Pirates vs. Reds, 8-21-09: Meek moved to 60-day DL

may they beat the Reds

Morton v Owings--could be a high scoring game

No shocks in the line up  Pearce down to the 7 spot

@jersey joe - from the previous thread... Unfortunately I won't be at Sunday's game.  We're heading up to Erie tomorrow to visit my family and then back to Iowa on sunday.

Should be a great game tonight.  I'll be at the Soho afterwards... skinny guy with horn-rimmed glasses wearing the new black alternate jersey drinking a martini.

Let's Go Bucs!

@NuHo

A couple weeks ago, I was picking up my Jeep from the dealership as it was getting inspected so I had some time to listen to ESPN Radio - The Herd for about 20 minutes on my ride back to the office.  He read a couple of letters/e-mails over the air and one was about the Pirates and the state of the franchise/ownership.  As he was reading the letter, I yelled out loud in my Jeep - "That's NUHO!"  It had all of your arguements that you outline here often in the PG Blog.

Did you submit an e-mail to him?

on the high scoring game have Owings at 5.35 ERA and Morton at 5.51 ERA

WOW - I know we haven't played the Reds since early May, but who the heck are these guys?  Their lineup looks vastly different than earier in the year just like the Bucs.

JAL

No shocks in the line up  Pearce down to the 7 spot

_________________________

I think Doumit should be at 7 and Pierce at 6, Cedano at 5 and Milledge at 8.

@NutHos

Not conditioned to accept .260 but willing to give a once highly touted prospect more than what amounts to one full season split over two seasons to prove/establish himself.  Notice McCutcheon's average slowing dropping to the >.280 mark but we are all pretty much in agreement that he is something special.  It sometimes takes a full year for a player to adjust in the Majors.  The day in and day out grind.  The level of conditioning.  Adjusting to pitchers who have made an adjustment to you.

The great thing about LaRoche is he's not killing the Pirates.   If we had David Wright instead of LaRoche, I am pretty sure we would still be under .500.  LaRoche, at worst, allows the Pirates to develop Pedro at the proper pace and not to rush him.  

Now if we were borderline a playoff team my opinion on And would change.

@Q

My reaction exactly. Of course, there are probably tens of Reds fans looking at their own blog wondering the same thing about the Pirates.

From previous thread:

@ NuHo: "Only in Pittsburgh would fans be satisfied, or conditioned to accept a .260 hitter with 6 HR's hitting cleanup.

My goodness people, have some pride for crying out loud."

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

In a rebuilding year, you try stuff.  Some of it works, some of it doesn't.  But to pass judgement on a guy in his first full year of MLB is, shall we say, less than astute.

"Bullcrap!....Bullcrap!....Bullcrap!

That's all you gotta feed 'em....

And when you think you can't feed 'em no more....You feed 'em some more!"

Those were the words that echoed through the hall's at regime headquarters in PNC Park from the wide-mouth of Pirate owner Bob Nutting today.

It was all in regards to the recent interview/article he did in the latest PG.

Suave President Steve Coonelly couldn't help but to laugh while lounging in his office chair over looking the Allegheny River.

"I gotta hand it to you Bob, I thought Bud Selig & Donald Fehr were the real bull crappers.

People still think they're on different sides. But you!....You bring a whole new ball game to the term scheister!

All that talk of a disappointing season....And you just proceed to turn it around and tell folks we're a better team now....My God.....", said Coonelly....chuckling and shaking his head.

"Eeeeeeee-Haaaa! That's what I'm talkin' bout Cooo-nelly!", yelled Nutting.

"Ya see....This is why I hired y'all. Look at this dang management team.

We got you....All GQ'd up...Struttin' around like a big city boy.....You could sell a slopped hog to a single grandma!", boasted Nutting.

"Then you got Neil-Hunt.....All serious and stuff....Huffin' & puffin' around here.....From a trading aspect, he's a pig farmers dream.... Just look at this accounting report for July!"

Coonelly turned down the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack on his CD player, and looked the excel sheet over.

"Perfect.....beautiful....Hey, let's not forget JR....Did you see that pic of him in the paper? He really knows how to look like a rough, tough sergeant.

He even got these clowns to sweep the Brewers!....My Lord!"

"Eeeeeeee-Haaaaa! Hell ya!..... When JR clinches the fact that we don't get that #1 pick, I'm gonna send him and the wife on a vacation to a sunny place this winter.....What's the name of that place we do the practicin' in March?"

@JuniataKid

Fans from both teams can look at the lineup and have a reaction similar to the grounds crew from the movie 'Major League'!

All these comments about the third base situation, no one seems to be noticing that Neil Walker just might have turned the corner and seems to be putting it all together. Who's to say he won't be pushing LaRoche next year, if indeed LaRoche is in line for pushing? Personally, I can see Walker at third, LaRoche at second and Alvarez at first sometime around July 4th next year.  

Dejan,

Is there a 40 man roster move coming that was not announced yet?? I didn't think that bereavement leave created a 40 man roster vacancy. I know it does on the 25 man roster. Bereavement leave is a minimum of 3 games and a max of 7 games.

I know there HAS to be a 40 man move at some point...either today...or when Karstens returns next week (if they don't need to do it today)...to bring Phil off the 60 day DL.

leadoff

I can see that but don't think it raises to level of shock--shock would be starting Bixler or Cruz and putting them in the 4 spot :)

Yeh, that STEVE Coonely guy is a real mastermind

daquido

and what does any of that have to do with the game?  That was morning links discussion.

And i am still waiting for you to ether apologize for that insult a week or so ago or go back in the threads and find a post from me that supports calling me a "Nutting lover"

@daquido

Your scripts are extremely clever - add a little humor to this Blog and it's appreciated.  I can't help but read your scripts and picture Bob Nutting as a short fat guy in a white suit ala Boss Hogg.

I hope Kip Wells, er Charile M starts to put some good outings together ; }

@ Daquido, et al -

It's not like Nutting & Co. put out a press release just for fun and PR sake. They were answering a very good series of questions by DK.

What should they have said? They admitted they were disappointed with the performance on the field while publicly showing support for their coaches and trying to back that support up with some examples.

You know, as soon as I saw this article come out, I knew this blog would be loaded with the FO Detractors crying "spin" and "bullcrap" etc...it's as predictable as Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, Glen Beck or Jim Quinn responding to any significant piece of political news. You can predict exactly what each and every one of them will say.

@ Juniata Kid:  Could be that Walker feels he's burnt his bridges and is waiting to be moved.  Sometimes that takes pressure off a guy.

