Four Days in Atlanta We Won't Forget

As I begin to write this post, the Pirates are in Philadelphia down by 7 after the Phillies went up 8-0 in the first two innings, lighting up starting pitcher Charlie Morton like the liberty bell in the outfield at Citizens Bank Park. While the Phillies series is a different story, let's return to the four days in Atlanta. If the Pirates wanted to leave any town any sooner, it had to be Atlanta.

A week that started with a two hour rain delay during a national television broadcast on ESPN Monday Night Baseball, and resulted in a win before the clock struck midnight. The next day, the weather was better, but dark clouds soon formed as the game went into extra innings. A late night affair that became the longest game in the history of both teams, and ended in the ugliest way possible. It was already enough the Pirates has no runs in the last 18 innings of that game, but umpire Jerry Meals, who became a top trend on Twitter and also received a special tagged trend #jerrymealssaysitssafe, which I and many had fun with, made one of the worst calls in the history of baseball, making Jim Joyce's safe call to ruin a no-hitter in Detroit look bleak to Meals' blunder in the 19 inning marathon.

While I and the rest of the baseball loving world blasted Jerry Meals on television, radio and social media sites, the Pirates went back to work to stay close with Milwaukee and St. Louis in the NL Central. Much to our dismay, the game went into extra innings once again. Upon this, I tweeted Pittsburgh sports columnist and 93.7 The Fan's Joe Starkey jokingly asking him the name of the home plate umpire that night, which he retweeted. Of course, the game didn't go any longer as the Braves made the bottom of the 10th batting practice working with Leroux on the mound and Joel Hanrahan for the second straight night not being used in key situations. I guess you could say that Sid Bream was laughing wherever he is now.

Although the Bucs couldn't win the rubber match the night before, the Pirates got help from Andrew McCutchen and saw Kevin Correia beat Derek Lowe in the pitching match-up, while picking up an RBI early in the game.

After that recap, we can now look at what we learned from our long visit in the deep South.

1) Lyle Overbay is Useless: For all the free passes Overbay has received by many in the media, his performance finally made people realize that he flat out sucks. 1 for 8 in the 19 inning game on Tuesday night, Wednesday morning made you react to him stepping up to the plate like you would a pitcher (NL fans only feel this, sorry AL fans).

2) Pedro was Average: Wasn't expecting the world from Alvarez, but he did OK. Good defense, despite the routine ground-out that ended in a ground-rule double. He came up big in different situations. The Bucs need more from him if they wanna stay toward the top of the Central.

3) Is Steve Pierce Even There? Pierce has been as productive as Lyle Overbay. Not much of a comment, but many would take him over Overbay at first in a heart beat.

4) Daniel McCutchen: The 6th starter?: OK, I know he won't be the 6th pitcher in the rotation the Pirates would add, but his 5+ innings in extra's on Tuesday was impressive. It took Jerry Meals to spoil the effort. May I add that he lasted as long as James McDonald and Charlie Morton have in their past few starts.



5) THE PIRATES NEED A BAT!: This road trip is a challenge for this team. What seems to be a bigger challenge is the Pirates front office having to actually make a move and pick up a hitter to spark a Pirates offense that is more cold than warm. The only thing standing between GM Neil Huntington and a trade to keep the Pirates relevant through September is the black sheep of Pittsburgh sports, Bob Nutting. This would be a great moment for the C. Montgomery Burns of Pittsburgh to share his wealth with the fan base by picking up a bat in exchange for some measly prospects. God forbid, we give away a prospect. If the Pirates do, they only risk having a more productive offense. Then again, that's my opinion, and I don't work the books for the Pirates. If the Pirates make a move by Sunday, get a player like Derek Lee and make a run at the division title but come up a game or two short, I think Pirates fans would be content with that. But I think everyone would like that division title to go along with a winning season, which is what we've really wanted for 18 years.

Pittsburgh is Experiencing a Baseball Revival.

July 20, 2010. I think the city of Pittsburgh was counting down the days until the Pittsburgh Steelers hit training camp at St. Vincent College. One year later, the city sees its long-time lowly baseball team, the Pirates in first place with a game on Milwaukee in the NL Central. That’s right! The Pirates are in first place and Pittsburgh sports fans, regardless of the Pirates record, are not counting the days down to Steelers camp. Instead they are being drawn to the Bucco bandwagon that is filling up faster than the Titanic filled up with water and sank. Of course the NFL is still in a lockout that may come to an end within days, but the Pirates could have fans watching games through September and possibly into October.

