The Wait Is Over: Spring Training 2011 Is Here!

For all those Pittsburgh fans out there who are still heartbroken over the Steelers' Super Bowl loss and are discouraged by the injuries to the Penguins' Crosby and Malkin, our very own Buccos officially kick off Spring Training tomorrow when pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton, Florida.

For those Pirates' fans who are making the trip down to Bradenton to get the first glimpse of the 2011 Pirates, Jason Bartolone, the editor of The Bradenton Patch created a Fan's Guide to Pirates' Spring Training.  Take a look.

And...

As Always...

Let's Go Bucs!

ESPN's Jayson Stark Provides More Bulletin Board Material For Buccos As They Enter Spring Training

In a recent column posted yesterday, ESPN’s Jayson Stark revealed his lack of interest, and apparently his lack of knowledge, in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization.  In the category listed as “Least Recognizable Team,” here is what Mr. Stark had to say about our beloved Buccos:

“I might as well retire this category. What's the point? The Pirates seem to win it every year, anyway. Here's how I know exactly how faceless this team is: I cover baseball for a living. I kept a daily log book on every team's transactions all winter. And even I couldn't correctly identify the Pirates' entire prospective Opening Day lineup this week. So there's no telling how much money you could win if you walked into any tavern not located in the 412 area code and challenged your buddies to do it -- even if you gave them Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez free of charge. It's not a good sign when more Americans can name the lineup of the 1979 Pirates than the 2011 Pirates. But I'm betting that if I commissioned a Gallup poll, that's exactly how it would turn out.”

First of all, I am personally amazed that Mr. Stark is willing to admit that he isn’t able to do his job.  As he describes above, he covers baseball for a living.  How is he not able to identify the Pirates’ roster?  Above anything else, the answer to this question is that he’s not interested in what the Pirates are doing in the offseason.  At numerous times throughout his recent columns, he has drawn comparisons between the Red Sox and Yankees to clubs like the Pirates.  It doesn’t take an ESPN “expert” to realize that these organizations are in completely different situations, both on and off the field.

Furthermore, he mentions that other than Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez, the rest of the lineup is unrecognizable.  This team lost 105 games last year and hasn’t had a winning season in nearly two decades.  Given those facts, from a national standpoint, the lineup shouldn’t be the same as past years.  Clearly, changes need to be made, and they have been, little by little, year after year. 

I hope the Pirates’ management and players read these types of articles.  While most of the time, it is never recommended for players and coaches to pay attention to what they read/hear in the media, I don’t think this applies to the Pirates, given the current situation.  The bottom line is, people don’t recognize the Buccos because they’re not winning.  If the team is still in contention in the N.L. Central by June and July, this lineup will become much more recognizable, and not only the names of Alvarez and McCutchen. 

While articles like this are difficult to read, we can’t say they are totally underserved.  The only way to end these types of comments is to be competitive deep into the season and to make vast improvements from last year.  While the core group is there, it will take leadership from new manager Clint Hurdle as well as the veteran members of the club as well as considerate player improvement.  And it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Jayson Stark has his own section on the Pirates’ bulletin board on Opening Day.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs! 

Former Pirates' Manager Chuck Tanner Dies at 82

Chuck Tanner, the last Pirates’ manager to lead the team to a World Series championship, passed away on Friday.  The celebrated Bucs’ skipper led the 1979 “We Are Family” club to a come-from-behind World Series victory, but, as everyone close to the game and close to Tanner himself remembers, he was one of baseball’s nicest guys.

Tanner died of a long illness in his hometown of New Castle, PA after spending time in hospice care.  He was 82 years old.  Management, players, and fans of the Pirates and Major League Baseball in general are grieving the loss of one of the game’s good guys, both on and off the field.

He was known for his never-wavering confidence and an inherent belief that no deficit was too large to overcome.  Tanner managed the White Sox, Athletics, Pirates, and Braves, finishing with a record of 1,352-1,381 from 1970-88, winning one division title while finishing in second place five times. 

Of course, the most famous story displaying his irrepressible faith occurred on the day of Game 5 of the World Series in 1979 with the Pirates trailing 3-1 in the series.  He woke that morning to learn that his mother had died in a nursing home in New Castle.  Tanner stuck with the team, made some difficult decisions surrounding the pitching rotation and lineup, and saw his team, led by Willie Stargell, sweep the final three games and clinch the series.

Media outlets, fan sites, and blogs from all across the country are mourning the death and celebrating the life of Chuck Tanner.  For reactions to his passing from players, managers, and more, check out the Pirates Offical Website. 

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

PirateFest Kicks Off 2011 Season With Optimistic Celebration

Once again, Pittsburgh sports’ fans have outdone themselves.  With the Steelers’ chance at a record seven Super Bowl championships a week away and a Penguins late season playoff run is sure to be expected, the last thing on the minds of Steel City sports’ fans should be baseball.  Yet, on the last weekend of January, fans showed up in record numbers for the annual PirateFest celebration at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

The three-day baseball carnival drew 16,389 fans this year, which was a significant increase of approximately 1,400 from last year’s attendance and marked the largest crowd since PirateFest moved to the convention center in 2003.  This is just as encouraging and exciting as it is surprising, especially considering the fact that the Pirates completed their 18^th straight losing season in 2010 with a horrendous 105 loss campaign.  That being said, with more dramatic finishes and high-level individual efforts throughout the season, there is reason for fans to be interested in what these new young Bucco players have to offer.

