Today: Pirates-Mets, 8-18-08; Pearce's RBI single wins it, 5-2

1st~

what's a getaway day btw?

I still can't believe we're in rebuilding mode Again... but at least this time, in the right way.

in my ps2 "MLB The Show" game, my Buccos franchise have only 2 guys over 30, the rest under 26, and no one in my minors is over 24 haha

here's hoping the Pirates come closer to that by next year.

Getaway day means playing an afternoon game, so the team can use the rest of the day as a travel day to make it to its next destination for a game the next day.

Why would you start Michaels and not Mientkiewicz, especially when Michaels has done all his hitting off the bench?  Mientkiewicz is about the only guy on the team who isn't ice cold.

hey dejan, i love the reporting and love the blog.  I think you've been doing a great job with everything especially the trade deadline and the draft.  But i cant believe what a little girl you are actling like about this whole rocco thing.  If he broke the news before you, get over it, you have no idea if he had sources that knew the boras camp.  Just because you werent the one to break it first doesnt mean you have to start crying and get your boy smizik involved.  Its stupid and takes away from actual Pirates coverage.

Did I miss something?

Wasn't it Smizik who wrote about your local radio guy?

Dejan's been professional through it all.

And I should have added that Dejan has stated many times that he doesn't comment on other media opinions.

Rocco tried to BS his way into looking like he had a scoop, when all he really had was a guess.  Smizik is a big boy, I'm sure it wasn't at DK's request that he called out Rocco.

Rocco = Self-Important Twit.

Does a September call up count towards a players MLB service time?

How much of an impact does a month+ of time have as far as arbitration years and free agency?  

I thought Smizik's article was in bad taste.  Whether Dejan put Smizik up to writing it or not, it makes the PG look like a bunch of whiners.  "Well we would've got it first, but but... this guy got it and there's no way!  There's no way he could've scooped us, so he must have made it up and got lucky."  Ridiculous.  Smizik has no proof that Rocco "took a guess".  

Maybe he should stop trying to get good sports personalities fired.

DK did state in his "Are you all Insane" blog that he found the early reporting of the signing to be a sore point because he had multiple strong, verifiable sources that contradicted that reports validity.  That is not whining.  That is a good reporter using his trusted sources to expose faulty reporting, which in and of itself is newsworthy.  

It should be a sore point for anyone who considers themselves a journalist.  Any such professional knows he must gather NOT ONLY a source of provides info but also one or two ADDITIONAL sources to verify it. Without all of this, there is a serious credibility issue, regardless of whether or not the info eventually turns out to be true.

Meanwhile, a voice/personality such as Rocco can hear one thing (perhaps it was someone who may know something, perhaps not) and then claim it to be the truth--and typically there is no backlash when he's not correct.  It's laziness, and unfortunately it's also becoming more prevalent due to the increasing variations of media (blogs, TV, podcasts, etc.)

To reinforce what a few people said above, I thank Dejan for providing such a great resource for Pirates fans--especially one that I know is backed by sincere journalistic efforts.

Cave -- Gotta agree.  For one thing, Dejan gets asked about reports like that by readers, especially now with this blog.  It's not just a question of whether to lay off other media sources, it's a question of informing the readers.  I don't see how he can just ignore a report like that.

As far as the radio report itself is concerned, it was clearly BS.  The guy reported that BOTH Alvarez and Scheppers had agreed to terms.  What happened to his impeccable sources on Scheppers?  Has he explained that?  Guessing right on Alvarez was no challenge.  The history is that very nearly all of these guys sign unless the situation is very unusual.  Alvarez ended up doing what he was universally expected to do.  This radio guy is like the "psychics" who make thousands of predictions and then credit themselves when one of them sort-of comes true, while forgetting all the ones they got wrong.

StuckInPhilly,

I have that game for the PS3, The Show 08. I'm addicted to it, can't put it down! Game is ridiculously realistic.

