Early gamer: Pirates sweep St. Louis

RE-SIGN DOUG MIENTKIEWICZ!!

Ah man I wish we had a tape of that.  Go Dougie go.

Wow DK what was that number I mentioned this morning for attendance required to keep us from falling to 29th?  18,961 was that figure and we draw 18,994.  Well here we are now in 29th place in home attendance.  Here is the breakdown:

Bucs 20,210.45

KC 20,211.54

KC and the Bucs both have 7 home games remaining.  We have LA/Hou, they have Seattle/White Sox.

So much for the Cardinals not looking interested.  They were ready to pick a fight instead of playing baseball.

I agre with both JL and mad.

PBC--just keep building from here.

LOL! Somebody yells "there's a new post from DK" and we are like a colony of ants and run over here like somebody dropped some ice cream. Love this blog and all of you guys and gals and bench players. That means you, Mrs. Baywatch.

Great game. I'm glad I did not stay away. And, by doing so, we have definitively answered the question of whether Baywatch or me has to stay away for all of 2009.

Amid all the gridiron highlights, etc., I hope to see SportsCenter show DD not backing down from former Buc Opening Day starter Villone or Miles.  Even blurbs like that bring this Pirate fan some pride, something apparently the Cards weren't interested in maintaining.  How can that be when still somewhat in the wildcard hunt?

Cards seem so dang smug, even in getting swept.

SWEEP

unbelieveable. now lets derail the dodgers and stros from the playoffs.

villone? THAT villone we used to have? school them dirt doug.

cheers to stitches faced nate- 100 rbi 30 hr just around the corner.

CRUZ! keep up the good work young man.

even a tip of MY virtual hat to the laroche family swingers for a big boost.

Not only that, but had the Cardinals swept this series and been interested they would be in a position to be within 2 games of the wild card at this moment with Milwaukee and Philly playing another game this evening.  Philly can also tie the wildcard race with a win so dont celebrate in Milwaukee yet.  I believe their road trip continues for awhile in 2 more cities in Chicago and Cincy so they could struggle for the next week.  Maybe we'll actually give the Crew a battle next week and put them away in front of their home folks, now that sounds like the kind of fight Doug likes to talk about.

Another wonderful example of a terrible blackout policy.  How is it that ESPN can show a game like the Tigers/White Sox when there are two much better games to be played tonight.  Who knows if it is ever going to stop raining in Chicago today so we probably will get one of those games anyway I hope.  If these games are scheduled as make up games on Sunday night, then those with Extra Innings should be able to see them.

@JAL -  Thanks for the "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" spot on You Tube, my first look/hear of Sandy Denny.  Wiki says the song was released in 1968, nearly the same year the Buccos first and forever-since captured my heart as a young baseball fan.  How cool, and what a great voice.  Thanks again!

G-Man... love the ant analogy to us bloggers.  Big LOL !

@G-Man- I am trying to figure out an Atom Ant reference.

@bucsfanscents80 ... Oh, believe me, there's no celebrating right now here in WI with the Brewers.  Yost's head will be on the chopping block sooner than you can say, "He took a nice no-hitter away from Major League Baseball!"  The Bob Webb curse on the Brewers continues...

@BadgerBuc--Sandy was great.  She was 19 When she wrote Who Knows Where the Time Goes.  One of those photos where Sandy is sitting at table in house--I have had dinner at that table--it is the house of her best friend who know well.  Glad you enjoyed it.

Sandy was voted top vocalist in the UK.  She also remains the only guest vocalist who has sung on a led Zeppelin Album--the Ballad of Evermore on their 4th.

JAL,

In the last post, you ask, "what happened to the team that played in Houston(?)"

Didn't you mean, "Dejan, whatever did you say to those guys on the flight home?"

@G-Man--running to a new post is self serving--less posts to scroll through.

Yes, we now have the proof that your absence does affect the Bucs chances of winning.  Alas, thou art not all powerful :)

@JL--Good point, it may have something Dejan said to them.  

@JAL--Are you related to Cliff Clavin?

Mrs Bay---Does Mr.Bay seranade you like he seranades us?

When da moon hits a your eye likea big pizza pie...

