Morning links: For mobile users

off to bed now after a wonderful PBC night.  I'm in Mountain TIme so I have NO IDEA what time it is.

Oh my, the Bro's LaRoche are hitting up a storm!  If they keep this up I will find out what crow tastes like!  (probably chicken).

Way to go Bucs!

You know things are going well when the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post each reference our Pirates without use of the word "hapless".

I think it's really irritating to fans of other teams when they lose to the Pirates.They just can't admit the Bucs outplayed them.They make all kinds of excuses,but the fact of the matter is the Pirates are dam* fundamentally sound.The pitchers don't walk as many batters,the OF throw to the right bases,our baserunners are smart,the batters advance baserunners,... our pitchers even get hits and sacrifices.

 However the biggest crybaby fans are #1 Yankees and #2 Cubs.The Yankee fans say the NL is barely AAA.The Cub fans say the Bucs have been lucky.Chardonnay or Merlot it's still an excuse when your team is plain old playing without thought or execution.Yankee fans you will be watching the Series in the same place as me..THE COUCH!  

Pittsburgh is the Pirates because they were accused of stealing players from another team. The Pirate comparisons of current situations had to be from an emotionally overburdened, bleeding heart, liberal democrat. This same person probably wants to change the Indian's name and the Redskins' and on and on and on!

Great performances over the weekend, boys ...even as more of the roster goes down with injuries.

RAISE THAT JOLLY ROGER !

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<  PROSPECT WATCH  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Today’s Topic:  #1 DRAFT PICKS (stats thru 4/26/09)

Pedro Alvarez – 3B – Lynchburg   (1st Round, 2008 Draft)

3 HR  17 RBI  .217  ** 18 Games 60 ABs,  8 R, 13 H, 18K, 13 BB, 0 SB

Dan Moskos – RHP – Altoona (1st Round, 2007 Draft)

1-1,  5.94 ERA  **   4 Games  16.2 IP  22 H  3 HR 8 K  8 BB

Brad Lincoln – RHP - Altoona (1st Round, 2006 Draft)

0-1,   3.86 ERA ** 3 Games   14 IP  15 H  1 HR  14K  2 BB

Andrew McCutchen – CF – Indy   (1st Round, 2005 Draft)

1 HR 6 RBI  .301  ** 16 Games 73 ABs,  17 R, 22 H, 8K, 5 BB, 4 SB

Neil Walker – 3B – Indy   (1st Round, 2004 Draft)

3 HR 12 RBI  .194  ** 16 Games 67 ABs,  6 R, 13 H,  11K, 3 BB, 2 SB

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

No, no. The WSJ is quite correct.

In these enlightened times, when we have finally thrown off the twin oppressors of European colonialism and male chauvanism, we need to reach out with kindness and understanding to our beleagured and disadvantaged Somalian brothers, not unfairly stereotype them thru our uncaring and recreational use of violent names like 'Pirates'.

Why not adopt a kinder, gentler name, one which better reflects our natural heritage? Perhaps the state flower, for example.

BREAK UP THE MOUNTAIN LAURELS!!

Good morning inmates near and far: Another nice day in the Burgh, and the wonderful feeling of 11-7.  Thanks to Mr. J.Hadar and others, my clock is correct now on my computer.  Now lets go brew the crew.

The Notebook link takes you to the Saturday one featuring Jody Gerut. Just FYI for whenever you check in again DK.

Milwaukee is gonna be a real test. The Brewers are playing well recently after a slow start and as Chuck mentioned, we've been terrible there recently. If the Bucs can take 2 of 3 here, with all of the recent injuries, then maybe this team just might be for real. I'm still being cautious at this point but it sure looks more and more every day like this summer could be an exciting one.

To All My Sooper Trooper Friends, but *especially* Baywatch, who yesterday lamented the following:

"...when our boys are on the field after the last out, doing some serious rejoicing ...the broadcast pulls the plug before they all get their high fives."

Not to fear, Maahi Ve! JL was on the case! Click here, s'il vous plait: community.post-gazette.com/.../For-Maahi-Ve_21002E00_jpg_2D00_600x450.jpg

That's right! Not to be outdone by Inmate Daryle, Inmate JL drove through the night, Friday night, enduring several hardships (I jest not), to be there for Nyjmo and the boys! And boy did Adam, Njymo, Ohlie, and virtually EVERY Bucco put on a show for Ol' JL and JL's two little ones. Here Bay, is your victory celebration shot. Asylum friends, I had to borrow my daughter's cheapo Walmart camera, which is a piece of $!%#, but the glory of moment still shines through!

I'll give a full-length report of the incredible day, on the morn.

Had to again drive into the night again,just to get back so the kids could be home for school in the morning.

But so as to whet your appetites (and actually use up two more of the only four or five good pics I have), here's another one, of Mighty Andy at the bat (our seats were EXCELLENT!), and finally, one of Ohlie's post-game interview.

community.post-gazette.com/.../Andy-at-Bat.JPG_2D00_600x450.jpg

community.post-gazette.com/.../Ohlie_2700_s-Interview.jpg_2D00_600x450.jpg

Morning Links Part 2

Pirates' injuries starting to pile up

www.pittsburghlive.com/.../s_622433.html

Weekend Buzz: Pitching-rich Pirates making waves  (Pitching-rich--who would a thunk that?)

www.cbssports.com/.../11680192

Well... OKAY, just one more for tonight. I wasn't going to own up to this next one, at first. Because there is the slim chance the following swashbuckling act could have been caught on the Pirates telecast, thus seen by you all. Now it's not the "swashbuckling* act, per se, that I am ashamed of. No. It's that I'm upset with myself for putting on too much weight this past month (as some of you may know, I tweaked my lower back, and have done zero excercise -but quite a bit of eating- this month. And it never takes long for my face to balloon out like a pufferfish --but who cares! The Pirates RAWK!)

