Bucs Trade Winds Bucs Trade Winds Talking Pittsburgh Pirates baseball from the ledge. Articles
Sports Minute (Or So)
2007-06-08 23:42:00 The National Lampoon Spor ts Minute (Or So)Written by Steve Hofstetter, Adam Hofstetter, Cody Marley, Ryan Murphy, Rich Ragains, Elliot Steingart, and Chris StraitAirtran Airways dropped Michael Vick as their spokesman. They also fired Marcus Vick from their baggage department.A study of retired NFL players found that those who had at least three concussions had triple the risk of clinical depression. And becoming sideline reporters.Bengals WR Chad Johnson's horse racing publicity stunt is the first time a Bengal has tried to outrun anything not in a police car. Though there might be a cop on the horse just in case.Elsewhere in horse racing, the breeding rights to Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense were auctioned to the highest bidder. Congratulations Madonna!Roger Clemens will finally play for the Yankees this week, as they need a DH.In basketball news, 74-year-old Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss was arrested for DWI. If you had to pay Kwame Brown $8.2 million per season, you'... More About: Ports
Moves
2007-06-06 06:32:00 MOVE 1:One right move, Cota being designated for assignment, is hopefully the start of some more smart moves. Cota had no place on this team, not anymore. He was an adequate backup when you had a catcher who handled 130+ games a season in Kendall. Cota missed an opportunity when he started last season as the starting catcher.He blew his chance. Time to move on.MOVE 2:Rajai Davis has been recalled and started in CF Tuesday night for the Pirates. He had a rather uneventful night at the plate, 0 for 3 with a walk.Does this mean Duffy is heading to the bench?Don't count on it. Duffy has at least 7 of his 9 lives left.The odd thing I see from Davis joining the team is the glut of speed that could be on the bench any given day. If the occasional outfield of Bay-Nady-Doumit plays, you have 3 speed merchants on the bench in Duffy, Davis and McLouth. All 3 are of the same mold, though McLouth has shown more power. One of the three must be on the market. It makes no sense having 3 o... More About: Moves
So much to say...
2007-06-04 06:32:00 And my ISP is not cooperating. It seems as if Mediacom is having DNS issues. I really hate Mediacom.It has been an odd week. Work has kept me distracted from blogging, working 10-12 hour days someohow takes away from blogging time. Once again, if some billionaire would like to gift me a couple million, I will gladly focus on this blog more. Paging Mark Cuban. Bill Gates? Anyone!!!Another option is someone sending me the Powerball numbers before the drawing.Next, my mother-in-law comes to town. Could it get any better? Save any pity you are feeling, we actually get along well, she is pretty cool, but another distraction that kept me offline.I guess it could be worse, my name could be Littlefield.On to the rantWhy isn't Danny Kolb in Pittsburgh? He has been reacquiring his fastball, recently clocked in the mid 90's in Indy. With as poor as the bullpen has been performing, any good arm will do.What is the sense of keeping Armas in Pittsburgh? He would be better served thr...
Sports Minute (Or So)
2007-06-04 06:14:00 The National Lampoon Spor ts Minute (Or So)Written by Steve Hofstetter, Adam Hofstetter, Cody Marley, Ryan Murphy, Rich Ragains, Elliot Steingart, and Chris StraitThe Nashville Predators might be moving north now that they’ve been purchased by a Canadian businessman. It's uncertain as to whether anyone in Tennessee will actually notice. This is the biggest scam pulled on Nashville by a Canadian since Shania Twain's career.Nike is resuming soccer ball production in Pakistan. Who better to make toys for five-year-olds than other five-year-olds?Former NBA player Henry James has been sentenced to five years in jail after being caught dealing cocaine while his six young children were with him. Worst Bring Your Child to Work Day ever.Memphis small forward Mike Miller is donating $1 million to help ill children. It's not as generous as you may think. Most of the children became ill after watching the Grizzlies play.Gary Payton is leaning towards retirement. We’d prefer if he fell com... More About: Ports
BTW Power Rankings - Week 9
