0, and got a landmark win over Duke just last week. Freshman DeJuan Blair looks a man-beast, and Lavaunce Fields and Sam Young have continued their strong careers.
The Bad- Pitt continued an alarming trend in the Big East Tournament Final, as they got blown out by Georgetown, while scoring the fewest points in Big East Final history. The loss makes the Panthers just 1-6 in the Final alltime. Shooting seemed to dessert the Panthers at the wrong times, and they were throughly handled by UCLA and old coach Ben Howland in the Sweet 16. The Panthers again couldn't get past the Sweet 16. Aaron Gray was maddingly inconsistent, as he was easily intimidated, and rarely used his sized to his adventage. Lavaunce Fields had an run-in with the law, but has seemed to blow over.
Well, here's to a better 2008, as hopefully the Steelers can make a deep run in the playoffs, and ditto for the Penguins. Hopefully this is the year the Pirates end there losing streak, and start heading in the right direction. Hopefully Pitt can get past its struggles in the Big East Final and the NCAA Tournament. Hopefully LaSean McCoy continues to be a freak, and get he Pitt back to a bowl and respectability. Hopefully Joe Pa gets the Nitts to the top of the Big 10, and to a bigtime bowl while overtaking Bobby Bowden. Should be interesting to see over the next 12 months, and I can't wait to see what will happen. Special thanks to the people who regulary read my blog and for anybody who has dropped in and read it. I know I am not the best of writers, and e####ally not the most clean and gramatically correct, but I have fun doing this. Hope everybody out there has a great Christmas, a Happy New Year, and of course to all, a good night.
After a day of rumors, the Pirates confirmed that their new mananger will be John Russel. Russel will replace the fired and ineffective Jim Tracy as the Buccos skipper. Russel has been a minor league coach in the Phillies organization the last couple of years.
What might make the move unpopular is that Russel has a history with the Pirates, as he was a third base coach under Lloyd McClendon. Most fans have been clamoring for a man outside of the organization, and it was heavily assumed that Huntington would hire someone away from the Indians, which is where he came from.
Those that say the Pirates have to have a man from outside of organzation have a pretty short memory. Jim Tracy had no history whatsoever with the Pirates before his two, debacle filled years. History or no history, the right type of personality had to be found for the job.
While not so much is known about Russel, here is what he must bring to the Pirates. First, he has to bring a professional atomsphere to the Pirates clubhouse. The Pirates at times seem to care more about their clubhouse ping pong tournaments and card games then they did about their individual performances. Second, he must open up all positions for competition. No single Pirate should come to camp knowing he has his job secure, and safe in the knowledge that lackidazical performances will land you on the bench(that means you Ronnie Paulino). Third, give young guys like Bryan Bixler, Stephen Pearce, Neil Walker, and Andrew McCutheon legit shots to make the club out of spring training. Fourth, don't allow a culture of excuses for the losing. Fifth, be stern, but not a taskmaster.
This completes the Pirates leadership overhaul, and a entirely new set of leaders will be on the field and in manangement. This obviously won't be an instant fix fot the Pirates, as they will still be plenty of work to do to insure success on the field. At the very least, the Pirates seem to be moving in the right direction instead of staying pat in their losing. Time will tell whether or not all the new blood with help the Pirates compete again, but there some hope to be had, unlike under the previous regime.
The LCS Round of the Major League Baseball Playoffs are almost at a close. The Rockies swept the Diamondbacks continuing their improbable run all the way to the World Series. The Indians now hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the ALCS after drubbing the Red Sox 7-3(somebody please inform Manny Ramirez of this). The League Championship Series Round started in 1969 after National and American Leagues split into East and West Divisions. The LCS round has seen many memorable moments over the years, from the Mets/Astros 16 inning epic in '86, to Chris Chambliss' game and series winning homer in '76, to the Red Sox remarkable comeback in 2004. But maybe its most famous moment is one that has stuck in the craw in the collective sides of Pittsburgh Sports fans. It was on this day 15 years ago, that Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS was played. Just mearly stating that brings up bad memories, and bringing up the actual play is still cringe inducing. 15 years in a long time to let things pass, but still 15 years on, the pain and sting from that game and, ahh, moment, still hold true.
