Here We Go Pens!

The playoffs are here! This is my favorite time of the year. I even love it more than football playoffs time. I love it more than baseball playoff time as well. I mean seriously, when I watch the NFL playoffs, the teams step it up a notch, and it is very exciting. I watch the MLB playoffs, the catches are more spectacular, but that's it. In the NHL, the teams step it up like six notches, and it is fantastic. The game gets ten times faster and even harder hitting. The saves by the goalies seem that much more dramatic. I love it. To top off the whole thing, it is almost every day for six weeks or so. You simply can't beat it.

The Penguins are once again playing the Flyers, our most hated rival. I remember last year when we beat them handily in five games, the commentators believed that there would be blood, but there really wasn't. I don't know if it was because Georges Laraque was too much of a gentleman or we just beat them too quickly, but there wasn't. We had hard hitting and that, but it wasn't what I expected. I am going to pull a paragraph out of the last blog I did about the playoffs concerning the Flyers specifically.

"The Philadelphia Flyers, our most heated rivalry other than the Washington Capitals. I don't know who we love to hate more sometimes. We have faced Philadelphia four time in the playoffs, losing the first three. Last year, we won our revenge. We lost in 1988-89 in the second round in seven games. We were destroyed in the last two games of that series with a combined score of 10-3. We wouldn't have to face them again until the 1996-97 season where we lost four games to one. In that series, we went down three games to none right away, only to win a 4-1 decision at home. We then lost the series in game five 6-3. We would then face the Flyers three years later in 1999-00, where we lost again four games to two. This was a key series that fueled the fire between us and them. We went up two games to none before coming back home only to lose in overtime. The very next game turned out to be historic, lasting five overtimes only to end badly for the Pens when Keith Primeau scored to win it. We never recovered from that and lost the series. We finally solved this playoff debacle last year with an easy four games to one. This was the most recent run at the Stanley Cup." 10-APR-2009

In that last post about the playoffs, I was pretty positive that there was no way that we were going to finish in fourth. As it turns out, the Flyers and the Hurricanes turtle shelled. I don't believe that the Flyers did it on purpose due to the fact that they lost home ice advantage as well as have to play us. The Canes had a good reason to drop the last couple games, they are playing the slumping New Jersey Devils. Now, I am not saying they did something as unsportsmanlike as that, but it sure looks that way.

I love how the commentators and major writers all feel it is necessary to start writing when the playoffs begin. It seems like they know absolutely nothing, just what others have been writing. I have been reading a lot and find in mildly humorous that people don't realize that the stats before coach Bylsma don't reflect on how the team is playing now. I just read on NHL.com that the Pens need to be more responsible in their own end because of their season average of 30.3 shots per game. I wish they could have watched the Pens all season and realized that it was the staff from before that allowed a majority of the high shot totals and Bylsma's regime has brought that number down. I believe that the commentators will realize that we are more than just Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. We are a complete team.

Now, onto the season series, we won it 4 games to two. I will honestly say we didn't look dominant at any time against this team. It is like they have the ability to bring us out of our game just because of our utter hatred for each other. The only good part is that it takes them out of their game as well. The team that can work past this will win out. I feel that Coach Bylsma will have that emotional button well within his control for his first playoff series. I also think that this is the best team we could possibly play for the first round with Bylsma. What I mean by this is that it will have everything in it, raw skill, courage, emotion, and speed. It will give him a taste of everything so he can be ready for the rounds ahead.

I was looking at all the statistics for the season between these two teams and although they look completely even, they aren't. I believe aside from the power play, which the Flyers win out easily, we dominate every other aspect of the game now. What I mean by now is that with the new confidence and coaching style, we almost fixed our season stats. They were horrible before and we improved so much that it makes us look even. This just tells me that the way we are capable of playing now is so significantly better that if we would have been able to play a majority of the season like this, we would have been in first in the east and dominated the stats sheets.

I want to compare my preseason predictions to the actual standings:

I guess I wasn't that far off!

