A boycott is in order folks.

 "As far as the coaches, are you saying he is only willing to pay them as a PR stunt and not because they are actually quality baseball people.  Using your line of reasoning I thought you would say that he would only pay them because it would improve the players trade value when it came time to dump their salaries.

So if Bob only does things for PR why the salary dumps - I don't think it works both ways.....Oh wait, and he paid $10 mil to Morris as a PR move - that sounds like a pretty steep price for a little PR.  In fact that is uttelry stupid if it was made for PR.  So Bob is so smart he can keep pulling the wool over our eyes but dumb enough to dump $10 mil to further his cause for a washed up pitcher?  Something just is not computing again???"

Okay, I'll try this one last time with ya.  Kerrigan and Hill are GREAT coaches, and maybe the only thing about this team that is better than below average.  (Few exceptions--McCutcheon, etc)  The Pirate organization has been saying all along that new coaching staff will make the new players better--that's their claim, that they can do more with less talent.  They've been saying it all season, then suddenly the people they have been touting (and who are doing a great job) want to possibly leave???  Get outta town!!  No one who has confidence in the ownership from a coachiing perspective does that--NO ONE!!  AND, if they do leave,  Bobbo & Co will be left with the cupboard virtually bare.  They almost have to keep them, or at least try.  If you want to call it a PR stunt, FINE.  They've put this one on themselves--they touted coaches ALL SEASON, and SO HAVE THE PLAYERS!!!!  Now they want to leave??  So, yes, Bobbo knows marketing, and he knows he will look foolish if those coaches leave.  So what's he gonna sell ya next year if they leave??  "Hey, now we got the 2nd best coaches in baseball to make our team great!!"  or maybe he'll say "hey, we were wrong last year, these new coaches are what's gonna take this team to the promised land!!"  Once again, bull!!!  Besides, as I stated earlier, THE PLAYERS ON THE FIELD ARE WHAT MAKE THE TEAM GOOD OR BAD!!  He knows marketing and the media (and money)my friend and how fans will react. 

I'll repeat this for ya one last time as well.  Morris was the brainchild of Littlefield.  Bobbo, who was looking like a thief at the time gave DL this allocation of money--actually it was a little more than 10mill.  It looks good in the media, and fans quiet down a little.  Remember,now, fans pay Bobbo his money you know.  He knows that too--in addition to add revenue, revenue sharing, etc.  Now, I'm sure, Ol' Bobbo would like to think that his GM (the one that he hired to lead us to the promised land mind you!!!) would make a great baseball decision witht he money.  He didn't and Bobbo still agrees, AND, thinks that maybe Morris will get us to .500 in the process.  He didn't.  Everybody loses, but at the end of the day Bobbo doesn't look like such a thief.  Hey, if he has his annuity for $26 mil a year, I'm sure he's happy.  AGAIN, NOT BOBBO'S DECISION, HIS BOY DL MADE THAT ONE FOR HIM!!!  Bobbo doesn't know baseball or baseball players--he only knows how to count money!!  AND, I agree that's OK.  But 17 years worth of losing later and he tries to sell the fans that he really wants to win!!  BULL.  You buy it, I'm through looking stupid.  Hey, here's a novel idea, why not take all that money you've earned over the last 17 years and put a great product on the field and when you go to sell that franchise you make hundreds of millions????  Nah, that sounds too much like Rooneys and the stupid Steelers!!  Right.

You said "I were to start looking for a new job I would want to work for a company with a strong infrastructure that was looking long term - not just spending $10 mil on PR".  Well, what if at your old job you were percieved as below average, never got the job done, and a liability, even though it truly wasn't your fault??    Would you want that on your resume??  Me neither.  Hence, Kerrigan and HIll are looking to move on.  Unless Bobbo can come up with enough money and long term contract that it won't matter, then you stay!!

Question 1:  Could you, in all good conscience, own a business, treat your employees like crap (players), pay EVERYBODY you could minimum wage, rip off the taxpayers of your fair city, and in fact be at the bottom of your industry for an eternity, see other companies right down the street from you thriving,  lie like crazy to as many people as would listen, rake in an ungodly amount of money FOR YOURSELF, break poor performance record after poor performance record--------------AND PROUDLY WALK THROUGH YOUR COMPANY AND YOUR CITY AND BE PROUD TO BE CALLED AN OWNER???   Truly, you couldn't and you know it, and neither could I, I'd be too mortified.  Bobbo wants to sell you a new bobblehead though.   (Not just for a while now, BUT FOR 17 YEARS!!!!  Now I want you to think about that----------17 years!!!  Think of all thats happened in your life time over 17 years!!!  No wonder kids in HS don't play baseball in Burg any more--it's thriving in every other major city--they haven't known a winner in their lifetime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And you're here trying to defend it!!!  You gotta be kiddin.)

