It Aint Easy Being A Pirates Fan

You know, I have a lot of respect for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. I really do. They have had nothing to be happy about for the past 17 years. The [itching has been awful, offense mediocre, and questionable front office moves. And then of course the losing season after losing season.

But this year really might have been the one. There was a definite chance that this team could finish at .500, maybe a game or two over. The pitching certainly hasn't blown people away, but there has been improvement. That plus a good crop of young talent gave people hope.

Then the trades started.

First outfielder Nate McLouth was traded to the Atlanta Braves for three prospects. That was a great move for Atlanta, bad for Pittsburgh. McLouth is signed until 2011 and at a good price. He was one of the top players in the lineup, and some players had no trouble expressing their disagreement.

Wow," second baseman Freddy Sanchez said Thursday of the trade, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think the biggest thing was the shock factor. It's obviously a tough pill to swallow. Our No. 3 hitter just got taken away, the guy who leads our team in home runs and RBIs, and we were 6½ games out.

There ain't a guy in here who ain't [ticked] off about it," said first baseman Adam LaRoche, according to the report. "It's kind of like being with your platoon in a battle, and guys keep dropping around you. You keep hanging on, hanging on, and you've got to figure: How much longer till you sink?

Well the front office was not done sending starters away for prospects after all of that. They then sent Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett to the Washington Nationals and Eric Hinske to the Yankees. And of course there were some less than happy reactions from the Pirates locker room.

It’s tough for the guys who’ve been here and have seen these trades happen and absolutely do nothing,” Wilson said several hours after the deals were made. “I’ve seen these trades two or three times a year and we still haven’t had a winning season.

How hard is it for people to continue supporting this team? Morgan and Burnett were good players, with a lot of potential. That Pittsburgh bullpen relied on Burnett. And now that support is gone. You're best overall hitter leaves, and then you're catalyst. And for what? Prospects. Players that may be good.

And honestly, what does that say about the front office's faith in the team? Yea, they aren't a great team, but when you're only 6 games out in the CENTRAL division, you still have a chance. And it when you still have a chance you do not give away stars.

The thing about rebuilding that I don't think Pittsburgh's front office has realized that eventually you are finished with the construction. The four players that have left the team this year are young players. Young players with gobs of talent.

This may be something we see every year. Develop some great players and when there aren't instant results trade them away for next year's stars. I really feel for Pirates fans. First they can't get a winning season, now they don't even have the luxury of watching their stars play.

Marlins Now In The Shark Tank

On Fruday, the Marlins announced that Dolphin Stadium will now be known as LandShark Stadium. This comes off of the Marlins business relationship with singer Jimmy Buffet, who owns a brand of beer call LandShark Lager.

To the Marlins fans(ed. note, because there is so many of them), this move is seamless, Samson said. To Marlins fans, this won't matter. I admire Stephen Ross, Samson said. He's an intelligent businessman. He's trying to create a great atmosphere at Dolphins games, which is exactly what we try to create at Marlins games

The article also syas that after the 2010 baeball saeason, the lease is up. So obviously this is a way to get money into the stadium. Because, lets be honest, no one really shows up for baseball in Florida.



And really why would they? Have you ever been to Florida? It is easily one thousand degrees in the sun. No wonder Tampa Bay has dome (that actually doesn't help with the fans showing up). I'm sorry, but I don't think it's too much ask that when you go see a baseball game you don;t have to worry about a heatstroke death.

It's another way for the fornt office to beef up the total revenue made. Why else would you trade away a championship team? The Marlins seem more interested in being one of those that will do absolutely anything to avoid paying guys huge dollars to keep them (outside of Hanley Ramirez). So Marlins fans, enjoy Josh Johnson while you got him.

Starting Lineups 5-09

Here are the big games on tap for the day. Home teams are in bold.

Kansas City vs. L.A. Angels
I have now made it illegal to miss a Zack Greinke game. How can you see that he is scheduled to pitch and choose not to watch it. He comes into the game tonight 6-0 with a 0.40 ERA. The Royals will be opposed by Joe Saunders, 4-1, 3.29.

Florida vs. Colorado
Another pitcher that you absolutely have to see is Josh Johnson. So far he is having a good 2009, 2-0, 2.57. Colorado, who have lost their past two games puts Jorge De La Rose, 0-2, 3.90 on the mound. Hanley Ramirez appears to have healed from the wrist injury, hitting .444, with 4 home runs and 5 RBI in the past seven days.

N.Y. Yankees vs. Baltimore
Alex Rodriguez's second game of the season after coming back from surgery. He was 1-4 last night with a three run homer. Phil Hughes will takes the mound for the Bronx Bombers, coming in 1-1 2.70 and will try to make the Yankees front office wonder why they spent over $100 million on two pitchers. Adam Eaton pitches for the Orioles, 1-3 7.18. I wonder how this one will go.