Believe it or not baseball fans, but the Pittsburgh Pirates actually used to be good. In 1992, the Pirates were coming off of consectutive NL East Division Championships, and still had one of the best all around players in baseball in Barry Bonds. Unfortnately, they were also coming off consectutive loses in the NLCS, to the Reds in six games in 1990, and the painfully to the Braves in seven games in '91, where they failed to score a single run in Games 6 and 7 at home. To compound matters, the Bobby Bonilla left in free agency for 37 million dollars to the New York Mets. John Smiley, a 21 game winner from the year before, was traded in spring training, fearing an impending walk in free agency. The move was not popular in the clubhouse, and after everybody air their greivances for a couple of days, Jim Leyland called a team meeting. He ripped into his club for complaining to much about a sitution they couldn't control, and said from this day forward there wouldn't be any mentioning of it. The Bucs still sported former Cy Young winner Doug Drabek, the aforementioned Bonds, Andy Van Slyke, grinders like Jeff King and Jay Bell, a solid rotation, and decent bullpen.
The Pirates actually started out skuffling. The hangover from the year before still affected them. They were still holding pretty well, but they weren't going to have a chance at making a run at it again, if they kept playing the way they were. An unlikely came to their rescue, in the person of a fresh faced knuckleballer from AAA named Tim Wakefield. Wakefield revitlized the staff going 8-1 the rest of the way, and funk the offense seemed to be worked itself out. Barry Bonds had another MVP year, his best yet a matter a fact, hitting 34 bombs, driving in 100+, and playing Gold Glove caliber defense. The supporting cast was big names, like the aformentioned King and Bell, with Mike Lavaillure, Orlando Merced, Jose Lind, Don Slaught, Cecil Espy, and Lloyd McClendon. The Pirates went on a tear in July to take the Division lead and never looked back, clinching the NL East at home against the hated Mets. Once again, the Buccos would meet the NL West Champion Braves.
Unlike the previous year, the Braves were clearly the better team this time around. The three headed monster of John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and even could be 4 headed at times with Steve Avery dominated. The Braves offense was completed with Mark Lemke, Jeff Blauser, David Justice, Deion Sanders, and Brian Hunter. The Braves dominance showed in the first two games, as the Braves won them easily. Game 3 shifted the Pittsburgh, and with the rookie knuckleballer on the mound, Wakefield dazzled, confounding the Braves hitters with the knuckleball, and got the complete game victory. The Braves won Game 4 giving them a commanding 3-1 lead. It was same old same old for the Pirates, as their big guns of Bonds and Van Slyke weren't hitting, and the starting pitching had been sketchy at best.
In the do or die Game 5, Jim Leyland rolled the dice. Instead of going with lefty Danny Jackson, who's turn in the rotation it was, he went with veteran Bob Walk. Walk was the gray beard of the staff, but he was also a reliable arm, and had big game experience. He pitched Game 1 for the Phillies in 1980 World Series as a rookie. Walk responded with the game of his life, pitching a complete game shutout in front of a fired up Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates took the momentum back to Atlanta and Fulton County Stadium, as once again behind the confounding Wakefield, the Pirates raked the Braves 13-4 to force a Game 7.
The fateful Game 7 started out well for the Pirates. The bats had finally awoken in Games 5 and 6, and they staked the Pirates to a 2-0 lead over John Smoltz. Ace Doug Drabek was lights out throwing a eight shutout innings. The Pirates were three outs from the pennet, having all the momentum in the world, and their ace on the mound. Then everything fell apart.