OK, some are thinking that most Pirates fans and I are looking too far into the future, like we are running the Steelers and Penguins championship parade route in our heads already. Yes, we may be in over our heads with the Pirates right now. But come on, can you blame us? Especially fans like myself who were not old enough or alive to see the 1992 season. Then again, maybe we didn’t want to be there to see Sid Bream send the Braves to the World Series that year. Think about all the things that have happened since then. We’ve had three different Presidents, gas was a lot cheaper, and Bill Cowher was just starting out as the new Steelers head coach. So the steel city has suffered with America’s pastime for more than a while. A team that used to be the dominate sport of Pittsburgh, long before the Steelers turned the corner in the 1970’s and the Penguins drafted a young French-Canadian named Mario.

While critics may see this as a phase in the Pirates season that could soon disappear as quickly as it began, it has made those who believed that the Pirates would someday turn the corner feeling like prophets and reeling those fans who were getting away back to PNC Park this summer. In mid-June, the Pirates began to show signs of a .500 team, even after being swept by Cleveland. Pittsburgher’s believed that this team may have something going for them. It’s almost like in the film Major League when an Indian’s fan thinks, “Maybe they aren’t so f*#king bad.” Pirate merchandise has been flying off the shelves. McCutchen jerseys, “hammer time” shirts for Joel Hanrahan and Neil “the Pittsburgh Kid” Walker shirts are seen all over town along with caps and other t-shirts. Then there is attendance. The Pirates have shattered attendance records (with a little help from Phillies and Red Sox fans) in June and July. 26,000 + fans came to PNC Park tonight against the Cincinnati Reds on a hot, humid Tuesday night, and there were no bobblehead or t-shirt giveaways. There were no fireworks or .38 Special after the game. People came to see and support a young group of players who are making this town remember why they love baseball. The close division race, the scoreboard watching, the tight late-inning games, and the feeling that every game matters. Pittsburgh can only hope that the Pirates continue their success as the hot days of summer soon become the early days of fall. For now, baseball is back in the steel city and it has those old enough to remember a good Pirate team thinking back to those gold old days. For those who have never seen a winning Pirate team, this may be the year, and hopefully, a new chapter in a 125 year-old story.

Jagr's Choice Shows the True Colors Pittsburgh Forgot

For Pittsburgh Penguin fans, they have to be slapping themselves for not realizing that Jarimor Jagr was capable of making the move he did on Friday afternoon. Earlier in the week, the Steel City was abuzz about the idea that Jagr was very interested in signing with the Pens in his return to the NHL. On Wednesday, Pittsburgh expected Jagr to make a flight into New York City, hop on a plane to Pittsburgh, and agree to a one year, $2 Million deal. To top it all off, all the Pittsburgh affiliates would have had coverage of the live broadcast of Jarimor receiving his "68" jersey on a jersey different from the one he wore a decade ago with the team, and shaking Mario Lemieux's hand and possibly a "bro-hug."

For all of us, our alarm clocks awoke us from that wonderful dream while Jagr's whereabouts remained unknown from Wednesday night into Friday afternoon. The Penguins and Red Wings both patiently waiting to hear on his decision, finally pulled their deals an hour before free agency began. Pens fans showed some disappointment, which turned into anger once the afternoon rolled around. The news that Jagr not only turned Pittsburgh down, but then the news that he took $1.3 million more to play for the Philadelphia Flyers.

For those of you who have never watched hockey or followed it, the Penguins and Flyers hate each other. There was more love between Biggie and 2Pac than there is between these two teams. So you can see why your friend the Penguin fan may have had steam coming out of their ears yesterday.

Well, unless Jagr doesn't know the Flyers schedule, he will have to face the crowd that once loved him long ago three times, and maybe even in a playoff series in the spring. So it is going to be interesting to see the fans reaction to Jagr when he takes the ice on December 29 at CONSOL Energy Center. Hopefully for him, the fans are still in the Christmas spirit, and the Pens are at the top of the Atlantic and East. While it won't be like Lebron James' return to Cleveland, it will be a hostile environment, especially since Pittsburgh is still pulling the knife out of their back which Jagr dug deeper this time.

So what did we learn from all of this? Jarimor Jagr is in it for the money. OK,  lesson learned, but to go to an arch rival that the Penguins despise with a passion leaves fans feeling that this was the nail in the coffin for any reconciliation of Jagr and the Penguins. This may not bother Ray Shero as much, but what about a guy like Mario? A man who reached out to him when he could have said "sorry, but we're not interested in your services anymore." So put your Jagr jersey back in the closet or into your bonfire this 4th of July weekend, it'll be a collectors item down the road or good firewood. 