Here are a couple links to playoff previews:
ESPN.com
NHL.com
Yahoo Sports
CBS Sportsline
The Sporting News
Here are a couple links to Penguin blogger previews:
Pensburgh
Face-Off Factor
The Pensblog
Experiencing the Evolution
Penguins That Fly
Staal Tactics

I like our odds of going deep, but I am not going to talk about that. It is time to stop shaving and get intense!

Pens will win this series in six!
Let's Go Pens!

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New Everything Pittsburgh Forum!

Just a quick heads up here!

I created a new Forum for all Pittsburgh Fans!

Feel free to join or give me input on what you think!
http://www.everythingpittsburgh.net
We are going through some pains to get everything up and running properly, so bear with us!

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First Place Bucs, NO JOKE!

The old grizzly vet, if you can call 31 old, stepped up to the plate with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 9th inning, down 2 runs. Jack Wilson, the longest tenured player on the Bucs roster, on the heels of an 0-4 day with 2 strikeouts, knew the odds weren't in his favor. When he looked out at the mound, he saw a rookie flame thrower making his first save appearance in the Majors in Jason Motte, this was the time to give the "kid" his MLB initiation.


Jack Wilson vaulted the Pittsburgh Pirates into first place yesterday smashing a 96 mph fastball into the left center field gap clearing the bases for a 3 run double in the top of the 9th. His hit capped a 4 run 9th inning, allowing the Bucs to take a 2 run lead into the bottom of the 9th. Matt Capps successfully navigated his way though the bottom half of the 9th inning, securing a 6-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals for the first "W" of 2009.

Paul Maholm on the hill for opening day, was a model of consistency. Paulie went 6 2/3 innings, keeping his pitch count down and cruising through the Cardinals lineup with almost relative ease. The 3rd inning was his only trouble spot loading the bases and giving up 2 runs, but a double play turned by the LaRoche brothers bailed him out of the jam. Paulie never looked back.

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I'm in the process of developing exactly how I want to do in season "reporting." I figure, if you want a game recap, you can buy any newspaper, or "google" your way around the Internet and find what you need to know via a box score. There are going to be times when I can't write for a couple days. So what I'm going to try to do, during games that I get to watch, and others I get to hear on the radio, I will keep notes of things that jump out to me. Then as I get a chance to write, I'll scour my notes of things that I liked or disliked. This is going to be a trial by fire, so bear with me, if anyone has any suggestions, or if boss man Toad wants something else, I'll change it up.
__________

Did anyone noticed the Bucs new uniforms yesterday? The uniform scheme was no different than in the past in the way of color and looks, except they had sleeves. I like the newer old look, however one player looked out of place to me. Nate McClouth is just built for sleeveless uniforms, no idea why, but the new uniform on him didn't look right to me.

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright continually threw hard breaking balls in the dirt, some struggling to even make it to home plate. What was our obsession with swinging at every one of these pitches? The Bucs did run his pitch count up near 100 in 5 1/3 innings, but lay off the junk and we chase him a lot sooner.

Has Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa gone mad? He has inked Khalil Greene, a SS who batted .213 with 10 home runs last year, in the cleanup spot of his batting order protecting Mr. Baseball himself Albert Pujols. Who in their right mind is going to pitch to Pujols when they can walk him and face the weak hitting Greene instead?

Nyjer Morgan, you amaze me! As stated in an earlier post, this is the one guy who will likely make me run head first into a steel wall, but yesterday, he looked like a Major League ball player, kind of! At the plate, he held his own, and impressed going 3-5 with 3 singles, 2 RBI's, and a stolen base. But this guy in the field, is a train wreck. He misplayed a fly ball in the mid innings that should have been caught, then booted it to Nate McClouth in center field. Where is the steel wall?


Watching Tony LaRussa in game one of the season near tears as his team collapsed in the 9th inning was priceless. The Cardinals blew 31 saves last year, they're on pace for 162 this year!

BUCS WIN BUCS WIN
1-0

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Wins and Losses

Well, if we have to sacrifice a couple wins by the Penguins for the Pirates to win their season opener, I would rather have it back. Luckily, there was no damage done because Montreal lost to Ottawa tonight. This gives us the opportunity to clinch a playoff birth tomorrow night in Tampa Bay even easier on the eyes because we are still clinging to sixth place in the East. We will still be in sixth place with the win tomorrow night, but we will have that playoff birth on our season resume.