@ Leadoff - I agree...I'm starting to think Cedeno deserves a higher spot in the order.

Lots of people seem to think Alvarez will be up next year.   I don't think so.  He may be showing a bunch of clout, but his fielding is not ML ready.  I'm fairly certain that, barring a bunch of injuries, he'll be spending his 2010 season at AAA.  

Tabata, on the other hand...

Looks like JR is starting to settle on a lineup.

Pearce is still getting 2/3 of the starts, as was their intent.

Let's hope the Winning Steak continues. Game is on TV tonight here, so I look forward to some live whoopin of those Reds.

Surprising how adding $30 million ot a $50 million payroll and bringing in a bunch of "proven MLB talent" and giving them big money hasn't worked out for the Reds.

I wonder why we didn't go that route? Oh right, because it doesn't work most of the time.

Pirates at break 38-50

now 49-70

record since break 11-20

Reds at break  42-46

   now 51-69

record since break 9-23

I guess $30 million is worth 1 less loss in the NL Central.

@wozzle - I'd guess that once he situation at 1B and the OF becomes clearer next year at the trade deadline, you might see a move with the 1B that didn't cut it.

@OrigDanno - same here with the pitching. Out of the 9 you mentioned, 6 are developing and largely unknown as to their ultimate level. So until 3 or 4 of those 6 become solid, I wouldn't trade any unless it was a knock your socks off trade. That might happen by trade deadline next year.

Since Pearce has dropped to 7th, hopefully he'll keep dropping and drop right out of the lineup.

In defense of the Reds lineup

Starting 3B Scott Rolen 15 day DL

Starting 2B Brandon Phillips DTD re-injured same wrist last night that was injured before DTD

Those are legit reason for their lineup

What's ours again?

The future. Well I do believe

To quote a famous song

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tommorrow is always a day away!

JAL

Morton's ERA, minus the Cubs debacle, 3.84. I actually believe he'll have a pretty good night. Especially since next to Votto the bat that worries me most in this lineup in that of Micah Owings.

@ PG, agreed.  The winter meetings might give us a hint.  And I really don't want to consider moving a potential starter unless he's at low A ball or lower - and maybe not even then.  I think we might have some studs down there.  

Why again did the Reds trade for Rolen?  That move puzzled me just a bit less than the Bucs getting Morris in '07.

Q,

YES! - That was my letter.

I can't believe you heard it.

I'm not in a position to listen to the radio at work so I didn't hear it, but Mrs. Nuttinghostage emailed me that day and asked me if I had sent a letter to ESPN. - I tentatively responded back and asked why. - She said one of the sales reps she works with was driving to his next meeting and heard the Colin Cowherd read the letter and apparently Cowherd announced my name and where I live. This sales rep told Mrs. Nuttinghostage to tell me thanks because he felt the same way.

Mrs. Nuttinghostage however was not as excited and said she was considering changing her last name because she was worried the Nuttings might come knocking.

;-)

I wonder what kind of pitches Cedeno would get if he were hitting 4th and Doumit 5th.

Cedeno, batting 8th, has gotten a hold of several mistake pitches, when the pitcher was hitting behind him. Is that because he's been flying under the radar, and now the pitchers will pay more attention to him?

I wonder if I am eligible for bereavement benefits? - I am deeply saddened at how Bob Nutting has killed what once was the Pittsburgh Pirates.

We will probably see Rolen by the end of the weekend. Those that looked at the Louisville-Indianapolis box score last night probably noticed him in at 3B for Louisville.

Anyone here in the DC want area want to go the Brewers game Sunday--1:35 start.  I have some extra very good tickets--no charge, you will have to sit somewhere close to me :)

Q

many have wondered why the Reds traded for Rolen.  No one has figured it out yet.

MORTON WILL aSALT THE REDS

it seems neil walker is in a concealed space below the concealed space the bucs have assigned moss. very far off the FO radar. I would love to see him get a great chance against andy, but he is the last regime's project and I am afraid that casts him to the pit.  

I did enjoy all the milwaukee demo smack from the last thread- especially the idea of a fielder-less brew crew next year. wheels definitely off that wagon. couldn't happen to a more wretched group of humanity. while we need some guns, PLEASE DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT  PRINCE HERE.

my thoughts are with karstens. but doumatrait a rent-a-long man? best of luck to all our ballers, but I'm hoping morton goes 7 to chavez to capps in a non-save situation. don't forget that morton has some tools. I'm hoping for a one sided game with the juggernaut continuing the drive for 4 and 5!

Q,

Was Cowherd supportive or critical of my comments?

Do you recall?

@NuHo

As I was driving back to the office, all I could picture was Bob Nutting's face with the Ghostbusters sign over top just below your signature line.  

Colin did give you props and said "that is someone who gets it" or something to that nature.  I don't agree with all your points, but the number of draft picks signed was a bit of a disappointment.  

He did say your last name, but I can't remember.  Don't worry, I won't go looking your name up in the Beaver Co phonebook - ha!

Ah, c'mon, NuHo, Kevin McClatchy killed the Buccos, Nutting is just making a meal of the corpse.

Oh, darn, here I am a Nuttingite, saying those nasty things.

@NuHio

"I wonder if I am eligible for bereavement benefits? - I am deeply saddened at how Bob Nutting has killed what once was the Pittsburgh Pirates."

You are eligible.  Nutting will send the letter describing your benefits.

1) You have an oportunity to sign up for a full season ticket plan. Nutting assures in his letter that this is prestigeous and that you should send him the check to take advantage of it

2) You will be able to mourn for the Pirates by wearing black.  Nutting assures you a home Pirates jersey has lots of black and that counts.  He encourages you to go buy many different Jerseys so you may mourn for an extended period of time without having to wear the same thing twice

3) You will be able to show your friends the depth of your sorrow by showing off bobbleheads.  Come on down to a game and get one.

4) We will have a ceremonial cremation for the Pirate franchise,  You may witness seeing the ceremonila ashes by coming to a skyblast. Nutting assures you that the ceremonila ashes from that will be able to be seen by you.  Again please attened skyblast so that you can see this.

Q,

Thanks for letting me know.

Mrs. NuttingHostage just rolled her eyes at me that night when I got home from work. - Of course she does that a lot for some reason. The woman really is a saint. Good thing she never got the cataract surgey though.

Wozzle,

OK, now that was pretty good.