2007-06-04 06:09:00 Rank LW Team W L 1 1 Boston 37 17 2 2 NY Mets 35 20 3 4 LA Angels 36 22 4 6 San Diego 33 23 5 3 Cleveland 34 21 6 5 Detroit 32 24 7 8 LA Dodgers 33 23 8 13 Arizona 34 24 9 9 Oakland 28 27 10 15 Minnesota 28 27 11 10 Atlanta 32 24 12 7 Milwaukee 32 25 13 14 NY Yankees 23 30 14 17 Seattle 28 25 15 16 San Francisco 26 29 16 18 Baltimore 27 30 17 12 Philadelphia 28 28 18 11 Chicago Cubs 23 31 19 21 Toronto 27 29 20 20 Florida 27 30 21 19 Chicago Sox 25 27 22 25 Colorado 27 30 23 24 Cincinnati 22 36 24 22 Pittsburgh 24 32 25 23 Texas 20 37 26 26 Houston 23 33 27 28 St. Louis 24 30 28 27 Tampa Bay ... More About: Power , Week , Ranking
Should be back today
2007-06-03 17:11:00 An unexpected family visit is coming to an end today. I should have some posts later this afternoon, and I have a bunch of griping to do! More About: Today , Back
Smizik:Pirates lack commitment to winning
2007-05-31 07:00:00 Not too often do I agree with Smizik, but it is hard to argue any points he makes in "Pirates lack commitment to winning".There is plenty to add to his commentary, but it all leads to the same conclusion:The Pirates have a commitment to excrement.If you haven't already, sign the petition:http://www.petitiononline.com/se llbucs/petition.html More About: Commitment , Comm , Rates , Winning
Links
2007-05-30 15:27:00 In a ground breaking piece of journalism, John Grupp from the Tribune discovers "The Pirates Look for Better Play at PNC Park".BTW Take:Duh!More breaking news in "Bucs hoping for better outing against Padres' Young" by Grupp.BTW Take:Double Duh!In the PG's Pirates Notebook, we find out Young doesn't think about his missed No-No versus the Pirates last year. God bless Joe Randa.BTW Take:It is amazing the Pirates haven't been a No-No victim since Bob Gibson did it in 1970 considering the last decade an a half.According to the Denver Post, the Rockies have interest in Danny Kolb.BTW Take:As mentioned in the article, don't expect Kolb to go anywhere the way the bullpen is performing to date. More About: Links
Jason Bay Name Player of the Week
2007-05-30 02:47:00 Jason Bay was named Player of the Week in the NL going 10 for 20 with 10 RBI. More About: Jason Bay , Jason , Layer
Link
2007-05-29 17:40:00 For anyone who missed it yesterday, Ron Cook did a nice piece on Chuck Tanner. Here's to another 30 years Chuck. More About: Link
Personnel Moves That Cause Rashes - Part 2
2007-05-28 18:03:00 Check out these major league moves by the Pirates:5/27/07 Recalled RHP Josh Sharpless from Triple-A Indianapolis; Optioned RHP Brian Rogers to Triple-A Indianapolis.5/22/07 Recalled RHP Brian Rogers from Triple-A Indianapolis.5/20/07 Activated C Humberto Cota from the 15-day disabled list and optioned INF Brad Eldred and RHP Marty McLeary to Triple-A Indianapolis.5/3/07 Placed RHP John Wasdin on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb; recalled RHP Marty McCleary from Triple-A Indianapolis.Now check out the moves of an actual MLB franchise: 5/24/07 Placed LHP Dennys Reyes on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 21, with inflammation in his left shoulder; Purchased the contract of LHP Jason Miller from Triple-A Rochester and transferred INF Alejandro Machado from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.5/22/07 Placed LHP Glen Perkins on the 15-day disabled list with a mild muscle strain in the back of his left shoulder; Purchased the contract of LHP Carme... More About: Part , Personnel , Person , Sonne , Moves
Gonzo's Surgery Set for Thursday
2007-05-28 17:48:00 Mike Gonzalez is set for surgery on Thursday with Dr. Andrews. He is expected to miss 12-14 months, a June to August time frame.From the AJC:Gonzalez surgery setReliever Mike Gonzalez is scheduled to undergo ligament transplant surgery Thursday in Birmingham, performed by Dr. James Andrews. Typical recovery time is 12-14 months, which would put Gonzalez back at best next June. An MRI revealed Thursday the left-hander has a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament.BTW Take:With all the griping about LaRoche's performance to date, here is a painful reminder of why it was still a good trade for the Pirates. Gonzalez had arm "irritation" the end of last season and more problems this spring. I'm not saying the Pirates traded damaged goods, Atlanta did their own tests on him and deemed him fit. Why would any team trade for a Pirates pitcher knowing the franchises history of arm problems?On a side note, LaRoche is now batting .205. More About: Surgery , Gonzo , Urge
BTW Power Rankings - Week 8