So anyway... they were handing out Padre pennants to all kids, 14 and, today. Except MY kids, true to the Black & Gold, didn't want to have anything to do with "Padre" pennants. But I, crafty Pirate fan in enemy territory that I am, had my kids each accept one. Because I HAD A PLAN!! Once in our seats, we took our Sharpies (brought for the autographs) and quite cheekily converted our Padre pennants into BUCCO PENNANTS! (The back side of the pennants are white, so we used that side.) This proved quite the popular move among the not inconsequential number of Pirate fans on the Pirate dugout side of the field. And it also drew playful "boos," and then admiration, from the Padre throng.

Probably did not get noticed by the FSN broadcast. But you can catch a teeny glimpse of JL and his daughter, waving white *pirate* Pirate pennants behind the Bucco dugout, as Adam rounds third on his second home run. (Roughly :26 through :28 of vid.)

pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/.../video.jsp

THE OFFICIALLY UNOFFICIAL PBC BLOGS AND MLB LINKS:

Bucs Dugout--Pirates 8, Padres 3

www.bucsdugout.com/.../pirates-8-padres-3-adam-laroche

WhyGavs--Pirates 8, Padres 3

whygavs.com/.../game-18-pirates-8-padres-3.html

Sandlot Swashbucklers--Lucky 7 in the 6th for Power; Lopez Homers For Curve Win

mvn.com/.../lucky-7-in-the-6th-for-power.html

Pittsburgh Lumber Company--Will the impressive run of pitching continue?

mvn.com/.../will-the-impressive-run-of-pitching-continue-1.html

Hyzdu Headquarters--The Times They Are Changin

hyzduhq.blogspot.com/.../times-they-are-changin.html

The Burgh Blues--John Grabow's first nine games

theburghblues.mlblogs.com/.../john_grabows_first_nine_games.html

The Green Weenie--Mr April, Adam LaRoche

oldbucs.blogspot.com/.../mr-april-adam-laroche.html

Pirates Page--LaRoche loving early-season start

pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/.../article.jsp

Rumbunter--Who is Buying This Start? My Hand Is In the Air

rumbunter.com/.../who-is-buying-this-start-my-hand-is-in-the-air

MLB Transactions

www.cbssports.com/.../transactions

BuccoFans--Pirates Win a West Coast Series

www.buccofans.com/.../pirates-notebook-buccos-win-west-coast.html

Even with all these injuries I think if this club has the lead going into the seventh inning they are going to be tough to beat on most nights.

Is it me or does Brian Giles look washed up or just totally disinterested?

A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

As more people join this  community a number of questions arise.  Here are some clarifications.

1) Many of us who post here treat this as a discussion forum, not as a traditional blog.  Dejan's post sets the table but we respond to each other more than we respond to specifics of Dejan's post.

2) We always start the day with two threads--morning links and other stuff.  Morning links is primarily baseball discussion and Other Stuff is non baseball.

3) When some posts "OS" they are referring to the "Other Stuff" thread.

4)  Throughout the day, as stories break, Dejan will upload a new thread.  When you see the term "ants marching"  that simply means a new thread has been posted and most of the posters move to the new thread and start posting there.   Going to a new thread helps keep things flowing as we often have over 100 or even 200 posts on the original thread.

5) Instructions for uploading an avatar can be found by clicking my name, BK's name, or Mad's name.  We all have the instructions on our announcements page.

6)  Sign in w/ Nurse Cratchet for your straight jacket, meds, and room assignment

7)  As Dejan reminded us the other day, this thread is for baseball talk and the OS is for other topics

8)  Please read the 'guide to commenting' before you post" A link to the guide to commenting on the blog is located on the left near the top of the page in the section labeled  "Authors"

9) Do not post entire articles from other sources. - It is an act of illegal copyright infringement.   Just post links to the story

I surely left something out but hopefully covered the basics

Loved the SD Union-Trib article, but had to look up the word 'penurious'. I would have to respond that they're not ever-penurious, just getting the most for their money.....

*yawn*  Feeling relaxed today!  Spent the weekend in Linden VA at the Luna City Arcade event for Young Marines (if you're old like me and remember the arcades of the 80's check it out http://lunacityarcade.com/) hit some of the wineries in the area (especially liked Fox Meadow)  

Downside was no computer, no FSN  and no baseball so missed all the scoring.  Looks like Nyjer Morgan even took a couple walks for a change.  Who knows, if he keeps it up he might even be a useful spare part someday.  

Even John Russell managed to put together a couple lineups that almost made sense.  Not that he had much choice.

And how about those LaRoche boys.  

But now it's Monday morning, back to the grind!

Good Morning All:

First, wanted to thank Joey Bats for his minor league stats, very informative reading and i look forward to it daily.

Second, thanks to JAL for all the great links and PSA'S your efforts are appreciated.

These gentleman as well as regulars like JL and LADIES like DMac who really puts a lot into the play by play make this a great place for an opinionated Bucco fan to express them selves.

                              Thanks again

I'll go insane if I add both links to my PDA. Uhn, well, I should already be just for hanging out here. But they could be handy when I'm away from the computer for more than a few hours, especially when the Pens and/or Bucs play.

UDN "Morgan might be a useful spare part someday" that must have hurt?

You are spot on if your talking about JR'S saturday lineup, Sundays lineup with Vazquez at 2 and Moss hitting 3rd?????  he got away with it thanks 2 Adam Laroche

Mac

Most welcome on the links

JL

Great

caught you and the daughter waving--

I'm looking to the east for a bright star or any explanation why one of the foremost Knights Who Say Nay has actually posted a non-negative statement about the Bucs.