I look at the NHL standings and I know that the New York Islanders play at Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night and the Florida Panthers are playing in Philadelphia against the Flyers. If the Canes and the Flyers lose, it will help us out, but not in the standings just yet. We will still be hanging around in sixth place. The New York Ranger are playing at home against the Montreal Canadians as well. If we can get the hat trick of wins by teams we want wins from, we will see Montreal lose that one. If the stars are properly aligned, we will not see a change in standings tomorrow night. This is unlikely, however.

The worst case scenario is that the Penguins get leap-frogged by Montreal by a point and the Panthers join the playoff race over the Rangers. This scenario would also negate any opportunity to get ahead of the Flyers for fourth place and home ice advantage for at least the first round. So, let's hope for the best in Tampa.

The good thing about today is the fact that the Pirates won their season opener. They did it in dramatic fashion as well. They were down 4-2 going into the top of the 9th inning when Andy LaRoche singled to right, driving in Freddy Sanchez, this put us one behind with two outs. Eric Hinske then doubled sending LaRoche to third. Out came tonight's hero, Jack Wilson. With two outs and two strikes, he killed a double, driving in three runs to pull ahead 6-4. What a way to start the season. Hopefully that winning feeling becomes contagious.

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Opening Day.....Hopefully!

It's opening day throughout the country for many MLB teams, however games are already being postponed. Two games have been postponed and several more could be postponed by the time the day is through. Openings days in Chicago, where the Twins were set to play the White Sox and in Boston where the Tampa Bay Rays were anxiously awaiting opening day have been pushed back one day in hopes that the cold rainy/snow infested weather moves through. As for our Buccos...hopefully we get some baseball, although it doesn't look promising.

The Pirates and Cardinals are slated to begin play at 4:15 this afternoon barring any major weather problems. The game time temperature is expected to be 42 degrees, with 20 mph winds and a 30% chance of rain/snow. Weather man SteelKeg just took a peak at the radar and it appears most of the precipitation is out of the area and moving on to the east.












Cardinals team officials began taking precautions several days ago as they braced for the sloppy weather. They have already approached MLB offices with a contingency plan in case today's game is postponed due to weather. With the league's approval, a split double header would occur tomorrow, with the first game occurring at noon and the second at 7:00pm. The Cardinals organization has expressed the desire to get today's game played as they have several pregame celebrations ready to go in anticipation of opening day.

Let's hope they get this one in. Personally I am very anxious to watch some Bucco baseball. For anyone who might not be able to catch the game today at 4:15 pm, check out FSN Pittsburgh this evening as they replay today's game at 8:00pm.

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SteelKeg's Crystal Ball

I'm going to have a little fun on the eve of Buccos '09 and offer up some predictions for the upcoming season. In all honesty, I’m not big on making predictions. My recent atrocious showing in the 2009 NCAA basketball bracket challenge among family and friends is proof enough. And just so my mother is aware, the team in green does not win every year as I recently suggested. She took that advice and vaulted her way into the final game of the NCAA basketball tournament. Her bracket is in the lead with all the dough on the line, who woulda thunk it! Now on with my 2009 Pittsburgh Pirate predictions or.......randomness, whichever you prefer.



Record: 60 - 102
Team MVP: Ryan Doumit
Pirates Rookie of the Year: Andy LaRoche
Most Improved Player from 2008: Freddy Sanchez
Most Disappointing Player: Matt Capps
First Player Demoted: Jesse Chavez
First Player Ejected: Craig Monroe
First Player to Hit a Home Run: Ryan Doumit
First Player to Steal a Base: Nyjer Morgan
Most Home Runs: Ryan Doumit
Most Steals: Nate McClouth
Most Pitching Wins: Ian Snell
Most Losses: Ross Ohlendorf
Most Saves: Matt Capps

How many players on the current roster will be traded during the season and who? 3, Freddy Sanchez, Adam Laroche, John Grabow

Which player is likely to cause me to curse like a sailor and throw things at my TV? Nyjer Morgan! Hands down!