Terry Pendleton lead off the 9th for the Braves by hitting a long, looping fly ball to the right field corner. Right field Cecil Espy misjudged the ball, and it fell in just fair. The next batter was David Justice, and he bounced a sure double play ball to Jose Lind. The normally sure handed Chico(as Lind was affectionally known) booted the ball, allowing both runners to be safe. The floodgates had opened, and Drabek left with the bases loaded and no out. With the score 2-1, Belinda was able to get two outs, but with the bases still loaded, he faced pitch hitter Franciso Cabera. Cabera took the first two pitches, and hacked the next one foul. Belinda then threw a 2-1 fastball just over the outside corner of the plate, but Cabera reached out, and pulled into the hole between short and third into left. Justice scored the tying run, and the gimpy former Pirate Sid Bream was waved in. Barry Bonds, a left fielder that has no defensive peer at the time, fielded the ball cleanly, but rushed his throw. Bonds' throw came in too far up the third base line, forcing Lavaillure to come up and take the throw, leaving a window for Bread to slide into homeplate. Lavaillure applied the tag, but it was too late, Bream scored the winning run, and Atlanta went mad, having come all the way back to win the game and the Series.
While the Braves would eventually lose the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays, they would have another day. Not so for the Pirates. Bonds and Drabek both signed big free agent contracts. The new set of minor leagers in the person of Steve Cooke, Carlos Garcia, Kevin Young all never panned out, an alarming repeating trend over the years. The Pirates began a 15 year spiril from which they have yet to recover. While the Braves would win the World Series three years later, along with 2 other pennets and 14 total division titles, the Pirates haven't remotley come close to contending.
What was so crushing about the loss was its finality. Everybody knew it was going to be last best shot with this group, but nobody foresaw the utter black hole the Pirates have sunk into since then. Its as if the Pirates died that night at the homeplate. That Game 7 is the blackest day in Pittsburgh sports, no question. Francisco Cabera, who had all of ten hits all season before that, is our Bucky Dent. Like Dent, that game and play has become a generational pirriah. I was all of six years old at the time, having just completed my first month of kindergarten. But I still crinch everytime the video of that play is showed, which to my dismay is shown a ton this time of year. To come that close to getting over hump, only to suffer a loss like that was just so devestating, it can hardly be put into words. Until the Pirates are able to exercise the demons of that night, the pain will always be there. Bob Walk who now broadcasts for the Pirates, on a recent trip to Atlanta said he walked past a large picture of the Bream slide and it hardly effected him, but he also said it took a long while to get to that point. Barry Bonds said this summer that he still thinks of that play often, and he it still bothers him. A special was done this summer by FSN Pittsburgh on the 90s Pirates, and to a man, they all said the same thing. One can make the arguement that loss was the most crushing for any franchise, in any sport, ever, and I am starting to think it is.
In a move that has been called for and anticpated with the new regime running the Pirates, Pirates manager Jim Tracy has been fired. The move completes an entire overhaul of Pirates leadership from the beginning of last season, and it was overdue. Tracy will go down as one of the most non-descpript manangers in Pirates history, last only two full seasons.
While in most cases, manangers and coaches need at least three years at any given place to make their proper impact, the firing of Tracy was not only warrented, but needed. Jim Tracy was hired to replace Lloyd McClendon. McClendon supposedly lacked an ability to reach his players, wasn't a good stragiest, and was too hot headed. Tracy had come from a winning program with the Dodgers, winning a division title in 2004. Apprently the Pirates manangement thought the nose dive that they took the next year was a bit of fluke.
Well if McClendon couldn't reach his players, I have no idea what you would call what Jim Tracy did in his tenure. His team regulary seemed to brush off what ever he told them. Apprently he didn't win any fans when on the first days of spring training, when he ripped into the entire team, saying how things were going to change. He constantly preached about how the Pirates were going to do the small stuff to win. When it came to executing the small things, the Pirates continully showed an inability to get runners over, get a bunt down, take an extra base, run the bases effectively, or do much of anything Tracy instructed. Granted players have to play, but the way they did showed they just didn't care about Tracy and wouldn't play for him. Tracy then responded by regulary hanging his players out to dry in the public, as he would out right blame them for loses. While that can be effectively used a motivational tool on some teams, it was the wrong button to push on this one, but Tracy kept pushing it. The playes were going to go to task for a manager they felt didn't have their backs. It was no wonder the Pirates were a miserable 30 games under .500 at the All Star break last year. Great for a team that was hosting the All Star Game and was supposed to make a push.
