PirateFest: Fans pull no punches

It sounds like management has been getting a pretty good idea about the passion of the fan base. Wins are the only cure for what ails pirate fans. The question will the patient wait till they can figure out how to provide the cure.

I wonder how much management knows about The 'Burgh Blues...

Boy do I love Pirates fans. You're right, Dejan, they pull no punches. Man, I wish I could've been there when the crowd started clapping for Minky.

Thanks for the vid DK and the report.  Nice job as always.

What exactly, pray tell, was the question about the Blog?

The part about the blog cracked me up.  I really wish I didn't have to work so I could go up there and check out the scene.  I'm happy with the way this management team carries themselves.  I'm glad they stand in the line of Bucco fans' fire.

Hopefully those empty windbags realize the clock is ticking and that they are not going to get away with a bunch of empty words for very long.

there you go agin i have never modeled anything

and prayest tellest what was the answer

I was on the frivolous side of the room tonight, so I not only missed the Q & A, but I also missed talking to DK.  

I don't intend to miss the players Q & A tomorrow though.

It was very quiet...not unexpected given the lines I saw snaking into Heinz Field as I drove by there though.

If you absolutely cannot wait for DK's article in tomorrow's PG--the guy who writes for the other newspaper has a few of tonight's

Qs & As on his blog posting.

( I hope I haven't broken any PBC blog rules)

I won't be at Piratefest until Sunday, so I'll miss all the Q&A sessions. But since DK asked, I renewed my season tickets happily and have some sense of optimism about the long-term future. 2009 won't be an unmitigated disaster, in my opinion, and 2010 and beyond might have real promise.

I realize I'm much rosier than most fans, and I'll accept the ridicule that comes with my views.

I also will risk my very existence (I confess to reading more than posting) by saying I love DD, but I think not signing him makes perfect sense from a baseball perspective. He's a great guy, I love his intensity, but he's not going to make us significantly better on the field, he's not going to be around when (if?) we turn the corner, and even his leadership may keep others from growing into those roles.

This is not criticism of him in any way, just a feeling that's he's not exactly what this team needs right now.

@DK...Is THAT what that arrow was for?  I was too busy meandering around before I settled down at the Field for the Guitar Hero battles.  I don't suppose you want or need impressions from there, huh?  ;-)

Yowza!  I can't wait to get more details on that Q & A.  The beauty of the situation is that Pirate fans can ask such pointed questions.  Pittsburgh fans are the best - "Here's the question.  Cut the crap.  What's the answer?"  Beautiful.

Jersey,

"There you go agin i have never modeled anything."

That wasn't you inside the Steely McBeam costume?

@TPenaRules

Drop in anytime and anywhere.

About DD I think the choice here is that he would be a great addition as a bench player.  Not taking away bats from the youngters but able to give them a break here and there. Alos showing the hustle and the want to win attitude at all times.  His coaching could come in handy as well.  Leadership for what it is worth depending on your point of view.

I think the better question team wise is do we need a left handed or right handed bat on the bench.  Either way he would help the youngters and team spirit if you will.

@JL wrote re: PirateFest: Fans pull no punches

on Jan 23, 2009 11:16 PM

Jersey,

"There you go agin i have never modeled anything."

That wasn't you inside the Steely McBeam costume?

_______

If it was JJ then you would have heard music coming from under the costume.

Sorry I missed the Q&A tonight!  I think my question would've been how does Zach Duke get a 450% raise (if I did my math right: a 1.8 million dollar raise on a 400k)  after winning 5 games last year??  Can you imagine what would've happened if he had won 10 games???  At least the PBC is now stressing accountability!!!  I figure if Zach Duke becomes a 20-game winner, then he should get at least an 1800% raise.  

I like Zach Duke and all, but 2.2 million for someone who's never won more than 10 games in a season??  I guess we're thrilled that at least his ERA's only in the high 4's!

funny guys

If you take away Zach's amazing 14-game stint in 2005, he's 18-37 in his career 85 games with a 4.82 ERA.

Okay, I'm going to lay off Duke now.