Steve Rodgers-

But i cant believe what a little girl you are actling like about this whole rocco thing.  If he broke the news before you, get over it, you have no idea if he had sources that knew the boras camp.

Sounds like you need to look in the mirror to find your 'little girl'. I find it HARD to believe that Rocco has a 'source' in Boras's camp. Thought Boras surrounded himself with high profile athletes, not second rate radio reporters in medium market cities. Little girl, please, let Rocco defend himself.

News Flash ...

Talk Radio ≠ Actual news reporting.

Check Rush Limbaugh's credentials... no journalism degree required!

"In general, team seemed in high spirits" as it should, even in the losing streak.  I think (a) most of them realize that better days are coming, and (b) a lot of young guys are finally getting their chances to show what they got at the big show.  

First of all, at what point was Dejan anything but professional in discussing the Alvarez signing and the reporting around it?  He HAD to address it in some manner, as it was being "reported" by Rocco on that show several hours before it actually happened, and for DK to not check with his sources to confirm or deny this rumor would be the height of insanity for a journalist.  When his sources told him that there was no deal and the Pirates were playing the waiting game and expected it to come down to the wire, DK absolutely had to report it that way, and to tell us Rocco's "scoop" was wrong.  

Besides, do you really think Rocco scooped everyone in Pittsburgh (not just DK and the PG, but also the Trib, the 3 local media stations, and the national experts as well), and yet his scoop was so good that no one else could pick it up for another 3-4 hours?  If you do believe that, then you clearly aren't familiar with journalism in the 21st century.  No, what really appears to have happened was Rocco "scooped" the story (in his mind anyway), and all of the local and national writers saw or heard this, likely called in to their sources to confirm, and every single one was rebuffed by the Pirates, who themselves apepared to have no idea what was happening.  

As for the blog posting the next afternoon, the "You're all insane" one, it was merely a recap of the night's whirlwind events, with some extra tidbits that didn't make it in the night before, and DK made the very good point that Rocco's report about Scheppers told you everything you needed to know about the validity of Rocco's claims.  I don't see how it was wrong for him to do that.  If he hadn't addressed it, there would have been questions up and down this blog about why Rocco had it and no one else did.  Face it, Rocco made his stuff up, and DK had it right from the beginning, because he actually is a reporter and has this experience and these sources.  

I've never heard Rocco (I'm out of market), so I can't comment on him. However, to generalize, radio talk shows are the least responsible, most sensationalist sources of information out there. As just a brief example, every night after dark when I'm trying to hear the Pirates, CKLW skips in from Windsor, ON (just across from Detroit) and blasts call-in quackery. I fight a losing battle whereby "Go ball, get out of here" is wiped out by talks of how the government is hiding aliens and UFOs from us (and not a question of IF, but Where and How).

At this point in time, newspapers are primarily centered on delivering good info and radio/TV focus on either entertainment or infotainment.

I think most important, whether it's the Pirates or "real life," is to think about what you hear AND consider the source before you choose to believe it.

WHat happened on that play that Jerry Manuel was thrown out ?

Chris Duffy isn't exactly showing how much he wants to play, is he.

Well, the Bucs are certainly making Maine work today...63 pitches in 3 innings?

" If he broke the news before you,"

-- News flash for you, Mr. Rodgers: Rocco didn't have the facts right, so it could not have been "news."  It was pure speculation -- especially on Scheppers -- that he tried to pawn off as "fact" to achieve some notoriety.  Smizik was right to call him out on it; kudos to Bob for doing so.

And why the need to impute Smizik's column and viewpoint to Dejan and call him names?  That kind of irresponsibility is what Rocco was guilty of.  

phillyjake -

DK just added a note at the top of the page, explaining why Manuel was thumbed. Basically, the "other" Reyes, made a turn toward second on that double play ball, Doumit - backing up the errant throw - noticed, and ran over and tagged him out. Manuel took issue with what he figured was Reyes' lack of intent.