For all that he was supposed to change, Tracy finished with the exact same record of 67-95, that the Pirates had under McClendon under the year before. Tracy talked all winter about the Pirates record after the All Star Break, while conviently leaving out that 30-60 start. Well the Pirates did do better this year, a whole game better, finishing 68-94. Once again, Tracy failed to reach his team, as he looked he didn't care as much as they did. Everytime he was shown in the dugout, he just looked like he would rather be somewhere else. He was so lazy about making player moves, it was just unbelievable. Ronnie Paulino deserved to be benched multiple times for long periods of time, but rarely saw the bench. Jose Castillo was the worst malecontent on the roster, he was just allowed to fester. The team defense was just appauling, as Jason Bay regulary threw to wrong bases, double plays weren't turned, and Ronnie Paulino was just disgusting to watch. The Pirates struggled offensively throught the first couple of months, but Tracy never tried to shake things up, and kept running the same guys out there.
Plus there was the inexcusable tinkering that they did with Zach Duke. Duke had just had a great 8-1 rookie season, but the for some unknown reason, Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colburn felt they needed to change Duke's delivery. Duke had a terrible '06, and was well on his way to even worse '07, before he got hurt. One of the "reasons" why they changed his delivery, was to prevent injury. Not to mention, Tracy let Colburn go out of control, as he started two fights with Jack Wilson and Ian Snell this year. The Wilson one was completly uncalled for, as Wilson dropped a ball trying to make a tough, over-the-shoulder catch. Colburn is the pitching coach and he had no business yelling at Wilson when he did. That whole incident just showed the complete lack of control Tracy had over his staff and players.
So now the final move that had to made, has been made. Tracy is gone, and hopefully he takes his entire staff with him. The leadership overhaul that was so sorely needed is complete. Who do the Pirates find to skipper the ship next year? Difficult question, but it can't be a quick or rash decesion. The Pirates are really going to have to search to find the right man. I could say that Pittsburgh natives Art Howe and Ken Macha will probably be brought up, as well as former Bucco Phil Garner. But no need to rush here, the entire winter is yet to be played out. Maybe if they are lucky, the Red Sox will go down hard in the playoffs, and they will fire Terry Francona. But, I am not counting on that. Thank goodness though, I am very glad to see Tracy go. Just like I said for Littlefield, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
The Pittsburgh Pirates ended their season with a faint whimper, losing 10 of their last 12, and getting swept by at home in the final series of year. It was a season to forget by the Pirates, or should I say another season to forget. How was 2007 different from 2006, or '05, or even 1996? The Pirates added on to their miserable consectutive losing streak, now at a just incomprehensible 15 straight seasons. In a division where similary everybody was in contention, the Pirates never got anywhere near the top, despite the Cubs and Brewers trying as hard as possible to get everybody involved.