Now, stop puttin' words in my mouth, think about what I just asked you----then shoot me an answer.  If you can.  Bobbo HAS had a say for 17 years, not the 2 or 3 you suggest.  Those are the FACTS you defend.  Indefensible my man, indefensible.  Hell, after 17 years, if he truly wanted a winnner wouldn't think he'd look at being in the cellar and ALWAYS at the bottom of the pay scale and suggest "hey, we should increase our payroll some to compete"--and in the process, EVEN IF BY ACCIDENT come up with a playoff team?????  Hell, I could do that by accident!!  And you defend him. 

Question 2:  Do you really think they care??  17 years of failure, Bobbo still makes a ton of money, one of the lowest payrolls in baseball (hell, couldn't we be like middle of the road one year just to see if a better product on the field would increase attendance--Bobbo make even more money?  ONE YEAR??  NOPE) Now, with a true heart, riddle me that Batman??  Ya can't and you know it.  Bobbo now has you sold on the "new" path--and the funny part is Bobbo lowers the payroll, makes even more money--AND ARE YOU READY FOR THIS---YOU'RE BUYIN' IT!!!  Hard to believe.  

There are my 2 questions.  And based off your answers I'll let you know if it's worth discussin any further with you.

Question #1: The owner of the Clippers did it forever, people say Wal-Mart is doing it, and many companies in the third world that make many of the products we buy here in the states are doing it.  And I question how he is treating people terribly if the ball players are making $400k or into the millions?  Each of the coaches came here and the employees on their own volition, and they are free to leave.  In regards to the tax dollars - that money is gone, a long time ago gone, he is not stealing any money on a daily basis....in fact the team he has provides money to local residence and business around 81 times a year.  

This is a business, people that make assault rifles that kill people can get out if it bothers them, people in the adult film industry can get out if they want, and likewise if Nutting was embarrassed about the profits his business is making he could get out - but he treats it like a business.

Question #2: see above - he cares about his bottom line - I can guarantee you that. 

And please do not take the time to respond to my post - I have continually stated that I stopped spending money on anything Pirates, and I am only reflecting on the last two years.  We can not change the past, and based on where we were at the end of the Littlefield destruction, I would say that I am very happy with the overall state (top to bottom) of the team even though the top is horrendous right now.

Your put lipstick on a pig plan just wasn't going to work and the fact that Nutting is just rolling in the dough is a good enough reason for him to not sell.  This was the only viable plan or alternative that was left after they jettisoned Littlefield.  Hopefully the PLAN has been and will be executed successfully.

** I have unchecked the box to alert me via e-mail when you respond, and I do not plan to come back to this topic - I am not giving up, it is just like trying to reason with my beagle puppy (I talk about the regime in place for the last two years, you bring up 17 years -15 of which Connelly and Huntington had nothing to do with - I talk about a realistic plan, and you put lipstick on a pig). 

P.S. Maybe you can get ahold of Nutting Hostage and the two of you can have your own little protest during the G20 - you two were meant for each other.

POPS

 oooppppssss......forgot to add this to my response.

excerpts from a recent ESPN article about the Pirates season:

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/news/story?id=4491622

Of the 15 or so major league players whom the Pirates have traded over the past two seasons, none had ever lifted the Pirates above 75 wins, and only Ian Snell was an obvious candidate to be part of the next competitive Pirates team. (And there were extenuating circumstances in his case, to say the least.) It's tough to pick one particular deal that's been a blow-away win, but looking at the organization from 30,000 feet, the increase in overall talent from the time Huntington took over until today is striking.

That gap should only continue to grow in the next year, as the team continues to load up in the Dominican and once again picks in the top five in June's draft. Don't expect the losing streak to end in 2010, but for once, there may actually be some light at the end of this tunnel. -- Shawn Hoffman, Baseball Prospectus

you are not seeing what I am saying....I am talking about eminant domain/repossession of the land & then selling it off for profit...the price of land on the North Side was greatly undervalued by the city when they allowed the Steelers to buy the land at a reduced cost & then resell it.  Tell me this, what businesses are flourishing down by the stadium?  That bar across the street (HiTops) closed.  These are seasonal businesses at best & do not bring in high paying jobs to the city.  If the land were sold & converted for commericial use (for example, another Alcoa HQ), then we are talking about real revenues for the city in the form of actual high paying jobs & real estate taxes.  Anyone who deludes themself into thinking stadiums bring economic booms are just as foolish as this baseball team is corrupt....