;-)

@wozzle

McClatchy did a lot of good things for the Bucs when they desparately needed his help.  Getting PNC Park built and having the All Star game come back in '06 were two, but financing to buy the team when nobody wanted them was really the move that saved them.

His fault was that he just wasn't a baseball man and didn't hire good baseball men to help run the team.  Stating he "killed the Buccos" is going a bit too far.  

@PittPanthers

So thats the Reds excuse TODAY for their lineup. What is their excuse for a 51-69 record after $80 million dollars and 5 or more big free agent signings the last few years?

IMO, the Reds tried the route that many here are lobbying for the Pirates to do. Add expensive free agents, hand out long term deals like candy, and increase payroll $30 million = winning and much higher attendance.

The Reds are example 1 of why that does not work. The Brewers, who were just swept by the Pirates Major League team, are example 2.

Losing is frustrating. Competing in a system where 5 teams are always dealt aces is even more frustrating. Just ask the Reds and Brewers.

@ Pi-rat:  No one was saying anything about the MLB version of Glen "Big Baby" Davis coming to the Pirates.  My premise is that the Brewers will lose Fielder through trade, because there's no way he'll sign with them in free agency.  

The Brewers desperately need starting pitching and soon a 1B.  Oh, yeah, they could also use a catcher.  Those are all fairly deep positions here.  I've posited that the Bucs make a play for one of their lefty relievers, Mitch Stetter, offering either Pearce, Clement or (now thinking about it) Robinzon Diaz.  Whaddaya think?

I would argue that regularly reading this blog will soon put me on the bereavement list.  A lot of the fun of this blog is dead for me because I have to read the daily griping about the owner and front office --which includes picking apart every word they say,  The links, opinions of the major and minor league teams,  and other information that people provide is great.  But the other stuff is old.

Maybe I’ll just have to be more selective as to which avatars I stop at.

PittPanther90,

Good stuff.

I have a funny story for you that happened today.

I have often kidded that Bob Nutting is trying to profit from his bobblehead promotions by sourcing his bobbleheads from China and that the manufacturer uses deadly lead based paint on them.

Today I was sitting in a global economic review meeting with a chief economist from a prominent manufacturing corporation and he had this one slide that highlighted the metals growth in China. Including cooper, steal, aluminum, and lead. - He then kidded that they need the lead for all the toys they make and send over here. - And the first thing I thought of was those damn bobble heads.

;-)

@NuHo...you are eligible for bereavement leave...but it means you must miss a minimum of 3 games...and a maximum of 7 games...and be replaced by someone already on the roster.

So who is going to take your spot while you are gone??

@cmh

I didnt' advocate their plan, its just that those 2 guys are on my fantasy baseball team so thats why I knew about their lineup for today :)

@ Server - great point about Cedeno....who knows for sure? Maybe since Cedeno is hitting well out of the 8-hole, might as well keep him there...

Let's at least give McLatchy credit for keeping the team here when there was a very real possibility in 1995 that we could lose MLB in PIttsburgh forever. That's about the the only thing of value he did, unless you count bringing PNC Park (rightly or not with taxpayer money) and signing a 30 year lease ensuring baseball in Pittsburgh for the next 30 years.

Other than that, he was a chowderhead!

@NuHo

Why is it that our Mrs just don't understand our little achievments - like having your letter read over the airwaves of a national radio show.  

I remember I was listening to a sports radio station a few years ago and they had some baseball trivia.  I knew the answer and just had to call in - ended up getting it right and won tickets to 84 Lumber golf tourney years ago.  My wife - then girlfriend - just didn't understand that I HAD to call and answer that question to prove my baseball knowledge and manhood to her... ha!  I ended up giving away the tickets anyway.

@Q, it's OK, just riffing with NuHo...

@Steeler fan

"The Brewers, who were just swept by the Pirates Major League team, are example 2."

=========

The Brewers made the playoffs last year.  Not really a good example.  

Q,

That's hilarious.

I'm glad to know it's not just me.

I see DK answered the question that there is still someone that will disappear from the 40 man roster in the next 3 hours.

Q

The Brewers also sold the farm, biggest mistake any small market team can make, to get C.C. for 2 months. And that will come back to bite them.

@wozzle

OK - just checking.  My apologies if i got a bit defensive over his tenure.  It would be nice if Mr Bob Nutting could someday put a stamp on this franchise, but to this point, his stamp has only been in the form of an erasure.  Maybe that will change in a couple years.  Only time will tell...

Here are some sobering numbers when thinking about signing starting pitchers to big contracts, or any 30-something player for that matter.

32 year old-Arroyo  $10.125 million-2009 salary

31 year old-Harang  $14 million-2009 salary

2008 combined totals:  21-28 4.78 era

2009 combined totals:  17-26 4.39 era

add  to that the contracts of

C-R. Hernandez ($8.5 million)

3B-S. Rolen ($11.625 million)

$ 44.250 million--a hefty price to pay for a team going nowhere.

add to that

@ Q: Kevin McClatchy saved baseball in Pittsburgh, and for that I will be grateful forever.  Pittsburgh without the Pirates is unthinkable to me.  But he did receive a great amount of credit, plaudits and honor for so doing.  

But damn, if you look up the word "dilettante" in the dictionary, there's his picture.

@Q, actually they are. You prove my point. For 1 season of showing up and being bounced in the first round, the Brewers got???? drumroll please..................

A team that is looking at trading their power-hitting 1b and a total implosion of their team.

So the Pirates should sacrifice everything for 1 year of playoffs and getting bounced 3-1 in the first round of the playoffs.

The Brewers endured 15 years of losing seasons, had 1 season of .500 baseball (+2 games) but no playoffs, then the Brewers FO pushed ALL-IN to get to 4 playoff games in which they were not competitive. And now they are back to creating multiple seasons of terrible baseball.

It is example 2 to me. I do NOT want the Pirates to trade any young talent in hopes of getting to .500 baseball for 1 or 2 years.

I am personally looking for a sea change. Will THIS front office be the one who can execute the plan? Don't know. But I know I prefer this plan over the Reds and Brewers approach.

@wozzle

"But damn, if you look up the word "dilettante" in the dictionary, there's his picture."

=========

I like it - Very good word to use.  

@Nut Ho

uh-oh, you better hope that none of the Pirates mgmt reads Hal McCoy today. He undermines all of your arguments and suggests that the type of plan that the Pirates are following is the right plan. And that the team should stick with that type of plan for several years more than 2.

He even suggests that going out and adding free agents like All-star Cordero is a mistake. Hal is calling for Cordero to be traded as soon as possible, and that adding Rolen to improve 3b was a mistake.