Yesterday marked the official end of the Kevin McClathy era, as his tenure as CEO and team President is now over. As he departs, he leaves behind the rumble of what used to be a proud baseball team and fans. Where do the Pirates go from here? Every time one has thought the Pirates have hit rock bottom and things couldn't get any worse, they have an amazing way of getting worse. Dave Littlefield is gone. And there isn't one person involved with the Pirates in any way that should miss him. The Pirates are under new leadership for the coming off season, and there is plenty to do,
First and foremost, Jim Tracy needs to be fired. In fact, if he last the week, I am going to be very disappointed. Tracy has had two full seasons now as the Bucs skipper, and his records in those two seasons are 67-95 and 68-94, a combined 29 games under .500. Jim Tracy simply has no idea how to reach his team. They don't play hard for him, they don't listen to him, and they most of them don't respect him. Not that he has done much to deserve their respect and attention. Tracy reguarly hung his player out to dry last sesaon, and again, wouldn't shoulder any of the blame this year. His team lacks focus and doesn't look like they aren't prepared most of the time. He is rarely willing to go to task for his players, and therefore they won't go all out for him. He has mismanged his players, there just wasn't reason why Ronnie Paulino started as much as he did this year. Not to mention how he handled the whole Jack Wilson child berth situation was disgraceful. His staff has equally not down much for the Pirates, and made them worse in the person of Jim Colburn. Colburn single handily ruined Zach Duke's career as it stands right now, and got into fights in the dugout with Ian Snell and Jack WIlson. The Wilson fight was just a mess, as Colburn had no business yelling at Wilson when he did. Allowing Tracy and his staff to stay would be allowing medoicrety to be accepted, which Tracy is a big fan of doing. There is no reason for Tracy to hold this job. For the overall health of the franchise, he needs to go.
Secondly, young players must be giving a legit chance. Brian Bixler was hitting .350 at a time during this season in AAA, and he never saw the Majors. Why? What could have possibly been hurt by him being brought up? You're trying to tell me trading for Caesar Izturis was the better move? Steve Pearce had a medioric rise through the Pirates system, but didn't make the Majors until September callups. He hit well over .300 and had 31 combined homers at all levels. Neil Walker, who might be the Pirates best future player, could have benefited from a September callup. Same with Andrew McCutheon. With all the scuffling by the players at the major league level, why not try something different? New GM Neal Huntingon must be more willing to promote from within, and not mindlessly let players that aren't producing continue to languish.
Thridly, get rid of the riff raff. Solomon Torres filed a grievence against the team this year, saying they tricked him into signing a below market deal. Now I can't imagine anybody else wanting his services, so he should consider himself lucky that he had a Major League job. If he doesn't want to be here, I would have no problem showing him the door. Its not like he has performed at a level that would warrent him being kept. Same goes for Jose Castillo, all he does is complain about how he doesn't want to be here, fine, get the hell out. Caesar Izturis never should have been a Pirate in the first place. Chris Duffy should not have been constantly run out there while hitting .220. Ronnie Paulino should have been benched for an extended period of time this year, but was allowed to keep playing despite claring weaknesses defensively and at the plate.
Fouth, stop all the lying about the supposed great arms in the Pirates system. Other then Tom Gorzelenny and Ian Snell, the Pirates supposed stockpiles of pitching is a big myth. Almost all the first round picks on pitchers as of late have been absolute wastes. Paul Maholm did bounce back from a poor start to the season, but couldn't ever get run support. Zach Duke finished a terrible 3-9 and spent 3 months on the DL, John Van Benschoten was nothing short of absoulutly atrocious, losing all of his starts after being called up with an ERA of over 10. Bryan Bullington was not much better in any of his starts. Jonah Bayliss and Matt Sharpless had two awful seasons in the minors and Bigs in relief. 2006 First round pick Brad Lincoln had Tommy John surgery. I am going to forecast ahead and put Daniel Moskos with this group, because I have every confidence that he will amount to nothing.
Fifth, gut the scoting department as it stands right now, and then expend it. The Pirates contined plight has its main causes in their inability to produce quality major league players. The Pirates minor league clubs are some of the most successful in their leagues, but none of that gets shown at the Major League level. For the entire Southeast of the United Sates, the Pirates have exactly 2 scouts. The Pirates have a weak presence in Latin America, an absolute head scratcher seeing as most the great talent in the game today comes from there. With alltime hero of the Latin people like Roberto Clemente to your credit, you should be beating off potential candidates with a stick, instead of searching in vein for them, The Pacific Rim seems to be the new frontier for baseball players. If the Devil Rays have a pretty good player from Japan, so can the Pirates.
