Archive for July, 2009

Talking to Kyle McPherson it was obvious he had a tremendous childhood.  The McPherson household sounded like a lot of fun, just like the Spike team bus.  It was also similar in another way as well.  Effort, dedication and hard work were involved.  So be warned opposing teammates that lanky right hander on the mound has worked his tail off throughout his life and you might want to read this article it has some information that might just save you a few lumps. Take this tidbit of knowledge about growing up in the McPherson household.  He started taking Taekwondo lessons when he was five.  ‘Tae’–which [...]

Pittsburgh Pirate Lastings Milledge was told by the front office that he needed to prove he could play his way on to the Pittsburgh Pirates roster.  Do two home runs in Class A Lynchburg last night count? Milledge had a solo shot in the first inning to put the Hillcats on top 1-0.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough proof. He had to play the rest of the game. He lined out in the third inning, but in the seventh after a Chase d’Arnaud walk, Milledge launched a blast to tie the score at four. And his time in A ball was [...]

The St.Paul Episcopal School in Mobile Alabama has a tremendous sports program.  The finest player in their storied history is Jake Peavy who had a 44-1 record on the mound for the Saints.  The Peavy story has Hollywood movie written all over it.  And Kyle McPherson, a St. Paul’s star student years later, paid attention to all of those athletic feats on the diamond..  Read this from ESPN about Peavy and you will agree with me.  It’s a great article.  Click it and read it please.  It’s the best story you will read today.   Peavy’s number 22 was retired by St.Pauls.  Watch the video, especially the [...]

The Pirates sales team have increased attendance 2.4%.  Congratulations!  At a time when ”flat is the new up” in the corporate offices throughout America, the Pirates have set a new standard. *Enter   Good Lord, what is next?  Will they perform miracles during the seventh inning stretch?  I believe this has nothing to do with a miracle, but more to do with hard work, countless phone calls, working late at the game, and an outstanding preseason effort. Seriously, in the midst of two heart ripping trades to the Pirate faithful, the sales team increased their numbers?!  Heh NUTTING, buy the [...]

Riding the State College Spikes team bus through the mountains of New York, 21 year old Kyle McPherson is repeatedly redialing this baseball blogger with the screwed up name so he can get his interview completed.   He is diligent.  Each time the phone cuts out, he quickly calls back.  Every time when our phones reconnect, he apologizes with the most pleasant southern accent.  ‘’Sorry about that, sir.’’  The guy is all class.  All the time.  We talked for about an hour,  seven times. Each time his apology was more sincere. The bus was just as we have all imagined it growing up. Music [...]

Miguel Angel Sano has been one of the ongoing stories this year for the Pirates.  The source on all things surrounding Sano has been ESPN.com’s Jorge Arangure.  He tweets that we will know at the end of the week if Sano is 16 when MLB concludes the investigation. What is your take on this subject?  Have the Pirates backed themselves into a corner?  Is he taking the birth certificate of his brother?  What happens if the Pirates don’t sign him?  Most of us believed the draft factored Sano into the picture.  We also believed all of the stories about the [...]

Nelly was the star at the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball game doing his best Andrew McCutchen impersonation.  The rapper once was once believed to be in line to become a pro ball player with the Pirates or Braves organization.  We can tell.  He ripped a two-run home run to the power alley in right center field, made an excellent sliding catch and even threw ten feet over the catcher.  Nelly was the co-MVP with first baseman Bobby Knight. Also in the video link below is a Vince Coleman homerun off former Pirate Rich Gossage.  Heh GOOSE, it must have been the Yankees [...]

Pirates GM Neil Huntington said in his show before the game yesterday, he will take his family to the All-Star game to ”hopefully make some memories for them.”    Meanwhile, back at PNC Park the team in the office today will be left to explain the disappointing series, predict the upcoming trades, and generally, try their best to sell tickets to the second half of the Pittsburgh Pirates. And you thought you’re job was tough. They also will try their best to diffuse beat writers that predict Sunday’s starter won’t fair well AFTER the game is completed.  That always helps the worker bees.  Nice article. [...]

The Pirates are struggling headed into the All-Star break. Eminem was struggling with addiction when he wrote his new song Beautiful which shows some sad demolotion footage of Tiger Stadium and the depressed state of the city of Detroit. He said the song was a reminder to keep your head up, and to see who you really are despite what you are going through. So push play and enjoy Pirates fans, we know a little bit about being down don’t we? There are children preparing to graduate from our high schools next year who will never have seen a winning [...]

Pedro Alvarez is already shouldering a heavy load for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He has two important agenda items this month.  The first one is to play lights out in  St. Louis for the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game at Busch Stadium on Sunday.   Alvarez will take the field in a showcase of the best players in the minor leagues.   The US team dropped the game to the World team 3-0 last year.  Ozzie Smith will manage the US  Team while Jose Oquendo manages the World Team. The game will be covered on Channel 175 with veteran Jim Katt doing the analysis.   I can [...]