@BK--I don't think I am related to any fictional character but could be mistaken :)

It must have been something something sticky-sweet and inspirational that "that made (them) play so well" (to reference Kenny Starr's 'Blind Man in the Bleachers, one of the all-time most embarrassing).

Post-Game Recap Haiku

Three in a row sweep

Takes three to hold up Villone

Sign Doug Mientkiewicz

@BK--yes, the Junkies have gone downhill since you were here.  No surprise that one their mothers worked at the White House.  The federal govt. is the biggest employer in the area so almost everyone knows someone who for the feds.

BadgerBuc,

Losing 6 out of 7 will do that.  I bet most fans thought they were sitting pretty until the Reds came in there and took 3 out of 4.  Looks like the Brewers could fail in late September yet again and then look where they will be in 2009 after losing Ben and CC to free agency.  They'll still be much better than us, but their real shot at doing something is (was) this year.

Well explained by DD as what he was trying to do.

Time to figure out what I am going make for my dinner--check back in later

G-Man -- Gone for less than 24 hours and it takes over an hour to read to read all the posts since I signed off last night.  

Great game though.  Same thought as before, let's hope that what we're (finally) seeing, is what we can look forward to next year only improved.  

I keep forgetting that Dumatrait will be back, too.  Should be very interesting come next spring.  Especially if NH follows through with some FA pick-ups.  I'd like to see us put a team on the field that's solid at every position.  (For you guys who follow such things, who's going to be out there in "middle to lower tier" of free agents?)  

Enjoyed the discussion of our pitching talent vs actual performance.  Since we've seen some late season improvement in Duke and Snell at least and maybe our rookies settling down a little, it is a reasonable assumption to assume that it will carry over?  It hasn't carried over much in the past, one guy seems to get straightened out, and then someone else comes apart.

Pants,

You have outdone yourself. You are our poet laureate of the Bucco Nation and I shall no longer submit any haiku of my own (unless you again decree me your stand-in, like last week).

lets not forget 'lights out' hansen. he's putting together a nice string of pitching. so nice to have so many to see step up the last nights.

Re-sign Doug? Reminds me of when all the Pens had to hang their hat on was someone like Gary Rissling. Worry about getting players with talent first.

Thoughts I had while driving many miles this weekend.

Just sitting here wondering which young Pirates prospect Teke expects to be called up soon?

In case he doesn't work out at 1B, Adam LaRoche had a 0.00 ERA in the minors in two games.  

I can't believe our season ends in 2 weeks.  Maybe this year I will actually attend the Pirates fantasy camp.  I think my spikes still fit.  

There is alot to like about TJ Beam.  

So, how much do we have to spend on free agents this year?  Trying to make sense of the Pirates player payroll is like trying to figure if I owe Alternative Minimum Tax.  

Why is the payroll number always posted with the caveat that we may not spend that much.  Doesn't management think WE KNOW THAT BY NOW.   Reading that,  I feel like a kid again, when my father use to give me a dollar when the carnival came to town and he'd say, " You don't have to spend it all you know.  

Luis Cruz, Hello.  Jack Wilson, Good Bye.

Raul Chavez.  My Pirates unsung hero for 2008.

I think the Pirates fans at PNC are the quietest of any park in baseball.  

Nate is jamming ping pong balls in his naysayers throats.

Maybe we can hope for a Jim Gott type finish.

Forbes -- We have quite a few (not enough) players with talent, but not many with experience.  That's why we need to re-sign Doug.

@JH--Nicely stated and I will leave it at that. No need to flame someone on such a wonderful Sunday.

Doug is a nice piece on a team that has all the important pieces. Doesn't mean as much on a 63-86 team. Keep hearing all this stuff about the veteran influence but who gets better? McLouth is better because of his ML experience and the opportunity to play, not because Doug influenced him. For all the rah-rah, Andy LaRoche still had to get yelled at for jogging down to first.

"Andy LaRoche still had to get yelled at for jogging down to first."

That was one time, quite a while back, now. No discernible point, there.

I think we'd all take NH and FC in the front office over ForbesFielder, any day. And that ain't saying much.

@BK--I spoke to my mother and said Cliff is a distant cousin on my fathers side of the family :)

I knew it!

