Ohlendorf to start Wednesday night

The Ohlendorfian is here.

Got a feeling this kid's gonna be very solid.

WE WILL.

Don't get your expectations up too much. He's a young guy who is here to get some exposure to major league pitching. IF he he doesn't perform well this year, it does not mean he isn't goiing to be good.

Roger that.

Dorf Goes Pitching.  I loved the one where he fishes.  Hopefully, this episode won't be as funny.

5 days until the kick off!

Have they given up on Chris Duffy? He finished up at Indianapolis six for his last eight and reached safely ten of his last twelve plate appearances. Seems like he was just starting to put it all together again. He was once sought after by Atlanta. He deserves another chance.

Tough pitching matchup for his first start.

I think Duffy will get a look in spring training, but if he's not traded, will probably have to prove himself at Indy.  No special reason for thinking that though.

Roschke - I'm afraid Mr. Duffy is going to be center field meat for somebody real soon. Plus, I'm confident he's going to get straightened out and star for the team that gets him.

dubers15801 - This is no lie. Just as soon as I read the P-G article this morning that Ohlendorf is going to pitch tomorrow, I said to myself, "I wonder what his nickname is going to be (baseball players are the nicknamenest people on the face of the earth) ...

... and when I saw your post I says "Yep," that's the one that - maybe unfortunately - will stick. "Dorf Goes Pitching." That's funny.

What kind of return can you get for trading a player like Chris Duffy at this point though?

for the season he played before they tried to change a goodleadoff line drive hitter into a slapper, Duffy played the field exceptional and he batted pretty well also.

All in all, I find him the best potential of the ones we have seen since his pre tracy messing periiod.

Any decent ownership knows he deservs a chance to get straight.  

Either here or for lesser value than his potential somewhere else.  Duffy has battled too much for anything less.

Much like Duffy himself, the handling of him has been a mystery.   He doesn't seem to figure into their plans and he's accomlished almost nothing in his career so he holds no trade value at this time.  I don't see him becoming a star for another team unless it is an indy league team.

Jersey Joe

I would love to see Duffy get a chance here in september and to compete for a job next year. I think he has the tools, I am just unsure if he can utilize those tools in the majors. I also think that trading him now or before next season would be a mistake.

I think that if Duffy had managed to put together more games, we would be seeing him called up, but as it was, he got a much later start in Altoona than anticipated and then he missed a lot of games due to an illness.

When he was finally assigned to Indy, though, he did very well...especially the last couple of games.  I hope well enought to get seriousl consideration, if not by the Pirates then by someone else.  

Besides, now they would have to clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster.

I would never attempt to trade himbefore spring training.  I think he deserves that much of a chance.  

still no word on who was removed from the roster?

I would look for Bellisario or Taubenheim to be removed.  

"Deserves" a chance?  What makes him so deserving?  Isn't this the same Chris Duffy who deserted the Pirates and baseball?  

Baywatch - I was thinking of calling him the "Big Oh!".  The ladies call me that.   How he pitches will determine his nickname.

I agree with Matt the Rat: trading Duffy right now would be a mistake.  You'd get next to nothing for him, and it doesn't  cost anything really to keep him around until he either flames out or rises.   I don't predict stardom for him, but if he's not in your plans, a savvy GM can put him in someone else's plans.  CF is a tough position to fill.

We are not alone...

Royals GM promises changes

Posted: Tuesday September 02, 2008 06:34AM ET

It's September and, once again, the Royals are light-years from playing meaningful games. So what now? General manager Dayton Moore is as mad as anyone. That was evident last weekend as he sat in the dugout at Comerica Park in Detroit, lips drawn tight, while watching his club work its way through batting practice. Moore is vowing major roster changes before the club gathers next February for spring training in Surprise, Ariz. In short, Moore has seen enough. The current mix of players isn't working. His solution is to make another major push this winter in the free-agent market while escalating efforts to revamp the roster through trades.

just read on mlb.com that ty was the man

everything negatvie said about Duffy is post rtacy interference  the old BU FOR explanation.  

when a guy is progressing to the point he is produvtive enough to make the big league ball team he has established certain tendacies which got him there.

this is what happened with Duffy. his line drives and speed he rode through the minors and then to sudenly be toild you are not a line drive hitter but slap the ball around that is a complete change of thought patterns at the plate.

