Results tagged ‘ astros ’
Spring training news and notes: 2/11
- Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm has already arrived at Bradenton, FL. For spring training. He shared a picture on twitter: “It all starts here Monday.”
- Manager Clint Hurdle kicks off his first spring training workout on Monday at noon (Pitchers and catchers are to report on Sunday).
- This year, there are 63 players reporting to big league camp (40-man roster, plus 23 non-roster invites). Those invited include:
40-man: Ramon Aguero, Jose Ascanio, Kevin Correia, Michael Crotta, Joel Hanrahan, Kevin Hart, Jeff Karstens, Chris Leroux, Brad Lincoln, Jeff Locke, Paul Maholm, Daniel McCutchen, James McDonald, Kyle McPherson, Evan Meek, Bryan Morris, Charlie Morton, Daniel Moskos, Ross Ohlendorf, Scott Olsen, Chris Resop, Tony Watson, Aaron Thompson, Ryan Doumit, Chris Snyder, Jason Jaramillo, Pedro Alvarez, Pedro Ciriaco, Steve Pearce, Neil Walker, Ronny Cedeno, Lyle Overbay, Josh Rodriguez, John Bowker, Gorkys Hernandez, Andrew McCutchen, Alex Presley, Matt Diaz, Garrett Jones, Jose Tabata
Non roster invites: Andrew Lambo, Justin Thomas, Fernando Nieve, Josh Fields, Dusty Brown, Eric Fryer, Chase D’Arnaud, Sean Gallagher, Donnie Veal, Andy Marte, Cesar Valdez, Tony Sanchez, Brian Friday, Jose Veras, Joe Beimel, Tyler Yates, Jeff Clement, Rudy Owens, Justin Wilson, Garrett Atkins, Corey Wimberly, Brian Burres, Wyatt Toregas
- According to Jenifer Langosch, beat reporter of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Hurdle’s camp will be much different than John Russell’s. Hurdle specifically noted that there would be an increased focus on shoring up fundamentals and honing pitchers’ pickoff moves.
- During spring training, Hurdle will choose a closer for the Pirates (Joel Hanrahan or Evan Meek) as well as a fifth starter (options include: Charlie Morton, Scott Olsen). Bench players and bullpen will be determined as well.
- Spring training runs through February 24th. The Pirates will kick off spring training games against State College of Florida at 12:05 p.m. ET at McKechnie Field.
- The Pirates will host games against the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros (click here for the full schedule).
Two Buccos make top 100 prospect list
As I pointed out on Wednesday, ESPN’s Keith Law ranked the Pirates system No. 21 out of the 30 major league clubs.
On Thursday, Law delivered his Top 100 list, and two Buccos made the list.
Pitcher Jameson Taillon was named No. 30, and catcher Tony Sanchez was named No. 63.
Law mentions Taillon’s tendency to overthrow and the need for a changeup as the critiques in his write-up.
“[Sanchez has] above-average raw power and would have a chance to hit for average at the same time, making him a fringe All-Star at that position. He’s an extremely hard worker who ended up at Boston College without a scholarship but improved his body to the point where he not only made the team, but became its best player. I wouldn’t bet against him at this point.”-Keith Law on ESPN Insider Top 100 Prospects
Law’s Top 10 in the Pirates minor league system:
1) Jameson Taillon, RHP (30)
2) Tony Sanchez, C (63)
3) Luis Heredia, RHP
4) Stetson Allie, RHP
5) Rudy Owens, LHP
6) Jeff Locke, LHP
7) Justin Wilson, LHP
8) Bryan Morris, RHP
9) Starling Marte, OF
10) Zach Von Rosenberg, RHP
Law on the Pirates minor league system: “This system consists of a few high-end prospects, including three teenage power arms, followed by a dropoff. The big investment in prep arms in 2009 hasn’t yielded any major prospects yet, although it’s early.”
Law’s thoughts on Luis Heredia, who just missed the list: “will sit in the low 90s (mph) already with a good feel for the fastball. He’s very well-developed physically for a 16-year-old, with a big frame and the potential to get heavy, which is more of a long-term concern.”
- The Tampa Bay Rays have eight players in the top 100. The Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals each have six. The Houston Astros have only one player and The Milwaukee Brewers have zero, zilch (YIKES!). Every other team has at least two in the top 100.
Pirates 2011 Spring Training schedule released
On Monday, the Pirates released their 2011 Spring Training Schedule. The Bucs will play 17 home games at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida.
2011 PITTSBURGH PIRATES SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE
February 26 VS Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:05 p.m.
February 27 VS Tampa Bay (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
February 28 VS Baltimore (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
February 28 VS Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:05 p.m.
March 1 VS New York (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 2 VS Minnesota (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 3 VS Toronto (Dunedin) 1:05 p.m.