I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

Morning fellow inmates.

Nurse Cratchett must be doing a fine job, passing out all those happy pills

No, wait, its not meds, its 11-7!!!!!

If I'm dreamning, please don't wake me for a while....

UDN, is that you?! You look like him but you don't quite sound like him! It's hard to stay down about the boys when they keep winning, isn't it? Well, a few weeks doesn't a season make. That's a truism if ever there was one, but there's every reason at this point to sit back and enjoy the show while it's running. No need to stress about the possibility of one day it maybe just might end.

Good Morning, Uncle Dirt Nap (glad to hear of your great weekend), JAL, JoeyBats (the early riser around here), Macs, AlexandreGiesbrecht (nice to hear from you), PI, Thundercrack, CuriousGeorge, Radio and ...

JL! Thanks for hooking me up on the mound celebration photo ... THAT IS SO AWESOME THAT YOU AND THE KIDS WERE THERE and you got those COOL PICTURES!  (I loved seeing big ol' Jaramillo out there in the middle of the mound ... he looked a little bummed in the dugout, on  TV)

And, yeah, I caught the backside of those Padre banners when Adam headed home ... that was so AWESOME.

tedkin

Talked to a scientist who says some of us were pushed into a parallel universe. :)

JAL - Might there be playoffs in this parallel universe?

@ Drew - If yer in Mountain Time, then the clock on the wall says "Beer-Thirty."

@ MazfromIowa:  I like the point of your first paragraph.  The Pirates are playing fundamentally sound baseball.  I remember some reportage when the PBC brought Chuck Tanner back into the fold and one of Chuck's key points was that our team ought to quit beating itself.  That is a massive part of winning... making the OTHER team beat you instead of doing it yourself.

Check the series against the Fish.  I really think the Pirates showed a brand of baseball in those three games where they clearly outplayed, really in every facet, the "best" team in baseball.  Again in SanDiego, simply taking the extra base.  Hitting to move the runners over.  Sound, sometimes sparkling defense - loved the catch by Moss and also the relay from Hinskie to Vazquez to AnLa.

@Uncle Dirty:  Great Googly-Moogly!  Luna City Arcade looks like a barn I'd like to spend a day or two in.  Awesome link!  Tron was a cool game.  Gauntlet was one of the all time best.  Me and a bunch of college buddies spent hours at a time at that.  Centipede!  Donkey Kong! (Hardest game ever- and if you don't believe me check out the documentary "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters") and Defender!  (No, really the hardest game ever!  There was a guy at Slippery Rock in the early 1980's who we called Devo... never found out his real name, but the dude was a Defender Maistro... could play on a quarter nearly all day!)  Oh MY!  Dig-Dug, Galaga and OMG REAL PONG!  Frogger, Asteroids, Pac Man, and ... so help me GAwd I loved this game.... TEMPEST.... Uncle Dirty, I hate to say this, but I would miss a Pirate game.... maybe two.... to check that place out.  Awesome link.

And to add something new to the discussion:  I've been listening to the Padres series on XM radio.  When the Pirates travel, you have to listen to the home team's broadcasters and I have to say the main guy over at Padre Radio bothered me considerably.  He spoke in volumes of choppy, quick sentences, throwing in loads of adjacent talk such that it was really hard to follow the game:  Example....  where elipses mean he's pausing for an inordinate beat and everything else is spoken very, very fast...

"That's ball two on LaRoche... Now ya gotta get on down.... to the sponsor's place because they're good... Bill did'ja'ever I'm tellin' ya it's good...  Peavy winds and there's a crisp one on the corner.... of the plate and it's ... dumped for a single into right field and LaRoche scores..."  

Argh.  I did not know who their play by play guy was, but listening Neverette and Walkie and the crew was like dialing back into the real pace of a baseball game.  Call me a homer, but our announcing crew is very good.  Props to the front office on all fronts as I am really enjoying the new guy.  Much as I liked Lanny, and he was a real pro , I liek the new guy far better.  Lanny I always felt, if you were tuning in and supported the other team, that Lanny would make you feel at home and deliver the goods.  But he was so vanilla.

Nevrette really makes sure you have the game essentials in a very conversational way.  Brown is the guy who's prone to superlatives.  And I don't think there's a better color man in baseball than Bob Walk.  I am always amused how often walkie is calling the game and calls what's going to happen before it happens.

And a tip o' th' Hap Cap to this teriffic little forum we've got here on the PBC Blog.  I'm always interested in what the group has going on and find the company here always welcoming and knowledgable.  And I get a much deeper appreciation of the Hostage and Uncle Dirty... esp after the arcade post (sweeeeet!).

May all good things come your way!

Wabbit out.

Drew

There may well be playoffs in the alternate universe. :)

Wabbit

Nice post--now get some carrots :)

@JL:

Great stuff!

After a few tries, I found they white pennants.

I'm not sure that the WSJ article says what you're accusing it of saying there, Curious George and Crossbones.

Wabbit - wanted to check in again and say great post before i go back to colorado beer time.

"@Uncle Dirty:  Great Googly-Moogly!  Luna City Arcade looks like a barn I'd like to spend a day or two in."

It's an amazing place.  It's housed in it's own free standing building next to the owner's home and is as big and well outfitted as any of the arcades you might have seen at a mall in the eighties.  

The only down side to the trip was - the tips of my index fingers are now black and blue :-)  

And the best part is no quarters and any contributions he takes in for his events go to a worthwhile cause.

Good morning everyone!  