Pappy Being Pappy

So, this may or may not be news to you, but Manny Ramirez has been suspended by MLB for violating the drug policy. CSN took this opportunity to catch up with Manny's former team, the Boston Red Sox, to get their opinion on the situation. And of all the guys that would give a professional and thought out response they chose Jonathon Papelbon.

I'll start with this - Papelbon does have a history of being blunt. There was the Manny is a cancer remark, and the All-Star Game quote last year.

But I like seeing stuff like this. Guys who don't have to go through the media training and give the same response over and over. The ones that go on like, so and so made a mistake, we'll stick by him, blah blah blah.

He also didn't bite when the reporter was trying to bait him so he gets a star. Papelbon has that swagger that says I'm better than you and you can't do anything to prove me wrong. That carried into the interview, but he obviously held back.

This is what we should have more of. Players who will actually speak their mind, not what the team's PR people prepare. Because you know, original thoughts are dangerous and all. They make people THINK.

Bob Melvin Out, Some Guy In

Ok so if you didn't hear yet, the Arizona Diamondbacks released Bob Melvin from his position as manager. And they also announced their new choice as manager, in a move that I'm sure was claer and level headed.

A.J. Hinch was introduced as Melvin’s replacement as manager Friday at a news conference, where general manager Josh Byrnes acknowledged the hiring was “unconventional.”

“He brings unique leadership and perspective to the job,” Byrnes said. “We’re not here to reinvent the wheel, but to change the nature of the job a little bit? OK, we’ll do that. A.J.’s a leader. He connects with people. He gets things done.”

So it really is not the absolute worst move they could have made. Yes, they are almost nine games back. And yes, the guy has absolutely no management experience. But, the guy knows his players. The front office also says that teams have gotten better wherever Hinch plays.

I think it is move of pure desperation. When teams fire a manager it is usually because of blowing big games or going on a losing streak. They then put a guy in who will get the team back on track. Everyone is reminded of the Mets and Brewers' moves last years and that turned out pretty good in the end.

However, there is more to managing than filling out a lineup card and understanding your players. Learning on the job is not a recipe for success. This will defintely come back to bit them in the long run. What else so you expect from an inexperienced guy on a team with young players who need to be developed?

First Pitch 5/09

Just a quick recap of the games from last night

New York Yankees 4, Baltimore Orioles 0
Obviously a big night for the Yankees. CC Sabathia went nine shutout innings to improve to 2-3 on the season. Alex Rodriguez started his 2009 season after surgery and steroid use discovery by hitting a three-run homer off the first pitch he gets. Shocking.

Detroit Tigers 1, Cleveland Indians, 0
Justin Verlander also got a complete game shutout, with some help from Curtis Granderson. Grady Sizemore hit what should have been a walk off home run, until Granderson saved the game for Verlander. 2008 AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee took the hard loss to go to 1-5 on the year.

Milwaukee Brewers 3, Chicago Cubs 2
Home runs from J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun pushed the Brewers past the Cubs. Nothing to note on this game is except OUUUUUUCH!!! Aramis Ramirez seperted his shoulder on a diving stop. No word on how long he is out for.

5/06 Starting Lineups

Here are a couple of MLB games to look forward to tonight. Home team is in bold.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets
Philadelphia gets their first crack at the Mets in Citi Field. Chan Ho Park takes the mound for the Phils, who is 0-1 with a 9.57 ERA. Philly hasn't said how many more chances they will give Park, so that means he better pitch well tonight. Johan Santana gets the nod for New York, who's starts have been getting wasted due to offense. One thing to note - Shane Victorino has 14 RBI's in his past 10 games.

San Francisco vs. Colorado
Randy Johnson chases win number 298 tonight against the Rockies. Ubaldo Jimenez has struggled for Colorado so far, going 1-4 6.58 ERA. Johnson has really beaten up on Colorado more than any other pitcher, 19-7, 2.223 ERA, and 251 strikeouts lifetime. Rockies catcher Crhis Ianetta is .358, 4 homers, and 20 RBI's against the Giants.

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The game of two teams who showed promised but are struggling. The Yankees have looked awful in their past two games, getting swept by Boston. The Rays have seemed to pick up the pace, taking 3 of 4 from Boston with Carl Crawford getting 6 steals in one game. B.J. Upton and Dioner Navarro have gotten off to slow starts, who are hitting .157 and .179 respectively. Also, the Yankees put Jorge Posado on the DL.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals
The Dodgers try to remain perfect at home tonight by tkaing on the Nationals. So, tonight, the Dodgers will remain perfect at home. Daniel Cabrera starts for Washington and Clayton Kershaw is on the mound for LA. Both pitchers are 0-2 with ERA's of 4.44 and 5.46 respectively.