 Ok, it's official, you have clearly identified the fact that:  1.)  You don't have a clue  2.)  You can't answer the questions asked even though I could clearly answer yours.  I asked, "Could YOU............................., not name me other companies............(Obviously because you know there are no good answers)  3.)  None of these players can leave because most wouldn't get picked up by any other contending team.  Yeah, they MIGHT be able to go to another loser who would pay them the league minimum.  The only players in demand by other teams--WE HAVE ALREADY GIVEN AWAY--for Moe, Larry, and Curley in return  4.)  Bobbo is JUST like the rifle-maker and porn guy, that is the whole point--he cares ONLY about the money, to hell with the fans of The Burg who bought him the stadium to put this junk in  5.)  This morning Neal is quoted as saying "We won't have a 100+ loss season next year.  We are going to look for some pieces  (on the cheap of course)"   ---   The same BS YOU KEEP BUYIN'.  Hmmmmm  Where did I hear this before???  Oh, yeah, right before the beginning of this season!!!!  6.)  THIS TEAM is not providing money to local residences and businesses 81 times a year!!!  The ballpark on the north side of Pittsburgh (that the taxpayers paid for) attracts families for a family outing once in while because of it's beauty.  Oh, and some go to see other teams (contenders) and great players from other teams compete.  This has been stated so many times it's ridiculous, and you say they generate income---yeah, for Bobbo!!!  AND ONLY BOBBO!!!  You must live under a rock to state something that foolish in this City.  AND THE DAMN ATTENDANCE CLEARLY SHOWS THAT TO BE TRUE--THE THIRD LOWEST IN BASEBALL!!!  Fans go for bobbleheads and pierogie races--family fun.  WAKE UP.  7.)  Hell, you didn't even know Bobbo's been a primary owner for the entire 17 years!!!  You think he's just getting started.  Wow.  Go educate yourself before speaking on a subject about which you know NOTHING!!

Now, you take Peter Pan to lunch in Neverland and watch the Pirates WIN!!  Or, you could take Tinkerbell with ya and DREAM OF WATCHING THE PIRATES WIN!!!!

PS  This has gotten WAAAAAAY past embarassing!!!!  AND YOU'RE STILL BUYING THEIR BULL.   Hey, I have some waterfront property in Florida...............................  Wow.

Now, please do not respond to my posts any further.  Thanking you in advance, LJ.

 So "this team won't lose 100 games next year"......what a goal to strive for!

That is as inane as saying "We don't need a left-handed reliever, we've got right-handers that can get lefties out".  Actually our bullpen can't get anybody out these days.

This collection of "prospects" that he intends to go full speed ahead into the 2010 season with, have equalled the infamous losing years of 100 years ago!

In order to avoid a 100-loss season, our Bucs have to go 7-6 over the final 13 games.

 That's over a 500% clip folks.  This team can't play 500 ball for a short series, let alone a stretch of 13 games!

93 losses on the way to 100.

Why does Neal Huntington have a job?

Why does Frank Coonelly have a job?

BoBo Nut, please sell the team!

  "We don't need a left-handed reliever, we've got right-handers that can get lefties out".  Actually our bullpen can't get anybody out these days.

BC, 

I gotta tell ya', that was one of my most favorite comments from a major league baseball club management I have ever heard.!!!  And there are people who believe that these idiots are going to lead us to the promised land of "winning".  WE DON'T NEED LEFT-HANDED RELIEVERS"  WOW!!!  Great selection Bobbo!!!! 

Has there ever, in the modern era of baseball, been a professional baseball team without a left-handed reliever in the bull pen???  IN HISTORY????  Hey, there's another first for Bobbo & Co!!!  Another record!!!!  Wow.  This is as bad a program as I've ever seen.

Never mind trading for Moe, Larry, & Curley, we have Moe, Larry, & Curley running the team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You gotta know that Teke, Walk, even ol" B. Brown have got to be laughing to themselves when they go on the air thinking that they actually work FOR these idiots!!!!

 LJ,

Neal Huntingforaprospect made that statement right after the Nyger Morgan giveaway.

I was furious at that trade.  I had envisioned a Morgan-McCutcheon outfield for years to come.

And Sean Burnette, say what you want, but he got lefthanded hitters OUT!

Nyger brought excitement and hustle back to the Pirates. And then Huntingtons statement told me all I needed to know that "something is AWRY in Pirateland.

From that day I immediately reinstituted my boy cott.

Listening to the broadcasts and the post-game show, I know Walkie especially, has to really work hard to not say what he wants to say.  But,  their jobs are at stake if they truth-up.

 I liked Burnett as well.  He had a great story too--like 1 ellbow surgery and 2 shoulder surgeries and comes back to pitch well.  And,  I thought he was tough on lefties especially as I did Grabow.  But hey, "we got righties that can get lefties out". 

I can never get over that statement.  Haha.  I'm sure the rest of the baseball world saw that and laughed at this organization once again.  Imagine what they were thinking!!!!  How stupid can one guy be???  AND, he's running the show!!!  Wow, and people still have hope.  There's no light at the end of this tunnel. 