Ummm...is there rip in the inter-world dimensions?  Just asking, because, respectfully to him, I think that's as close as UDN has come to being complimentary in awhile.    

UDN...Thank you SO much for that link!  Loved Frogger, Did Dig, PacMan and Spaced Invaders!  We had all of those on and Atari 5200 home system, but that didn't hold a candle to the arcade games.

JL...You made that game?!  COOL!  I'll have to go back and watch the broadcast now, dontcha know!  Awesome that you got to see such a good game...well-played on the whole.  OMG, you had KILLER seats!  Thanks for sharing the photos too!   (I've been bad at getting mine loaded up, but I will...soon)

Oh and by the way Wabbit_Season,  Peter Hirschberg the guy who owns Luna City was involved in the making of "Chasing Ghosts" and I believe "King of Kong" as well.

Interesting that the Post mentions that there's some question about Tabata's real age. Hadn't heard that before. Maybe he didn't marry an older woman after all.

Have to give some props to Neal Huntington and the scouting system the Bucs have, the Pirates have made a lot of subtle moves, that are really big moves, we debate them back and forth, but in the end it seems like more than not, this Pirate management team makes the right moves.

Juniata - I havent heard a word about Tabata's age as a question mark from any other source.  I wonder if it's simply speculation by one writer based on how much older his wife is.

System moving slowly for me this morning

Need to find an alternate universe where they are gray men and everyone has a avatar :)

Have to share something with everyone.  I'm in a hotel room...just opened the curtain and it SNOWED overnight.  Looks like 3-4 inches.  I'm in Broomfield Colorado between Denver and Boulder...closer to Boulder I think.

Hey guys.  Sorry it's been awhile since I have last posted anything.  I'm looking forward to this upcoming three game series with the Brewers.  It gives me my first opportunity to watch a team I care about.  (My wife won't let me get the baseball package for out T.V.)  

Here are some keys to tonights game. (well in my humble wisconsin opinion.)  The Brewers have been crushing the ball recently, so if Jeff "Magic" Karstens can limit those walks and get a bunch of ground ball outs..he will do well tonight.  The Pirates offense needs to be patient tonight at the plate.  Branden Looper has a tendence to have a high pitch count, and if we can get to that iffy bullpen of the brewers...all the better.  

Yes I know, that the same can be said for the Pirates.  Please keep in mind, that the Brewers are on TV here in Wisconsin all the time.  The Brewers pitching is painful to watch, if the Brewers didn't have a great offense...well they would be "hapless"

Come 7:05 tonight, I know where I will be.  Watching my Buccos for the first time all season.  "Lets go Bucs!"

JAL - I bet in the alternate universe the keyboards don't steal your "no's"  ("where there are - no - gray men) :-)

Drew

It has been a crazy spring weather wise.  A bit of everything.  Snow in late April while hitting 90 here in the DC area.

Drew

My no's do get stolen sometimes :)

Want no gray men.  

Morning all -- 45 and cloudy on the prairie. see the doctor at 3:30 and he'll tell me that I'm making progress but not done yet.  If the weather we've had here is headed east it's going to be wet in Milwaukee today.

Rum B -- if you're hanging around -- an interesting piece of trivia for you:  there are dozens of species of gulls in the world, a couple dozen here in the US -- even out on the prairie we see Herring Gulls, Ring Bills, Napoleon Gulls, and a few migratory species -- but there is actually no gull that is officially a seagull -- seagull is just a catch all name; not that it makes it a whit of difference in the great scheme of things, but it does prove I read your blog.

Speaking of Milwaukee, haven't seen them much this year -- but so far we've outpitched and outhit them against better competition -- but they've done a couple good things, their last two series against the Phillies and Astros have been good, and Looper has pitched better so far than Karstens.  That said, I don't think I'm ready to concede the series to them.  A few years ago we had a season where we played pretty well against everybody but the Astros, only to turn it around the next year and just dominate Houston.  I have a feeling -- just a feeling mind you -- that this club is going to show up with exceptional energy against the Brewers and Cubs this year.  Something to prove here.  

JAL/DK?Chuck

Maby the post gazette can come with different colored avatars with different designs on them that the person has to take to become a blogger here.

Okay everyone lets have an avatar rally!!!!!!!!!!!

JH - good luck today with MD

I should have said:

Maby the post gazette can come with different colored avatars with different designs on them that the person has to take to become a blogger here or put their own avatar on, to become a blogger here.

Mondays lineup:

Facing Braden Looper tonight , possibly Milwauke's best starter.

                                                                                                            Unfortunately Vazquez is the only Buc who has had any success vs Looper but he's only 2-4 and there is no way i sit Freddy 2 games in a row, Vazquez off the bench.

Moss: There is a lot i like about this kid, he plays hard, he's a solid outfielder but i m o  there is something wrong with his stroke. I watch him at the plate and it looks like he's swinging down on the ball like a leadoff hitter would. I would bring him off the bench for the time being and have Don Long spend some quality time with until he can start driving the ball like he did last year, for the time being i would play Monroe and Hinske in his place.

Assuming Nate is still out here it goes:

1. Morgan CF

2.Sanchez 2b

3.Monroe LF

4. Laroche 1b

5. Laroche 3b

6. Hinske RF

7. Bixler SS

8. Jaramillo C

9. Karstens P

I feel with Karstens going who's been inconsistent i feel it's imperative we put the most potent lineup we can out there with the healthy bodies we have to choose from.    

@Mac

I am with you on that lineup for today, but I would not be surprised if he doesn't use Vasquez at short instead of Bixler, I would go with your lineup and batting order.

I'm not sure what this means, but I thought it was interesting:

Our recond in

1-run games: 1-2

2-run games: 1-1

3-run games  3-2

4-run games  0-0

5+ -run games  5-2

The bigger the differential the more likely we are to be on the winning side.  So far.