Who is my favorite player on the current roster? Ryan "Dirt" Doumit

What is my favorite PNC Park beverage? Limited choices...Penn Dark.

What is my favorite PNC Park food? Primanti's and nachos

What seats are my favorite in PNC Park? Above the Clemente Wall in right field.

What is my least favorite part of PNC Park? I hate all you can eat seats!

Pirate Parrot or Captain Red Beard? Ha, the Parrot needs to off the Captain!

Which pirogi from the Great Pirogi race is your favorite? Jalapeno Hannah is a little Hottie!

OK folks, just wanted to have some fun on the eve of the Buccos season and offer some fun predictions and questions. Please leave comments with your own predictions and fun facts about the Buccos and PNC Park!

LET'S GO BUCS!

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Opening Day Roster Set!

On Friday morning, the front office and managerial group of the Pittsburgh Pirates decided which 25 players from this year's spring training would break camp on the opening day roster for the 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates. Many hard hours of work were poured in by players competing for this years team and several players did well enough to earn their spots, while some were nothing more then "oh geez what do we do" gifts from management who had no other choice but to go with the lesser of two evils.


The 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates opening day roster.....

Starting Pitchers - Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, Zach Duke, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens
Relief Pitchers - Matt Capps, Tyler Yates, John Grabow, Donnie Veal, Sean Burnett, Jesse Chavez, Craig Hansen
Infielders - Adam LaRoche, Andy LaRoche, Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson, Luis Cruz, Ramon Vazquez
Outfielders - Nate McClouth, Nyjer Morgan, Brandon Moss, Craig Monroe, Eric Hinske
Catchers - Ryan Doumit, Jason Jaramillo

There you have it. Keep in mind, that this roster will change throughout the course of the year and I would not be shocked to see a move or two happen very quickly, within the first 2 weeks of the season. Jesse Chavez was handed a job out of spring training due to Evan Meek's failure to stay healthy throughout spring training. As soon as Meek shakes the flu, bronchitis, and whatever else he has picked up while in Florida, he will be recalled and placed in the bullpen. Keep an eye on the bullpen in general, as the most turn over on the roster will likely occur there.

I'll keep you abreast throughout the season of any and all changes.

Good Luck in St. Louis, Buccos!

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Season Opening

I am not by any means a baseball guru, but I do pay attention! I am going to go out on a limb and start the season off right, with high standards. I never really had them with our Pirates, but this year, I feel differently. This is also assuming that our players will live up to their expectations. I think that after last season, they can and will. I like our odds. Now, I am not claiming that we will make the playoffs or anything, but with everyone just assuming that we are going to set the record for consecutive losing seasons, we have the ability to take some teams by surprise. They will be coming to town to win a couple games and get beat. I like this idea. I think our pitching can be strong enough, if they would all have their good year in the same year. In the end, I am seeing 81 wins!

Who knows what this team is capable of? Honestly. The answer is no one. Everyone thought the Penguins were sunk when they missed the playoffs five years in a row and Crosby and Malkin were drafted. Then a whirlwind happened and a couple years later, we were in the finals. I am not saying that we will turn it around to that extreme this year, but we are finally on our way, I believe.

I think we could have been turning this ship around a few years back, if there was a salary cap in the league. I mean, can't they see how well it works in all the other leagues? I know, the players want the money, but come on! Don't they see how much better the league could be, how much more fun and popular and challenging? I don't think they care as long as they are making $25 million in a season. There are people in our economy...(Me)...that are unemployed and trying to make ends meet. I mean I was in the Army and am using the new GI Bill...(Thank God)...to pay for schooling come October, but there are quite a few...(8.5% Unemployment Rate)...that don't have the benefits that I have. How much money does one person really need?

Ok, alright, I am done complaining for now...

Back to the Bucs!