Despite the impressive turnout to PirateFest this past weekend and the continued interest on the young star power headlined by the likes of Andrew McCutcheon, Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata, and Neil Walker, only one aspect of a Pirates’ season is going to win over this difficult-to-please, sports-obsessed city:  winning baseball games.  Newly acquired manager Clint Hurdle has an impressive reputation and an overwhelmingly inspiring optimistic attitude, which, in theory, is exactly what a group of young position players need in order to take their games and attitudes to the next level. 

While winning is at the forefront of importance to the team and its fans, we all must not be naïve in our hopes for success.  After all, the Pirates haven’t accumulated more than 68 wins in a given season since 2004, and after losing 105 games a year ago, unrealistic expectations will only set up the team, and its fans, for disappointment.  To finish the upcoming season in the 70-75 win category would be a monumental improvement from 2010, and would continue to prove to the players, and Pittsburghers in general, that this team, when coached efficiently and when they put forth enough effort, has the potential to improve and to be a force in the National League in the upcoming years.

The 2011 campaign will get underway in just a couple weeks from today.  Pitchers and catchers report to their first official Spring Training workout on February 14, position players will arrive shortly afterward, and the first full-squad workout will be run by Hurdle on February 19.  That’s where it all begins for this team.  Get back to the basics, further develop the young talent of the club, and when the opening day of the season arrives in Chicago, rely on the talent, experience, and charisma of the top players to get the Buccos off to a great start in 2011.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

2011 PirateFest A Success For Fans And Players

Fans From The Stands' co-editors Chad Carlson and Zane Heiple took in the 2011 PirateFest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Sunday. Check out the video below for their reactions to the event, the players, the fans, and much more!

Be sure to check out Fans From The Stands every day for the latest Pirates' news and updates.

And...

As Always...

Let's Go Bucs!

Pirates Sign Joe Beimel, Increase Bullpen Talent And Experience

Only hours from the kickoff of the 2011 PirateFest celebration, the Buccos’ signed veteran left-hander Joe Beimel to a Minor League deal on Friday. 

While the deal doesn’t guarantee Beimel a spot on the Major League roster, all expectations speak to the likelihood that Joe will be in a Pirates’ uniform to open the 2011 campaign.

While some skeptical Pirates’ fans and critics may not like the familiarity of this type of a signing (the acquisition of an older veteran rather than finding a young up-and-coming talent), this move may actually make a lot of sense from a baseball standpoint.

Without a doubt, the Pirates’ bullpen still has some holes, but one of the most glaring and worrisome has been the absence of an experienced left-handed reliever…until now.  The 33-year old brings an impressive amount of Major League experience across his 10-year career, something that the Pirates’ previous bullpen additions couldn’t offer the club.  Daniel Moskos and Tony Watson, while both offer tremendous upside, don’t have a minute of top level experience between them. 

While Beimel may be slightly past his prime, he still brings experience, both on and off the field, which, if nothing else, can help aid Moskos and Watson, along with non-roster invitee Justin Thomas, in their development.  Still, by this signing, the Pirates are saying that they are more than confident in Beimel’s ability to step into critical relief roles immediately.

For those who may not know, Joe Beimel is utterly familiar with Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.  After growing up in St. Mary’s, PA, he pitched for Duquesne University right here in Pittsburgh.  The Pirates drafted him in the 18^th round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft, and Beimel made his MLB debut with the club in 2001.

For information on the signing of Joe Beimel, be sure to log on to the Pirates’ official website.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates' Pitching Rotation Spots Up For Grabs Heading Into Spring Training

When a team has lost for nearly 2 straight decades, there is certainly plenty of blame to go around.  Above all else, though, which has been proven year after year, that pitching is by far the most critical aspect to a team’s success.  Obviously, it is no surprise to any avid baseball fan that the Pirates, who finished another dismal season in 2010, suffered from inconsistency and unreliability from their starting, relief, and closing pitching throughout the entire year.

The Battlin’ Buccos are preparing to enter camp with four starters, including Kevin Correia, Paul Maholm, James McDonald, and Ross Ohlendorf.  With these being the favorites to fill the top four spots, leaving one final available slate in the starting rotation.  As of right now, that vacancy will look to be filled by one of three early front-runners:  Brad Lincoln, Charlie Morton, and Scott Olsen. 

Lincoln will by far be the most headline-worthy candidate, one way or another, as his success could range from established 5^th starter for the Pirates or he could find himself back in Triple-A Indianapolis’s rotation.  After all, Charlie Morton is out of options and about at the end of his rope in terms of chances that will continue to be given to him by Pirates’ management.  While the possibility for success still exists, his inconsistent pitching and inability to put together multiple strong performances at the major league level have all but diminished any confidence that he or the rest of the ballclub has in himself to be a successful pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Scott Olsen, on the other hand, has had proven big league success in the past.  However, as we all know as Pirates’ fans, past success does NOT always lead to future success. 

Brad Lincoln was called up to the majors, along with Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez, last June.  As a unit, the trio was expected to make an immediate impact and represent a key part of the organization’s young core.  While Tabata and Alvarez delivered (for the most part), Lincoln struggled.  Overall, the right-hander finished his debut season with a 1-4 record and a 6.66 ERA, while walking 15 batters, striking out 25, in just over 52 innings of work.  He gave up nine homeruns, while opponents hit over .300 off of him.  While there’s something to say about major league experience, these aren’t exactly the most encouraging numbers as he heads into his second season as a potential Pirates’ starter.

Perhaps of greater importance of the team’s early success this season is the pitching situation.  Be sure to check back right here at FFTS throughout the rest of the winter and spring training for all the latest news and updates surrounding the pitching situation and everything else Pirates’ related leading up to the 2011 season.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!