I'm getting REALLY tired of this pompous Mets color guy on the mlb.tv broadcast. On LaRoche's last play, the shot past his backhand that went for a double, he said, "Well, he's just not a good third baseman," or something to that effect.

I think it's Ron Darling ... I feel like writing him an e-mail, saying it would have been equally as ugly and non-gracious if someone would have said of him after one of his MANY bad series, getting shelled for the Mets, "Well, HE'S just not a good pitcher."

What a generality!

Well, the Bucs are certainly making Maine work today...63 pitches in 3 innings?

And not much to show for it... "Hey ho, where's the O?" Let's go Bucs!

Yeah, but they seem to have slipped into last year's approach, where they make every pitcher look like Sandy Koufax.

I couldn't believe Nate's last at bat ... He only threw him balls letter high and above, and Nate obliged by not being able to extend, popping fouls until he hit a short fly to left.

Freddy got a hit, but was flailing away as usual, too.

I won't go to "hapless," but for a lot of reasons I'd say we're "punchless."

OK, also out of market since 1987, so have never heard Rocco, but from what commenters posted on deadline day, he reported that Alvarez signed a major-league contract for $8M-$9M.

Basically, he was wrong on two out of three points (major league vs. minor league, and the dollar amount - Boras's number vs. management's number).  He was also wrong on Schepper's signing.

One could flip a coin and expect to do better.

That's not a scoop, that's a blind dog catching the occasional squirrel.

Duffy is well on his way to spending the rest of his years as a minor leaguer for lack of want-to. It's a shame - he's got the talent for sure to be gold glove.

See? They got Maine to work too hard, got Stokes in there, & look what happened!

Go Bucs!

Duffy's been in Indy, on their reserve list, since at least Wednesday...he even did a little coaching at first base on Friday.  

Yeah. I think MAINELY they've just been pressing today (anyone notice that pun?). I can also see where that pressing would lead them into poor plate discipline they've shown today.

I mean, to look at Freddy that last at bat, would you ever figure him for a batting champion?

@baywatch I live in NYC and watch a decent number of Mets games just to watch baseball.  I actually think Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez are two of the best color guys out there.  I wasn't watching when he said, "He's just a bad 3B," and I'm not defending that comment (even good announcers have bad days), but just an FYI from a guy that watches him more regularly and is normally annoyed at all sports announcers.  

The Mets guys are way better then the Yankees broadcasters.

Would really be nice to see the Buccos score here in the bottom of the 7th so Maholm does not throw a solid game for another No Decision.  Great to see him challenging hitters.  

About the only thing Duffy seems be able to have the word "major" associated with him is "major headcase".  It is indeed a shame to have physical talents waste away.  

Now, as for the rest of this year...let as many of the guys as possible that may make the 40 man roster next year up in September and give them extended looks. At least that will make 90 plus losses somewhat valuable.  

Just wondering if Don Long is working with Pearce to help him get his stroke back.  I'm hoping that once he hits his first home run, the floodgates will open.

Well, it looks like Maholm got the no decision.

Anybody have a list of major league teams that have made it this far without a ten-game winner yet?

Bay

What's up my friend?

---I mean, to look at Freddy that last at bat, would you ever figure him for a batting champion?

To be truthful I have never ever been a FF (Freddy fanatic). I honestly think he caught lightning in a bottle. I feel his defense is slightly above average at best.

Is he a gamer? Absolutley.

He and his family are also wonderful to our to our community.

I think his teammates genuinely respect him as well.

I just have not been able to jump on the FF bandwagon.

mattenat -

Appreciate that. One always has to factor in the "homer" mentality on all these broadcasts. Does he say something like that about LaRoche if it's a neutral broadcast ... maybe not.

When the old guy who's playing shortstop ... what's his name? Easley. When he grounded into his last double play, the play-by-play guy says, "That's the fourth time in 7 at bats Easley has grounded into a double play."

Darling says, "Well, that will leave you scratching your head," instead of "He has no business playing daily, he can't hit any more."