Hal even suggests that stability in the front office is of high importance in a team trying to succeed. And he praised the Marlins and Twins as developmental teams over being teams that spend money, like the Cardinals. Hal even siad that the 2 million Reds fans who come to games did not need a new HD scoreboard this year. Why spend the money, he asked. Ouch.

Wow, Hal is an award-winning, HOF journalist. He is providing a very good case for the Pirates management to keep doing what they are doing on their plan for the next 3 or 4 years.

You have your work cut out for you. You may want to sign up to blog on the Dayton Daily News and stop Hal before the Pirates see this.

www.daytondailynews.com/.../so_what_is_the_grand_plan.html

Dayton? Hal McCoy?

Never heard of 'em.

The Brewers made the playoffs last year.

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

For the 1st time since 1982....

And they're going to miss this year.....

Starting another streak of non-playoff seasons because they have no pitching (besides Gallardo).

I don't think I want the PBC to ascribe to that 'Plan'

@Steeler Fan

They took a chance, and failed.  I bet the assessment of that trade would be vastly different if they had made it to the World Series.  They had a legit chance, but the Phils were simply on a roll last year.  

I know the Indians got LaPorta in that deal along with a couple minor league pitchers.  Did they also get a player to be named?  Can't recall...

I agree that it was a steep price, but I just don't think you can compare the Bucs issues with the Brewers of last year.  They had legit stars - Braun, Fielder, Sheets, etc.  Now the Reds is a very good example of what not to do.  

@wozzle-

wow-glenn davis...I had thankfully forgotten about him! I was in bawlmer when that scenario 'played' out. your trade makes sense...but not in bizzarro world of the 'burgh or my very remote corner of the asylum. seriously- on paper it could be good, but for my bad heart kind of like bringing bonds back, resigning adam for 1B, or tracy as bench coach. some things are just too hard to take emotionally.

just for fun: 'larger than life' pirates:waistband edition:

smokey burgess 5'-8"  187LBS

spanky lavalliere 5'-9" 190LBS

bob veale 6'-6" 212 LBS

sean casey 6'-4" 215LBS

kevin young 6'-2" 219LBS

ted kleszewski [60 games in '59] 6'-2" 225LBS

mark parent 6'-5" 225 LBS

ronny paulino 6'-3" 235LBS

jim bibby 6'-5" 235LBS

bobby bonilla 6'-3" 240LBS

st. stargell 6'-2" 225 LBS

[improbably low from what I recall, but that's what baseball ref.com says...]

vs

fielder  6'_0" 260 LBS that's some stats....clearly we have no one here of his stature in my brief research.

IMo the Brewers club could have been sustainable.

Melvin just did a poor job on contingency planning for his pitching staff with Sabathia and Sheets heading off to free agency.

Had he had a better plan, and somehow obtained better starters behind Gallardo, I think they still had plenty of hitting to be competitive.

Spanky might have weighed 190 lbs in 8th grade.....but certainly not when he played for the Pirates.

No way.

Nutho,

Poor Hal McCoy.  You never heard of him.  I wonder if your new best friend Colin Cowherd ever heard of him.  Melvin's plan was to go for it all in 2008.  Then he made a decent offer to CC , only to be blown out of the water by the yankees.

Sorry if I interrupted your global economic review meeting with a chief economist from a prominent manufacturing corporation

Re:  Brewers & CC Trade

To compare to a team near and dear to our hearts - the Pens.

They traded away some very talented young hockey players to get Hossa two seasons ago and ended up losing hime to FA.  Pens made the Cup Finals and even before they won the Cup this year, I didn't hear anyone say that the Pens blew it by trading away those guys and then losing Hossa.  

DK..........tell me it ain't so, the Bucs are not wearing those yellow shirts with white pants. They will look like the bad news bears. Yikes

JAL, agreed on the outlook for some scoring.

Morton's ERA wasn't quite so bad before that last outing, which was one for the record books:

L 1.0 inn 7h 10r 10er 1hr 3bb 1k

I can't back it up with stats, but I like this guy, I think he's gutsy and aggressive rather than pussyfooting around good hitters. Hope he does well, else I might prefer a tad more pussyfooting!

I'm not a huge hockey fan but isn't the jury still out on the talent the Pens traded away for Hossa?  None of them at the time was - or is now- a superstar.

The yellow shirt is a match for Milledge's shoe laces, he will be a fashion statement today, I wonder if those laces and the new shirt will help him play better. Oh I forgot about the cap, glad I got HD tv.

                       Its Pepper Shaker time

Gatherings since there are new folks all the time around here are asylum members meeting to talk baseball and OS material.

All are wecome.  Allways we have fun.  I think it a testamonial to the group that kids grandkids and parents have been invited and attended making new friends.

Friends from Va., Del., Fl., TX., OH., WV., have come to attend.

Friends have called from Brazill, Tx., Nev., Iowa and other areas to talk as we pass the phone around.

                  Hear ye hearYe Hear ye

Now titled our pre annivserary date anniversary gathering will be

                         Sept 12  1:00 P M

                Vincents Pizza House, Greentree

     RSVP by post or to host at tjfran@comcast.net

@Thundercrack

The same can be said with the prospects that the Brewers received in return.  Haven't had many LaPorta sightings on Baseball Tonight.  

I'm on record as saying I like the plan the Bucs are doing at the moment.  But, if they are in a playoff hunt and know that their big guns may be leaving for FA in a year or two, they had better give those guys a shot and go for it.  

I'm out for a bit - will try and check in during the game later this evening.  Good to talk to everyone again...

The Brewers end up being a model of what NOT to do.  I think the Twins and Indians have been pretty good role models as far as how to survive in small markets with a good level of success.  

We're heading over to the ballpark.  WAY too excited!!!  I'm going to catch the Dollar General doing his muscle memory exercises at 2B.  Let's Go Bucs!

Just a bit of a memorial here, before I take off for work and the Pirates begin their weekend of honoring the 1979 Pirates.

I think my favorite player on that team was Bill Robinson. I always loved a success story carved from a life of trials ... guess that's why I'm pulling so much for Garrett Jones.

Anyway, I was 12 years old in 1966, still pulling for the lifeless Yankees when they traded Clete Boyer to the Braves for the rookie prospect Bill Robinson. I remember reading in my Dad's Sporting New after the trade how high hopes rested on him, that he might just be the next  Mickey Mantle.