I see a surprise entrance from McCutchen and Gorzelanny before the season ends. We might even see Alvarez and Tabata for a brief stint at the end of the season to see how they fair. I see our five starters pulling off some big wins where, last year, they would have lost. The coaching isn't expected to sink in and come through immediately, but it will before the end of the season. Our group will be a lot closer and more like a family by the end of the season.

I think we will surprise a lot of teams this year with are .500 season. We may not turn too many heads in Major League Baseball, but it will be a turning point in our franchise.

Let's Go Bucs!

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The Three Kings

There are special people that play a certain important position on all major sports teams that are usually the centerpiece for that team. It is the position that pretty much makes or breaks their own team. If they play terrible, it affects the outcome of the game significantly, if they play incredible, it could make that said team look like champions, if only for that night. In hockey, it is the goaltender, in football, the quarterback, and finally, in baseball, I believe the catcher. I also believe that we are blessed with some of the best in their game for all our major teams in these positions.

We have Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers, Marc-Andre Fleury for the Penguins, and Ryan Doumit for the Pirates. These three guys are proving to be the rock that our teams can build off of. It is often said that a team can only go as far as these players let them. It all depends on the talent level in those positions. After looking at the whole picture, it looks like we can go far. In the case of the Pirates, unfortunately, they need more than just a great catcher to get this team rolling. The Super Bowl Champion Steelers are set with their franchise quarterback and the Eastern Conference Champion Penguins are set with their franchise goalie though.

I believe that there are also different types of these players on every team. For instance, we have the ugly players statistically, but these guys know how to win. We know that if the game is on the line, Fleury will make a key save, Roethlisberger will make a key throw, and even Doumit is starting to get that key hit. I do have to say that Doumit is still the low man on this great totem pole we have in Pittsburgh. Until he takes us to the next level, he will remain there.

Ben Roethlisberger was drafted 11th overall in 2004 by the Steelers, their first pick in that respected class. He was supposed to ride the bench his first year, but in the second game of the 2004 season, the starting quarterback, Tommy Maddox injured his throwing elbow against the hated Baltimore Ravens. So the Roethlisberger era began. He never looked back either. He comprised the best rookie season in NFL history by winning the next 15 consecutive starts and playing us into the AFC Championship game, where we lost to the then Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. It was a tough loss, but as the season video put it, it was an incredible run. Following this great season was record after record for Roethlisberger. He is the fastest player to 50 wins in NFL history, as well as one of two NFL quarterback to register three perfect passing games in the regular season. Two Super Bowl victories later, he is the pride of the organization. The great part is that he is only 27 still. He still has a lot of years and a lot of winning to do.

Marc-Andre Fleury has a different, but similar career to Roethlisberger. He was drafted first overall, the Penguins first pick in that draft in 2003. He immediately started games in his rookie season at age 18. In hockey, a player usually is sent to the minor leagues to hone his skills against lesser opponents. Fleury didn't have this luxury. He started good, but had a terrible team in front of him. It wasn't until a few more centerpieces were drafted that the team started looking like a team in front of this gifted netminder. Like I was saying earlier, these players can't do it on their own, but the team can't make it without them. Fleury and the Penguins have made the playoffs in the last two years and will make them this year again, I have confidence. They made the biggest splash since 1992 last year when they made their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Fleury has been sensational in the second half of his last three seasons, just when we need that extra boost. In March and April, like I said in another post, he is a combined 35-10-5 for the past three years. That is saying something.

Ryan Doumit is still on the outside looking in at this position. Just like Fleury was in the beginning of his career, he is a good player in a good position, on a very bad team. Doumit was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd round as the 59th overall selection in 1999. He spent some time in the minors as all players usually do and finally cracked the starting lineup in 2005, primarily as a backup. After an injury plagued 2006-07, he got a full season under his belt last year and really showed what he was capable of. He batted .318, knocking in 15 homers and 59 RBI's. For a catcher, these are great statistics. He is looking forward to getting the Pirates over .500 for the first time in 16 years, one shy of the major league record. I can see that happenning this year.

The Pittsburgh players have a reputation of being hard nosed players, as well as very hard workers. These three particular athlete exume this personna and give us all hope for the future. They have long and illustrious careers ahead of them to add to their already staggering numbers. Hopefully a few more championships as well.