See what I'm sayin'? But, you're right ... they all have bad days. And the Pirates are for sure having another one ... I'm sure it's hard to resist labeling them "hapless" today, regardless of who's side you're on.

I see Yates is stinking it up again.

Maybe I ought to pack it in until spring training ... I'm getting pretty frustrated here.

Man. Burnett must be taking lessons on inherited runners from Grabow. He's been making that look easy lately.

BillyKidd -

Tryin' to chill on this game ... 'fraid I'm going to need some counseling before the day's up, maybe from you guys that have followed this team for the past 16 seasons!

I know, it's a lost season and we've got HOPE for the future now, and all that ... but it's still a bitter pill watching these guys play.

Burnett just got Delgado with the bases loaded ... I just took the rope off my neck: I'm good for another inning.

I am a big fan of rocco's and i think his show is great... i am also a big fan of dejan's and the blog and articles are awesome... however rooco reported the grossman signing long before it happened and the miller signing the night before so it is hard to argue he has a bad source... once realized he was wrong about scheppers he said it hinged on hit medical situation and wasnt probably going to happen.. as far as predicting the money of the contracts that was speculation because basically no one ever gets those numbers right... i think dejan did fine in saying he didn't hear the same news that rocco did and that is fine.. however i find the article by smizik ridiculous and not necessary who cares if rocco has good sources or not we got grossman miller and alvarez and thats all that matters... so quit complaining about it cuz rocco reported all three stories first

mattenat -

Met my wife in NYC. She was living over on the west side of Manhattan, just off Amsterdam.

We lived in the Poconos after we first got married. Can't believe I never got over to Yankee Stadium in the five years I lived there.

Baywatch -

As I've endured the now 16 years of losing, the only thing that gets you me through it is the hope of better things to come.

Bucs take the lead in bottom of the 8th.

Little things like that also are a huge help to build the hope.

OK Baywatch, it's the time of the season to remember it's baseball not football -- bad teams win 4 out of 10 and good teams lose 4 out of 10 and it doesn't matter whose playing who most of the time, just whose having the better day.

Good teams have more better days than bad teams, though.

Baywatch, and it looks like we can add that 3 runs ease the pain.

irate fan - Thanks for your counsel ... and

NOTHING IS MORE THERAPEUTIC THAN A TIMELY DOUBLE FROM JUMPIN' JACK FLASH!

Go Buccos! Life is worth living again!

OK, glad we scored 3 runs there, but why was Rivas batting instead of Mint...Mienk...Doug? Seems like he's been one of the hottest bats lately--why not put him in there?

JHadar - Thanks for the pat on the back and the reality reminder ... kind of like the old shaving commercial: "Thanks, I needed that!" (I may be showing my age here, JHadar, that commerical was made like way back in the day, maybe early 70s).

Hold 'em Bucs! Who we got ... Grabow. Good ... I hope.

'Bout the dissing of Andy Laroche by the Mets' announcer - I suspect some bad feelings from the Mets organization regarding both the Nady/Marte and Bay trades - they would have loved to participate in either one but had nothing to interest the Bucs.  If Darling is a company guy, he may be reflecting a little animosity - either trade would really have helped the Mets.

BUCS WIN!!!!!  BUCS WIN!!!!

Burnett gets first win since 2004!!!!

and there was no.......... doubt about it.

I'm kind of surprised that no one approached NH seriously about Grabow; he's having a very decent year and there are a bunch of contenders whose relief staffs could use the help (like the Mets).

Damn, need to break out my Green Weenie...

Dejean -

Great work on all the trade stuff.  It was so nice being able to follow it online.

What happened to the Duffy update?  Why did that disappear?

Jumping up and down for joy! And what a save ... not by Grabow, but by Gomez on that throw from LaRoche, down at second!

After the botched double play, Darling called LaRoche "defensively challenged." Boy, if I was Milton Bradley, I'd be marching up to the booth to have a word with him right now!