Those two blowout losses (9-3 St. L, and 11-1) Atlanta account 20 of the 58 runs scored against us.  Even so, our ERA is 2.97 and St, Louis is next best at 3.86

Oops 5+ runs games is 6-2, unfortunately the 5 key is right next to the six, but if you put 6-2 in there, then it adds up to 11-7.

Whooo hooo! I'm way too giddy for my own good! I can't believe we're 11-7!!! And I live another day for bragging rights here in Denver! GO BUCS!

@ Drew

If your in Colorado, get used to snow. It'll be gone by this afternoon, most likely (I bet they still play the Rockies game). The latest I've seen it snow here is mid-June. I once went skiing for the 4th of July.

Whoa where am I and what year is this. I feel strange, happy inside.

I kniow I must be in a parallel world that I have read about where my whole life is now the exact opposite. I look down and see that I weigh 175 and my children show respect and I am RICH!!!. I like this world so much better.   BUCCOMANIAC

www.youtube.com/watch

             Leadoff, i hear you on Vazquez and Bix, but my take right now is Bixler is playing like an everyday SS Vasquez is a utility guy. His bat is so-so and his range is questionable, hope he starts Bixler.

JL -

Yes, I think I spotted you guys in that video.

UDN -

Linden, VA is not too far off the route I travel from Richmond to Pittsburgh. I checked out the link to Luna. Looks like a great place. Too bad it's not public. I did not play any video games this weekend but did attend a symphony concert here that is called Video Games Live and is all about the great music from the great video games. If it comes to your town, I highly recommend it.

Dinger - looks pretty thick and white out there.  Hard to imagine gone by afternoon...but you never know.  Kind of interesting to this Florida guy to see snow so late in the year...but as you've all said, that's colorado.

leadoff

That is a good idea.  AS several have said--avatars make it easier to keep track of postings.  

I just looked at the standings and saw that our very own Pirates have the least runs against in MLB with 58.  The next closest in KC with 64.  Who would have thought?  I hope this pitching holds up!

JL

love the extra effort to get to SD, the pennants, mlb video , etc. U da man! and the kids are da kids!!

ABQ

I find it even more important that only the Dodgers and Jays have abetter run differential.    jay at +39, Dodgers at +36 and Pirates at +33.  Cards at +30 next closest but only 12 teams in MLB are on the plus side.KC is only at +6  in run differential.

Good afternoon, Juan, JAL, ABQ Bucco, Drew (Why do you keep looking out the window. Get out there and play in the stuff!), GMan (What a concert that must've been. Cool), Indianafanatic, Dingerbucfan, JHadar, Leadoff and ...

BuccoFaninWI ! Welcome back, buddy! It HAS been a long time. I remember all our camaraderie last year when we hit Milwaukee! Good to hear from you.

Macsinthebox - You may have missed it but JR went on record after yesterday's game as saying Vazquez will indeed get most of the starts at short while Jack is down, with Bixler getting some playing time.

Morning all.

JAL

I agree, run differential can be a very telling stat.  I have always felt like it does some good to go on and get absolutely pummeled when you lose.  Just take an 11-1 pounding from the Braves and move on.  When you lose 2-1 on some heartbreaking play or last-inning at bat, it can stick with you.  "Oh, what might have been."  When you get trounced, you just have to look around the clubhouse and know that isn't who we are.  I think the Braves game is a good example of that. Took two off of them convincingly without letting them score, then they crushed us to show they still had some pride. Okay, fine.  Move on, Fish coming in, Pirates want to show that 11-1 isn't who they are, and not let the good feelings of a series win slip away...and BAM, 3 straight wins with three straight games of scoring in the first inning.  Not a terrible way to go about it.

15 in a row in Milwaukee needs to come to an end fellas.   And I know just the trio to end it.  Karsty, Paul, and Ian.  Keep rolling boys!

JAL -- As I posted above, 20 of the 58 runs we've given up, more than a third, came in two blowout losses.

Bay -- Good morning.  Hope you're well and healthy and rarin' to go.  I've got a good feeling about this series -- no matter who starts at shortstop.  Lookin' for the power line-up tonight and for Nyjer to get into their heads.  I think our guys know they have something to prove.  Hard to believe that Snell's 4.50 ERA is one of our bigger worries.

This was mentioned by someone else earlier.

www.cbssports.com/.../11680192

Dejan -

MOTION ON THE FLOOR!

I request that to this post be added the never used but certainly deserved "Jim Trdinich" tag.

Can I get a second on that motion?

Dejan -

MOTION ON THE FLOOR!

I request that to this post be added the never used but certainly deserved "Jim Trdinich" tag.

Can I get a second on that motion?

Gooooooood day inmates!

Another great baseball weekend!

TedKin, wherever you are, I LOVED your post on the post-game thread yesteray. I even called a friend who couldn't get to the blog and read it aloud over the phone. Brilliant!

Joe Kerrigan so deserves the BSKOF for all the work he's done on the pitchers. Heck, so does Beasley for focusing on pitchers' batting; HIll for the infield work, Russell, Varsho... they all need a BSK.

Last year when the Pirates won a game after losing several, Bob Walk said "Isn't winning fun?'

By golly it is!

Dejan -

MOTION ON THE FLOOR!

I request that to this post be added the never used but certainly deserved "Jim Trdinich" tag.

Can I get a second on that motion?

Happy Monday everyone!

Back from a great weekend at the cabin doing some turkey hunting, watching the NFL Draft, watching Pirate games, and having a few Coronas at the campfire with friends.

Baywatch: Thanks for keeping my negativity blanket for me while I was gone, may I have it back now please?

