Archive for March, 2010

  Former Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher Bob Walk has said it before.  He said it again Sunday during the Pirates radio broadcast.   It sounds something like this:  The Pirates front office knows who they want on the 25-man roster long before spring training.   A comment like this comes across as a little brash when one first hears it.  Almost like that kid that breaks the news that, “there ain’t no Santa Claus, you dummy!  It’s your Mom and Dad.” We all dream that spring training is a magical place where major league jobs can be won with a solid performance on the diamond.  But [...]

Pirate fans, we know…. sometimes it’s hard to let go.  Everybody wonders how their favorite ex-Pirates are doing this spring so with the Pirates having an off day tomorrow, we went on a quick hunt.   Just think of RumBunter as your Facebook.  You know, so you can check out your old sweethearts. Ronny Paulino is hitting .500 with 11 hits in 22AB with the Marlins.  He has three doubles and two RBI. Robinzon Diaz has five hits in 12 at-bats for the Tigers with three RBI. Adam LaRoche is tearing it up for the  Arizona Diamondbacks.  He has a .476OBP, .810SLG, and a [...]

L.A. is coming in for the Pittsburgh Pirates opener on April 5. Everybody knows Los Angeles is a hotbed for looking good, so Pirate fans we need to look great.  Last week, we began to share how you can make that happen in the countdown to the opener post.  But now we’re sharing with you the absolute worst combination of embroidery, wool, and the Pirates logo ever assembled.   You might need to look away from your computer screen.  We understand.  Disclaimer:  RumBunter is in no way responsible for any sickness or nausea caused from viewing these hats.  The images are owned by lids.com, we [...]

Duke has thrown 4.2 IP this spring allowing six hits and four runs.  He has struck out four and walked three.  Also scheduled to pitch for the Pirates are Daniel McCutchen, Chris Jakubauskas,  Javier Lopez, and  Evan Meek. McCutchen has pitched as well as he spoke on the Caravan.  In two appearances against the Orioles he has chalked up four innings, three hits, no walks, and three strikeouts.  He has allowed one earned run. Jakubauskas has not looked effective for the Pirates bullpen, while Lopez has held opposing teams to no runs in his four innings of work. Meek has made [...]

CC Sabathia said a few days ago after being punished by the Bucs offense, that results don’t mean anything down here until you give up eight runs against the Pirates.  Nice.  CC must have been upset.  He was slated to toss 3 innings, but only made it through 2.1 and gave up five earned runs on seven hits and a walk. I guess he thought it was a good time to pick on the Pirates. So heading into the rematch

Charlie Morton gets the start today.  The Grapefruit league hasn’t been anything like Morton dreamed.  The Pirates brass have repeatedly stated that Morton has the best stuff on the pitching staff.  But Morton has yet to show that dazzling stuff in a spring training game. So if it’s also true that Morton lacks self confidence, today would be a great time to start building that confidence.  And what better team than the World Champion NY Yankees is there to do it against? The Yankees have C.C. Sabathia on the bump.  The big lefthander has been similar to the Pirates starters effectiveness this spring training.  He [...]

Paul Maholm makes his third start this spring.  He has went 3ip/2er for a 6.00ERA.  He started and lost against the Yankees 2ip/2er and also in another start against the Yanks, Maholm retired all three batters he faced. Other Pirate pitchers scheduled to take it to the bump today are D.J. Carrasco, Jack Taschner,  Chris Jakubauskus SOX:  The Red Sox were rained out yesterday. Clay Buchholz has received quite a bit of attention through the years for his outstanding choice in women. Erica Ellyson.  Ex-Girlfriend. 2008 Penthouse POY  Photo 977.com Buchholz married Lindsay Clubine the model that typically holds briefcase number 26 on [...]

Who has surprised you at 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates spring training?   Here is our list