Maybe I'm over-reacting a little bit, and ratting him out a bit much, but WHAT A JERK!

On the other hand, I expect LaRoche to be out, first thing in the morning with Tony Beasley, for some early fielding practice - and Bautista watching the reruns saying, "Uh-huh ... I told you so.

The Mets broadcaster was just telling his fans what he saw.  LaRoche may not be a bad 3rd baseman, but he's portraying it on TV.  I want to be hopeful.  Maholm is the only starter who gives you confidence.  An. I may be wrong, but hasn't Pierce gotten the big hit twice recently?  And he's from our system.  I can say that the Pirates wiould be miles better now with Bay, Pierce and Bautista instead of Pierce, Moss and LaRoche.  I mean miles better.  Really didn't like that trade.  Hopefullly Karstens pitches like he did his fiirst 2 starts at least one time before the end of the year.  His ERA will be over 4.00 guaranteed by the end of the year if he pitches regularly.  

Baywatch said -- JHadar - Thanks for the pat on the back and the reality reminder ... kind of like the old shaving commercial: "Thanks, I needed that!" (I may be showing my age here, JHadar, that commerical was made like way back in the day, maybe early 70s).

I was in junior high when Maz hit the home run.  Getting a hard time from the Yankee fans between classes, but when we got to class the science teacher wasn't there and there was a line score on the blackboard with the score at 8-8 with the bottom of the 9th blank.  He came in about three minutes after the bell rang and wrote the one out.  About three of us got up and cheered.  (I should add I grew up here in Iowa where every team has its fans)  And I've enjoyed beating New York, especially the Yankees, but New York will do in a pinch, ever since.

I'd been shaving a long time when that commercial first came on.  

Thanks!

Everybody keep Dirty Doug and wife in your thoughts, please.

Seems to me that DK is our man that we read and trust to know what's happening.  To me if he ever gets or has ever been scooped on a story is a moot point.  The main point is when he writes what he writes it is correct and we beleive it.

Baywatch, Jhader, count me in the older group of people in this chat and a life long bocco fan.  Good to see we can still type and think for ourselves.  Like your comments by the way. Not alot of ranting, some menaing stuff, funny stuff, and good comments with some history.  Makes this fun to read.

I missed the Duffy post, anyone care to inform me what it was about?

meaningful stuff..  my bad I gues I am losing my abilitly to type.  

To the ranters keep it up as well.  Some are fun and do have some points.  Or are just plain funny to read.

madturk2008...

It said that he had been added to the roster in Indy.  And he was, but now he's not.

just basically that he reported to indy.

Dejan,

Hate to nit-pick, but the LaRoche homer came off Stokes, not Maine.

A healthy Maine probably would have put our AAA lineup down on 6 hitsfor a 2-0 Mets win.

Explain to me again why the Mets didn't pursue John Grabow?

Went looking for more info on Duffy.  Saw that Price is pitching against Indy tonight. Would love to be able to see that game.

Please don't tell me that Morgan is going to take ABs away from Pearce since he's a lefty.....

Dejan does an awesome job, Smizik I can do without.  I think I have a pacifier and a sippy cup my niece doesn't need anymore, I can maybe send them to Steve Rodgers?

send em over pirata13...and i may have gone a bit overboard on my post, and i really respect dejan and he is my man for pirates news, but i dont understand how they can call rocco out for guessing...essentially they are guessing that rocco was guessing because he was right and nobody knows if he had a credible source...he had bad info on scheppers, retracted it 20 minutes later, and was was right about grossman (weeks ago), miller (night before), and Alvarez.  Doesnt sound like guesses to me, sounds like sour grapes because he broke it first

Baywatch wrote re: Today: Pirates-Mets, 8-18-08; Moss could return this weekend

on 08-18-2008 6:40 PM

I'm getting REALLY tired of this pompous Mets color guy on the mlb.tv broadcast. On LaRoche's last play, the shot past his backhand that went for a double, he said, "Well, he's just not a good third baseman," or something to that effect.

wake up.. he's nto ..was at the game today...isnt bvery good to hear right...didnt dive on the double in the first inning down the line ..even tho he was playing close to the line and the attempted 'pick' on the ball to his right was brutal...plus he was joggin to 1b on a ground out...hit in the 220s then maybe you can jog once in a while

how is this guy better than bautista-- good on balls right at him--thats it..and u could see in the warmups he throw too much sidearm....wonder the reason torre gave up on him.............