Sixth, let nobody think they are safe. Call a meeting if you didn't have one already, preferiably with a new manager, and let everyone know on the roster, they will be battling for their jobs. Another weakness of the Pirates is that they let malecontents linger for too long, and let players not producing to still see significant time. The reason the Pirates look like they don't care most of the time, is because, for the most part they don't. They know they can just collect a pay check while facing no repercussions from anywhere. Jason Bay, Freddy Sanchez,and Jack Wilson all might be the biggest names on the clubs, but even they can't be considered untouchables. If the Pirates are to be like the Indians, they can't be afraid to trade their big names at peak value. Remember, the trade of Tony Pena was massivly unpopular, but in return the Pirates got Andy Van Slyke and Mike LaValiure, two vital pieces of the 90s Division winning teams. They can't be afraid to see what can be be gotten in exchange for Bay, Wilson, and the like.
Seventh, they have to spend some money. The Pirates payroll is 45 million. In the salary cap era, exactly one team has won with that low of a payroll. Ever since previous the Pirates set giants piles of money on fire by inking Terry Mulholland, Derek Bell, Jason Kendall, Jeromy Burnitz, Joe Randa, etc, to big deals and saw them blow up in the Pirates face, they have put a serious premium on spending money on free agents. The Pirates could affored to do that if they had plenty of young talent in the minros, but since they don't, they can't be as cheap as they have been. New blood is needed, and I'm not talking about signing old as dirt and couldn't play anymore Benito Santiago. The Pirates have said they wanted to be like the Twins and A's. Well those teams succeeded because they spent some, had payrolls in the 60 and 70 million dollar range. Its not like the Pirates are hurting for money at the gate. Its actually kind of a joke how well the Pirates draw.
To be sure, 2007, like many years before was an unmitigated diaster. There was the whole fan protest mess. TV ratings plumated(surpringly before the this year, the Pirates regulary finsihed Top 10 in the TV ratings). But, rays of hope shown through with the resignation of McClathy and firing of Littlefield. Both were nice guys and meant well, but similariy had no clue had to put a winning team togehter. The Pirates have a chance to start a new. They can either change the whole thing, or keep things as usual and continue to lose. I would like to say that I have hope for the future, but it is at best, a very tempered hope. I won't ask if things could get worse, because everytime that has been asked, the answer has been a resounding yes. Things have to change. A change in how business is done is way overdue. The only big question is whether or not the Pirates can pull the trigger on future.
While today's date in baseball will mark the finality of the Mets collassal collaspe, and the Phillies remarkable run back, this day is already special in baseball history. On this day, Roberto Clemente stroud to the plate in search for his 3,000 hit. He took a 2-1 pitch off of Mets pitcher Pete Mackalak, and slapped it to left center field for a double. The iconic pitcher of Roberto standing on second base doffing his cap to Three Rivers Stadium crowd, was a fitting unintentional final tribute. Roberto was the 11th player at the time to get his 3,000th hit, and very first Latino player to do it. Roberto Clemente's legacy will transcand what he did on the ball field, and that was enough to make him a legend.
Roberto on field accomplishments hardly need justified here, but they are numerous. 3,000 career hits. 12 Gold Gloves. 11 Time All Star. 1966 National League MVP. 1971 World Series MVP. Hit safely in all 14 World Series games he played. Lifetime batting average of .317. Was the greatest defensive right fielder the game has ever seen, had one of the best arms ever, and was every bit Willie Mays equal of a defensive outfielder. He could hit for power when he wanted to, hit for average all the time. Incredibly graceful runner on the bases.
But Roberto's legacy is far beyond that. While he wasn't the first, Roberto was the first Latin superstar, helping open the door for the large explosion of Latin players in the game today. The pride that he had in his country of Puerto Rico has made him deity in that country. The sports complex that bears his name in Puerto Rico has helped mentor many a baseball player. His philantropist efforts was extensive, and never were for the reason to get him noticed. He deeply cared about all the causes that he supported, and for the poorer Latin people from which he rose. He cared so much for the Nicaraugan earthquake victims of 1972, he ultimately sacrificed himself trying to help them. His children carry on his efforts to this day, and baseball player that shows the greates chartible efforts recieves the Roberto Clemente Award.