March 4 VS Philadelphia (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 5 VS Philadelphia (Clearwater) 1:05 p.m.
March 6 VS Toronto (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 7 VS Tampa Bay (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 8 VS Minnesota (Fort Myers) 1:05 p.m.
March 9 VS New York (Tampa) 7:05 p.m.
March 10 VS Baltimore (BRADENTON) 7:05 p.m.
March 11 VS Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:05 p.m.
March 12 VS Philadelphia (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
VS Toronto (Dunedin) 1:05 p.m.
March 13 VS Boston (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 14 VS Baltimore (Sarasota) 1:05 p.m.
March 15 Off Day
March 16 VS Toronto (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 17 VS Baltimore (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 18 VS Philadelphia (Clearwater) 1:05 p.m.
March 19 VS Boston (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 20 VS Houston (Kissimmee) 1:05 p.m.
March 21 VS Minnesota (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 22 Off Day
March 23 VS Houston (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 24 VS Baltimore (Sarasota) 7:05 p.m.
March 25 VS Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:05 p.m.
March 26 VS New York (Tampa) 1:05 p.m.
March 27 VS Tampa Bay (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 28 VS Minnesota (Fort Myers) 1:05 p.m.
March 29 VS Philadelphia (Philadelphia) 7:05 p.m. *
March 30 VS Philadelphia (Philadelphia) 4:05 p.m. *
* exhibition games
Pirates finish the season at home one game below .500 with 9-3 win over the Astros
The Pirates continued to play good baseball on the last game of the 2010 season at PNC Park in front of 23,208 fans –beating the Astros 9-2 and finishing the final home stand 7-2.
Picking up the 40th victory of the season, the Pirates finished the season just one game below .500 at home.
“As long as our season was, Pirate fans are phenomenal,” manager John Russell said. “They are great to us. They appreciate what we do. They want a winner here. The city has really stuck behind us.”
A few of the players felt the same way.
“It was a great way to finish the season at home,” Andy LaRoche said. “It’s a great way to keep the fans excited about next season and about what we’re capable of.”
“Through the thick and thin, they’ve always been there,” Walker added.
A 1-0 game through six, the Pirates finally broke through the Astros’ J.A. Happ and put some runs on the board. Garrett Jones was issued a four-pitch walk and Pedro Alvarez’s single advanced him to third. Cedeno hit a short chopper to third base, fielded by Johnson. Jones was caught in the run-down, but scored when the throw to Castro was late and dropped.
The Pirates caught a break and took advantage of it. LaRoche hit a Sac Fly, giving the Pirates a 2-1 lead.
Seven more runs were put on the board in the final two at-bats.
“They battled throughout the game and finally broke through,” Maholm said. “That’s huge.”
Neil Walker contributed to three RBI’s and Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run double. Ryan Doumit had a pinch-hit RBI single. Jose Tabata hustled out an infield hit. Even Alex Presley’s speed couldn’t be stopped as he ran out to third, the Astros throw not in time.
All Good signs from the Pirates young core.
“When we started this home stand, we really emphasized finishing strong at home, not only for ourselves but for our city,” Russell said. “They put a lot of focus into this home stand. I’m really proud of the way they played here.”
Paul Maholm picked up his second straight victory. He pitched seven innings allowing just one run and matched his season high– seven strikeouts.
“I think I’ve gotten back into a rhythm with my mechanics and am throwing all my pitches to where the confidence is there,” Maholm said. “The last few outings have been what I need to pitch like. That’s what I expect.”
Evan Meek gave up a two-run home run to Hunter Pence. But that didn’t rain on the Pirates parade. They took two-of-three from the Astros and won the finale game of the season at home, 9-3.
“We tried to make people remember that we’re still playing hard around here and moving in the right direction,” second baseman Neil Walker said. “There’s still something to play for. We’re trying to get a nice head of momentum going into the off-season and going into next year.”
The Pirates have seven games remaining of the 2010 season, all on the road. It’s been rough for the Buccos going 15-59.
“To continue to finish strong, I think, is meaningful,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “It’s important for these young men out there to finish on a good note heading into the off-season.”
Pre-game Notes 9/26: Bowker’s knee feels much better, Astros vs Pirates
After receiving treatment on his right knee on Sunday morning, John Bowker said his knee “feels much better”.
“It’s been sore,” Bowker said. “It just got to the point where it affected how I was able to move.”
Bowker was pulled in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game against the Astros.
He is listed as day-to-day. And will not be in the lineup on Sunday –missing his 11th straight start.
Notes:
- Today is the final home game of the 2010 season.
- In the past 19 games, the Pirates starting rotation have posted a 4.03 ERA.
- The Pirates are 6-2 so far during this nine game homestand. If the Pirates defeat the Astros, they will end the season one game under .500 at home.