@JAL-LMAO

Forbes -- Mientkiewicz deserves to be back next year because he is an all around player, the super-utility (to use the phrase du jour) guy who can play eight positions, keep up his avg. and obp while not playing every day, wield three kinds of gloves and hustle.  He can pinch hit, play a few innings late in the game after in a pitcher-position player swap, fill in for an injured player and give a regular a day off or a spell.  He deserves the job on merit alone.

Add to that that he inspires his teammates to be better, work harder, and have a respect for the game.  I don't know if he made Nate McLouth a better player or not.  You don't know that he didn't, so we have to take what his manager and teammates say on that one.

@Cave Bonifield

"Just sitting here wondering which young Pirates prospect Teke expects to be called up soon? "

You speaking about the stupid commercial?  I am getting real tired of seeing that one.  It's over no more call-ups get it off the air.

It's kinda of like hearing those who want to sign Doug and Sell the team.  It get's old when you know it's not gonna happen now.

@BK--Don't laugh too hard--take care of the back--no relapses wanted.

That's not a knock it's just reality.

At least the commentators here are a little funny and offer some ideas as well.

That commercial is so very dumb.

JAL wrote re: Early gamer: Pirates sweep St. Louis

on Sep 14, 2008 6:26 PM

@BK--Don't laugh too hard--take care of the back--no relapses wanted.

or haplapses.

And Mientkiewicz definitely has had a positive influence on Doumit this season...Doumit has acknowledged that, quite recently, on this week's Inside Pirates Baseball.

I think having a veteran on the bench like that is every bit as important as the talent you put out there on the field every day.  He teaches and inspires, and always goes out there giving 110% every time he's given a chance to contribute.

@JHadar  Well written.  It is impossible to determine that Mientkiewicz made players better but I think his hustle and never give up attitude was a good role model for other players.  As in any field, young people learn from more experienced people.  

As for the varied roles he plays and the fact that knows his roles, that alone makes him a valuable member of team.  

@DMac

Same with last night when he and Michaels were coaching Morgan in the dugout.  You need this type of player no matter what the level of talent is on the field or in the dugout.

Mad,

"...those who want to sign Doug ... It get's old when you know it's not gonna happen."

Now, now. Besides, though I don't stay awake nights wondering if the Regime pays attention to this forum, they actually might try to resign him. Whether or not he wants to be back, however...

Villone on the game

"Neither one of us is a teammate now. He got away with a play, maybe he's mad he got doubled out and I'm upset that we lost."  

"I think we have a couple of weeks left to show the kind of team we have, not the team that's been around the last week or two," Villone said. "It's unfortunate what has happened. We're sick of losing."

Sometimes peer pressure or coaching from a peer is more helpful than if a coach offers the same advice.

You feel the team has your back and you are more open to help that team and or player.  Confidence is helped as well with that type of support.  It can make a difference.

Well said, Mad.

@JL

Yes I kinda was running thoughts together there.

Doug may well be back or not.  I like him enough and think he would contribute enough to have him around.

I think it will be decided in the off season to see what kind of line-up we may have. rightie verus lefty bat, position that may need the back-up more.  Who wants to stay with the price we offer and such.

oh my my my

no need to cry

so you ask why

because the buccos try

no whiners here

they've been sent there

so you ask where

to someone who may care

would have been a nice game to watch

and still we have to deal with the complainers. it has already been decided that Nh improved our bench from last year.

it is a given that the leader of the pact was doug

what is so hard to figure out here

that piece referred to earlier is probably more important on a team like ours rather than to the, say, cubs.  this is elementry.

all the reasons spoken for signing doug and I am sure not all the ideas have been thought of yet.

I would take him over having the rest of the bench all together.

this guy reminds me of phil Gardner and Tim Fole rolled into one, attitude and team presence that is

well todays fight song was marvins lets get it on tonights jubilation song is from otis, respect

@JAL--I wonder if we hurt Bay's feelings? OR the HAP CAP presentation to the Mrs either made him jealous or possibly amorous....Maybe that is why he hasn't shown up yet.

@JJoe--<well todays fight song was marvins lets get it on tonights jubilation song is from otis, respect>

Why not RESPECT from Aretha?

@mad--<Sometimes peer pressure or coaching from a peer is more helpful than if a coach offers the same advice.>

Right on..We commented about this last night when they showed DD and JM talking to NyjMo. in the dugout. You could tell Nyj was paying close attention to what each of them had to say...