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In Game Update - Karstens Sinks

A follow up to my earlier post regarding the battle for the #5 rotation spot of the Pirates pitching staff. Jeff Karstens took the mound earlier today against the Minnesota Twins in his final outing of the spring, hoping to claim the #5 spot, but things did not go well. Karstens pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 10 hits, 2 walks, and 1 home run. Not a good showing at all, and nothing about it suggests he has earned or deserves a starting pitching job. Karstens ERA for the spring is 6.17.

Virgil Vasquez the other pitcher battling for the #5 spot, will receive one more start later this week. His spring training ERA is 7.62.

Neither option is too comforting.

The Pirates are currently losing to the Twins 12-7 in the top of the 9th.

TRADE RUMORS - I also want to pass along some strong trade rumor and/or free agent acquisition news. Gary Sheffield who is 1 home run shy of the 500 career home run mark was released by the Detroit Tigers today. Tim Dierkes of MLBTraderumors.com has mentioned twice in his daily chat that the Pirates could be possible suitors for Sheffield. He also thinks the Indians would be a good spot. The Philadelphia Phillies reportedly have already contacted Sheffield's agent. Two other names to keep your ears perked for are minor league SS Robert Andino of the Florida Marlins. Andino is out of minor league options and is stuck behind All Star SS Hanley Ramirez. During the winter meetings, the Pirates showed interest in Andino. Another name floating is Jeff Baker, an infielder with the Rockies. The Rockies currently have no where in their lineup to play the young utility man and reportedly are seeking a prospect that is MLB ready within 2 years. The Pirates, Yankees, Astros, and Phillies are reported as interested. The Astros may now be out of the mix, as they have acquired Jeff Keppinger of the Reds earlier today.

Expect a move or two over the next 3-4 days.

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News, Notes, and Buried Treasures 4.0

• The Pittsburgh Pirates spring training record is 15-13-2.

• The Battle for #5 - The top 4 rotation spots have been secured. Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, Zach Duke, and Ross Ohlendorf are locks. The battle for #5 is still on going with Jeff Karstens and Virgil Vasquez both getting one more start this spring to make their case for coming north with the club. To me, this is more than a sad affair, as neither has given any reason to be on the big club, but if I was a betting man, I'd give the nod to Karstens. The "loser" in this last rotation battle could possibly start the season in the bullpen.

• Ohman Is Out - Well, another free agent, another disappointment. The Pirates recently ramped up their pursuit of relief pitcher Will Ohman. The pursuit of Ohman had jumped so much that his agent said the Bucs were showing more interest than anyone. However, Ohman made a visit to the LA Dodgers complex over the weekend, and with the money they have, it was almost guaranteed he would not leave with out a deal. Ohman signed a 1 year contract with the Dodgers with a club option for a second year.

• The Business Before the Game - On Monday, prospects Brian Bixler and Andrew McCutchen were reassigned to minor league camp and both will start the season at AAA Indianapolis. Both players had been playing well and with McCutchen going 5-5 at the plate on Sunday with a home run and 2 doubles, the timing seemed almost not fair. I'm sure the wrath of fan opinion was not noticed in Bradenton, Florida, but back in Pittsburgh, what the little media coverage the Bucs draw, the move was not welcomed. This is a classic case of business over the game, and something that is not new to any MLB clubs. To keep from going into this deeper than need be, and making my already long posts, longer, the bottom line is this. McCutchen, by being assigned to AAA, and not being called up to Pittsburgh until after June 1st, will save one year of options on him, therefor guaranteeing controlling his MLB service time and rights by one more year. Not the most popular move on many accounts, as it shows they have not brought the best 25 players north on the big team, but a smart move for down the road, as one more year of the kid in his prime is guaranteed. Expect both Bixler and McCutchen in Pittsburgh later this year. Understanding the nuances of the business and understanding the big picture more so than the please me now attitude of the world is an odd thing, eh Mark Madden?