Duffy tried to become that player but the results were not good.  

this is a no brainer here, we screwed him up he desrves from that forgiveness for maybe just giving up for awihile and his slow return to his previous form.

we are talking about the most toughest chore in sports, hitting a major league fastball and curve.

so fast some of us forget

Paul added a little line for the moment, above. Taubenheim has been released ... why does an image of an old Russian Jew with a long beard, walking away from the gates of a pogrom camp in Siberia come to mind?

dubbers15801 - Stand back, ladies, it's The Big Oh! Just tell me you're name isn't Oscar Robertson, OK? And if it is ... I'll take that virtual autograph ... what a player.

Yeah, I agree about the nickname ... I would hope his teammates wouldn't want to call him Dorf. Hey, if he's light's out, I'd be happy with The Big Nasty, but somebody else (in the majors-at-large) probably already has that one.

Cave - You called it right: It was Taubenheim.

@Baywatch

Not sure what to make your last post.

ESP

I also agree with Matt wrt trading Duffy, it is not worth trading him now. He is not even taking up a roster spot. If he is smart, he works his butt off this offseason so that he can come to spring training and make a good show. Then maybe he can be moved or contribute here.

My feeling is that he probably needs to go somewhere else to find success. Just too much history here concerning his mental and physical health.

@Baywatch:  Probably because he was just released from baseball Siberia.  Of course, if you are able to make the Pirate 40 man roster, what hope is there for you in the game?

And Duffy's exit from the game was 2 years ago. He spent the entire 2nd half of last season on the DL with the sprained ankle, then the shoulder. And then this year he's been trying to work back but the shoulder didn't respond as quickly as anyone wanted.  

I'd like to see him get another chance to prove he can play to his potential.  

jersey joe - good points, but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth when a player quits on his teammates.  Regardless of what management or coaches is doing to your abilities, you don't quit on your teammates.

Does that mean Taubenheim is gone?  Not to return next year?  That's sad if that is the case...

THat should have read if "Unable" to make the Pirate roster what hope is there

I'm sure he'll show us his "Oh" face!  

What movie is that from?

This has nothing to do with Ohlendorf, and I'm bored with the on-field results of the last month and talking about Boras/Alvarez 16 hours a day. Here's something reflects Baywatch and others' references to songs here in the blog. I got the idea when I went to see the film "Mama Mia!" over the weekend. As you may know, the group ABBA adapted their old songs to a play about a girl and her mother. What if ABBA were Pirate fans and adapted their songs to the Bucs? Here's how an interview might go.

G-MAN: How would you describe the Pirates results in the weeks post-Bay/Nady/Marte trade?  ABBA: SOS

G-MAN: What do you think is motivating Boras and Alvarez in their refusal to sign the contract?  ABBA: Money, Money, Money.

G-MAN: I hear you gave Li'l La a nickname after hearing he received special coaching on his footwork. What is it?  ABBA: Dancing Queen

G-MAN: What does JR typically say when he gets to the mound to remove a starting pitcher who gives up 5+ runs in the first two innings?  ABBA: Mama Mia! Here I go again.

G-MAN: Describe the Pirates minor league depth.  ABBA: Waterloo.

G-MAN: Do you think CC Sabathia should have been charged with an error on that infamous Sunday play?  ABBA: I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.

G-MAN: What did Frank Coonelly say to Bob Nutting that convinced Bob to hire him even though he lacked team executive experience?  ABBA: Take a Chance on Me.