I can give Rocco credit for the Miller signing, as that was surprising and he called it right before, but I'm not sure how you can give him credit for having the source on the Grossman signing weeks in advance.  Lots of people thought the Pirates would make every effort at signing him, and it's not like that negotiation had to take until the last few days to come together.  Just because he said the Pirates were going to sign Grossman weeks before it happened doesn't mean he broke the story, if anything it might mean that he was guessing again and just guessed too soon.  

Ron d -

Can you repost and make a coherent point?  

If any one out there is interested in reality,Chris Duffy ,# 1,is not a " head case ",he has had serious arm and shoulder problems requiring surgery,# 2,while in Altoona this season suffered from serious de-hydration and was sent home before being designated for assignment,and ,# 3,wasn't playing for Indy because there was no room on the active roster till Morgan got called up. Any one dissing him with out knowing the him or the situation is just showing their ignorance.

Regarding the radio guy:  I'm out of market so I didn't hear it, of course, but the issue doesn't seem to be what supposed "sources" Rocco may or may not have in the Pirates or Boras camp-  He could have all the sources in the world, but you can't "break" a story that hasn't happened for two hours.

Alvarez didn't agree to terms of any kind until 11:58 PM.  DK reported as such, after the fact.  Rocco reported as such, erroneously and prematurely, well before.  That doesn't make it true at the time just because it worked out the same way.

Look at Scheppers- where did he get that information?  What high-placed sources told him a deal was in place when it was essentially abandoned days earlier (a retraction 20 minutes later doesn't make the report any less false).

Commentary is okay, I guess, but not when it masquerades as journalism (exemplia gratia the Fox News Channel).

Not to break the chain of conversation going on here regarding who scooped what and how motivated crazy chris duffy is...

but does anyone think that 2 or 3 years from now, when we are hopefully a playoff contending team, that either of our current 2 middle infielders will still be starting?

The at-bat Sanchez had today with the bases loaded and one out made me want to come home from the park and burn my tshirt.  The guy just refuses to take pitches!!  bases loaded, a pitcher with control issues, just walked the previous batter and running up his pitch count and he jumps on the first two pitches he throws.  Is there anyway for Elias sports bureau to check on what percentages of at-bats the ole batting champ swings at the first pitch, at the first two, at the first three??

Having said all that - great game..sunburn to prove it, and my dad finally got to see victory fireworks at the park, though I think they scared him at first.

"Tyler Yates is looking tired. Small wonder, given all the work he had in the first half."

He is a new dad too....and having a baby that might not be sleeping through the night doesn't help either.........

Did anyone else notice this? I was looking at the Pirates website roster which has been updated to show DM out and Nyger Morgan in. I switched over to the depth chart and noticed that not only is Morgan there but so is Jose Bautista  as the backup third base and backup at all three outfield positions. There are a total of 26 players on that list. I'm just curious if JB was never removed in the first place or if he was re-added today.

And did anyone else consider this - at the risk of sounding too Bob Costa-ish:

The two guys who put the Pirates on their shoulders in the bottom of the 8th - A rookie looking to make a statement; and the old vet who said, along with The Who:

"We Don't Get Fooled Again ... Oh No!"

And, I just said, the bottom of the 8th ... Just how big was it when Maholm struck out Beltran and Delgado with one out and a guy on third ...

And I save perhaps the biggest for last - an unheralded Gomez who makes that catch and tag on the guy at second on a wild throw on which they could all still be running!