@BK--I know not the way of Bay--the Hap cap may have done it.  More likely, since power was out for about 24 hours he probably has to deal with the results of that--resetting clocks, tossing food that got too warm, things like that.

JHadar -

>>Gone for less than 24 hours and it takes over an hour to read to read all the posts since I signed off last night.<<

I know exactly what you mean. First, it seems like finding a bountiful pirate treasure, maybe a hundred or more to read. Then, five notes into it, you want to start replying but realize a million other people may have already said what you were thinking. And, by the time you get to the last one, you're exhausted.

Gotta say, this 3 game sweep of the smug Cards helped my "ouchy" Pirate pride feel better!

Bring on the Dodgers!  Keep the good MOJO rolling!

Re Missing Baywatch: Maybe the Pizza Wars went into extra toppings, er, ah, innings.

@G-Man n JHadar--you can generally skip right by mine since most of my posts are of the silly commentary type. That should reduce your reading by at least half.

And I must admit the immense knowledge base in this blog at times is quite impressive. I have learned a lot from many of you.

@BillyKidd

Carring the weight of silly posts on your back will not get you better.  

Now that is just plain silly.

@G--I stated something similar a litlle earlier. Maybe the "slavedriver" MrsBay. told him to stay out a little longer...

Momma needs a new pair of shoes....

<Tony La Russa: "The guy swiped the ball. He swiped it, and the umpires didn't see it. Mientkiewicz ... that's a [expletive deleted] play in a 7-2 game. He's acting like he's innocent.>

DD never said he was innocent. Just playing the game the way the game is supposed to be played for 9 innings. Now if he went in spikes held high or plowed into to him, that is another thing. Tony stop crying take your bat and ball and go home. nanana na we beat you 3 games to 0 nanananana.

I think I just saw Baywatch in the pizzamobile fly past.

He is looking for an outlet to plug in his puter for his power is on and off today.

Oh it was just the cards going home defeated from the bashing they received at the bats of the Pirates. Dripping red sauce all over and craping peperoni.

Screaming come on icecream.

because otis did it before aretha

Madturk

It was that redundant commercial I was quoting.  Enough with it already.  It is so last June.  

Does anyone here know what Tekes answer was?  

@BillyKidd

LOL I can see you thumbs in your ears and tongue out at Tony while saying nananan na....  

If you want a souvenir of the 3-game sweep, go to Shop MLB dot com and order one of those Stars and Stripes caps they wore this weekend for only $34.99 each.

shop.mlb.com/.../index.jsp

@Cave Bonifield

He did not have one.  They just wanted you to tune in and email them your thoughts as to who it would be.

BillyKidd -

>>G-Man n JHadar--you can generally skip right by mine.<<

What makes you think I'm not already doing that? JUST KIDDING!

@JJoe-that works for me.

Billy,  sorry forgpt the salutation.  

arethas is just as good.

there once was a young lad named billy

who said his thoughts were just silly

we dont think so

continue your glow

because your words are not really nilly

@mad--That was the virtual visual I was hoping for.

@G-Man wrote re: Early gamer: Pirates sweep St. Louis

on Sep 14, 2008 7:35 PM

If you want a souvenir of the 3-game sweep, go to Shop MLB dot com and order one of those Stars and Stripes caps they wore this weekend for only $34.99 each.

shop.mlb.com/.../index.jsp

Does that money goes for next years draft class?  Order must be in by midnight? To much for a hat, let's take a lower pick and save save save.

Hap caps are better and way way cheaper.

@G-Man thanks for the shopping update..I just ordered mine. It will be a very nice reminder of this weekend of 08.

Funny G-Man very funny..Although I do believe you do. <grin>

@JJoe--I am touched such beautiful prose. I think (sniff sniff and tears of joy) I will frame this and look at it fondly each and every day.

oh by the way I sell real estate very cheap.

Very nicely done Jersey Joe. Thanks.

@BK--Pittsburgh had ChillyBilly so why not Silly Billy :)

Since Bay doesn't deliver to Scott Township I called someone who does and they just dropped off my Lrg with Xchz, shrms sausage and pep. My cardiologist cousin loves me. Catch you all at half time.

@JAL--I have heard that one since childhood...At times it certainly fits.