                   Baywatch no i missed that and frankly that's dissapointing, i m o Vazquez playing in spots has made sense, like the way he admirably filled in at 3rd for Andy early after his brutal start.

                   But let's be honest this guy doesnt possess the range or the bat to play everyday when you have a guy like Bixler who's a true everyday  SS

SCRATCHIN MY HEAD AGAIN  SORRY!

Does a repeat post count as a second?  Let me check my "Robert's Rules of Order"...

Well, all it says is you really need to emphasize pregame hamstring stretching to avoid recurrent injury.

Oh wait, I'm looking at "Bip Roberts' Rules of Order."  My apologies.  I'll just go now.

GoneQuiet,

I sir present you with the first ever BMFFOF for posting the exact same post 3 times. Take it easy with the "Add" button will you.

;-)

Oh, in case you are wondering, BMFFOF stands for "big meaty finger flick on forehead".

JHadar & JAL,

Something I've been wondering about....

What percentage of our scoring has been contributed by guys like Adam LaRoche, Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson, Craig Monroe, and Eric Hinske? (In terms of runs scored and RBI's).

The reason I ask is that the way I see things so far, the pitching has obviously been better than expected and for the most part I think we can count on most of those same starters for the next year or two. Possibly 3.

The hitting has been better than expected too, however, the concern I have is that many, not all, but many of the timely hits have come from veterans who may not be around next season.

Moss has driven in 1 run I think, and Andy LaRoche is starting to get some hits which is a good start, but his hits haven't been all that productive. (In terms of run production).

My point is, we really need guys like Moss and Andy LaRoche to start producing runs, otherwise this early success may not have a good chance of continuing into next year.

I don't have time to do it right now, but an analysis of the Pirates run production (Runs scored + RBI's) and where it has come from so far would be interesting to look at.

Now that it appears Adam has conquered his April bugaboo, I really wish the Bucs would make another run at extending him. They really need his stick and they necessarily have a suitable replacement anywhere on the farm.

Happy Monday NH -- Any drumsticks in the freezer?

Macsinthebox,

Bixler looks better than he did last year (Not that that takes much), but he still isn't major league ready yet.

Did you notice yesterday that he was going toward 2B to cover the bag on an attempted steal when based on the opponents batter it was the second basemans (Vasquez) bag to cover?

The kids really needs to learn or remember the basics pretty quick here is he is going to be of any use to the Pirates.

Hadar,

Yep.

18 pounder. In the freezer at the cabin waiting for me to return with my turkey fryer the week of Memorial Day.

Thanks for asking.

Dejan -

MOTION ON THE FLOOR!

I request that to this post be added the never used but certainly deserved "Jim Trdinich" tag.

Can I get a second on that motion?

JL -- finally saw the pennants a wavin'.  Problem was that I kept looking at the first LaRoche homer, and you were in the second.  Easy once you know what to look for.  You were far enough back that I don't think we'd notice any weight gain though.

Gonequiet,

Another BMFFOF.

Hello everyone

We have to carry this momentum over to Milwaukee and roll over the Brewers. We owe them big time for last year’s domination. Moreover I want that demonstration by Fielder (pulling out his shirt while rounding the bases), to be answered by similar domination of the Bucs over the Brew this year.

Hey Hostage……did you attract any gobblers?

NH

pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/.../sortable_player_stats.jsp

pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/.../sortable_player_stats.jsp

Happy interpreting.

Here's a post from the Twilite Zone...  Do, do do do, do do do do...

Sports Illustrated has the Bucs ranked 10 in the power ranking (I think they came out Sat.)

And, hot of the "presses" ESPN has the Bucs @ 7, and are the US Army Team of the Week.

I'm going to walk out of the room backwards now.

Handsome Ken,

Yes, A nice 18 lb. jake came into my seductive turkey calls at 7:30 Saturday morning.

There were birds all over the place on Saturday.

Turkey Fry at Nuttinghostages cabin on Memorial Day followed by a trek down to Altoona to watch the Curve.

OMG. 18 games played and we're worried about carrying over into Next Year?

Srsly?

Cripes. I'm enjoying the snot out of today!

Hadar,

I have to get back to a data assignment here at work, I would love nothing more than interpretting the data and answering my own question but duty calls.

I think Baseball-reference would be easier though because it foots to team totals whereas the MLB data does not.

And when was the last time anyone used the word "whereas" on this blog anyway????

;-)

CandelArea

Fox Sports has Pittsburgh as #6 in their power Rankings.

msn.foxsports.com/.../powerRankings

Isn't it fun to win?

NH -- If you look at the links one has the players ranked by runs scored, and the other by RBI.  Your great intelligence will allow you to understand all the nuances as soon as you get as much time as it takes you to post a message or two.  

NH,

For your viewing enjoyment (since I don't go to work until 3) I have extrapolated the data and determined that approximately 50% of all runs were scored by possible ex-buccos of 2010. However RBI'S the soon to be (whatever term you want to use here), totaled only 33.8% of all RBI'S. Where is the dirtmeeister when you need him *sheesh*

BUCCOMANIA STRIKES AGAIN

@JL - caught the white flags!  Great to see you represent!

@NH - I noticed the Bixler moment also.  I'm hoping that it's just nerves and will go away after a couple games.  I agree that he looks a lot better, but still has a way to go.  Then again, I said that about Andy LaRoche a little while back and he's really coming around.

I'm here in my office surrounded by Cubs fans.  They're confused and just let out massive sighs when they see my Pirate cap, jacket, mousepad, desk calendar, keychain mini helmet, magnetic schedule...

NH -- Whereinat "whereas" is heretofore rare herein, it is not without precedent.