It didn't work out that way, though, and Robinson toiled for nearly 10 years of relative obscurity before he started making his mark, first for the Phillies, the the Pirates where he really hit his stride as one of the greatest utility players ever (in my opinion). I loved him when he was with the Pirates. He wasn't the only clutch player on the team, but man he was definitely a clutch guy with good power.

Bill Robinson died suddenly a two years ago in July. I'll always remember him when I think of "The Fam-i-Lee!"

"Wow, Hal is an award-winning, HOF journalist."

He's also a guy who's been watching the Reds follow exactly the "plan" that numerous critics want the Pirates to follow.  He's speaking from actual experience and not just out of his you-know-what.

I'm one to say that the Pirates should never allow valuable free agents to walk without getting something back in trade.

That said, I believe the Brewers have gotten quite a few extra draft picks because of free agents leaving, and time will tell whether those will replenish their system enough to justify the damage done by the talent bleed - both of trading away talent to get Sabathia, and then allowing him to leave in free agency.

My guess is no.

The Pirates should have traded Bobby Bonilla the year before his free agency, and then Bonds and Drabek the year before their free agency.

If that would have happened, we probably wouldn't be looking at the worst losing streak in pro sports.

Of course, the Pirates didn't draft well after that either, so eventually that would have killed us.

is there anyone that can go on 60-day DL?

if not, i suspect that Virgil V may find his way off the 40-man...

thoughts?

Aw, God in heaven it's those stupid hats. Are they TRYING to get the baseball gods even madder at them?

I'd rather the yellow jerseys with the white pants than all yellow...but then I grew up watching the A's do just that, so it's no big to me.  :-)

Just read the Hal McCoy article. Wow. A small market baseball journalist who is criticizing the FO for spending too much money? A journalist who doesn't challenge the owners to show how much they care about winning by opening up their wallets? Someone who questions adding "proven vets" who block up and coming prospects? Someone who suggests they do it "the Marlins Way". Someone who eagerly accepts the Reds' status as a "development team"?

Whoa. How in the world can he have a job?

I re-read my last post and decided I wasn't very clear...I grew up watching the A's wear yellow jerseys with white pants.  There...much better.  

@DMac

I'd rather they wear kilts and a tube top than anything they wore in 1979.

Hmmm...Kilts and tube tops...that could make for an interesting game.  *grin*

They want to pay tribute to the championship team and that's cool.  I wasn't a Pirates' fan then, so I don't think it's right for me to dump on the uni's.  ;-)

I love the uni's from the late 70's. Frankly, it's the reason I'm a Pirates fan, being from NY. We didn't watch too much TV, but a game was on back in the mid-late 70's that my dad had on. First time I really saw those hats and thought they were the coolest things! Old fasioned, different, with the stars added - for whatever reason. Turned out to be the Pirates, and I've loved them since!

Though I'm not for wearing ANY of the 70's fashions again (bell bottoms and polyester? No thanks!), it brings back some great memories for me. Plus, it's only for the weekend, so don't get your undies in a knot!

I think we were just goofing around...at least I was.  I'm not that worked about it.  :-)

STEVE Coonely .....aren't he and Dave Kerwin friends?;-)

@JuniataKid, I take it this means you don't jump up and dance the Hustle to the tune of *Turn the Beat Around* every time the Bucs hit a home run  ;-)

BTW, for the interested public - the odds makers have us as solid favorites tonight and growing.

Wow, PGHboy, you really don't like Andy at all, do ya?  I like him a bunch better than Jose Bautista, or anyone else we've had there since Ramirez left.

Interesting that we are 30 minutes pregame...and the 40 man move hasn't been announced. That certainly leads me to believe the move involves someone not currently in Pittsburgh.

Dejan...is this one of those situations where you know what the move is...but until it is announced...you are asked not to put it out there??

pghboyinca

While I agree that Andy should not be batting cleanup, which player in this lineup should be batting fourth? Doumit? Milledge? Jones? None of them produce with men in scoring position (nobody on the team does) This team doesn't have a cleanup hitter, so it doesn't matter who you bat there.

@cmh steeler fan:

It's not an excuse, but the reason for the Reds being in the condition they presently exist: Dusty Baker - whom I consider to be in the echelon of overrated MLB managers.  Has managed to ruin many a good pitching arm.  Just ask the Cubs. (Not that I personally feel bad about that.)

Meek to the 60 day DL??? That would finish his season if true.

Yo, Juniata Kid:  The baseball gods may not love those hats now, but they sure loved 'em in '79!  Ah, the Stargell Stars...

It's almost 7:05.  A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

who knows where the 40th man goes :)

The Shadow knows but is not telling :)

I find it interesting how the front office attackers are on here are criticizing the Pirates while other franchises are setting the records for being terrible in professional sports. What is your point "some teams can catch lightning in the bottle for a few years so why can't we be the best ever"? You can't point out the Giants and Rockies without pointing at the Brewers, Reds and Indians who are in that same spending range and are utterly a disaster at attempting that same approach. Wait until the Reds and Brewers have any type of long-term success before you start applying an isolated form of success in one manner to the Pirates.

I love when someone says tries to attack Pirates players by saying that they are terrible in their 162 games, Oh really? let's look at all the top prospects who never performed up to their expectations surrounding by great players on winning teams like Hee Seop Choi on the Cubs, Dodgers and Marlins. Can't have it both way ladies and gentlemen. Something smells rotten and it is posting on this board posing as objective fans trying to make the team better. Go through all of major league baseball and find a team that even hits on 20% of their top prospects, I am not even gonna bother because there can't be. Attacking prospects and trades without looking at both sides (not too mention the horrible grammer and spelling as well as personal insults against professional people) is a disgrace and shows you're not ready to post about a major league team..

Pghboy, I suspect that JR is trying out all sorts of combinations in order to find out what kind of kids he's got, how they react to situations, what they're made of.   The management has just begun this work-in-progress.

Hey, before this season began, who would have believed DY at 2B?  Like I said, they're willing to try almost anything, and they have the luxury of low expectations.  They hate losing, sure, but as long as that's the theme, better make the best use of it.

@Trite Trophy Winner

There is validity to your post about Baker's managing skills. If you would like to have a reasoned debate about what is wrong with the Reds, I am happy to. I saw alot of their games in the last few years. I think they have several problems.

I only bring up the Reds because there are some folks who like to use the idea of anecdotal evidence as conclusive proof that the Pirates are wrong in their approach. I highlight the Reds as anecdotal proof that their suggested "correct" approach is wrong using the same flawed logic.

