joesmeltzer775

Joe Smeltzer

Pirate season ticket holder since 1998. Die-Hard sports fan. Freshman at Waynesburg University. Love the Pirates, Pirates, Steelers, Penn State Football, Golden State Warriors and Liverpool F.C. Big things ahead. Non-Pirates content can be found at http://joesmeltzer775.blogspot.com/

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Pirates need to recognize what they are

Joe Smeltzer
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 29: Yasmani Grandal #10 of the Milwaukee Brewers tags out Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at home plate in the first inning at Miller Park on June 29, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

For The Pittsburgh Pirates Futility > Mediocrity

Joe Smeltzer
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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 15: Manager Clint Hurdle #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates watches his team as they take batting practice before the start of the game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on June 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Pirates Need To Move On From Clint Hurdle

Joe Smeltzer
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 13: Starting pitcher Jordan Lyles #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hands the game ball over to Clint Hurdle #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates after being relieved in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 13, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates flaws on display in Wrigley

Joe Smeltzer
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 07: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Starling Marte #6 after the final out in a 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 7, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates Home Stand Report Card For 7/1-7/7

Joe Smeltzer
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 28: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a single in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 28, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Pirates youngsters in the majors, not the minors, giving the franchise life

Joe Smeltzer
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 23: Melky Cabrera #53 of the Pittsburgh Pirates slides safely into home plate to score a run on a two run RBI single by Jacob Stallings #58 in the eleventh inning during the game against the San Diego Padres at PNC Park on June 23, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates: Home stand report card for 6/18 – 6/23

Joe Smeltzer
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 05: Elias Diaz #32 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Gregory Polanco #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates after hitting a two run home run in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on June 5, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates home stand report card for 5/30-6/6

Joe Smeltzer
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CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 28: Derek Dietrich #22 of the Cincinnati Reds takes a curtain call after hitting a two run home run in the 7th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on May 28, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Jerk or not, Derek Dietrich made this week a lot more fun for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Joe Smeltzer
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SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 19: Cole Tucker #3 and Starling Marte #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate after defeating the San Diego Padres 6-4 at Petco Park May 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates report card for 5/9-5/19

Joe Smeltzer
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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 04: Jordan Lyles #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on April 4, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates homestand report card for week of 5/3 – 5/8

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(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Chris Archer trade example of “be careful what you wish for” cliche.

Joe Smeltzer
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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

It might be time for the Pittsburgh Pirates to move on from Clint Hurdle

Joe Smeltzer
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DENVER, CO - AUGUST 7: Jameson Taillon #50 and manager Clint Hurdle #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates embrace after Tallion finished a complete game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 7, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates road trip report card for 8/6-8/15

Joe Smeltzer
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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Pirates home stand report card 7/26 – 8/5

Joe Smeltzer
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 09: Gregory Polanco #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds third after hitting a two run home run in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park on July 9, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

With Austin Meadows gone, pressure is on Gregory Polanco to keep rolling

Joe Smeltzer
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