"Miles and miles and miles of Heart!"

Wonder if someone stepped up in the dugout this afternoon and said:

"C'Mon ... Let's win one for Dougie!" (probably not, but it sounds good in this context!)

G-Man

Since you are the holder of the sacred HAPS...Would it be ok to issue one to Jodie Mientkiewicz?

"Miles and miles and miles of Heart!"

-Bay, were you stealing that line from Gene Hackman in "The Replacements"?

BillyKidd -

G-Man is THE MAN who issues The Hap Caps ... got a feeling he's pretty close by ... kinda like Clarence the Angel in "It's a Wonderful Life!"

Actually, I was thinking about the song from "Damn Yankees," the musical from the 50s ...

Still looking for a good copy of "Major League,"

Bay Baby (just don't call me a Little Girl!)

G-Man ... If you're out there, we beseech Thee:

A Hap Cap for Jodie Mientkiewicz, Please!

BillyKidd - My bad ... I saw you were asking G-Man about the Hap Cap, not me ... Getting old, and me mind be playin' tricks on me again.

Off to the pizza wars,

Bay

Bay

Nice reference to Damn Yankees. I had forgotten them.

My lil bro may have a copy of what you are seeking.

Saving the best for last:

Awesome reference A#1

got a feeling he's pretty close by ... kinda like Clarence the Angel in "It's a Wonderful Life!"

G's avatar not wholly looks like Clarence but you get tge idea.

Also my favorite film of all time.

Bay

If I am not mistaken you are both kind of the inventors. So whom ever is available to issue the HAP please do.

Be careful out there!

Catch on the flip.

Bay and BillyKidd -

Definitely a fine suggestion for a nice gesture. One Hap Cap for Jodi is on the way. I'll post it in the other thread. Check for it there.

Baywatch and BillyKidd -

I'm LOL at   G-Man = Clarence the Angel

Aside from my late Mom, you two may be the first to suggest I am angelic. Should I Photoshop a halo on my avatar and repost it?

Speaking of Hap Caps, I think it's only fair to award a Hap Cap to Steve Pearce. He's taken a beating here from time to time so It's only fair to give him his due for his winning hit today.

    __/_H_\

I listened to that friday show with that Rocco guy and I didn't accept any of what he was speculating about as fact, since it wasn't fact at that time. I don't think he ever actually stated anything AS fact.

I did, however, agree with his assessment of why it looked like a sure-thing that Alvarez would sign.

Everything pointed towards Alvarez caving in to the Pirates offer.

I never had that feeling about signing Grossman, though. He did break that rumor, and he was right. I don't know what Smizik's problem is with something like that. The one thing that Rocco got wrong, about Schneppers (I know, but I like calling him Schneppers), he retracted quickly afterwards.

To all those bashing the Pirates lack of hitting, This is what happens when previous management puts together the most half-assed group of pitchers from the majors on down to the lowest minors.You HAVE to give up whatever is valuable enough to bring in some quality arms.

Were you not around during the entire pre-trade part of the season, when we were consistently losing, like 7-0 after 2 or 3 innings? Sure it was fun watching the hitting bring us back even and ahead at times, but it was empty, knowing that it would happen again the next night and the next.

The starting pitching prior to those trades was the worst they have ever had in their history! Those deals HAD TO BE done.

Only now, with some starters who can keep us in games can we begin to build a good hitting team again. The good hitting we had before the trades was not enough to make them contend. Not with the starting pitching they had.

Sure, it may take some time to get back to that great hitting. It took how many years for them to figure out that they had no protection for their clean-up hitters, be it Giles or Bay?

Until they finally got Nady did they accomplish this.

Heres to hoping management can see clearly enough to know that it is Nady's loss that has caused the biggest problem, simply for the lack of protection to the meat of the order.

I believe Doumit can replace Bay at cleanup, but nobody can step in and replace what Nady brought. I feel that once they address that problem, things will quickly change.