In this case, my comments about why the Reds are bad came mostly from HOF journalist Hal McCoy, in today's column. He points out everything that the Reds are doing wrong and is essentially indicating that the way to success is to keep stability in the front office and manager's office and stick to a rebuilding plan. Not to spend money on free agents or proven veterans, Not to spend money on improving the stadium, not to fire the GM 2 years into his plan, not to fire the coach if there are some struggles.

So there is validity in your post, just Hal McCoy's comments were the focus of my posts today.

@ pghboy - the kid's in his first full year of MLB.  I cut him slack on that alone.  He's shown glove and arm, and .260/6 is better than some of our best players in their first years.  

I don't think he'll ever be a great, or even an All-Star, but I think he'll be a credible ML player, perhaps for a long time.

@wozzle

Excellent post. I also believe that JR thinks Doumit is his regular cleanup hitter, but even Jason Bay gets moved down from 3/4 down to 6/7 when he proves that his hitting is suffering by hitting there.

I assume the 2 legged bruise is alright.Paul Maholm has some bad luck doesn't he.Having your face shattered and then being hit twice in one game.Tylenol Paul. ;-)

They're wearing the gold jerseys with the black pants.  

That's for those who don't have the benefit of TV coverage tonight.

The Reds pregame just showed that Delwyn Young is leading all NL hitters in BA over the last seven days @ .500

Of course after showing the opening day lineup vs today's lineup the host said, well at least the view of the city is good at the ballpark.

That comment will be so funny if and when the Pirates pummel the Reds. Plus, I have been to Riverfront many times, their view is not that good the way they faced their stadium towards the Kentucky side of the river.

The host did have good things to say about McCutchen saying he is worth the price of admission.

The Reds pregame show also had a Text Poll asking which ball park is your favorite NL Central ballpark. They did not include the Reds home park, GABP.

So far the results are:

PNC       38%

Wrigley  22%

Miller      28%

Busch      4%

MinuteMaid 8%

First pitch to Dickerson is in there!  Strike 1.  Takes, strike 2.  Just misses low, 1-2.  And he swings...funny looking swing...for strike 3.  1 away.

Stubbs hits the first pitch to shallow CF...Cedeno back-pedals and makes the catch.  2 away.

Votto fouls the first pitch away, 0-1.  In the dirt, 1-1 count.  Swings and misses, 1-2.  Grounded foul along the 1B line.  SWINGS and misses, strike 3.  That retires the side.

Much better than Chicago.

Nice inning Charlie! 10 pitches 8 strikes 2 k's side retired.

In the spirit of celebrating the 1979 World Champs, just to show bad Nutting has dumbed down the product.....

Andy LaRoche is hitting .258 and is on pace to hit 8  HR's and drive in 59 runs this season, yet he is batting cleanup.

From a production standpoint, that would have been like having Ed Ott bat cleanup on the 1979 club.

No Stargell, no Parker, no Robinson, ......

Just a .258 hitter on pace to hit 8 HR's and drive in 59 runs.

How very pathetic.

Morton looks good on TV tonight.

He embarrassed Dickerson on that 81 mph offspeed. The Reds announcer said sometimes its better not to swing and go down looking. Really?

Then he struck out their best hitter Votto on a 96mph pitch. Nice speed changes.

Good so far.

3-0 count to AMac.  Takes the Autostrike, ( (c) Sir L.)  3-1 count.  Just catches the outside corner, 3-2.  Fouled away.  Fouled away.  Fouled away again, still 3-2.  Popped to shallow RF...Votto goes back and makes the catch.  1 away.

DY looks at strike 1.  Upstairs, 1-1.  Swings and misses, 1-2.  Misses outside, 2-2.  WAY outside, 3-2.  Chopped toward the middle, Janish to Votto.  2 away.

Jones takes inside, 1-0.  Fouled off, 1-1.  Misses outside, 2-1.  Outside again and it's 3-1.  Just catches the outside of the plate and the count goes full, 3-2.  Fouled away.  And he goes down looking at strike 3.

No score after 1.  

When he's pitching, Owings would make a decent cleanup hitter.

See?  Jones goes down looking at strike three.  Yup.  Sometimes better not to swing and go down looking.

Hey Jonesy, I see the wife still picks your ties.

Owings with a higher batting average than everyone below LaRoche in our batting order.

2 outs, 1 on...

Hannigan at the plate.  Throw to 1st.  First pitch misses, 1-0.  Misses way up and in, 2-0.  Just misses inside, 3-0.  And he draws the walk.

Janish takes ball 1.  Kerrigan out to the mound.  Lined to CF and AMac comes in and makes a nice catch to retire the side.

In the spirit of celebrating the 1990 Reds World Champs, just to show bad Lindner and Castellini has dumbed down the product.....

Layne Nix is hitting .253 and is on pace to hit 44 RBI's this season and hit 13 HR's this season, yet he is batting cleanup.

From a production standpoint, that would have been like having Luis Quionones bat cleanup on the 1990 club.

No Larkin, no Davis, no Hal Morris, ......

Just a .253 hitter on pace to hit 13 HR's and drive in 44 runs.

Why does MLB even let the Reds field a team?

Something about Charlie looks differnet now that when he came here, I can't put my finger on it but he or Kerrigan changed something.

So you're at a party, and you see Brian approaching. Brian is the guy with the one-track mind, who will tie you up all night re-stating his one point - the same point he's been making since you met him months ago, the only thing you've ever heard him talk about.

Do you run for cover because you've taken a vow of chastity and expect Brian to be followed by a bevy of women who find him attractive?

Or merely turn your back in search of conversation with people who actually interact the way ordinary people do, each responding to the things the other is saying, rather than beeping out a repetitive single note like Sputnik?

NuttingHostage,

Even if Stargell and Robinson were still alive and Parker not retired, I don't think they'd be in a position to contribute so I would approve of Nutting dealing them.

IMHO

@NUHO

How very pathetic you are with your continuous, obnoxious silly-boy rants. Who do you want in the cleanup spot? A .225-hitting Ryan Doumit? Get outta here with your #4 hitter blues...Adam LaRoche couldn't do it, and J. Bay/X. Nady coudl barely do it. Tell me, NUHO, who do you want batting cleanup? You're delusional with this silly banter about a cleanup hitter. Let JR and NH and FC know and maybe, just maybe you and your grand, brilliant ideas will be put to use. Otherwise, keep your ridiculous opines to yourself.