Hadar,

You are a very talented sorter of sortable stats.

A little cranky today?

Cheer up. - The weather is great, the Pirates are winning, the Pens beat the snot out of the Flyers, the Steelers reloaded, and I have yet to utter a discouraging word about Bob, Frank, or Neal.

;-)

Thanks Indy!

That is about what I thought it might look like. Andy LaRoche and Moss are really going to have to pick it up soon if this club is going to entertain the idea of not bringing the potential ex-Bucs of 2010.

I would like them to make another run at Adam. Besides his hitting, the dude is a slick fielder.

Triple G,

I guess it must be nerves too because I cannot imagine a guy his age who has played as much baseball as Bixler has, not knowing whose reposponsibility it is to cover the bag in that situation.

Let's hope his new found confidence calms him down and we begin to see the player the Pirates thought enough of to draft with a 2nd round pick.

@Triple

I feel your pain.  For I am the only "true" baseball fan where I work, I am also with a Cubs fan.  The SO is a Cubs fan, and it makes for interesting summers.  When he is going on about how the Pirates suck, I usually just say "1908" and he shuts up for a little while at least.  That is one thing you can say to those Cubs fans you work with and that might shut them up for a little while at least.

NH -- Cranky?  No, you're too sensitive in your reading. Besides I gave you the info you wanted, and you complain because it's not just so.  Bad form old boy.  Never look a gift horse in the mouth and all that.

                   So Hostage, youre suggesting Vazquez is a better SS than Bixler???????????

Based on what??  the kid missed a procedure play that can easily be worked out.

Agreed Bixler  is not a finished product and if i had 2 choose between Bix and Jack i choose Jack but Vazquez over Bixler?????

                           Come on

Hadar,

Good point.

I should have just said thank you and went on my way. - Not very gracious was I?

;-)

NH -- But your reply was.  Thank you.

Macinthebox,

Oh goodness no, I'm not suggesting Vasquez is better than Bixler. I think you need to re-read my comment.

I simply commented that Bixler got mixed up and attempted to cover second base on an attempted steal when it was the second basemans job to cover. He was lucky that the batted ball was not deeper into the hole otherwise the Padres would have had men on 1st and 3rd instead of a man on second with an out.

Bixler needs to stop making those kinds of mistakes. - He looks much, much, much better than last season, but I would be hesitant to say that he is a bona-fide major league quality player yet.

IMO neither he or Vaquez can carry Jack Wilson's glove.

Ok how much is the ransom to get the REAL hostage back?

Anyone can see this is an imposter! He isn't ripping on the FO.

 And another thing, UDN was almost civil.I think the pirates from Somalia have kidnapped both with a ransom of 4 positive posters to be named later.  ;-)

MazfromIowa,

Dude! - This is the real me! Like all the time! Except when I am recording my opinion of Bob Nutting, Frank Coonelly, or Neal Huntington of course.

When the Bucs win, I revel in the glory.

Plus bagging the turkey helped too. This good mood should last for another few days at least, enjoy it while it lasts!

;-)

             Hostage, i think we both misunderstood each other, i didnt mean to suggest Bixler was a finished product, i get that.

            But for todays lineup if you give me a choice like JR has between Bixler and Vazquez i play Bixler even though Vazquez bat's left. Vazquez is a spot start guy and while Jacks out Bixler should get the majority of the time there.

NH -- To split a hair on Bix -- Major League Ready, yes; established Major Leaguer -- no.  It takes a couple seasons of everyday play to get to your full potential, if you are going to get there.  Agree, he's not up to Jack's performance in the field, but maybe the upside in his offense will carry him,

Andy's looking more and more like the real deal.  Moss is showing some sparks, but right now Hinske and Monroe are the big leaguers.  I think we'll see more of both of  the latter, but JR wants to get Moss in to develop, too.

Macinthebox,

I would prefer giving starts to Bixler too.

Vasquez has no future.

We need to find out if Bixler does or doesn't.

NuHo (and others)

What do you think a reasonable offer to AdLa would be?  I like the idea of locking him up, too. (Though if I'm him, I wait, hoping the economy comes back.  Didn't work real well for Adam Dunn, but still...)

Remember in constructing any offer to him that he's not a youngster...and that also means he's not going to jump at a backloaded deal like some of the kids we've locked up recently.

"Andy LaRoche and Moss are really going to have to pick it up soon"

NH, you're joking, right?  

Since breaking is 0-16 start 16 games ago Andy LaRoche is hitting .412/.460/559 with and 1.019 OPS and a ten game hitting streak.

If he were any hotter right now he' burst into flames

Hadar,

I suppose that is fair.

re Bixler

I'd chalk up the mental miscue to two things:

1) He's nervous as all get out after last year's stink-bomb.

2) While he has certainly been playing ball for a long time, he's not in an organization that is noted for strong fundamentals throughout the system.  This has always been my big complaint about the PBC organization generally -- one that I think is finally changing, by the way -- that our instruction, coaching, and player development is basically an after thought.

Its why I give more latitude to the current management team than some others...because I agree with them that some of the money that needed to get spent on this team had to be poured into areas that the average fan doesn't see or think about.  I know the inmates are different, so many of you probably hear what I'm saying.  The fact is, we haven't had good baseball people at the low levels in YEARS. So coming up through the system, the emphasis on solid fundamentals just hasn't resonated.  Its why so many of our prospects come up and look lost on the basepaths and in the field (Aramis Ramirez, please stand up).  Hopefully, the "accountability" we've heard about means that trend is changing.

Hopefully.