Any of you who can come up with some additions to the list will receive a Hap Cap.

Taubenheim is not automatically gone, just that he now eligible for the Rule 5 draft

JAL - "... if you are able to make the Pirate 40 man roster, what hope is there for you in the game?"

The Pirates 40-Man = One-Note Samba

BTW, JAL, Thanks for those lyrics ... since I'd only ever heard Stan Getz blow One-Note Samba on sax, I never even knew there were lyrics to it. Later, I watched Jobim sing and play it on YouTube.

A small point: I'm no booster for NH or FC or anyone else, but I have to tip the cap to them for how they handled Evan Meek this year.  So often, the Rule 5 draft derails or retards someone's career (see under Jose Bautista); in this case, they chose Meek, and when it became clear he was over matched, took the necessary steps to get him to Altoona where he belonged.  Some deft management to retain an intriguing power arm.

That would be disappointing to lose Taubenheim to the Rule 5 draft...

G-Man - Pretty terrific stuff right there! I like the Waterloo reference to the Pirates' minor league!

You know, Steve Blass seems to have a pretty good grasp of music ... he quotes quite a bit of it, on-air, at times. I bet he could put together a nice music video of this year.

I know he likes to quote, "Carry on My Wayward Son." That would make a good tribute for Jason Bay ... or a bad one if they let Doug get away.

G-Man:  Haow would you describe this Pirate losing streak?  ABBA-On and On and On

G-Man:  What did CC think as he was trying to field LaRoche's ball.  ABBA-Slipping Through My Fingers

"What movie is that from?"

I figured it out....that line is from Office Space.

G-Man

Matt: What does every Pittsburgher say when Pedro Alvarez finally reports to the team   Abba: I've Been Waiting For You

Matt: What does Bob Nutting feel about his fanbase after the recent PA dealings   Abba: Slipping Through My Fingers

Baywatch:  Always happy to add something if I have something to add.  The song is not as obscure as some might think.

He was released. I believe he becomes a free agent.

GMan- Your usual high quality laughs.  

GMan- JR, if you could have one pitcher from your playing days to build this staff around, who would it be?  ABBA: Fernando

Cave - Not another lefthander! How about this guy?

www.youtube.com/watch

Matt the Rat - Nice history lesson in this video.

Didn't Duffy have to clear waivers to play at Indy.If so that is an indication there is little interest.I guess they can't just GIVE him away.Hang on to him and see how he does in AAA.Not sure about his age,but he must be in the upper 20s,but isnt Morgan close to that too.

Duffy is 28

Perhaps the images of Siberia come to mind because a lot of Major Leaguers would rather play for the Siberian Naked Winter League than play for the Pirates.

Chris Duffy - I don't blame him for wanting to quit a couple years ago after what Tracy did to him. Probably a couple others felt that way then too. I still have hope for Duffy. I still think he can be productive.

Ohlendorf, I think, has the potential to be a solid starter. It might just take some time in the bigs though to solidify his game.

Baywatch:  Gibson today might well have a lower ERA than some the Pirate pitchers :)

@Cave

Nice obscure reference.  Who knew so many ABBA fans who liked the PBC?

@maz

As far as Duffy and Morgan, don't give either one away--keep them until they figure it out or you can get at least something for them.   No one is blocked or safe on a team with 16+ losing seasons.

Baywatch

Gibson, he was davastating.  He almost signed with the Negro League KC Monarchs while in high school but didn't and signed with StLouis instead.

He looked like he could have pitched another 9 innings in this game.

Ahhh, the melodic voice of Curt Gowdy.  He holds most of my boyhood memories broadcasing the Red Sox.  I can still hear him say, "Hi neighbor, have a "Gansett", when promoting Narragansett Lager Beer.

JAL

Or a higher batting average than many of our hitters.  That guy could hit too.

Morgan is 28 as well...

Cave - Gibson was an animal ... I remember watching a game one night ... way back when, far enough back when you only got one game a week, but for some reason this was a night game.

