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Post-Gazette beat writers Dejan Kovacevic and Paul Meyer blog about the Pittsburgh Baseball Club.

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Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08

By Dejan Kovacevic | 6:05 p.m. Saturday

SAN DIEGO -- It seems to be quite the topic among the San Diego broadcasters and reporters here that these games are not being televised back to Pittsburgh, presumably because it is some reflection on Pittsburgh's interest in baseball.

I have no doubt that these games are about as off-the-radar as the Pirates ever will be back home, but this still merits an explanation (if not a justification):

1. FSN Pittsburgh stacks its TV schedule to get most of its televised games early in the season, meaning pre-September. Its contract allows it only a certain number of games. Everything else is up to agreeing with the Pirates to go further. And, in this regard, FSN's thinking is that, if the Pirates ever play relevant baseball this deep into the year, it would be easy to adjust by simply adding them to the schedule.

2. Production costs are high in San Diego and a couple other places, including San Francisco, which also had no TV for the three-game set -- including loss 82, most unfortunately -- earlier this month. So, while FSN could be getting better ratings by showing the Pirates than whatever random fishing documentary they might be airing instead, that does not mean they could be making more money.

It is about contract and money.

Four hours till first pitch ...

Game: Pirates (66-94) vs. San Diego Padres (62-98), 10:05 p.m., Petco Park.

Radio: WPGB-FM (104.7).

Pitching: RHP Jimmy Barthmaier (0-1, 15.19) vs. RHP Chris Young (6-6, 4.11).

What to watch: Anytime the Pirates face Young, a no-hitter alert should be lit. In four career starts, he is 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA, a ridiculous .126 opponents' batting average, and 22 strikeouts in 29-plus innings. And, as most recall, he twice flirted with no-hitters in 2006.

First-pitch weather: 72 degrees, always nice.

Pirates' lineup: 1. Nate McLouth CF. 2. Freddy Sanchez 2B. 3. Ryan Doumit C. 4. Adam LaRoche 1B. 5. Jason Michaels LF. 6. Steve Pearce RF. 7. Andy LaRoche 3B. 8. Luis Cruz SS. 9. Barthmaier.

Padres' lineup: 1. Will Venable CF. 2. Luis Rodriguez SS. 3. Brian Giles RF. 4. Adrian Gonzalez 1B. 5. Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B. 6. Chase Headley LF. 7. Edgar Gonzalez 2B. 8. Nick Hundley C. 9. Young.

UPDATE 8:25 p.m.: Not much to offer here. All concerned sound somewhat encouraged that the pitching has been better of late, particularly that of the starters. John Russell talked about how important it is for those players to have "a chance to reflect on something positive" when they leave for the season. That will happen tomorrow, in case you have not checked the schedule lately. ... They are shooting off fireworks here tonight. I was thinking I should mention this and bobbleheads everywhere I go on the road, if only because there seems to be an impression that those things happen only in Pittsburgh. Even the Yankees give out bobbleheads. ... I asked Russell why the team had not followed through on its stated plan to bounce Luis Cruz around the diamond, and he answered that injuries dictate Cruz play shortstop. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Brian Bixler.

9:05 p.m.: Forgot to mention in the thing above: Russell also said Andy LaRoche has been given a rigid workout regimen for this winter that includes two trips to Seattle to work with Don Long, who lives right outside town.

9:13 p.m.: In this case, PBC stands for Petco batting cage, where Chris Gomez, Doug Mientkiewicz and Robinzon Diaz are taking swings. That's not why I took this picture, though. Just above the fence in right-center is that grass hill that sits outside the stadium and is open -- and free -- to the public even during games. I have been up there, and it is not much of a view of the game, but I imagine it will be more populated than usual because of the fireworks. ... PNC has a place where you can see a sliver of the game for free, too, on one tiny stretch of the Clemente Bridge, where you can peek between the back of the batter's eye and the security building by center field.

10:24 p.m.: Jimmy Barthmaier being hit very, very hard. He might not last two innings.

10:27 p.m.: Kid just looks petrified. He would rather be anywhere than where he is right now. Anywhere at all.

10:32 p.m.: A list of things Barthmaier would rather be doing: Root canal without novocaine, playing Olympic team handball, watching the final two minutes of an NBA game ... sitting at a red light in Bradenton ... winning an all-expenses paid vacation to Phoenix in mid-August ... feel free to help ...


Posted Sep 27 2008, 06:05 PM by Dejan Kovacevic

Comments

madturk2008 wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:33 PM

Go Jimmy go.  Is any one home tonight on this blog?

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:39 PM

@mad--As always I am lurking.

