Kevin Hart Stole My Pen

Baseball season has officially started for me. I am officially pumped for the start of the 2010 season! I attended the Pirates Caravan stop at the Uniontown Mall this evening. Broadcasters Greg Brown and Bob Walk were on hand, joining Andrew McCutchen, Evan Meek, John Russell, and Kevin Hart to sign autographs for the estimated 250-300 people in line.

I arrived to the mall shortly after 5pm. This was after enjoying a 20 piece chicken McNugget and medium fries from the local McDonald's (one of 3 within a 3 mile trek down 119 South). I was able to enjoy this delicious meal thanks to the buy one get one free offer for the 10 piece McNugget. I also have slowly become more disgusted with the county seat of Fayette County, but that's another story for another day.

So as I'm standing in line, I get to talking with several of the people around me. I got to speak with two younger guys who were from Greene County. Nice guys who where there to basically meet McCutchen and get his autograph. They could really care less about the other players. In front of me were three ladies, two of which were teachers at a local school district. One of the ladies look very familiar, however, I couldn't place a finger on it. We assumed that we've just passed each other several times while at PNC Park. As I mentioned yesterday, I have an official baseball that I'd like to get signed by as many players as possible of the 2010 team. Well this isn't a typical thing for me to do, so I told this one lady in front of me that "I hate being one of tho

se fans." Well, that was all she needed to hear. She turned around and said "I am one of those

fans" and proceeded to not speak with me the rest of the evening. As it turns out, after I offended this lady, I'm about 99% sure she was an admissions counselor or worked within the Admissions Department where I went to college.

Well I did get the autographs I was seeking. McCutchen, Meek, Russell, and Hart all signed my ball. Hart was the last one in line to sign. I had a blue Bic ballpoint pen that I was using to have the players sign because I read online that blue ink doesn't fade like black ink.

So I get to Kevin Hart, and he keeps my pen! I thought he was going to give it back, but he never did. I suppose I could have said something to him there, but I was too gracious for him and the others on the panel to take a week of their free time to sign autographs and travel around for slobs like me. Plus, I respect Kevin Hart for coming out to the old Hart Foundation/Bret Hart theme, even though he probably didn't pick it.

Let's Go Bucs!

Why the Pirates Should (Or Shouldn't) Give Up On Donnie Veal

The GM of the Pittsburgh Pirates will be facing a difficult decision in the next few days. According to Dejan Kovacevic's Pirates Notebook in the PG today, Donnie Veal needs to be placed back on the 25-man roster in the next couple of days in order to keep him through Rule 5 Draft rules.

There is no denying that he has been bad. Through 5 games, Donnie Veal has posted a 4.26 ERA, 10 walks, 6 strikeouts, and an astronomical WHIP of 2.37. I'm sure his placement on the DL at the end of May had more to do with his horrible performance opposed to his groin injury. Is it time for the Pirates to give up on this guy and cut him from the 25-man roster? Or should they struggle through the rest of the season with this guy sitting in the bullpen and rarely picking up a ball?

Well, the Pirates faced a similar situation with Evan Meek last year. He, much like Veal, had a high ERA (6.92), a 1.77 WHIP, and had a 2:1 BB/K ratio. I can remember moaning and groaning when Meek was called in to pitch. The guy lacked control and gave up a lot of hits and home runs in his short 2008 stint with the Pirates. He was offered back to the Rays, who declined to take Meek back, and who could blame them? Anyhow, the Pirates took him back, assigned him to the minors, and look at him now. What a difference a year makes. While he still has some control issues, Meek is doing a whole heck of a lot better than last year.

Maybe the Pirates should take a similar route with Veal. I say, take the risk of losing him back to the Cubs. The Pirates, I believe, have a good shot of being able to resign him. Put Donnie in the minors and hopefully he'll have the same success as Evan Meek.

If Veal doesn't stick, no big loss. Hanrahan will come around a be a soild bullpen pitcher.

Slacker

So I've been slacking a bit on my game predictions this week. It has been busy at work the past few days and this weekend looks to be no different. Since I'm on break for a few days though, I will probably play a couple of games over the weekend and post results on game day. That means rosters may not be accurate...but we only care about the outcome. I would also expect a complete and accurate roster following the Home Opener on Monday. Jason Jaramillo will have played his first game by then.

It's too bad Evan Meek isn't on the real life roster. He's been doing well so far in the game. Now, in the real world of baseball...

2-2 coming out of St. Louie isn't too bad. I expect the Buccos to take 2 out of 3 in Cincy this weekend. The momentum will be lacking on Monday though. Snell is pitching against Aaron Harang Sunday and I'm expecting a repeat performance of Tuesday's game against the Cards.

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!

Spring Training Game 1: Phillies @ Pirates

The Pirates hosted the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon in Bradenton. Buccos topped the Phils 8-2 in a rather impressive pitching and offensive showing. I know, it was a lot of minor league players and relief pitchers...no superstars batting 3-4 times a game, so on and so on.

Mind you, I only listened to the game from the 8th inning on, so most of my opinions will be based off of what I read on the box score.

Chris Bootcheck seemed to pitch well. That's about it.

Matt Capps had some difficulties and was the only pitcher of the 9 Pirates that went out on the mound to walk batters. It was like a flashback to Opening Day last year in Atlanta. He'll get his control issues figured out though.

Romulo allowed the first run of the day for the Pirates. Still no real harm as the Pirates would come back to score in the bottom of the 3rd.

Shelby Ford. Remember that name, because one day, I think he's going to be a GREAT baseball player. He cracked a 3 run homer in the bottom of the 4th, the first and only of the game. Plus, doesn't Shelby Ford sound like such a great baseball name?

Evan Meek sounded solid today. Jesse Chavez...not so much.

I know this is a very small sample size, however, I do feel pretty encouraged by what I have seen and heard today.

Tim Neverett sounds like a stereotypical baseball/sports broadcaster. I think he fills Lanny's shoes rather nicely...except for he doesn't quite have the passion that Lanny had.

It'll be interesting to see how the extended ST plays out.

Pirates improve to 1-0 on the season.

Let's Go Bucs!
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