Gibson against this kid for the Reds, Gary Nolan. Nolan had some pretty good years for the Reds - 110 wins/70 losses - from 1967-77 ...

Anyway ... it was these two, and as a youngster I'd never seen a pitching duel like this. I think both pitched 9 innings, with the Cards winning 2-1.

Couple of things from the video ... nice that they showed all 17 strikeouts. The Tiger hitters had some pretty good hacks (McAuliffe, Cash), were fooled on some pitches (how about Horton on that nasty curve ball, just looking down at the plate as he walked away, in disbelief), plus Gibson got the benefit of a couple generous fastball calls, a good bit off the outside black.

Kaline was such a class guy, his was the farthest outside of those Gibson calls, and he just turned around and walked away. Freehan, though was pretty miffed.

The behavior as they went off the field was from a different day ... handshakes and the most animated was a rigorous pat on the back from McCarver.

Cave - Thought you might like to see these vids I found, Curt Gowdy/WBZ stuff.

The WBZ thing is not the best quality. The one of Curt Gowdy on Ted Williams, is, but is short. Both vids, maybe 4 minutes altogether.

www.youtube.com/watch

www.youtube.com/watch

So how hesitant will everyone be to get excited if Ohlendorf pitches a good game. I mean we have seen our fair share of pitchers coming up and being lights out for a few games in the past.

I think things might be different with Ohlendorf though. From what I've heard it seems like he has the stuff to be a major league pitcher.

great Gibson video. But with that "violent" windup and delivery, I wonder how many modern day pitching coaches would have tried to change Gibson to be "less violent" in his pitching movements??

Cave/Baywatch - thanks for the Gowdy videos. I also grew up with Gowdy (in RI), and have fond memeories of my Dad listening to the Sox on radio, with Malzone, Parnell, Yaz, Runnells, etc (and leading them to another 9th pace finish).

matt the rat - I for one will not be hesitant to get excited if Ohlendorf pitches a good game. I mean, I'd just be excited about ANY win right now.

Matt--The key is not to get overexcited.  Pitcher has good first good game and it shows he has some good pitches.  After all, if he still isn't getting hit hard after going through the lineup twice then he isn't that esy to figure out.  Now the key is to see if the pitcher can repeat the performance.  I say, if pitches a good game say he has possibility but do not think he is the next Gibson or even the next Doug Drabek (if you don't remember-Drabek won 11, 15, 14, 22, 15, 15 in his six years with Pirates).

Baywatch - Haha I agree completely. But he could pitch a gem and the Pirates could still lose the way they are hitting right now.

JAL, matt & Cave -

Hap Caps all around!

    __/_H_\     __/_H_\     __/_H_\

matt, Baywatch and JAL -

I can't see myself getting more than mildly enthused over a single outing at this point. This is more because the overall plummet into the abyss of the team as a whole has taken off the edge from anything that might otherwise give me hope. Still, I would be mildly encouraged if Big O gets past the first inning without giving up a crooked number.

Alright my first Hap Cap!

ha ha, I do not know abba well so all the tunes I might use are used.

nice to be 2 days into the month and no losses!

hail young dorf. fare thee well; throw strikes, change speeds, work quickly.

bixler and cruz both as call-ups puzzles me. if these are try-outs for a wilson-less infield I am troubled. I am thinking with freddie healthy, jack set and not freaked about a trade, and doug dirt shuffling between first and third, we have a veteran infield that is capable of fielding- a must for the young pitchers.

I don't see how we have enough lumber though, without a return of mclouth, a rock gathering moss, and pearce breaking through. no confidence here in the laroche dynasty, and nyjer and duffy seem on parole or trade bait.

8 days to arbitration soap opera

My first Hap Cap too--that I am excited about.