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:41 PM

@mad--I am around got 4 rugrats destroying my abode as I type.

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:46 PM

Poor JB going up against a Pirate Killer...This one may be over in a hurry.

DMac wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:47 PM

i'm here!  I took a bit of a break from this box, but I'm here.

I still wish they were sending at least one game home...I understand why, but I don't like it.

4 rugrats?  Good luck with that, BK.  ;-)

buc_fan_in_CT wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:48 PM

Been a while since i posted anything and its nice to be back.

On the whole FSN thing, my guess is they figure that the Pirates won't be playing important baseball in September so they could care less about that as is the same with some Pirates fans. But i wish sometimes when they play teams like the phillies or cubs or brewers that ESPN would televise it because following the pirates on MLB gameday with only a few video highlights every now and than is as boring as watching grass grow.

JHadar wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:48 PM

G-Man -- About the TV / movies thread last night.  I don't think I started.  I was replying to Maz about old TV shows and mentioned that my wife and I buy DVDs of old shows to watch at the end of our day.

Then everybody started making suggestions and we started talking about movies -- I may have done that -- but it was just fun.

You and I must be about the same age, Supermanwas on when I got home from school, about 2nd or 3rd grade.  Let's see if I can remember how it goes.

Faster than a speeding bullet.

More Powerful than a mighty locomotive.

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Look!  Up in the sky, it's a bird.

It's a plane.

No, it's -- it's Superman

Yes Superman.  Strange visitor from another planet, who disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.

OK?  I suppose I could have googled it, but wanted a memory check.  

Please bear with me tonight, noticed a slight fever after Iowa lost, and it's shot up to 101.2.  My apologies for any fever-induced ravings, though they might not be noticed in this group.  Will be around til Mrs H takes her laptop away from me.

buc_fan_in_CT wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:53 PM

Can anyone tell me how to set a picture from google as your avatar?

Minor Leaguer wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 6:56 PM

It's no fun being a Pirates fan in Johnstown on a night like tonight.  Here I am, 65 miles east of Pittsburgh, with no way to listen to the game unless I sit in my car and tune in XM -- which would be the Padres broadcast.

No TV is bad enough, but the Johnstown radio station is carrying Penn State football.  Last night they carried high school football, which was over by 10:00, but didn't pick up the Bucs after that anyway.  I was told before by the station (during the SF series) that they "can only carry one or the other."  How ridiculous!  Even when they don't overlap?

I can't pick up the flagship station in my house due to the hilly terrain around here.

Somehow, watching play-by-play unfold on cnnsi.com doesn't have quite the same drama as listening to it.

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:00 PM

DK--On the TV thing,you are right I would much rather watch the PBC instead of some Best Damn Sports rerun or the 2007 WSOP rerun. Having worked a tiny bit on the broadcast side all FSN would need was to buy/rent the feed, patch in the radio boys (pay a fee to 104.7) and shoot it back to the studio for broadcast (that is the simple version) but there is not much more to it than that. The radio crew is there, the SD camera's are there, the Sat truck is there. The major costs would be shared feed from the SD Padres TV network and the Satellite feed to Pitt. The only thing really missing would be the hometown "feel" from the camera's, but who cares it would be just like a nat'l televised game with our broadcast crew...FSN=CHEAP  If FSN doesn't understand the term POOL, have them call me. I will explain it in great detail.  

JHadar wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:00 PM

oops -- should have been strange vistior from another planet with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.

JHadar wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:05 PM

CT -- click your gray avatar -- under shared feeds choose edit profile.  Enable your avatar.  Download it.  Be sure and click save down at the bottom.  It will take a little while.  If it hasn't shown up after about ten minutes delete your temporary internet files -- or the equivalent procedure for your browser.  HTH

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:09 PM

@Minor Leaguer--Have your wife stand on the roof of your house, point her left leg South, Get 2 metal coat hangers and cut each of them along thier axis fold each side upright so they look like Football goal posts. Here comes the tricky part. With duct tape tape each "antenna" to her head by placing the J shaped end into each ear hole. get a long piecs of wire and tie it to her big toe on her left that is pointing south, tie the other end to your radio antenna or plug into the slot on your stereo for FM radio antenna....<GRIN> You should be able to pick up the BBC as well.

mazfromiowa wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:10 PM

@Mad Turk

Just saw your post about the guys that eat for a living.Thanx,never thought I'd see that again.Kinda reminds you of Mean Joe Greene(takin the kid under his wing)Ain't youtube great!

WhyStanBelinda wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:11 PM

Gentleman, thank you for posting and making the group what it is.  I started following following the Pirates in 1979 (I was six) and thought that it would always be like that, pre-drugs and Pre-free agency too.  I still have my "World Champs" 1979 pennant hanging.  