• Pearce and Diaz Reassigned -Steve Pearce and Robinzon Diaz were both reassigned to minor league camp and will start in AAA as well. Diaz lost out to Jason Jaramillo for the backup catchers spot after spraying the ball all over the diamond going 11-26 this spring. Manager John Russell cited the need for a better defensive catcher early in the year and felt Jaramillo brought that to the team more than Diaz. It also doesn't hurt that you have played for the coach in the past. Pearce lost hope of making the big club early in spring training after suffering an injury and never getting the reps he needed. The Bucs plan to have him play first base almost exclusively in Indianapolis in order to groom him as Adam LaRoche's successor.

• Jack a Bucco for Life? - Shortstop Jack Wilson and his agent have approached the Pirates management about a contract extension. The Pirates were very open to this , however neither party would comment. This news comes as a shocker, as Jack has been rumored of being traded for several years now. Jack Wilson in the past has said he would love to retire a Pirate and has expressed interest in only playing 2-3 more years beyond his current contract which ends after this year. Both sides will continue talks and don't be surprised to see a deal get down on a discounted level. It might be smart for Jack to get a no trade clause.

• Flu Bug - The Bucs Spring training locker room has been raided by the flu bug, knocking several players out of commission over the last week or so. Evan Meek, Ian Snell, Andy LaRoche, Craig Hansen and trainer Brad Henderson have come down with the sickness. Hopefully this bug works it's course and all are healthy come April 6 in St. Louis. UPDATE - It is being reported this morning that Evan Meek has also come down with bronchitis. This is a tough blow for the kid as he vies for one of the bullpen openings.

• Bum Bullpen - I was going to try and break down the possible bullpen battles that have been on going, however it's almost disheartening to discuss. So, in the spirit of being positive, I am going to refrain from touching that area of the team until the roster is finalized. Basically, it is a need spot for our club, and something management is desperately seeking outside acquisitions to help stabilize. Here's to hoping they find help, and here's to hoping they are better than expected.

• Maholm is the Man - Pirates #1 starter Paul Maholm was recently named the opening day starter against St Louis on April 6. This will be Maholm's 1st opening day start of his career.

• Cardinals Set - The Cardinals will start Adam Wainwright in the opener followed by Kyle Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer and Chris Carpenter.

• More to come.....

• 6 days till opening day!!!!

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News, Notes, and Buried Treasures 3.0

• The Pirates spring training record is 11-8-2. The Bucs have lost 4 of their last 6 games.

• Andy LaRoche offered up his first hit less game this spring against the Minnesota Twins on 3/18 then followed that with a hit less effort on 3/20 vs the Boston Red Sox. Andy with a batting average of .438 has surrendered his MLB spring training batting title lead to Cory Hart of the Milwaukee Brewers who has a BA of .450. Andy now sits in 3rd behind Red Sox country boy Jed Lowrie who has a .439 BA.

• Vince Lascheid Pirates Pride - Long time Pirates organist Vince Lascheid passed away early Friday morning at the age of 85. Anyone who has been lucky enough to have heard Vince in action knows just what he brought to the ball yard. Personally, without even thinking, I can hear that organ playing right now. It's sound and Vince's style are forever imprinted in my memory. Vince spent 29 of the last 31 years of Three Rivers Stadium existence playing for the Pirates and the first 6 seasons at PNC Park doing the same until his health forced him to retire in 2007. Vince also spent several years playing the organ at the Civic/Mellon Arena for the Penguins. Many people will remember Vince for playing different songs, in an a joking manner, when players stepped into the batters box or took the mound. My personal favorite is "How Much is that Doggy in the Window?" when Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock would step to the plate. I was young , but it's one of those things that sticks with you forever. Thank you Vince for everything you have done and meant for the Pittsburgh Pirates. REST IN PEACE Vince Lascheid.