Where I have trouble following it if I'm not lurking as we go along is when 20 or so people are involved inone or more of half a dozen simultaneous conversations with personal asides and I'm reading it six hours later.  Or when we have a whole bunch of people without avatars finding different ways to say the same thing.  

I enjoy the by-play and at times BK and all, it's worth getting bogged down in it just to extract that one good joke or line.  

JHadar -

Excellent point about the posters without avatars. When this all began, there were very few avatars and I had to read all the names every time. That took extra time. Now, I can go by sight on the pictures and hardly ever stop to read the names. Of course, Jose Lind's Pants keeps me guessing because there's a new avatar every couple of days.

Whats up, yall?

How excited are we about a three game sweep of the jack@$$ cards and larussa?

Yeah Cullen I don't think there is any other team that makes me enjoy it more when we beat them.

Back to Baseball -- I am finally getting the feeling, although we could have a few more disasters before the season is out, that this thing has bottomed out.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jack gone next year, but on the other hand if he's willing to settle for a "Pittsburgh Discount" I wouldn't be surprised to see him here again next year with another extended contract.  Hoping for the latter for now.  

I expect Meintkiewicz will at least be offered a deal (After all he is one of the new guys) and that they can work something out acceptable to both parties, but again it could go either way.

I expect that NH will be mostly looking for FA pitchers, but wouldn't be surprised with a pick-up at any position, also look for a more minor-league deals come spring training.  

McLouth, the LaRoches, Freddy, Doumit, and Jack if he's still will go in to camp with positions to lose.  If Jack's not here there will be open tryouts at shortstop, and the other two outfield positions.  Attitude will make a difference and there will be some surprises.

Once sprint training is over, I hope that the culture continues where position and uniform are earned items.  The attitude turnaround is as important to the future as rebuilding the infrastructure.  Every outfielder's attitude toward Tabata shold be that "he has to beat me out if he's going to play my position."

Here is a question though...

What is it about the Tardinals that makes them so hateable?  

Ive tried to figure it out, and I cant come up with anything. I know theyre in the NL Central and all that, and I hated David Eckstein more than anyone, but really... what is it?

Cullen -- Must be an individual thing.  I personally have a short list of teams I really don't like -- the Yankees, Reds, and Cubs.  And the Cubs only recently because I don't like to listen to Santo whining on the air.  Great player, though.

Beyond that I find the American League with their strange rules a little on the dull side and have disliked a few teams for short periods of time because of not taking a shine to a particular manager, player(s) or style.

St. Louis is a nice town, at least the few times I've been there.  The arch, zoo, Busch Gardens are worth seeing.  Traffic is about as smooth and polite as you'll find in any city that size.  People are friendly.

In general I think it's LaRussa more than anything. He always comes off as being so smug and like any good coach (which there's no denying he's been a good one) his team carries his attitude. In this case it's a smug one.

For me personally it started with Jim Edmonds. I just can't take his constant showboating stye in CF. Everytime I'd see him jog after a flyball only to have to dive for it at the last second I wished I was coaching the team becasue he would have become I would of given Mr. Edmonds a lot of practice at diving....diving away from pitches coming for his earhole. Now I'm not trying to come off as an advocate of beaning people in the head but it's more like I hoped to be able to laugh at him as he fell to his but trying to get out of the way.  

May also have a little to do with Pujos, only becasue if we would of drafted and signed someone of his talent we also would have traded him by now. The Cardinals on the other hand will probably never feel the need to trade such a great player.

After submitting my comment that hasn't been posted yet I just read JHadar's and thought I should add this.

My dislike of the Cardinals has zero to do with the people of St. Louis. In fact from all I've ever heard they are supposed to be fans of the Cardinals in the same way that people around here are fans of the Steelers. Gotta respect that. Don't have to have any respect for their former showboating 100% of the time former CF.

@ Cullen...For me its LaRussa.  He always appears so smug.  I always enjoyed when our coaches would get into it with Cardinals coaches

I accidentally put this on the end of the prior thread.  It's not relevant to "why hate the Cards?" but I'll post it, again, anyway.

A beautiful day at the ballpark with the grandchildren! In my first post, I said that there were wonderful surprises ahead if we just watch the GAME, and not focus on the "season standings." But I'll be honest, I didn't expect a series sweep! What surprises await us this coming week?!?

