Rooting for Charlie

 

On yesterday’s Pirates pre game show they spotlighted Charlie Morton and how his rehab has been going down in AAA. As you know, I’m a huge Charlie fan and I’m really hoping he pulls through. Let’s face it, WE NEED HIM!

In his last 4 starts he is 1-1 with a 3.42 ERA. (I posted a few days ago how well his most recent start went! 9IP 1R 2H 4K 1BB) The start of the season he wasnt so hot. 1-9 a little over a 9.00 ERA. Anyways, if you missed it here is what they had to say:

 

Charlie Morton- “I know how bad it was going and I think a lot of that had to do with my inability to get guys out with runners on. Whether or not it was a mechanical thing, pitch selection, I’m not sure. But I know that we are working on some things out of the stretch and bullpens and trying to get a better rythm because I feel that, I know for a fact that hitters were hitting much better off me when I was in the stretch.”

AAA Manager Frank Kremblas- “Mainly he has a problem when runners get on and its with his load and delivery. He doesn’t quite get a very good balance position or a load position with runners on base at time and that causes his pitches to suffer.”

In addition to tweeking his mechanics from the stretch Morton has been working on his mental approach down in AAA and he hasn’t been doing it alone. He’s been working with a team of sports psychologists to learn how to better deal with pressure situations. The Indy coaching staff has spent considerable time trying to build Mortons confidence on the mound.

AAA Pitching Coach Dean Treanor- “You can’t not talk about the mental side with the numbers he has had this year in Pittsburgh. Anybody would be beated up over that and he came here beaten up. I mean you can’t deny that. So you have to talk about that side.”

Charlie Morton- “For my whole career confidence has been an issue. As opposed to using it as a crutch or using it as something to blame or something like that its just a simple fact that I have to embrace what I am and who I am and all the things I’ve learned and know that I can do what I want to do in this game. Here in AAA I don’t feel that I’m out of place in terms of who I am, where I am in my career. But I do feel like that ability that I possess is that, is good enough to have lasting success in the big leagues.”

Erik Kratz, Catcher AAA- “Once he gets that taste of success, once he gets that groove of a win, you know a second win, now he starts a third start quality start, doesn’t get the win but you know. I think its going to compound and his confidence is going to grow imensly. He has had a tough start this season, but everyone can tell, he’s the real deal for sure.”

I personally can’t wait for Charlie to come back up and prove to everyone the stuff he has. He really has the makings to be a great pitcher. I’m rooting for him!

 

Other Pirates news:

Pirates Franchise longest road loosing streaks:

1890 (July 18-Sept 12) 41

1985 (July 23-Aug 30) 19

1914 (Sept 5-Sept 26) 16

2010 (May 26-current) 15

If the Pirates lose again tonight they will set yet another record this year (and not the good kind either) Let’s hope D McCutchen can get us through atleast 6 good innings.

No one likes to lose. It’s pretty depressing. So here are a few pictures from Rookie hazing last year. (Who doesn’t love seeing the players is ridicolous outfits? Well, maybe not the players. But they don’t read this, so.) Hope this gives you a laugh, or if anything makes you smile for a moment. Hope it helps lighten the mood.

 

Cutch as a hooters girl. Pretty freaking funny!

 

I honestly have NO IDEA what Ross Ohlendorf is? Anyone? Anyone?

 

 Yes! That is Donnie Veal in a blonde wig. So hilarious!

 

Steve Pearce as Nacho Libre

 

Tonight’s starter, Daniel McCutchen I think as Strawberry Shortcake and Evan Meek as a hula dancer.

Aw, Pocohantas, er Jesse Chavez. Who I believe is a Brave now.

Charlie Morton and Kevin Hart.

 

 Who’s hot?

• David Wright

Since May 30th:

23 Games, .404 AVG, 26 RBI, 15 XBH, .685 Slug pct, 12 multi hit gms

• Jose Guillen

He is currently on a 19 game hit streak batting .373 with 28H in 75AB with 11 RBI. He raised his AVG from .244 to .279 during this time period.

• The Cincinnati Reds

This season (NL Offensive Rankings)

AVG .275 (Ranks 1st)

Runs 360 (1st)

Hits 696 (1st)

RBI 348 (1st)

 

Other notes:

• Billy Wagner got his 400th career save last night (ATL beat DET 3-1)
• I posted earlier about Edwin Jackson’s no no last night. Here is an interesting stat:

Seasons with 4 + No hitters before July:

1884- 4

1917- 6

1990- 5

2010-4

 

Alright. No more posts for today. I’ve been stuck in the house thanks to the cold that started last night. While everyone is in the pool or on the river ive been watching baseball all day. (hehe)

USA just lost to GHA in the World Cup. What a game. Congrats to the US for making it this far. Very heartbreaking but they should be very proud for what they acomplished.