GMAN, to amuse you rather than bore you I will share another great Bucco story.  I guess it was 1980 and it was the last or second to the last game of the year and the Bucs had to win it to keep their pennant drive alive, I think we were playing the phillies.

i bought a cheap ticket and went too the game alone.  whiile watching everything I got a tap on the shoulder and it was a former high school teacher who asked me if I wanted to watch the game with him in Art Rooneys box,, cut to the chase and I finslly said OK and went with him to and it turns out it was Arts box and I stood behind terry Bradshaw the whole game.

I promise to start proof reading

lol at jersey joe

every time I write the word and I look up and it comes out nad

I wonder what the lineup is going to look like tonight?

Matt:  Sleepy, Sneezy, Doc, Bashful, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, McLouth, and Ohlendorf  :)

jersey joe -

Cool story. As I remember the private boxes at 3 Rivers (remember, my Dad was a private box usher on level 3), the Rooney box was right on the 50-yard line for football and thus would have been on the third base side and in line with the shallow outfield for baseball. I'm pretty sure all the box owners had to buy them for both baseball and football in those days.

LOL at standing behind Bradshaw. I hope he was wearing a hat or the glare would have blinded you. Coincidentally, today happens to be Terry Bradshaw's 60th birthday.

JAL - Looks like the best lineup they've put on the field in a while...

JAL -

>>Sleepy, Sneezy, Doc, Bashful, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy<< Sounds like nicknames for some of us blog commenters. Three guesses who is Grumpy.

Since I've been lucky enough to receive two of the G-Man's Hap Caps, I thought I would take the audacious step of handing out a Hap Cap to Mr. G. For some fantastic work on the ABBA interview. Hopefully, I've not stepped too far over bounds.

Good Work G-Man.

__/_H_\

G-Man:  I think several of the blog commentators (watch that spelling G-Man-stay off the plank) would vie for the grumpy label  :)  

More realistically, since the game is meaningless for postseason play I couldn't guess what JR will come up with.  Certainly Adam LaRoche at 3rd as they seem to want look at him.  At least Morgan or McLouth will start--maybe both.  Will he want to put Pearce in?   Who knows!

Gman, you are correct in your rememberence to where the box was.  Terry signed autograph after autograph.. the whole game, items just kept being passed from all the box's.  John Banazak, Cliff Stout, and one other player I can not remember,but I do think my memory is correct with those mentioned.

Mentioning your dad reminded me i had a pal whose wife worked the food commisary at the gate between general admission and the rest of the place.  We would get in with general admission tickets we bought walking up and then she would let us through the commisary into the other side and eventally to the box seat area.  I do remember being told many a game by the users to move it along.

Jose Linds Pants -

I must warn you that Scott Boras is filing a complaine with the Hap Cap Union claiming you overstepped your bounds by awarding a Hap Cap wiithout actually owning a franchise. However, I clocked him one between the eyes and he's seeing stars and birdies circling his head right now.

Now, I most humbly thank you for the award. And I award another to you for your leadership in frequent changes of avatars.

    __/_H_\

Baywatch

Thx for the great videos. That was very kind.  I saw Ted's 500th homerun with my mother during a ladies day game and there couldn't have been 5,000 in the seats that day.  

GMan

I am honored to receive the Hap Cap and I would like to thank the GMan Academy along with the lovely Mrs. Bonifield who had long ago lost her husband to the Pirates and who now has lost him to their blog.  

Wondr why the lineup has not been posted yet?

I for one like seeing these 40 man roster changes.  Smart move with Ty, he pitched ok at times and not so ok at times ther has to be many a prospect in the rule five catagory that would be jumped on before ty.  if he did not make it a complete season with the Buccos who wamnts to take a roster spot for a whole year for him.

another smart move i think for our guys in the offfice.  If someone does take him with this hedge then the best of luck to him.

Cave - I was going to surprise you, as I found the box score for Ted Williams' 500th home run. The only problem is they say it came at Cleveland Stadium.

Interesting ... they show Chuck Tanner got a pinch hit single for the Indians that day.