• Enjoy Vince Lascheid playing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" http://www.post-gazette.com/downloads/20090320_Vincelascheid_ballgame.mp3

• More on Gorzo - Apparently, the timing of Tom Gorzelanny's demotion was not as unexpected as many outside the organization thought it was. In the eyes of Bucco management, Gorzo needs work, and lots of it. After compiling a 14-10 record his rookie season in 2007, he slid backwards in 2008 compiling a 6-9 record and ultimately being sent to AAA Indy by mid summer. Now, Gorzo has been demoted from the big league camp and the emotional aspect of being demoted twice in 2 years could be his biggest challenge. Gorzo was demoted after 4 laboring outings this spring and management cited a need to make his delivery more consistent, gain better command on his breaking ball, his change up and his fastball, and better conditioning. Geesh, is that all? GM Neil Huntington commented, "While he did great work to get himself in better condition [shedding about 20 pounds in the off season], he really just evened the playing field and put himself where he should have been all along. We need Tom Gorzelanny to make some adjustments and work his way back to the big leagues and earn a spot in this rotation."

• Rotation Set? - With the demotion of Tom Gorzelanny, the starting rotation looks to be nearly set. Four pitchers remain in the "running", however Ross Ohlendorf and Jeff Karstens are expected to be named the #4 and #5 starters in the rotation behind Paul Maholm, Ian Snell, and Zach Duke. The 2 other starting pitcher candidates are Virgil Vasquez and Jason Davis however neither are deemed serious challengers.

• The Pride of Pine Richland - Neil Walker was also demoted to AAA on Wednesday, but not for lack of good play. Walker fell victim to a technicality in his contract deeming it necessary to designate him to AAA Indy now to prevent his major league service clock from starting. Walker was made aware by management that this would happen, and he was assured that when the time came, he would be promoted accordingly. GM Neil Huntington called Walker the best defensive third baseman in the Pirates organization, which is a huge compliment and accomplishment considering he just began playing the position a little over 2 years ago. Walker was drafted as a catcher.

• Professor Lanny - Lanny Frattere after leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as a play by play announcer for 33 years has found a new way to occupy his time. Professor Lanny was hired by Waynesburg University on March 18th as the assistant professor of communication. He also will serve as special assistant to university relations. Professor Lanny's teaching duties will include sportscasting, news announcing, and public speaking courses. He also will work with student sportscasters for the Waynesburg University Sports Network. It had long been rumored that Frattare was seeking employeement after leaving the Pirates. There were rumblings of him applying for several Pittsburgh area high school athletic director jobs, however nothing ever materialized. This bit of news hits home, as yours truly lives only 7 miles from Waynesburg Univeristy and attended the then named Waynesburg College for a few semesters.

• WBC Defeat - Pitcher Ian Snell and Utility Infielder Ramon Vazquez have returned to Pirate City after a heart breaking defeat to the USA in the World Baseball Classic on March 17th. Puerto Rico lost to the Americans in a 2nd round elimination game on a 9th inning 2 RBI walk off single by the Mets David Wright. John Grabow now is the only Pittsburgh Pirate remaining in the World Baseball Classic.

• Upcoming TV Games - TODAY! 1:05pm vs Cincinnati Reds on FSN Pittsburgh and MLBTV. This is the 2nd and last spring training game to be aired on FSN Pittsburgh this spring. Your next glimpse of the Bucs will come on April 6th in St Louis at 4:15pm on FSN Pittsburgh HD.

• 16 Days till Opening day!

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Gorzo Gonzo!

In a move that is slightly shocking, however never something that was deemed impossible, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tom Gorzelanny has been demoted from the major league camp at spring training to the minor league camp and is expected to start the season at AAA Indianapolis.

Gorzelanny showed signs of greatness when he started his career in 2007 with 14-10 record and 3.88 ERA however, last year he struggled with a 6-9 record and 6.66 ERA which lead to his demotion to AAA. He had been considered an odds on favorite to reclaim a rotation spot this spring.

The move leaves 3 pitchers battling for the 2 remaining starting rotation spots, Virgil Vasquez (who yesterday was hammered by the Yankees), Ross Ohlendorf, and Jeff Karstens (both of whom were received via trade from the Yankees for Xavier Nady last year).

Gorzelanny was notified this morning and left the clubhouse without comment.

Jose Tabata, a top prospect within the system, was also optioned to minor league camp this morning and will begin the season in AA Altoona.

I will follow up with more on these two in a later post.

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