Best quote I've seen yet : "Napalm" Hanson (although I'm a little too young to fully know what Napalm is (I know, but not until college)).  

Just a thought, but Hank Blaylock is most likely going to cost as much as Adam LaRoche...  If we don't have to give up the number 4 pick, do you go after and Sign Blaylock?  

Not sure if your cable systems offer it, but I'm watching the Pirates game on Mlb extra innings with the SD announcers.  

Keep up the good cheer.  

Jose Lind's Pants wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:11 PM

DK- I'm curious. I get the impression that it's the Pirates that limit FSN's number of games. How does this benefit the PBC? I would think that it would be the Pirates benefit to broadcast all the road games. If you want to broadcast only x amount, fine. But if you want to broadcast x+6 we'll waive our fee for the +6.

buc_fan_in_CT wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:14 PM

@JH

thank you for that, i didn't see the save button at the bottom

JHadar wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:17 PM

CT -- We see your avatar.

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:23 PM

Super JH to the Rescue!

Minor Leaguer wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:25 PM

@BK -- I ran that by my wife.  Would you please call 911 for me?  Fast!!

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:27 PM

@WhyStan--Welcome to the asylum. We are glad to have aboard. Jump right on in the waters fine.

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:28 PM

@Minor--I am LMAO, you are on your own. :)

JAL wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:29 PM

It is a conspiracy folks on TV--over the past 40 years TV and radio technology has advanced greatly.  By now we should be able to buy a cheap plate that can pull in any radio or TV station in world--something like what a shortwave radio has been able to do for decades.  Technology should be to make sure with fine tuning they do not interfere with each other.  I remember when I was growing up that we usually got the Pittsburgh stations but sometimes, when certain things were happening in the atmosphere (like sunspots) we would get a station from Denver.  If we could do that but accident it can't be that difficult.  But we are prisoners of the cable companies and Direct TV and such.  So if FSN is not televising the game we should be pull a San Diego station or such.

Figured I would give the conspiracy group something new :)

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:30 PM

@Minor--Since that idea didn't go over well, do you have any children with braces?

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:32 PM

@JAL This one is for you and your theory.

www.youtube.com/watch

Minor Leaguer wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:33 PM

@JLP -- great avatar...I'm with you, buddy.

BillyKidd wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:35 PM

@maz--Speaking of avatars, you are the only "card carrying member" of the blog w/o an avater. Why?

diehard wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:38 PM

Do we miss the days of broadcast on KDKA?  Before coming back, I used to pick up KDKA in about 3 rooms in my house in Fredericksburg.  Also listened to it in Massachusetts on e summer.  My middle school history teacher told us he could pick up KDKA and listen to games on clear nights when he was stationed in Alaska.

madturk2008 wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:38 PM

@BillyKidd

you on the meds?  You are on a roll.

@Maz you are welcome second one on youtube under the Alka Seltzer search.

WhyStanBelinda wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:39 PM

Any advice dealing with these loony pHily fans that keep setting off fireworks near my house?  I'd set off the good stuff, but with my luck the wind would blow my fireworks back into the house and burn it down.

How in gods name do you not trade Benson for Howard?  Wade isn't the GM he thinks he is (now with Houston, formerly with Phillies).  I like the NH moves that are essentially free talent (Yates, DD, Michaels), The Nady trade will look good in 09 and beyond, the Bay trade looks awful right now.  

diehard wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:40 PM

BK - Maybe just trying to keep the avarage number of avatars used lower to balance out the frequent changers!

Forbes Field Memories wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:42 PM

@Cave - from morning links:

"I have your avatar framed and hanging on my wall in the study.  I bought it during a trip to Pittsburgh."

I guess we have similar tastes - once I decided on the FFM handle, I went out on the web to find a suitable avatar, & this is what I came up with!

madturk2008 wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:43 PM

In reference to the FSN broadcast or no broadcast.  "It is about contract and money"  Just once I would like someone do something for the fans. If it's cheaper ? go with the shared feed like Billiy stated.

mazfromiowa wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:43 PM

@BK not very internet savvy.I get irritated easily.see PA!!

Minor Leaguer wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:46 PM

@BK -- Update: my wife can't go up on the roof...she's going to be watching the Penn State game!  

No kids at home...I do have a cat that has a collar with a bell on it, if you think that would work.

JAL wrote re: Today: Pirates-Padres, 9-27-08
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:46 PM

@BK--Thanks--I just heard where PA will starting his pro career

www.youtube.com/watch

BillyKidd wrote