Cave - My bad ... I meant to post the box for Williams' 500th Home Run ... Here 'tis: baseball-almanac.com/.../06171960.shtml

Herr MeyerMeister - Ze Lineup Cards, Please.

Zenk you, Paul

Baywatch

Thanks again for the box.

I was just a tike at the time. Could my mother have stretched the truth about that homerun for all of those years.  She is dead now so she can't defend herself.  I remember being at Fenway and after the Home run the PA announcer  said that was Ted's  ????? homerun and the five thousand people stood and clapped.  I think it was 1960 and she always told me we saw his 500th.  I guess we didn't but I am curious as to what milestone he reached that day.  

jersey joe : I am late to the conversation regarding Duffy.But,you had some really good points about him earlier.I saw him play for 2 consecutive years here in Altoona,and the guy ws the best defensive CF I have seen in AA yet.He hit line drives all over the place his 2nd yea,and was the team MVP,and that while Nate was having a very good year himself.Duffy goes up and does pretty well in Sept. of that year,Lloyd gets fired and the next Spring,Tracy starts trying to make him into Dave Roberts ! Then came one of the events no body seems to remember,Schilling hit him right in the head with a 95 mph fastball in a game at Bradenton.I was there,and won't forget the sound for a long time ! When he was finally able to play,more tinkering with his hitting,then another injury,then eventually the severe injury and operation on his shoulder.But I sincerely believe the beaning had a lot to do with his problems,along with that imbecile Tracy,who should have never even had a Major League job ! Dubers can say what he wants,but I saw this guy a lot,and his desire was never in question till he had all of the misfortunes.

@G-Man,

Thanks for adding some levity to this thread :) The ABBA interview was truly priceless.

@Duffy-h8rs

As far as Duffy goes, You simply must give this kid another shot & if this team really is about 'changing the culture' we need for spring training next year to really mean something. We have no LF, no RF, no 3B, a maybe at 1B and a C & 1 SP-there are holes galore & this doesn't even take into account if THEY trade off Wilson next year & maybe Sanchez?? Honestly, with our division shaping up like it is, we better be braced for possibly a 110 loss season next year-yes I believe it could get that bad. IF it is a mere stepping stone to something better, I could weather it; however, some of the luster has worn from NH & FC-At this point, I think we are no closer to a +.500 season than we are from going another 16 years of losing baseball-I always hear these folks talk about 'getting younger' as if that is some sort of magical translation for better baseball: It is not & actually most 28-33 YOs are actually in their prime statistically-this is why Bay/Nady stung quite a bit: they both probably have at least a good 4-6 years to go (they may even get better-Bay could hit 40 homers in Boston)

Duffy was the single most exciting player (bucco) I have witnessed in person in a very very long time-I am not sure if there exists someone faster to 1B than him since Vince Coleman & really if the Bucs are going to be soo weak from a power standpoint next year, they need to go with wheels (bunch of basestealing threats) & hope your pitching can hold the opponent in check. How about an OF of Nyjer/McClouth/Duffy - I doubt there is a double hit against us all year & those three (healthy) at the top of the lineup would drive pitchers absolutely nuts (provided they get a hit/draw a walk every now & then)

Duffy: My guess is that they'll either hang on to him long enough to try to get a little value for him, but I don't expect him to be around for too long. I'm expecting a trade for a guy who's done pretty well up through A or even 1/2A ball.

Abba: I detest Abba, so none of their songs work for me. I mean, I still listen to the games, which is more than I can say for Abba.

Concerned: Interesting lineup with an OF of Duffy/McLouth/Morgan. The fastest OF in baseball? Maybe in decades? I do like what Moss is doing with the bat, though, especially for a young guy. Nice power already & he's around .290 lifetime...with a sample size that's pretty decent.

Lion43: Good point about the beaning...I have no idea if it made a difference, but I don't think I've seen anyone mention it in respect to his problems.