Jagr's Interest in Penguins Creating Buzz, Questions

For many Penguins fans, we can all remember the amazing play of the Czech born Jarimor Jagr, a man whose name could be arranged to say "MARIO JR." He dangled the puck and scored a goal to tie Chicago in the historical comeback in Game 1 of the 1992 Stanley Cup Final. He became the leader of the Penguins after Mario Lemieux retired for the first time. We can all say that Jagr will be in the Hockey Hall of Fame and he is worthy of having his number 68 retired and raised to the rafters at Consol Energy Center along with Mario and Briere (66, 21). If Jagr's story with the Penguins was as simple as this, Hollywood would pass on the simple storyline. But Jarimor's story took him from being the town hero and became an outlaw a decade ago.

The story of Jarimor Jagr has been written and re-written by people based on their attitude toward the man who Pittsburgh once called a hero. Most of remember how his time ended in the Steel City and the rumors that spread about him. Of course, rumors are rumors and like my hockey coach always said "what is said in the locker room, stays in the locker room." Of course, the Pittsburgh and national media never wanted a sound bite after our junior varsity games. This has lead to divided feelings towards him.

Fans of the Penguins will acknowledge that Jagr was a big part of the success the Pens had in the 90's. That may be, but some fans remember how the break-up went and many would say that Jagr got the better of the divorce settlement. I have attended hundreds of Penguin games over the past 15 years. I have been to several games that Jagr has played in as a Capital and a Ranger. Boos seemed to outshine the cheers from the fans, especially during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2008, Jagr's then final games in the NHL.

Now onto the main part of this article. Everyone in Pittsburgh and the hockey world is buzzing about Jagr's interest in coming back to the NHL, and seems to be looking at Pittsburgh. It's been reported that he has talked to Mario and maybe even Ray Shero. The Penguins had extended an invite to a charity golf outing which would be a 20 year reunion for the 1991 Stanley Cup team.

When it comes to coming back to the NHL and possibly signing with the Pens, it should seem reasonable that fans have put aside their grudges with Jagr. They are now analyzing it based on how much he can contribute to this team that is still a Stanley Cup contender.

It's obvious that his age sticks out. He's 39. He is not the young Jagr that blew us all away in the 90's. Then again, the Penguins did bring back Alexei Kovalev halfway through this past season to add some reinforcement to a battered squad. In his three years in the KHL, Jagr had 82 goals and 102 assists. Not bad stats for a guy his age. The Penguins also need some help at Right Wing. Keep that in mind.

The Penguins also have to look at who they will resign and have to let go once July 1 rolls around. Shero should look at signing Tyler Kennedy to a 3 year contract, and will have to make a tough choice that may involve saying goodbye to fan favorite Max Talbot or Dupuis. The Penguins will have $5 Million added to their salary cap this year. If they are serious about Jagr, they need to negotiate a one year deal worth at most $2 million. Jagr may not get what he wants, but the Pens need to think about the core of their team.

One reason that I think Jagr could be resigned is to finish his career in the city where he became a star. By saying that, I would expect Jagr to play an important role in the Penguins lineup. He will have a chance to play with Malkin, who plays like a young Jagr and Crosby, the reincarnation of Mario Lemieux according to many. If he thinks he can coast through the season and just pick up his paycheck and call it quits, the fans will not tolerate that and will let him hear it.

Pirates in the American League? Good Idea, But No

The Pittsburgh Pirates are making their plea with Major League Baseball to escape the NL Central and move back into the East. Although one person I heard on Pittsburgh 93.7 FM The Fan had a different idea that involved ending a Pirates tradition that has been around for 125 years.

Joe Starkey, who co-hosts a radio show weekdays 2-6pm on WFAN in Pittsburgh, suggested that the Pirates make the dramatic move and leave the National League for the American League. For me this sounded surreal. I have to say I don't agree with Starkey, but I listened to his argument and saw that he did make a good one.

One reason was the idea of a fresh start for the Bucs. The Pirates have been terrible for almost 20 years, and especially since they were thrown into the NL Central in 1994. With a change in scenery in what would be the AL Central, with the Royals moving to the AL West, the Pirates could stretch their legs out in a whole new atmosphere. Starkey cited the Steelers move to the AFL after the NFL merged with its rival in the early 1970's and the success the Steelers had in the 1970's, and this Pirate team right now is playing .500 and above .500 ball right now.

