A Long Long Time Ago - Catching Up On What I've Missed

The title explains my feelings. It's been quite some time since I've posted on here. A lot has happened since then. Here's a bit of a recap to get caught up on everything...

Gorzo Sent Down
(3.18.09) - Tom Gorzelanny was sent down to Triple-A Indy following a seven run in nine inning performance in Spring Training. Gorzo is just two years removed from being a 14 game winner and a staff ace for the Buccos. Some were shocked that he was sent down so early in the season. Many thought that Gorzo would get to spend more time in camp to work with the Pitching Messiah Joe Kerrigan. Will he forever be cursed from the 6.66 ERA? I like Gorzo and I hope he can regain that 2007 form.

Jaramillo Named Back Up
(3.28.09) - I don't know why, but I like this guy. Jason has great defense, but is lacking offense. Robinson Diaz has great offense, but not as good defense. It seems like it'd make more sense for the Pirates to go with someone who has a better bat, since that is something the Pirates will probably be lacking this year. However, I think that when you get a guy that can call a good game behind the plate and is able to throw out runners, as Jaramillo did in the game yesterday, that is way more valueable in a catcher than the offense he produces. I may be eating those words at some point this season, but as of right now I like this decision.

Tabata Has Some Personal Issues
(3.25.09) - One of the top Pirates prospects faced some personal issues. Jose Tabata's 43-year old wife was arrested and accused of kidnapping. Tabata, 20, has been cleared of any ties to his wife's actions. Something shocked to many Pirates fans was not the crime that was committed by Tabata's wife, but it was the fact that she was 23 years older than him. What was he thinking? Is she a gold digger? Or was she just that good in the sack that he couldn't resist?

Cutch's Amazing Performance
(3.28.09) - Andrew McCutchen is making it very difficult for the Pirate's brass to decide what to do with him. In yesterday's game against the defending World Series champion Phillies, Cutch went 5 for 5 with two doubles, three runs, two RBIs and an absolute bomb of a homerun. Will he or won't he come north with the team? As much as I'd like to see him come up to St. Louis, I think a May call-up will do him well.

Rotation Spots Being Locked Up
(3.28.09) - To the surprise of no one, Paul Maholm was named the Opening Day starter. Following an impressive end to 2008 and an amazing Spring Training, Maholm got the official nod from management as the starter against the Cardinals on April 6th. So far, it'll be Maholm, Ian Snell, Zach Duke, and Ross Ohlendorf in the rotation. Jeff Karstens and Virgil Vasquez will be awarded the final spot. Neither is tearing up Spring Training, still leaving many to hope for some outside help in the rotation *cough*Pedro Martinez*cough*.

Bullpen Needs Help
I can remember it like it was yesterday. The Pittsburgh Pirates had one of the most dominant bullpens in all of baseball. Matt Capps, John Grabow, Damaso Marte, and Tyler Yates owned the majors. Now three of the previously mentioned guys are locks for the '09 bullpen. Capps, Grabow, and Yates will be in the pen. It doesn't seem like too many other pitchers are making an effort to win a spot in the bullpen. The Pirates have reported made an offer to Will Ohman. Neal Huntington even was quoted as being disappointed in the bullpen and will more than likely be looking for outside help to complete it.

Lascheid Passes Away
(3.19.09) - Long time Pirates organist Vince Lascheid passed away at the age of 85. Lascheid was remembered by many for his wit and ability to match a song to pretty much any batter or situation. His talents will live on, as the Pirates will be using digital recordings to play over the PA system this year.

That's about it for the mjor happenings. I'm sure that I've missed something, but that'll happen when you are busy and can't keep up with the happenings. Only 8 days until Oening Day. 15 days until the PNC Park opener. The blog will probably be pretty quite for the next week, unless something huge happens and I feel like I need to post about it.

I will be live blogging on Opening Day. Following the home opener, I will be posting a photo blog and game report. Until then...


Let's Go Bucs!

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photo credit: Amalia Tabata Pereira is lead out of Child Protection Investigation Division office on Tuesday. Pereira is accused impersonating an immigration official and taking the child from her mother. Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Good, Bad, and Ugly All In One Game

It looked like the Pirates were going to get rocked today. Turns out that it was only Tom Gorzelanny and Chris Bootcheck that were rocked. The Buccos put up a decent effort, but lost to the Red Sox 15-14 in 10 innings.