I already am convinced that Huntington & Company aren't the idiots that Littlefield (especially) and Bonifay were, so I'll withhold any judgement on that  situation until they break camp next April.

G-Man

Until we have an opportunity to check the FBI's 10 MW and and a national search of the Police Blotters we want to think the best of those in our community...LOL

How about a HAP halo?

Also I agree on Mr. Pearce.. congrats to him.

I honestly think we, and I am definetly one of those we, might have slightly higher expectations of those wearing the Black N Gold than we should. I am in no way saying that they should not be held to the same standards and expectations as every other MLBP'r but it seems that when ever someone has a prolonged stretch of struggling whether it is offensively or defensively there is a bandwagon effect of naysayers, again I have been one of them, but when they do well the bandwagon appears once again as the comments are almost tongue in cheek.  

Again way to go Steve keep up the good work!

BillyKidd -

I don't think I have been critical of Pearce in writing here on the blog, but I do confess to being frustrated with his results. On the other hand, I have been equally frustrated with the almost platoon-like way he has been used, chiefly because I don't know the reasons he's in one day and out the next. If JR is trying to replace some of the Bay/Nady lost offense by playing Michaels, that's okay. If he's trying to spare Pearce some outings against really strong pitchers like Sunday against Santana, that's okay, too. I just would like to know. Of course, management is not going to give us every little detail of why they do this or that. But I wish they could.

This whole season has been a virtual roller coaster ride. Sometimes it has had the peaks and valleys alternating between the top and bottom half of innings due to poor pitching and decent hitting. Right now, we are in a protracted valley of offense which, I guess, was to be expected. I guess I wish we'd be more consistent with our use of the young players, specifically Pearce, the way we have been with Moss and Andy LaRoche. Pearce's batting average hasn't been as bad as Andy and Moss yet they play every day. I have this gut feeling Pearce's future with the team may be based on how well he does right now, with McCutcheon waiting in the wings next spring. If he fails, does he ever get another chance barring injuries? Hard to tell.

G-Man

Could not agere more or say it better. My comments were not directed towards you in any way. It was directed towards all of us in the PBC community. I as with everyone have ridden that roller coaster this season to the point of "oh my goodness not again".

I am of the school of encouragement, hard work, strong work ethic, and everyone deserves more than a few chances. Versus berate belittle and trade him or send him down because he is not Maz, Pops, or Clemente.

I have said it here before bring the solutions not the problems

We all know the problems.

My solution is Put your best youngsters out there for the rest of the season givem a taste of MLB day after day. Put the vets (DD, Gomez, Michaels, etc.) in to give them an occassional day off (getaways after the night game). They will fail more often than not the rest of the way but that is the only way I can see what we will have heading into Bradenton next spring.  Bring up McC, and anyone else. What have we to lose other than games?

About this whole Rocco thing.

He made a guess and it came true. There is no way he can claim a "scoop" out of it.

If you guys remember Colin Dunlap's story when he went to New York, he quoted a restaurant owner who is friends with Alvarez's dad who said that Pedro would sign.

I didn't see Colin running around and claiming some "scoop."

Rocco made an educated guess and part of the education of that guess was probably reading things in the P-G.

pittsburghpirates.buccoblog.com/bob-smizik-a-spade-isnt-a-spade

G-Man -

Thanks for awarding Steve Pearce a Hap Cap ... He plays for big money like the rest of 'em. I'm sure he makes at least $20 per hour.

But I though his post-game quote had a ring of innocence, like a Little Leaguer: ""I love those situations. Always have. Just come up there hacking. I know a bases-loaded walk is good there, too, but I want to hit."

God bless us, one and all.

Baywatch -

>>God bless us, one and all.<<

Are you lobbying for a Steve Pearce nickname of "Tiny Tim"?  ;)

iverson113 - Thanks for that link =  Good Stuff

My final word on all this (it's gettin' old)

DK is AWESOME - Nobody Does It Better = Absolute Tops !

Rocco is Really cool