Don't know why it took so long to hit me about how messed up the Duke salary was.  I was spending too much time defending LaRoche, I guess!

Mad,

Good point about JJ!

@JL

Later guys I am out for the night

But now wait a minute...

Why did I use to hear people filing out of Heinz Field asking each other about that Rory Gallegher music they heard each time Steely came near their seating section? They used say "It's just plain 'weird', I tell ya."

Greetings, insomniacs.

I've heard of 'drunk dialing', is there such a thing as 'drunk blogging'?

Mind you, I'm not drunk...perhaps 'tipsy' is the right word -hic-.  I know DK has another post going up soon, perhaps that's a good thing - not many will read this.

I work for a government entity which laid off more than 100 people today (well, perhaps 'yesterday' is now technically more accurate) and apparently I am not one of them...I am grateful and relieved beyond measure, having spent 13 months hunting for a job before landing this one.  My daughter is sleeping; I just finished most of a bottle of wine to numb the fact that dozens of people who are technically 'co-workers' but most of whom I have never met will soon be tossed into the ever-growing heap of those without employment.  I am safe...for now.

What in the Sam Hill does this have to do with anything??  You're right, not a d*mn thing.  I logged on shortly before midnight, and have read the various postings ranging from sleeves to Star Trek, some of which left me laughing out loud.  

Are you expecting a treatise on the value of perspective?  Sorry.  This is simply a 'thank you' to all of those who take the time to enter their thoughts about the PBC for sorry saps like me to read.  As a lifelong Pirates fan, I drink in the enthusiasm for this team so many of you share...be it hope, resignation, disgust - or any of those emotions in between.  To me, it is a reminder of what sports at any level is *supposed* to be about: a diversion, a pasttime, a hobby for those who do not actually participate.  The many comments tonight have diverted my attention from my worries and fears - again, 'thank you.'  Perhaps this is why I so value the players who actually remember that at its heart, baseball is a game - knowing this, I believe, gives them full appreciation for just how fortunate they are to be able to hone their athletic gifts while collecting a paycheck.

I last posted...I guess about a week ago; wasn't expecting to do so again for some time.  At some point I'll get off my duff and add an avatar and a profile; not tonight, gotta hit the sack and be ready for the headache in the morning...then appreciate my time with my daughter.  Baseball - Pirates baseball (though some would currently categorize that as an oxymoron) and the fervor all of you show toward it have helped me through this evening.  One last time - thank you.

Oh, BTW: I don't have a problem with the unis, bought one of the sleeveless ones last year...but then again fashion is not my strong point, I only notice 'bad' when it reaches the level of the old Astros 'rainbow' look or the Indians' 70s 'blood clot' unis.  The front office line about 'sleeves/championships' did make me snicker - nice thought, and a change of scenery is necessary, but much, much, much too soon to actually verbalize that sort of thing.

Apologies for the exceedingly long post.  G'night all.

GZinGZ,

You can blog while drunk around here anytime. All the rest of us BWI all the time, anyway (Blogging While Insane).

Sorry for your co-workers. May you not have to join them, till you choose.

Ants Marching

=================================================

www.youtube.com/watch

This is my first time posting, long time asylum member, first time poster...  

This is going to be amusing.  This team might break the loss record.  My name is the producers because I truly believe that the Nutting family took their management philosophy from Max Bealistock in the Producers...

"A prducer could make more money on a flop than he could on a hit!"

If this is the teaching of management about the pirates fan base, desires, and distain of being the worst franchise in the history of american sports... Then we don't have real sports fans in charge of the pirates...

If this team expects to have the opposite season we fans are expecting, that of another disaster, PITCHING and the LA ROCHE brothers are the key. I am confident most others will live up to their expectations...

Current management reminds me of my industry and CEO management that has destroyed the banking industry as we knew it. Now they want me to pick up the ball and run faster. Pirates management wants the fans to spend more and be patient.  Lordy!!

Go USA economy, Go Pirates, and THANK GOD for the pittsburgh steelers and the rooney family!! Pens ya made a great run last year to the Cup finals, so not to leave you out of the love fest here!!