Gorzo is starting to look a lot like Gorzo of 2008. Horrible. With the numbers he currently has, it'll be a miracle if he makes the starting rotation on April 6th. He currently has a 7.50 ERA and leads the team in walks. Definately not the 14-10 pitcher of 2007 that everyone was hoping for.

It looks like Tyler Yates, Craig Hansen, and Sean Burnett all pitched well. Jose Tabata went 3 for 3 and hit a game tying double.

Indeed it was a tale of two stories today.

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It looks like Brandon Moss will be able to start on Opening Day. His thumb injury doesn't seem to be as serious as first thought.

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Romulo Sanchez was the biggest name of the first cuts for the spring. This is an obvious attempt by Pirates management to keep the Vote for Romulo campaign down! We will not back down and we will not stop. A Vote for Romulo update and campaign push will begin when I start to post some serious posts and not these half-assed posts.

Offense Does It Again

Well the bats have once again come alive for our beloved Pittsburgh Pirates. They are currently winding down what should be, at most, a 7-run victory over the Houston Astros. The win will push the Pirates record to 8-3 in Grapefruit League play.

Ross Ohlendorf started off going 3 1/3 innings, giving up 2 runs, 1 of which was earned, on 6 hits. He had 2 strike outs and no walks. Not a bad outing except for the number of hits. I can almost guarantee that numbers like that during the regular season will yield about 4 runs. Donnie Veal gets the blown save and win in this one. Evan Meek and Matt Capps both looked solid, as did most of the Pirates pitchers.

Another encouraging game, which I know really means nothing when it comes down to it. It'll all only matter once April 6th rolls around. 30 days until Opening Day in St. Louie.

Let's Go Bucs!

I Still Can't Believe My Eyes

I still cannot believe what I am seeing the the Grapefruit League standings. Ten games into Spring Training games, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are tied for first with a 7-3 record. Their offense has also scored 55 runs this season (5.5 RPG). Opponents have scored 43 runs (4.3 RPG). The fact that the Pirates have been scoring 1.2 runs more per game COULD be a good sign for the upcoming season. It's only 10 games, a very small sample size, but still encouraging.

I know that it's only Spring Training and that most of the pitchers we are facing late in the games are more than likely career minor league pitchers, but who knows. There are a lot of people on this team now that have that "winning culture" attitude them. And that is something the team so badly needed. And if it does not pan out this year, as most people expect, surely the Pirates will be looking forward to the 2010 or 2011 seasons. That's when a lot of these younger guys will be making their presence known at PNC Park. However, I feel that this is finally the year in which the team will make a turn for the better and improve on their 67 wins from last year.

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It looks like Eric Hinske will be getting a lot of playing time this April. Brandon Moss, who was a lock to be a starting right fielder, injured his right thumb yesterday against the Twins. A MRI and all of that good stuff will be done to determine the extent of the injury. here's to hoping that Moss can get through this with some R&R and not have surgery. A major injury like this would be a huge blow to the Pirates upcoming season. I am confident though having Hinske as a back-up.

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I am trying to decide whether or not I want to purchase one of the new jerseys for the upcoming season. If I do get one, I know it'll probably end up being either the home or away jersey. Then, I don't know whether I should get #55 or #58 on it. Or, should I just wear the Bobby Hill BP jersey I bought a few years back at PirateFest?

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A lot of debate over the decision as to whether or not the Buccos should bring in Pedro Martinez as a back of the rotation guy. Sure he'd bring in some more fans and he could end up regaining some of his form from previous years, but is it worth the financial risk? Would he even sign with the Pirates? It was said that Pedro could go for 2-3 million. The Pirates could pay slightly higher than that to try and get him. I don't know if it is worth the risk. A good discussion can be found on the Unofficial Pirates Message Board.

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Japan is going to mow through the WBC. No doubt in my mind. Expect the Netherlands to be a surprise.

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All is quiet now, but expect another large push for the Vote for Romulo campaign in the upcoming weeks. The deadline to vote is April 30th.

Let's Go Bucs
Vote for Romulo!

Pirates v. Tigers

The Pirates will head back to Bradenton today and kick off a 4-game home stand this afternoon against the Detroit Tigers. Game time is 1:05pm and can be heard on 104.7 in The 'Burgh. I will not be doing a live blog today due to having to do a lot of stuff for work. The Buccos will attempt to go 4-1 in the Grapefruit League. The Tigers are currently 2-2. Jimmy Barthmaier will start off the game for the Pirates.

I am planning on doing my next live blog during the Pirates/Rays game that will air on FSN on March 16th.

Let's Go Bucs.