Andy takes strike 1 on the outside corner.  Grounded foul, 0-2.  Fouled away again.  Way outside, 1-2.  Misses upstairs, 2-2 count.  Hit hard but right to SS...Janisch to Votto.  1 away.

Ryan takes a strike on the outside.  Misses, 1-1. He hits it way back but the CF goes back and makes the catch right at the wall.  Crap.  2 away.

Milledge takes a strike, 0-1.  Next pitch is liked to CF for a single.

Pearce takes outside, 1-0.  Throw to 1st.  Takes inside, 2-0.  Misses away, 3-0.  Takes a strike on the inside corner, 3-1.  Lined to LF but right to Dickerson for the out.

AFter 2, still no score.

Oh boy...here we go again....fight nice, guys.

through 2 Morton 23 pitches, Owings 38

Lasting has style down, wonder what color shoes and laces he will wear tomorrow.

Seen enough personal sniping during the game between a few posters...so taking the rest of the night off from the blog. Have fun children.

As a newbie...I have a question.  I only remember the black pillbox caps watching the Pirates when they came to San Francisco or San Diego.  When did they wear the yellow ones?

the Guide to Commenting--which everyone should read--link on the upper left of the page--say among other things

Those terms state clearly that you must not post comments containing:

- personal attacks, obscenity, vulgarity, profanity or ethnic or racial slurs;

DMac,

I think they wore them primarily with the all black uniform.  they also showed up with other combos.

There's no fighting nice with this guy, BetterDaysComing. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong words...that's what he wrote on a Friday early evening after happy hour, that's what he gets.

NUHO...tired of the arrogance, the ridiculous statements and the better-than-everyone-on-this-blog-attitude. Let's see you in the 4 spot, ok...? Can you handle that? There was excuse after excuse when Adam was hitting 4th: "Oh, he's not really a #4 hitter..." etc. And now what? More silly-boy whining when they put someone in the 4 hole because Doumit's pressing too much and not hitting well. Wow, like a true #4 isn't something everyone on this blog would love to see.

Morton looked so good in the 1st and starting to look like his last start.

Stubbs did everything wrong and still got the job done--failed two bunt attempts and then hit in front of rather than behind the runners.

Owings grounds to the right side...DY gets to the ball but Owings beats the throw.  

1-0 count to Dickerson.  Takes a strike at the knees, 1-1.  Misses inside, 2-1.  Takes outside, 3-1.  Lined to CF and it drops in front of AMac.

Runners at 1st and 2nd.

Stubbs bunts it foul, 0-1.  Bunts and it goes foul again, 0-2.  FOuled away.  Grounded to 3rd.  Andy fields and throws to Pearce for the out.  Runners moved to 2nd and 3rd.  1 away.

Votto takes inside, 1-0.  Misses outside, 2-0.  Grounded to 2nd.  DY to Pearce for the out.  A run scores, runner to 3rd.  2 away.

Nix hits a slow roller to 2nd...DY to Pearce.  Side retired.

Reds score first and lead 1-0.  

Phew. We escape the top of the 3'rd down 1-0. Coulda been worster.

Thanks, Better Days Coming!  I was wondering...  :-)

Can we play nice here while the game is on?  I've been reading the back and forth all day.  

When you walk the pitcher or let him get a hit off you, it almost always seems to jump up and bite you.

Let's go offense, get that run back and more.

JAL,

That's the type of small ball that the Bucs drive me crazy with as well.  Simple rules of baseball.  They need to be better at that fundamental stuff.

JAL, morton's not pitching that badly.  He gave up a ground ball to the pitcher, DY shoulda got him at first, a single, then three straight jam-shot ground balls.

Cedeno leads off and takes strike 1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Misses outside, 1-2.  Misses low, 2-2.  WAY inside, 3-2.  Fouled away.  Fouled away.  Lines it sharply to the left side but Janisch makes the leaping catch.  1 away.

Morton takes strike 1.  Misses down and in, 1-1. Nice!  He lines a single to RF.

AMac takes away, 1-0.  Misses away again, 2-0.  Chopped back to the mound...Owings to Sutton to get Morton, but the relay to Votto is late, so AMac is safe.  2 away.

DY steps in and they throw to 1st.  First pitch to DY misses away, 1-0.  Throw to 1st.  Misses inside, 2-0.  Just catches the outside of the plate, 2-1.  Throw to 1st.  Fouled away, 2-2.  And he draws the walk.

2 on, 2 away.

Jones fouls the first one away, 0-1.  Takes ball 1...1-1 count. Fouled away, 1-2.  WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  KISS THAT GOODBYE!  INTO THE CLEMENTE SEATS!

Yeeeeeeeeehaw! Jones!

jones is bad to the bones

www.youtube.com/watch

Any hits the first pitch toward the LF corner, but Dickerson makes the play.  Side retired.

But Jones-y goes deep to give the Bucs a 3-1 lead!  SWEET!

Capn Willy would be proud of Jonesy on that shot.

BetterDays and JAL - does that Jones HR make up a little for the missed bunts by others, lol.

And that HR was with RISP. Great clutch hitting Jonesy.

Forget what i said earlier Jonesy.  The tie looks great on you.

FSN having Garner in the booth that last inning made me want him to be manager rather then JR even more.

cmh,

As Earl Weaver used to say, "Good pitching and three-run homers."  LOL

@Drew71 - lol - I love your unwavering support of Jonesy.  LOL. All in good fun and support of the Buccos ;-)

Ouch, can't have too many more innings of allowing the first 2 batters to reach base safely.  Morton is definitely working to get out of these jams.

Rosales leads off and takes, ball 1.  Misses again, 2-0.  Catches the outside corner, 2-1.  Grounded to the left side and it's through to LF for a single.

Sutton steps in...They throw to 1st.  First pitch misses outside, 1-0.  Misses, 2-0.  Misses away, 3-0.  And he walks on 4 straight.

C'mon, Charlie!  Throw strikes!  Here comes Dave Kerwin, I mean Joe Kerrigan (see what yinz got me doing!  ;-)  )

Hannigan fouls the first one off the ump, 0-1.  Misses low, 1-1 count.  Misses again, 2-1.  Misses inside, 3-1.  *sigh*  Oh dear.  And it's a called strike on the inside, 3-2.  Grounded toward the middle, Cedeno fields and only has 1 out available at 1st.  

Runners at 2nd and 3rd, 1 away.

Janish takes, ball 1.  SWINGS and misses, 1-1.  Misses away, 2-1.  Just misses inside, 3-1.  Hit right to 3rd....Andy catches it before it hits the ground.  RUnners hold.  2 away.