@JHadar--Concerning next year.  Wilson will be 31 when the season starts.   Unless the Pirates think Bixler or Cruz is ready it would make sense to keep Wilson next season-the 7.25 million he will get next year is not that large, especially considering his years with the team.  He also could be better trade bait during the season--say a contender has their SS go down--they might offer something for an experienced SS.

How many teams will be offering much for him in the off season?  

@g-man... you are so spot on with your comments about not logging on foir a few hours.... It takes as many hours to read all the posts as the hours you've spent away... The avatars are helpful, and yours is the most noticeable.... Every time I see it I think of Christmas :)

@Cullen--I think it is LaRussa's arrogance.

...and for the stars and stripes hats, I think the Bucs should petition the league to allow them to wear them for the rest of the season. Clearly, they must have inspired the team.

Interesting...

LaRussa is a punk...

I, too, have heard many good things about St. Louis, the city...

Wow, watch a half of a football game and all heck breaks loose in the blogg.la la laruse may be the most disliked guy in the game today.

one point not made about the cardinals: Curt Flood and his actions that now are in the process of being repeated by the beloved,  thanks to GMAN, boris.

Not sure if i ever liked him including before he began his quest.

I never disliked Bob Gibson, but I did enjoy that Clemente line drive, maybe they should show that before every game with the redbirds next year.

one year I was the last guy to our pick a team, so I ended up that year with the cardinals as my strat-o-matic baseball team

Thank God we had open draft and just used the team names.

GMAN, my six year old grandson's knickname at two years of age was: man.  He is still called that.  He got it because at two he worked like a little man.

Yoo-Hoo, I'm home!

madturk2008 - In the prior thread you mentioned that NH might need to get me under contract just to keep me in the dark ... that made me feel like Quasimodo. I could just see myself up in some tower in Pittsburgh, an ogrish-looking little man with his Hap Cap pulled down tight ... NH throwing me a piece of meat once in awhile.

Yeah ... I had to work through the supper rush, too. I figure any day I can help the Bucs win, and bring home $60 in tips, too ... go for it ... I know, if I worked in the 'Burgh, that $60 would probably be $120 ... These people down here are pretty tight ... I always heard some get rich by investing, while others get rich by not spending their money. The rich people in this town strike me as the latter.

But, hey, if NH offers me a contract to keep me in the dark I might be able to chuck it all ... the asylum with you guys during the day, the dark tower at night.

I'm starting to feel like a reverse Kid from Left Field!

I hate the cards, not the city or residents

not phat albert- he is the real deal. mostly larussa, who  thinks he is mr baseball and SO smart. and tim mccarver, my nominee for worst broadcaster ever, although he thinks he was a met..

not smart enough to keep the beast from the cellar clipping his redwings for the playoffs.

have a nice LONG off-season tony.

I will root for the cubs due to century of loss and thefact they wouldn't be there if not for OUR third baseman.

re:hats on e-bay: the bucs should not remove those hats until after the last game. they should held in some vault until next year.

@Bay we missed you but not the Mrs. as she was a fine blooger in your stead. You have a fine woman there...What the heck is she doing married to you?

BTW Did you see she was awarded a HAP CAP by the G-Man?

Any locals Pghers out here tonight? Were you having power problems too?

@Baywatch Quasimodo

Glad all is well and you can come out of the dark tower now the game is over and another win for the bucco's as you well know.

@BillyKidd

I lost all power for 10 sec or so.  Came back on and no other problems.  I thought it was Cleveland trying to hose the mikes up on the field again.

@BillyKidd

On the news now it was due to the high winds. I have to run out for a short time.  Let me know if you hear anything.

my power went out for about thirty seconds.

I think you guys and a few gals should now admit tht you feel good enough about the play the last few games that you feel you have a right to have a team to dislike.

I wish to expand one moment on that:  I have never ever liked a team in our division, not for one pitch.  I say this going back to the days on one division in each league, then i never liked another national league team, I never liked any american league team.

when it comes down to the worls series I have to go with the national team.  until october, I like only the pirates.

I remember the first game agaisnt the mets the astros the braves in atlanta, I have never liked any of those teams.

