Archive for March, 2009

When your ballclub is trying to snap a skid like the Pittsburgh Pirates are on, I don’t care to hear any excuses whatsoever.  None. Zip. Zero. I stare at ”Live” boxscores wondering who in the world walked, who drove in that run, did he get picked off and caught stealing? I go to spring training and fill up a memory card with 1200 pictures.  Ian Snell thought I was with TMZ for God sakes. Then I study the pictures looking for those players that will help my beloved Pirates turn it around.  I love baseball.  Always have.  I tried to stay away from [...]

Joey Galloway.   Tampa Tribune: Ex-Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway told Solomon Wilcots and Gil Brandt of Sirius NFL Radio  “I feel great. Physically, at the end of last season, because I didn’t play a lot during that season, I came out probably as healthy as I’ve been in my 14 year career. So I’m pretty excited about what happens next. I’ve started working out, preparing myself, which I always do at this time of year. So I’m looking forward to it and I feel great physically, mentally. I’m looking forward to the new challenge. So we’ll see what happens.” [...]

Who says the Pirates are struggling in the development system?  Well, Gift Ngoepe has a long way to go to reach his dreams, but he took a few strides toward that dream last evening as he played for South Africa against Mexico. The switch hitter was compared to Chone Figgins when SA Manager Rick Magnante said,  “Ngoepe is kind of like a Chone Figgins kind of kid. He doesn’t quite have the tools that Figgins has but he’s got that kind of a physical profile.” “Ngoepe’s eyes lit up when I told him of the comparision,” the announcer said.  As everyone knows [...]

Puerto Rico advanced to the second round at Dolphin Stadium in  Miami.  Games will be played Mar 14-18.  Ian Snell kept the ball low. He looked different. Snell 4IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 5K. He threw 50 pitches, 35 for strikes. When we were in Florida.  He had an intense workout routine that I was able to catch portions of during the game.  Ian was relaxed and we enjoyed being able to see him bounce from teammate to teammate during the first three innings of the game.   Maybe the look of excitement in his eyes two weeks ago was because he [...]

Bay, Ortiz, Pedroia,  and Youklis were not in the lineup today against Tom Gorzelany.  It didn’t matter.  Gorzelany, Chris Bootcheck, and Brian Slocum easily had the Pirates worst performance on the mound this spring against a Red Sox squad that didn’t bother to bring any of the stars on the trip. It was disturbing to watch Gorzy today.  The others have little chance on making the team, but Gorzy is pitching for a rotation spot.  Some would say he is pitching his way off the rotation. Gorzelany gave up four earned runs on two home runs today. A three run [...]

Is anyone else surprised with our outfielders this year? Nate McClouth got paid.  Nate McClouth looks great again.  Check, move on to the corner outfield positions. I find it shocking to see Nyjer Morgan not making a good impression this spring.  He gets another start today at the top of the order against the Sox.  He was O for 5 against the Astros yesterday with his first fielding error. He certainly is getting his chance to prove his is the starter. His results are proving quite alarming thus far.  Morgan has 27 at bats and just four hits.  He has [...]

The Bucs took it to the Astros yesterday.  Does anyone else smell trouble in Houston?  If you have a few minutes today, peruse some of the Astros blogs, WOW.  The Pirates season has strong upside.  I thought the Astros would have had a little more for the Bucs yesterday, after Coach Cecil Cooper called a closed door meeting.  Stay positive, good things lie in store for us this year.  Today’s game against the Sox should be an interesting matchup for the Bucs.  After Ross Ohlendorf (six hits and two runs — one earned — in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two) [...]

Headed to DC for the grudge match today and to get to the bottom of the Chris Cooley controversy.  If you need a laugh look at the Washington Post.

Like hard working Americans waiting around for the stimulus plan to work, Pirates fans are waiting as patiently as possible on the young players aquired in the Nady and Bay trades to perform. Obama calls his plan redistributing wealth.  Pirates fans think its redistributing wealth as well.  Their opinion is the rich Yankees got richer and the Pirates got suckered.  Just like tax payers.  I don’t think we got suckered at all.  I believe Ross Ohlendorf has to make the rotation.  He is showing it in the Grapefruit League.  With everyone who owns a Pirates hat just dying for some consistent pitching, all eyes [...]

Another few hundred thousand Terrell Owens jersey’s are hitting landfills throughout the country today.  My wife tossed her Eagles Owens jersey a few years ago.  Another highlight moment for me. Owens gets 6.5 million dollars.  Bills fans get a years worth of entertainment.  Bills QB Trent Edwards should buy stock in Tylenol.  Former East Brady All Pennsylvania QB and Bills HOF QB  Jim Kelly who led them to four straight Super Bowl second place finishes was not available for comment, but I am certain he is thrilled to have Owens playing for his old team.  Yeh.  Thrilled. “I’m leaving America’s team (for) [...]