UDN

Absolutely agree on Andy LaRoche (what's to disagree with, really?).  I think the comment was alluding to the lack of run-production, but you can't blame Andy too much for that at this stage, the guy is raking right now.  Maybe if big bro would stop clearing the bases before he bats, he'd get more RBIs.

Hostage, agreed on Bixler

UDN, i dont know if hostage was kidding about Andy

but the jokes going to be on us if we keep starting Moss considering his lack of production

Hath returned and I see we going well here.

Hostage -

>>I have yet to utter a discouraging word about Bob, Frank, or Neal.<<

The day is young.  :-)

Congratulations on bagging the turkey. However, the concept of turkey in April is making my head hurt.

UDN,

It is one thing to get base hits with no one on base.

It is another to produce runs.

So far, Andy has produced as many runs as our light hitting, good fielding shortstop Jack Wilson.

That is not going to cut it.

We need our thirdbaseman and rightfielder to produce more runs than a light hitting shortstop if we are going to trade Adam LaRoche, possibly Freddy, etc.

If Andy keeps hitting look for him to move up in the lineup and have more AB's with men on base and have more chances to come around with better hitters behind him.

Bayareabuck,

Back in 1978 when Pete Rose was a free agent, the Pirates got creative and the Galbreaths reportedly offered Pete ownership in some champion horses they owned.

Maybe Bob Nutting could offer to take Adam bow hunting? Or perhaps buy Adam the new 2009 Mathews Reezen compound bow which reportedly flings an arrow at a blistering +330 feet per second?

Kidding of course, but if I were the Bucs I'd offer him $8M to $9M per year for 3 or 4 years.

He probably wouldn't take it anyway.

Gman,

Thanks! - Fried turkey in a turkey fryer with peanut oil is good food anytime of year.

;-)

Bixler does need to play more to see how comes along--good to see him get hit yesterday.

Hostage

Fried turkey in turkey fryer--seems obvious--what else would one do with a turkey fryer?  :)

NuHo

4 years at $9 M/year would get it done, in my opinion.  Adam Dunn is 29 years old, and signed a 2-year $10M/year deal to play with a Washington team that was, let's face it, his last choice.  This from a player who has hit 40 or more homers in five straight seasons, driven in 100+ in four of five (92 in the other), and carries around a .382 on base percentage (only .247 hitter, I understand). And he's certainly less than Adam LaRoche in the field. But let's not kid ourselves, Adam LaRoche is not CLOSE to those kind of numbers offensively.  

LaRoche: 29 years old (same age!) HRs last four years: 20-32-21-25.  That's 62 less than Dunn over the same stretch!  RBIs 78-90-88-85. Batting average career is .273, on base, however, is .341.  So Dunn trashes him by a wide margin in everything other than batting average...and most will agree that 41 points higher in OBP is more significant than 26 points in batting average.  So if that's what your competition is, you should be able to lock Adam up for what you said.  Maybe not four years, but at least 2.  Offer 4 for $32M, settle on 3 for $27M.  Then if Alvarez, Moss, et al pay off, you can deal Adam in that third year anyway.  

JAL,

Cod filets in the turkey fryer are even better than turkey IMO.

;-)

No one will believe I am saying this. But I would be okay with signing Adam LaRoche for 2 years at $9MM.

Now, I need to leave for a few minutes to go blow into the breathalizer machine and see just how intoxicated I really am.

Hos -

>>Cod filets in the turkey fryer are even better than turkey IMO<<

I wonder if McDonald's could put together a filet-o-fish song for that.

Hostage--

Pirates have scored 91 runs--Freddy has scored 15 and driven in  6 for 23% of the total,  Adam has scored 12 and driven in 14 for 28% of the total,  Morgan has scored 13 and driven in 10 for 25% of the total,  McLouth has scored 11 and driven in 14 for 27% of the total

others

Moss at 11%, Hinske at 8%, Monroe at 14 %, Doumit at 15%, Andy and jack both at 11%

Wow.

Good stuff JAL.

Thanks.

Gman,

I'd give anything to have one of those fish plaques on my wall at camp that sings the McDonalds filet-o-fish song.

I already have the "Billy Bigmouth" up there already.

Of course since I added RBI and Runs the total % is over 100 because some of the runs and RBI were the same--ie, HR = run scored and RBI  

JAL -- The team totals should be slightly under 200%, right?

Heading out for a bit, need to get ready to see the doctor, do some errands, catch up with Mrs. H, and go find out what my next couple of weeks are going to be like.  

Will check in later.  Thanks for the conversation today.

Hostage--Glad to help--as I posted--not perfect but it easy to take each and see what % in runs and what % in RBI--Freddy has scored the most runs and Adam and Nate are tied in RBI

JH

Correct--

GMAN, I might top you after watching him this April, which used to be a brutal proposition im not convinced he doesnt deserve 10 million!@#$%^

3WEEKS ago i was convinced i could name 20 first baseman who were better fits here than Adam i admit that was a stretch.

But after watching him over the last few weeks i dont think i can name 5 better than him.

He now looks like a legit 30 + homer 100+ rbi guy who can add even more to the lineup by making teams pitch around him and give players like Nate better pitches to hit.

O.K now i need to see if my meds are out of whack.

To explain what JH meant by under 200%--the Pirates have scored 91 but have only 85 RBI as runs can score on DPs, passed balls, and in other ways that do not count as RBI.

Gameday thread up

Ants marching ============================

@ Drew & dinger,

How I envy you being in Colorado. I went to the U of Denver and have always loved the area. Saw snow on the 16th of June (won't divulge the year but it was 40+ ago). PA will always be home, but CO and NC are dear to my heart. FL is ok, but I miss ging to games in the Burgh.

POH,

Glad you enjoyed my post-game post. I sure had fun composing it.

ooops    lost an "o"