In a game of legends, Roberto's name kind of gets lost in the suffle. Maybe its the fact that he had a battle with writers that lasted his entire career. Maybe its the fact that he played in small market Pittsburgh, well before the days were players not in New York, Chicago, or LA were household names. Maybe its the fact that he was constantly outspoken, to a level that couldn't even fathom coming from a modern day player. But, those of you don't know about Roberto Clemente, I strongly urge you to learn more. He was and is so much more then a baseball player. He is not just the single best player to ever done the Pirates uniform, or take the 9th position in the field, he was a man that strived to and was much more then himself. There is simply no other player like Roberto Clemente in the history of baseball. An immortal among legends, #21 for the Pittsburgh Pirates will and should not be forgotten.
While the Pirates got hammered today by the Cubs, and namely old 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez seemed to take a special delight in lighting up his former team, there is some good news to be had. According to the authority on the Pirates John Perroto, and several sources have confirmed it, the Pirates new General Manager will be Neal Huntingon. Well this generally considered a surprise in baseball circles, this seems like another good hire.
Neal Huntington was the special assistant to Cleveland Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro. He has been in baseball for 15 years and spent the last ten with the Indians. Huntington oversaw the fruitful Cleveland farm system for three years, and at onetime held the assistant GM title. According to the Indians media guide, he helped with player development and acquisitions, and strategic planning.
According to Perroto's report, Huntington was earmarked early, but had been disallowed to talk to the media by the Pirates. In fact, the Pirates have kept their GM search under tight wraps. There was a good deal of candiadates, but in the end, Huntington won out. He is expected to be officially named early next week.
Information appears to be a bit scant, but I like to move on the surface. Maybe just for the sole reason that he was involved with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians great stregth is the Pirates biggest weakness, player development. The Indians have a similar market size to the Pirates, but had a great run of success in the mid-late 90s, and are set to win the AL Central this year because of how remarkably well they have drafted. The lone black mark on Hunthington is that he pushed for the Indians to acquire Milton Bradley back in 2001. While Bradley did produce, he was a clubhouse cancer and had to be traded after he and manager Eric Wedge blew up at each other during spring training. While Dave Littlefield gave a ton of lip service to developing players without actually doing it, this guy knows how to do it.
Well, the Pirates season has week left in it. In the last month they have gotten a new President and now have a new General Manager. Both moves were readily needed and should be welcomed by all Pirates fans. Now that the new GM is in place, Jim Tracy should start counting the days left in the season, because now officially his days are numbered. The Pirates are hardly finishing the year strong, they just lost their seventh in a row to fall to a season low 22 games under .500. However, while these sweeping changes were made must to late to effect this season, it appears like it is going to be a busy off season. Get ready for heads to start rolling down Mazeroski way this winter, and it is long overdue.
Two of the NFL's most successful franchises hook up this Sunday at Heinz Field. The Steelers and 49ers have combined for 10 Super Bowl titles, 11 Conference Titles, and 34 Division Titles over their respective histories. This matchup is also intriguing due to the fact that both teams enter with 2-0 records. While the 49ers have won both their games by a combined four points, the Steelers have wipped the floor with both of their opponents, winning by a combined 50 points. While it can be argued that the 49ers have faced more quality competition, they haven't looked all that impressive in either win. For the Steelers, this will be the first test for them, as 49ers clearly poise more of a threat then the Browns and Bills.
