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Being an out of market fan, I got fed up with the audio only option, and dished out fifteen more bucks for the one month MLB.tv package. I have to methods of payment, a check card from my bank back home that I use for everything, or a credit card from my new place that exists only for emergencies. Had I not been a dumbass and realized that blackout restrictions constitute an emergency, I wouldn't be sitting here staring at a blank streaming video box. I'm upset enough that emailed their problems department and then called their subscription services number (whose ever so convenient business hours end right before any game ever starts). Hopefully, they will allow me to change the credit card or else I'm going to be screwed for another month. I hate this. posted by Rory at 7:39 PM | |
Cota, Ross, Santiago?In today's PG, Smizik makes his case for the Pirates to release C Benito Santiago, saying that, "the goal is to some day have a good team. Toward that end, the Pirates would do best to go with youth and say goodbye to Santiago." Bob basically forfeits any chance at a decent season and builds his case around figuring out which catcher [Cota or Ross] will be the future supplement to Ryan Doumit, if and when he makes it to the Majors.Ross is the only catcher with any options, and Smizik argues that in sending him down, "he'll be lost to them, and will get no opportunity to show the Pirates whether he deserves to be part of their future." If the Pirates keep Ross on the roster then they need to release someone, "a third catcher is a luxury most teams can't afford. It's one the Pirates ... certainly can't." I have two main disagreements to his case. First off, everyone in Pittsburgh already knows that Santiago's not part of the future, News Flash Bob: no veteran player that the Buccos have signed in the last three years have been part of the future. Each and every one is signed with the hope that they play well enough to solicit a trade (a practice that warrants it's own discussion which I will save), or to help provide some sort of leadership to our young team. Normally they serve both. If Santiago plays well, he goes down the Kenny Lofton route and is gone by July. If he plays bad he goes down the Chris Stynes route and is gone by July. The only other option is for him to take the Reggie Sanders route, (which requires consistently decent play, immense popularity, and invaluable leadership), and that's not a bad thing either. Secondly, it's not the end of the world if Ross is demoted. Doumit, who has suspect defense, might benefit from having a defensively sound catcher liker David Ross on the same team, and if Ross is going to playing a quarter of Doumit's games in Pittsburgh next year, what's the big deal of having him playing a quarter of Doumit's games in Indianapolis this year? Furthermore, what's wrong with two and a half months in AAA for a guy who's career average is less then .210? The most likely scenario brings Ross back to Pittsburgh by midsummer. And to the idea that keeping someone with poor average and a reputation for strong defense will send a message to the fans: I know Pat Meares kept my keister in the stands for five years Bob, how about yours? If I can get even a potential relief pitcher in single A, that sends a much better message to me. posted by Rory at 10:23 AM | |
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7IP, 4H, 0ER, 1BBKip Wells, when did you decide to show up?posted by Rory at 3:41 PM | |
2 SO's, Runner on Third, Less Than Two OutsDammit Craig, your killing me. At least my fantasy team, (comprised completely of Pirates, and most definitely in last place) is leading the league in triples.posted by Rory at 1:30 PM | |
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Laugher"White plans to have his teammates sign the "limited edition" No. 88 jerseys so that he can give them to the charities to which he donates his jerseys after every season."Who the hell is going to buy a Rick White jersey signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates! posted by Rory at 11:22 PM | |
Take Perez OutI've got no TV or audio for this game so I'm limited to MLB's gamecast. I was just about to go on a tear about Jack Wilson swinging at the first pitch, until I just now discovered he was trying to bunt. So I don't care. But I will go on about letting Perez bat in this situation. He's pitching a gem but he's thrown almost 110 pitches; he can't have much left. And of course as I'm writing this he strikes out. In addition to that, why if your Jack Wilson do you bunt with a running in scoring position if the pitchers due up, I can understand if it was a sacrifice that was positioned well (which I have no way of knowing if that's the case) but if your going for the hit, you need to try to get some RBI's with it.posted by Rory at 8:48 PM | |
Best Lineup Ever!For the first time this year, I think we are fielding the best possible players in thier best possible position. Today's lineup:Lawton, RFI'd like to see Craig Wilson and Hill switch spots; that's the major thing, but this is a good sign. We're still going to get smoked though. posted by Rory at 6:51 PM | |
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Mackowiak at Second?I understand that Bobby Hill has the best chance at playing at third rather then at second, and while Jose Castillo is out Rob Mackowiak is going to get as much playing time as possible, but if they're going to both start while Ty Wigginton deservedly rides the pine, I don't understand why Hill isn't in the middle and Mackowiak on the corner. The only sense I can make out of it is that you want to get some consistency at second, but you're middle infielders are the only ones playing well and it's hard enough finding playing time for them. When Castillo comes back Mackowiak will go back to playing every position but the middle infield, I cannot understand why you would sacrifice a better defensive alignment for something that will have no long-term benefit.posted by Rory at 2:20 PM | |
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SuckagaAlright Alfredo Amezaga, forgetting the number of outs in your first appearance is not the way to be popular in this town. Oh, and if I was in charge I'd have absolutely no problem walking Aramis Ramirez every single time he's up.posted by Rory at 4:24 PM | |
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I Saw the KidI got to see Jason Kendall play today, he called a good game, a shutout of the Mariners. He didn't get any hits, but he made a nice play hustling to back-up an errant throw to first base and ended up delivering a strike to nail the guy at second.I didn't really care about the game, but I found myself really rooting for the guy. He was a great Bucco. Say what you want about him being a singles hitter or overpaid, but this is man who flat out played, and he brought up the play of those around him (that might be why we're mired in the funk we're in now). He gave his heart to this city and we couldn't give him what he really wanted. That trade will probably work out best for both parties in the long run, but when he was in Pittsburgh, he was worth every penny. posted by Rory at 2:09 AM | |
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The BrightsideIt's hard to write positively when the Pirates performance has been as miserable as it has been, (ex: Kip Wells' 36 pitches in the first inning, four straight 3-2 counts), but I will say this: I'm very impressed with the patience Freddy Sanchez has shown at the plate. I think he may be more legitimate then people are letting on.posted by Rory at 1:21 PM | |
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Hello WorldThis blog is about, Pittsburgh, sports, and baseball. By deduction one could reason that it will be primarily about the Pittsburgh Pirates, and one would be right. My immediate hope is that I will get in the habit of writing often and writing well. I write about what people are saying during the day; I write about the games during the games. One day I hope to write about the games at the games, and everything up unto that point is practice so that when that day comes, people will read.posted by Rory at 11:39 PM | |
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This is a blog about the Pittsburgh Pirates. My vision: to write about the games at the games. Want to email me? Make it out to rory at bleache... you know the rest. |