I did not like the fact the dodgers and giants moved to ca.  I did not like them before they moved.

I think this is best read to oneself to the beat of a Cat in the hat

@mad--the PG is reporting 85K residents w/o power in the metro area. I was off and on all night over here in Scott Twp.

good to see some good Buc baseball this weekend. Seems it kept ron d, Concerned_Chris, PAMT, and others out of the blog this weekend (not a bad thing , mind you). Hope it keeps up and we put a scare into LA next.

And I've got to give credit to AdL, who blasted the Pirate play during the Astro debacle. Although he comes across as very lackadaisacal, DK has mentioned before not to go by outward appearance with him - he hates to lose as much as those that show it more. He played well this weekend, and he gets extra credit for the love he showed that young fan that recently passed (sorry, forgot his name - someone canhelp me here).

@JJoe-Funny It does read like Dr. Seuss.

@juan, the young mans name is John Challis

@Juan--You are correct in that AdLa does not like to lose. I tried to find the clip I swear it was Friday. Possibly Thursday night (link from DK) He was downright depressed in the interview about the losing and you could tell he was including himself as part of the blame.

@BillyKidd

I see the news is using generators for power.

@jersey joe

I agree, I never like any other team during the season.  I do find it hard to root for a National league team in the WS, if they are a team really really do not like anyway.

@BillyKidd

I see the news is using generators for power.

@jersey joe

I agree, I never like any other team during the season.  I do find it hard to root for a National league team in the WS, if they are a team really really do not like anyway.

@ Billy, I only saw that after i read it

@juan and Billy, I think you are both right about adam.

I think he has rebounded nicely.  he has earned his chance to be on the team next year.

But, I stick by my story that if he does not hit out of the gate he does not play inside the gate.

BillyKidd - The first thing Mrs. Baywatch said to me when I walked in the door was: "I got a Hap Cap!" Now we can both wear Hap Caps when we hook up next summer at your cousin's restaurant at PNC.

I was happy to share her this afternoon ... Kind of like Gary Varsho taking over when John Russell's been run off the field? Nah. I didn't think so.

Extremely bushed ... this working days, plus the supper rush, is for the young bloods.

madturk2008 - I forgot to say "Thanks" for the "Singing in the Rain" video ... one of my all-time favorites ... and I almost cried when I got to the part where they come up close on Gene Kelly (an ol' Pittsburgh boy at that) with his face looking skyward through the downpour ...

"Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face ... "

Made me think about the kind of Bucco fan I've become ... Come on with the rain/Bring 100 defeats this season ... Can't take this smile off my face ... got da rest of my Bucco Blogger Bros in this asylum, tell you what!

Hey, we gone ... Say goodnight, John Boy!

Goodnight John boy

Good night John Boy and the rest of you guys.

'night John Boy

JJoe-Yep. He needs to produce in Bradenton and then carry it North from Opening day.

Early AM tomorrow. I had a great a day and a lot of fun here. Thanks to all of you. You are what makes this blog the best that the PG has on the web

Night all!!

I guess I'm at the age when the only people in sports older than me are Brett Favre and Joe Paterno, so maybe this isn't the most popular position to take. And yes, I've ranted on this at least two times before. But... Here we go...

I root for guys that I would be proud to call my neighbor. Adam LaRoche can move to the Moraine quicksand any day.

Come to think of it I can't think of any player on the '08 Buccos I wouldn't want around my kids.

So take April off. Knock the *** out of the ball in July and keep on keepin' on. The Blue Streak's full of highs and lows and we need guys like LaRoche to show how to conduct one's self with class through the whole ride.

One last thing. DK's link this AM reminded me of the exhibition games they played at PNC before it officially opened.

Derek Bell messed around with the fans, looked like a line cook at Bonanza in Franklin, and I thought "Boy is he going to be popular around this place."

Can't say I don't know how to call 'em.

I think Doug would be the first to tell us that he would go to war with Villone on his side any day. Let's face it, Villone was just trying to fire up his team-a team that is in a horrible slump-and Doug would (and has) do the same thing for the Bucs. Also nice to see the hustle with a 7-2 lead and as Dougy said, 7-2 is no sure bet with this team.....Kudos to Lil La on breaking out big and here's hoping he keeps it going. Good job Bullpen also!!!