The second argument was the drivable games for fans who wanna see the Bucs play. The Pirates could create a rival in the Cleveland Indians and even the Detroit Tigers, a team the Pirates played for the title 102 years ago. Even the Chicago White Sox could be a good weekend getaway for Pirates fans, and Minnesota is the exception with driving.  Better than Houston, St. Louis and Milwaukee though.

The third reason would be who the Pirates would see more of on their schedule. Names like the Yankees and Red Sox are bound to bring big crowds to PNC Park. The Bucs could see a spike in attendance, and the Indians rivalry would bring Tribe fans and Pirate fans out more.

Starkey, after hearing your argument I can say it is a well thought-out idea that would make sense. Although I think you would lose the argument for this one reason, TRADITION. The Pirates have been in the National League since they were established in 1887. To move a team like the Bucs from 125 years of National League baseball and start them in the American League might cause a backlash by Pirates fans and some may choose to separate themselves from the team due to the loss of tradition. I hope a move to the NL East comes in the future, but I don't see them being an AL Team. 

Pirates in the NL East? YES!

With Major League Baseball considering realignment for the 2012 season, some teams have been campaigning to make some moves. One team is the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As a Pirates fan, I would see why the team wants to move out of the NL Central. One: The division is a black hole for the Bucs. Four of their opponents play in the central time zone, St. Louis, Chicago, Houston and Milwaukee. To go along with that, the Pirates have not created any close rivalries in that division. We try with Milwaukee, but that is weak compared to Philadelphia and the NY Mets. It might be their fault for mediocre baseball for the past two decades.

There was a time when the Pirates played good baseball and played teams who are now in the current NL East. The old NL East used to have the Pirates playing the Phillies, Mets, and Braves, creating rivalries fans could get excited about. If the Pirates move back into the East, they would not only have old rivalries renewed, but they would also be drivable. The closest team in the NL Central for a Pirates fan to drive and see the team on the road is the Cincinnati Reds. All the others make flying look appealing. Philly would be a five hour drive, the Mets 6, and the Nationals about 4. Of course Atlanta and Florida are the exceptions. But three out of five when it comes to driving distance, not bad! Only problem would be this. If the Houston Astros leave for the AL, and the Pirates get their wish and move to the NL East, that means a four team NL Central and a six team NL East. Do you possibly move the Marlins or Braves to the NL Central? Might not be a bad idea, especially since the Marlins have a small enough fanbase right now where nobody would care.

MLB Realignment Gets Complicated

As far back as I can remember, I always wondered why the National League had two more teams than the American League. Being a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team in the NL, I hated that we were stuck in the NL Central with 6 teams and the AL West only had four. Fast forward over a decade later and Major League Baseball is now considering it.

For a lot of people, it seemed very simple, much like the math you took in 1st grade. Move one NL team to the AL, and we would have 15 in each league. That would have worked in the early 1990's before the idea of Interleague play kicked in. Now Interleague makes realignment harder than AP Calculus. Let's just say the NHL will have an easier time realigning its divisions in 2012 with the new NHL team in Winnipeg.

The league is considering a few changes with realignment. The one everyone has been looking at is moving the Houston Astros to the American League West, which would be the most simple moved to even the leagues up and give the AL West a fifth team. But interleague then becomes a problem. A system that was first introduced in 1997 is now causing problems 14 years later. If this change happens, interleague would be played well into September almost every weekend.

Other ideas included throwing out the divisions with two 15 team leagues. This idea is dumb. I don't wanna go to a game where my team is in 15th place and has not shot at a playoff spot. Divisions make baseball interesting and gets people excited and creates new rivals. Another idea that would break the hearts of traditionalist baseball fans would be ending the National and American Leagues and create three divisions in one big league. MLB East, Central and West Divisions, which would end a century old tradition in baseball.   
Another move by baseball is adding a 5th team to each leagues playoffs. Good idea, but how would you handle that? Do you have a best of 3 between 4 and 5 to see who moves on?

The easiest way to solve the problem with both leagues having 15 teams and scheduling issues is this. Get rid of Interleague baseball. It is an option, one I think that people would be open to. Since the two leagues started playing one another for the World Series in 1903, you never saw the other leagues team unless you were playing for the World Series title. The tradition of the hate for each other has died off, mainly thanks to Interleague and television, which opened NL team cities to AL teams and vice versa. Why not go back to that? I love how Boston and the NY Yankees bring in good crowds for Pirates games, but if Interleague causes the problem, it's easy to pull the plug on it.