If you are one of those Bucco fans who is still somehow disappointed every season then you need to drastically lower your expectations. It's been nearly two full decades of losing baseball, yet at the end of every season you hear the same thing, "I can't believe we're so bad." Or "I thought this was the year they would go .500." First of all, what does that say about a team when your major goal is to go 81-81? Most teams shoot for the Series, or at least the playoffs, but not us. We'll take mediocrity over futility. And I hate to say it, this year probably will not be much different. We have some guys who can glove it, and some guys who can hit it. But my biggest complaint every year is pitching. I think Mr. Wonderful Ross Ohlendorf has the stuff and I like where he is going. I also like Charlie Morton, who has some nasty pitches, but I think he is still a year or two away. One of those two guys is our future ace. Then, in typical Pirate fashion, we have the the guys you never know about, Duke and Maholm. Both have been dubbed the ace of the staff, both have been let downs. And let's not mention our fifth starter... because we don't have one. Kevin Hart was supposed to be the guy but he came down with a bad allergy to throwing strikes. I'm going to predict it right now, even if the talent we have on the field is good enough to compete, pitching will be our downfall. We will finish behind the Cardinals and Cubs like always, and probably behind the 'Stros, Reds, and Brew Crew too. Get ready for another losing season.
But there is some good news. Baseball, even at its worst, which we see fairly often, is still the most beautiful game there is. There is nothing better than hitting up a day game on a sunny Pittsburgh afternoon at the most breathtaking yard in the league. I personally enjoy nothing more than a day at PNC, in the sunshine with that unmistakable ballgame smell wafting through the air. You walk through the gate and you get that glimpse of the field, where I swear the grass gets greener every time. You grab your favorite snack, whether it be peanuts, popcorn, or just Iron City, and enjoy. My usual routine consists of a Primanti's capicola (or the occasional Manny Sanguillen's pulled pork sammy) when the game starts, nachos in the 4th, one of those big ballpark hot dogs with the peppers on it in the 7th, and stale 8 dollar beers the whole way through. It is, without a doubt, the best way to spend a summer day. If you've been there then you know what I mean, and if you haven't I suggest you pop for a ten dollar seat and go. And when you're there take it all in, the greenest grass in the world, the sunshine reflecting off the skyline, and grown men playing a kid's game. I know I am being a bit of a romantic, but that's me, I love the game of baseball. So go check it out, and by the time you leave, you won't even mind the fact that Pujols went 4 for 4 and we lost 11-2. Let's face it, we are past the point where we go to the game to see them raise the Jolly Roger. But win or lose, the experience makes me feel like a little kid every time.
I agree with almost everything you said but one. The grass is green the sky is blue and the park is beautiful and should be enjoyed while you are there. But baseball is far from the best game there is. Its not as action packed as football, as exciting as hockey, or even as fun to play as basketball, thats why its falling every year in ratings all over the us. But everything you said about the buccos and going to the game is dead on
ReplyDeleteI knew this would get a comment out of you, baseball hater. You know I am biased. I agree with the football and hockey comments, they are more exciting to watch, but when actually attending a game I am all for the intricacies that baseball offers. Baseball, especially watching it, is a love it or hate it sport There's not much in between. I accept that I am in the minority compared to the football and hockey lovers, especially in this town, but I'm staying strong in my opinion buddy. And besides, I said the most beautiful, not the best haha
ReplyDeleteBilly - you kind of went Field of Dreams there for a minute, but I actually feel very similar. There is something about baseball that a lot of people dismiss as boring... guessing what the pitcher will throw in this situation, should they bunt here, what pitch will he steal on, and the beauty of a smooth double play. That being said, I miss Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez turning that double play ... and I miss watching a core of players develop and then finally have their shot to win for the Bucs. Are they on the right track now, who knows. Baseball "experts" seem to think so but I guess we won't really know until Alvarez,Tabata,Sanchez et al join Mccutheon, Jones and see if they can be the new core. I sort of disagree with one thing though ... I think the offense will be their downfall. Who in their lineup has proven they can hit over 162 games? you could argue Mccutcheon maybe and I think Iwamura is a solid number 2, but other than that it is just more question marks and waiting on prospects that baseball fans know may never come. Their pitching is good enough I think to be a middle of the road major league club, although it is thin considering how often those guys get injured. We will see, but either way - i'll be watching.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, the offense is very suspect. There is a whole lot of hype for guys like Garrett Jones but, like you said, can he do it again this year and can he do it for the full season? I just meant that if the position players achieve enough to compete, I hope guys like Maholm and Duke can live up to their potential for a full season as well. Our bullpen is much improved and the bench actually has real major leaguers on it but I think with the guys you mentioned in the minors it will be hard to tell. Tabata and Alvarez will definitely be up sometime this season, probably when it is too late to matter. The Bucs are definitely a year or two away from the elusive winning season but there is reason to be optimistic for the future if we can keep these guys in Pittsburgh. Playoffs 2012-2013?
ReplyDeletehow big of a window before mccutcheon is a yankee and alvarez (if he even pans out) is in boston? it sucks to be that cynical, but 18 years will do that to you. on the bright side, the division isn't that good once you get past pujols,carpenter,wainwright and the cards.
ReplyDeleteBaseball is the perfect game. The last time MLB made a rule change (and that was only one league) was in 1973 when the DH came in. Before that it was the late 60's when they lowered the mound from 15" to 10". Baseball has been around for 150 years and the players are bigger, stronger and faster yet almost every play at first is still Bang-Bang, every steal of second is Bang-Bang, because the diamond is perfection.
ReplyDeleteI've been playing some form of ball forever and Billy is right it can still make me feel like a kid. For me it's the chess match within the game that you don't always see from the stands. Yogi said it best "Baseball is 90% mental, the other half is physical" From framing a pitch to ducking under a pitch, from getting into a batters head to putting on the Stargell shift, from the hidden ball trick to the double switch. You have to love a game where your 25 million dollar shortstop and your 80 year old bench coach have the same outfit on.
Uncle D