Our Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Wishlist

Today we put the snow flurries of Pennsylvania in the rear view mirror and will head for the sunshine of Bradenton, Florida.   We put together a list of things we will be looking for/dreaming about/longing for/desperately seeking:

The face of Major League Baseball, Andrew McCutchen picking up where he left off.

The usually slow starting Pedro Alvarez smashing a few windowshields.

The Jose Tabata we thought we knew.

Starling Marte showing off that hose.

The lean-mean Tony Sanchez getting to know the ML staff and ripping a few balls into the gaps.

Screaming Hoka Hey! as we drink a few in the tiki bar at McKechnie.  (Let us know if you want to drink a few for you)

Man child Garrett Jones working hard at first base.

Mixon’s fresh O.J.

Neil Walker and Bill Mazeroski working on the turn.

Travis Snider ripping more line drives than dribblers to second base.

A.J. Burnett shocking the world in his contract year.

A James McDonald that resembles the 2012 first-half JMac.

The bionic cast of the worlds most confused Christmas dad.

Kyle McPherson throwing painlessly and effortlessly.

Wandy being Wandy.

Vic Black throwing strikes.

Bryan Morris pitching like a future closer

Middle infielders, Jordy Mercer and Chase d’Arnaud living up to their potential.

Team Canada’s shortstop settling for being the Buccos catcher and throwing out a few runners from behind the dish.

A pitching staff that at least pays attention to runners on base.

A team that can run the bases effectively.

An outfield that can hit the cutoff man with regularity.

No bunts!

A few bikinis.

In our haste to pack and drive to the airport, what did we miss?