1-1 count to Owings.  Fouled away, 1-2.  Chopped toward the middle.  Cedeno fields and throws to Pearce to retire the side.  Sweet!

Nice job by Morton to get out of a bit of a jam there.

Nice play Andy, Andy has been ciming up with more and more soled plays as the days go their ways.

he already playes a better third than anyoone around here in quite some time.

To the earlier comment, I think in the field he is better than Rameriz was at the same time of playing time.

cmh - thanks.  somebody's gotta have some fun around here.  it's a game, isnt it?  Are we having fun yet??

@marty34156

Cincinnati FSN has Garner on the air. Is that you where you say it? Or was he on the FSN Pittsburgh as well?

I wonder if REDS fans would rather have Garner than Dusty Baker as well, lol.

Ryan takes down and in, 1-0.  He stings the next one but CRAP!  He was robbed again!  Nix makes a diving catch!  He's hitting them, guys are making plays!

Milledge CRUSHES the next one into the LF seats!  WOOOOOHOOOO!

@jersey joe.

Very true. And Aramis was dogging groundouts and flyouts long before Manny did it.

I rememeber going to work at midnight the night we went down 3-1 in 79.  I stopped in a dennys to gert a cup of tea and i knew we were not out of it.  

Maz, its blastings time.

Gonna take more than 3 to win this one.

Good to see Milledge starting to show some power the last few games.

cmh

No  missed fundamentals are bad even if they are overcome

Not to be playing manager, but I think if I were managing the Bucs and we were ahead about the 7th inning, I think I would be looking to do get a defensive replacement in for DY at 2nd, he is a little shaky tonight.

Milledge - love the new shoes....matches Jonesy's tie.

0-2 count to Pearce.  Fouled away.  Popped up to short RF...Sutton goes back and makes the catch.  2 away.

Cedeno takes,  ball 1.  Takes a strike on the inside, 1-1.  Misses away, 2-1.  Popped up to short CF...Sutton again for the out. That retires the side.

After 4, 4-1 Bucs.  

Lastings!

Where are the Milledge naysayers? Bring them front and center!

@Drew71

Here, here - I'll drink to that. And, yes, I am having fun tonight. Everybody wang chung tonight.

And I am happy to FINALLY have seen the gold Milledge shoes that everyone is talking about, lol. Especially on a HR trot.

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

@JAL - How long do you think it will be until Ryan Doumit starts hitting them "where they ain't". He is hitting the ball very hard, but they just aren't hitting the alleys.

cmh_steeler_fan ,

how about short stop?

www.youtube.com/watch

0-1 to Dickerson.  Misses down and away, 1-1.  In the dirt, 2-1.  Misses away, 3-1.  Misses away for ball 4.  Cripes!  

Stubbs hits it toward he middle...Cedeno fields near 2B, steps on the bag for 2, throws to Pearce for the DP.

Votto takes outside, ball 1. Fly ball to R-CF...Jones makes the catch to retire the side.

This combo of uniform is my favorite of all time, even better than the 49 Bucs.

OfficerMancuso wrote re:

Where are the Milledge naysayers? Bring them front and center!

                             B I N G O

cmh steeler fan

HE was also on FSN Pittsburgh.

put the clutch in gear

cmh

next season

@jersey joe

After that double play, I can hum that song in his honor, lol.

It took me several days to figure out what you were referencing with My Sha-rona, lol.

Ryan is absolutely nailing the ball, just right to guys.  He's ticked...tried to crush his helmut in the dugout.

Morton leads off...2-2 count.  Grounded up the middle...Sutton makes a nice play.  If it were anyone else, it would have been a INF single.  I think there's a new level in slowness -- Charlie-slow.  It seems to me he is slower than Adam getting down the line.  1 away.

AMac takes a strike on the outside, 0-1.  Misses, 1-1.  Takes a called strike, 1-2.  Liffted to deep CF...And it bounces off the wall in the Notch!  AMac kicks in those after-burners and is in at 3rd with a TRIPLE!  SWEET!  

Man, can he FLY!

DY takes outside, 1-0.  Fouled away, 1-1.  Fouled away again, 1-2.  Fouled away again.  Fly ball deep to RF...Nix makes the catch, but AMAC tags and scores.  SWEET!  2 away.

Jones takes outside, 1-0.  Catches the outside of the plate, 1-1.  Grounded hard down the 1B line but Votto fields and steps on the bag for the 3rd out.

After 5, it's now 5-1 Pirates!  YAY!

leadoff wrote re: Pirates vs. Reds, 8-21-09: Meek moved to 60-day DL

on Sat, Aug 22 2009 1:37 AM

This combo of uniform is my favorite of all time, even better than the 49 Bucs.

               Mine Too

Hey did Clutch get some stick-um on his hair covering? HE kept his helmet it on all the way through his acceleration to 3rd.

Way to get him in DY!

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

@OfficerMancuso - "need more than 3 runs tonight".

Ask and ye shall receive!

"Where are the Milledge naysayers? Bring them front and center!"

So true. Hitting .305 at home and improving in power and average as the month wears on.

I have to give credit to steve blass, he did beat me to it, I went looking for it and before I got the name right he just went and said it

Steve is almost as good as me at that

aint life grand?

off with some friends. (yes, i have some...costs me a lot, but i have some.)

Bring em home, DMac!

0-1 count to Nix.  He fouls it away, 0-2.  Misses inside, 1-2.  Misses low, 2-2.  Fouled away.  SWINGS and misses, strike 3.  1 away.

Rosales grounds the first ball to SS...Cedeno to Pearce.  1 away.

Sutton takes low, ball 1.  Swings and misses, 1-1.  FLy ball to LF...Milledge goes over by the track and makes the catch for the 3rd out.

Leadoff/JJ,

What combo?  Is i the gold jersey and black pant?  I believe the players opreferred that one as well and wore them most often down the stretch in 79.  Felt they were good luck.  Also wore them in Games 6 and 7 in Baltimore.

pghboyinca,  how in the world did you get so old and vulgar

BetterDaysComing wrote

yes

I don't know if I have ever seen a faster baseball player than McCutchen.

Tim Raines when he was young maybe.....but that's about it.

Man he can fly.

ryan will start hitting them where they aint

one more...

@jersey joe- "pghboyinca,  how in the world did you get so old and vulgar"

Now THAT'S funny.  and like most truly funny observations, spot-on true.  

Now i'm out.  No blown saves, please.  (and that comment has nothing to do with pghboy's, ahem, post.)