My bet, you'll see ol' Neal & the boys picking up "on the cheap" some players this off season as even they know that next year can't be THIS bad or ol' Bobbo will be shopping for new management--AGAIN!!!  And hey, what the hell, it'll be cheaper cause ol' Neal & the boys might want a raise for the great job they're doing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All kinds of new losing records are being broken now!!  Super Bobbo!!!  They're like 32 games out of first!!!!  How embarassing, and Russell you can tell is looking for things to say about the losing.  Even he can't come up with reasons any more. I'm sure if he could he'd be gone too.  But hey, Bobbo got him his first managers job, albeit on the cheap.

 I have some insight for everyone.  I think the majority of the people in this forum are a little older than the norm, so im going to throw something in there from a younger generation that LJ touched on briefly in the beginning.  The only memory I have of a good pirate team is being at Jims last game at three rivers.  Thats it.  Theyve been losing since I was 4 or 5.  I think the people who go to these games are people who actually remember the Pirates as being competitive.  I would rather pay huge money and go to a penguin or steeler game than go see the pirates for free because they're a disgrace.  I played baseball until I was 11, and that was fun.  But since then, Ive had no interest in baseball period.  Watching the games is boring and for some reason every game I went to (I stopped going before I joined the navy, and the games I went to as a senior were school sponsored or I wouldve never went) they lost almost all of them.  What im trying to get across is that theres a whole generation growing up in Pittsburgh that the majority couldnt give two good craps if the pirates leave because we dont watch them and dont care about baseball.  I work with people all over the country, and surprisingly the people who love baseball and follow it are from NYC, Boston, California, and Texas.  Everyone ive met from around SW PA love the steelers, but none of them care about the pirates at all.  A couple of them are in their late 30s and actually watched good pirates too.  The last time the Bucs came to San Diego, I asked a couple guys if they wanted to go, and the answer was a long grunt and "that would be rough to watch...how much is beer at the game"?  So sell them, it would be losing the one thing I get ribbed for by everyone else out here when it comes to sports.  Im tired of hearing about how I have the worst baseball team in MLB history, and how thats possible with the two current world champions in the same city.  It also still annoys me that money went to giving them a new stadium.  They dont deserve to play on anything nicer than a city high school practice field.  Sell em and get a basketball team.  At least they only need one player to be playoff worthy. 

 AP616,

First, thank you for your service. I too am a veteran, but probably older than you. I was Vietnam Era.

Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying in my posts. I don't want the Pirates to leave town.

I've been a Pirate fan all my life, but the frustration has pushed me over the line.

There are times to have a rally of protest, and there are time you have to RIOT!

An organized boycot will get the attention of Neal Nutsington, out-flanked Coonelly, and Bob Nuthead.

Enough is enough.  If those clowns running this circus would put a winner on the field, you will see western Pa support them, as they have in the past.

There's no question of fan loyalty to the Steelers and Penguins, and the Pirates can bring the fans back too. The fan base is still here.

I agree with you in that the Pirates are a disgrace. Sean Burnett said it right when he was quoted as saying "the Pirates are the laughing stock of all of baseball".

Nutting, Coonelly, Huntington....can you hear that?? 

Nutting, Coonelly, Huntington....you should all be ashamed.

MLB has a billion dollar contract & a system in place where the luxury tax teams buy off the teams like the Sucs.  You think a boycott is going mean anything to Nutting?  This system won't change until the Nuttings start to lose money on the team.  Your talk of meaningless boycotts is just that...talk, they don't make their money on ticket sales....

 Dear Dog,

You're a idiot--go away!!!  Bobbo makes the majority of his money through revenue sharing and promotions etc, BUT, he still relies on the fans to make money.  It was quoted somewhrere (Forbes mag article I believe) as to how much Bobbo & Co made through sharing, TV rights etc--like 22 million or 24 million.  The rest he depends on  the gate.  When the fans stop showing Bobbo will start showing a loss--he'll sell.  Stop and think or do some research before posting foolishly on a BASEBALL (or any other) site!!!!

 AND you're still on a baseball site talking about something you claim to hate---BASEBALL!!  AND if you still believe it's not a baseball site, how about posting about shopping or the Steelers why don't ya??  Cause you KNOW it's a baseball site.  Geez.

 http://postgazette.com/pg/07015/753923-63.stm

 What is the scary part of this article?  Answer....."Nutting and McClatchy have never had a single dissenting vote on any matter"!

How does that shape your image of what's going to be future Pirates management philosophy?

Bud Selig says today to "check out the Pirates in 2 years when all the prospects make it to the bigs".

I say check out the Pirates in 4 years when they have traded off the best of the best for.......prospects!

Why does Neal Huntington have a job?

Why does Frank Coonelly have a job?

Nutting/McClatchy board...please sell the team.