2007-05-28 15:25:00 Milwaukee is coming back to the pack, or at least trying to. They have gone 3-7 over their last 10.Chicago is only a streak away from catching Milwaukee, problem is, they don't seem to be able to streak, except in the wrong direction. This team should have a much better record than they are showing.Pittsburgh, despite a 3 game sweep at the hands of the Cardinals, the Bucs are still 5-5 over their last 10. The offense has come around of late, but the bullpen has been shaky at best.Cincinnati has the worst record in the majors, but they are far from the worst team. If they only solidify their starting pitching, bullpen, defense and offense by hitting something other than home runs, they will be decent. Houston is struggling, a 1-9 skid over their last 10 is putting Scraps behind a semi with no breaks. Pitching has been poor, but the offense has been worse. Garner is making all the right moves, but he only has pawns to work with.St. Louis has gone 4-6 over their last 10, 3 of th... More About: Power , Week , Ranking
Personnel Moves That Cause Rashes
2007-05-26 20:29:00 I have tried writing this for a few days now, and it still isn't what I want to say, but I have been so focused on getting it right, I haven't posted anything else. So in an attempt to move on, I am posting what I am thinking.I just do not understand the personnel moves the Pirates are making.Why would you weaken a decent bullpen by pulling one of the better relievers on the team to move him to the rotation? Yes, I am talking about Chacon.Not only do you remove a reliable pitcher from the bullpen, you move the worst starter in the Majors to the pen? How is that improving the team? Armas should have been sent down to fix things or he should have been cut.JVB would have been a nice addition to a team carrying 12 pitchers. With a missing bat from the bench, a bench that supplies little offense, JVB could have been a decent bat added to the bench when he wasn't pitching. Remember the guy was a power hitting position player in college.Then I look at the new lineup with Duffy bat... More About: Personnel , Person , Sonne , Moves
Sports Minute (Or So)
2007-05-25 15:02:00 The National Lampoon Spor ts Minute (Or So)Written by Steve Hofstetter, Adam Hofstetter, Cody Marley, Ryan Murphy, Rich Ragains, Elliot Steingart, and Chris StraitSammy Sosa is closing in on 600 home runs. To celebrate, he uncorked a new bat.The Tampa Bay Devil Rays played a three game series at Disney World in an attempt to increase their exposure in the Orlando area. Which makes sense, since they've always been a Mickey Mouse operation.A recent survey of 464 Major League Baseball players named Barry Bonds the least friendly player in the game. On the positive side, it's the first time Bonds has won anything without cheating. And his approval ratings are still higher than George Bush.The Phillies scheduled Danny DeVito to throw out a first pitch. It's the first time the mound dwarfs the man throwing off of it.In football, Washington's Clinton Portis defended Michael Vick, saying dog fighting was not nearly as criminal as selling Redskins season tickets.Another Cincinnati Bengal ... More About: Ports
Post-Game Notes
2007-05-23 06:45:00 Pirates lose to the Cardinals 9-4.Four times the bases are loaded with less than 2 outs.Four total runs scored.How the heck can that happen?A good team gets at least 8 runs in that scenario.This team is trying to disguise itself as a good team. Until they get some runs in in those situations...this team will always suck.Zach Duke with another poor outing. This is getting bad. Is it the curse of the Pirates number 1 starters? Opening day starters see their careers fall apart after becoming the ace of the Pirates. At least until they leave. Please Management, do not make Snell nor Gorzelanny the ace. More About: Post , Notes , Game
Links
More articles from this author:2007-05-23 06:28:00 Pitchers dominate tonights links. First stop a former Pirates starter Kip Wells gets his best press in Pittsburgh in 4 years.BTW Take:He is 1-8 but still gets more of a story than JVB and Bullington together. Congrats on the new baby Kip.Speaking of JVB and Bullington (segue alert), the chronicles of their injured past is brought up again.BTW Take:Upton may be hitting better than any Pirate, but Cota could play a better 2B.Pirates notebook covers Chacon, Armas, Duffy, Bautista, Wilson and a lot more.BTW Take:Why Chacon over a call up?"Having a veteran stabilize the consistency of the rotation."Wasn't that what Armas did? That worked well. Wouldn't experience serve the team better in the long run? Chacon ain't a Kenny Rogers and the Pirates aren't going to be in a chase, let the prospects (loosely used term) get some innings.Clarification on yesterdays links:I know the baseball hall of fame is in Cooperstown. It was a joke, playing off the contact buzz (second hand smoke) c... More About: Links 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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