Steelers Offense vs. 49ers Defense- As Mike Tomlin stated in his weekly press conference, the Steelers intend to run Willie Parker until the wheels fall off. So far, that stratagy has worked, as the Parker has posted two 100 yard games and a touchdown. Make no mistake now, Parker is the man in the Steelers backfield for the foreseeable future. An article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette this week outlined how backs like Terrel Davis, Jamal Lewis, and even the Steelers own Barry Foster fell off after having 370+ carry seasons. Foster was the man for the Steelers in 1992, going for 1,690 yards, which is still club record, and twelve 100 yard games, which tied the NFL record. The next year, he rushed for only 711, had a similiar result in '94, left after that year, and was out of football two years later. While it seems the Steelers would want to run Parker so much, e####ally since Tomlin was a believer in a two back system, and since the Steelers pass game has been so effective. Judging by how Larry Johnson is doing this year after his mammoth 416 carry seasons, the case against giving Parker so much carries can be made. But, Paker has proven he can carry the starter's load, be an every down back, and continue to be an effective weapon. The 49ers defense so far has been a bend-but-don't-break unit, and held Stephen Jackson in check last week. Ben Roethlisberger has gotten off to a hot start, going a long way to prove that 2006 was a fluke. Ben and his recievers will face their most imposing challenge so far. The 49ers play a 3-4 pressure D similar to the Steelers own, and have kept two high octane offenses, in the Cardinals and the Rams, at 17 and 16 respectively. Even though the 49ers have stated it, it would clear that their huge contract man Nate Clements would matchup with the Steelers deep threat Santonio Holmes. A key could be is that 49ers LB Manny Lawson tore his ACL and is out for the season. That could open up a part of the field for the Steelers, e####ally for TE Heath Miller. Rookie TE Matt Spaeth has gotten off to a quick start in his NFL career with two touchdowns in as many games, has not practiced the last two days, and it is up in the air if he will today. Offensive coordinator said that if Spaeth does not practice today, it is very likely he will not play on Sunday. Veteran Jerame Tuman would would move up to take his place.
Steelers Defense vs. 49ers Offense- The Steelers defense has been absolutley furiocious so far this year. The Steelers enter this game with the 3rd ranked team in total defense, while collecting ten sacks and five turnovers. They have also allowed ten total points, which is ten fewer then the next team. While the 49ers do have some play makers, they enter this game dead last in total offense, while averaging under 100 passing so far. Frank Gore looks to be the 49ers horse this year, as he has three of the four 49ers touchdowns this year. He will face a staunch run defense, which only gave up 35 yards to Jamal Lewis, and 64 to Marshawn ####. Good news for the Steelers in that James Harrison, after being stretchered off last week, has returned to practice and is fully expecitng to start this week. So far, the Steelers vaunted pass rush looks like the one of old, after last year's lull. Alex Smith is the most mobile quarterback they have had to face so far, but he seems to have regressed some from last year without offensive coordinator Norv Turner, now head coach in San Diego. To be sure, #### LeBeau will bring the almost constant pressure that he did against both the Browns and Bills to great success. An interesting article in the PG stated that #### LeBeau completley runs the defense for the first time. According to several players, Mike Tomlin has let LeBeau handle the defense by himself, while Cowher always had a heavy input into how the defense was run. If that is true, then the man they call the Wizard, could inflict some big time havoc this year. 49ers 1st Round pick from a year ago Verron Davis has been loudly complaining about his role, or lack their off, in the offense, and is earning some not to effectionate comparisons to one Terrell Owens in his finals years in Frisco. It will be interesting to see if Davis gets more involved this week, or be held in to try to help block the Steelers rush.
Steelers Special Teams- Alan Rossum has been consistant so far in catching and holding onto the ball, which is a plus, but now it is time for him to start making some plays. Daniel Sepulveda was only called upon once last week, but once again, pinned the opponent inside the 10. To me, he has already justified his 4th round selection. Jeff Reed comes off a big week last week, connecting on all four FG attempts, and finds himself tied for the NFL lead in points. However, he has to impove his kickoffs this week, and he hit several short last week. The coverage teams have been fine so far, but the 64 yard return to the Bills lead to their only points. They shouldn't allow the Niners offense, namely Frank Gore to work on short fields.