Pitching Matchup:
LHP J.A. Happ (6-2, 2.99 ERA)
Vs
LHP Paul Maholm (8-15, 5.25 ERA)
Happ is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in one start at PNC Park. He received a no-decision his last start after pitching six scoreless innings against the Nationals, striking out six.
Maholm is 5-1 with a 2.10 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros at PNC Park. He picked up the win his last start against the Cardinals. Maholm allowed two runs on seven hits through seven innings of work, striking out four.
Cardinals Lineup:
Bourgeois 8
Sanchez 6
Pence 9
Lee 3
Keppinger 4
Michaels 7
Johnson 5
Castro 2
Happ 1
Pirates Lineup:
McCutchen 8
Tabata 7
Walker 4
Jones 9
Alvarez 5
Cedeno 6
LaRoche 3
Snyder 2
Maholm 1
Bucs play for pride, Defeat Astros 6-4
Despite losing number 100 on Friday night and the chance to finish the season .500 at home, the Pirates still showed their pride with a 6-4 win over the Astros.
“It’s important for us to finish strong,” Alvarez said. “We can help it carry over to next year and start where we left off.”
Finishing strong, they are. The Pirates are 6-2 with one game remaining on the final home stand at PNC Park this season.
Zach Duke allowed three runs on seven hits through six plus innings. Two back-to-back good outings by Duke, who before those was considered to lose his spot in the rotation.
“Fastball command was a little erratic at times, but the curveball was there for me,” Duke said. “[It was] making big pitches when I need to, really. [It's] just being able to execute a pitch in a big situation. That’s really all it was.”
It was Duke’s final start on the season and perhaps in a Bucco uniform at PNC Park –he is arbitration eligible for the third time. He is 31-31 career at home.
“I don’t know what the future holds, obviously, but time will tell,” Duke said. “The fans have been great to me here, ever since I first came up in 2005, they really embraced me, and I’m very thankful for that.”
“Yeah, I still enjoy it here,” Duke said. “I do. I’ve spent my entire professional career as a Pirate, and I’d like to continue. But it’s not my decision to make at this point.”
Things didn’t go so well for the Astros starter, Bud Norris who struck out 14 during his last start against the Pirates.
Alvarez –who was 0-for-5 against Norris– hit the 2-1 slider over the Clemente wall for his 13th homerun of the season.
“That was a huge home run for us,” manager John Russell said. “We weren’t doing much early, and that really picked us up. That made the game really turn in our favor.”
The Pirates came up big in the fifth, a tie game at three. McCutchen hit a double, Tabata followed with a RBI-single. Doumit hit a two out RBI single.
“They made some adjustments to me as well, and that’s what big league hitters do,” Norris said. “They did a good job executing their game plan.”
The Bullpen allowed one run and closed the game out giving Duke his eighth win this season.
Pre-Game Notes 9/25: Searage’s effect on starters, Astros vs Pirates
How much effect does Ray Searage have on the Pirates starting rotation? Consider this, In the last 15 games the starters are a combined 5-3 with a 3.46 ERA –the best stretch all season.
Manager John Russell credits the addition of James McDonald to the staff. Russell said J-Mac’s 0.90 ERA in his last three starts is “challenging some of our other pitchers to try to follow suit.”
Joe Kerrigan was fired on August 8th, and Russell has credited Searage for the positive results.
“A lot of the things we’ve been talking about for the past month and a half is that we can’t be so results-oriented. Those have to take care of themselves,” Russell said. “Our guys have done that, and we’re making progress. Unfortunately, it took until now. But they’re looking at consistency with each pitch.”
But what exactly does Searage stress to the pitchers?
“It’s all about going pitch to pitch, one at a time,” he said. “If you commit yourself fully to that pitch, you’ve got a much better chance of success. If you’re worried about this or that or things out of your control, you’re in trouble right off the bat.”
Kerrigan focused more on the numbers in relation to specific matchups, whereas, Searage has a more hands on approach. He also allows the pitchers and catchers more freedom with selection of pitches which makes the pitcher more relaxed and not over analyzing every pitch count. Several members of the pitching staff and the catchers have embraced Searage’s style of pitching.
Notes:
The Pirates have won four of their last five series played at PNC Park and are 11-11-3 in their 25 series at home this season.
The Pirates have homered at least once in 11 of their last 14 games at home and have out homered their opponents 18-11 in their past 17 games at PNC Park.
The Pirates have recorded at least one extra base hit in a season-high 36 consecutive games.
The Pirates have scored the first run in seven of their last nine games and are 38-30 when doing so. They are 38-21 when scoring four or more runs this year.
Jose Tabata is back in the lineup after leaving the game early on Friday with a sore left knee.
He’s such an energetic player for us and he does some great things behind Andrew [McCutchen],” Russell said. “It’s good to have him back in there. The reports we had last night were it’s going to be kind of day to day. It calmed down quite a bit. One of the first things he said today was he wanted to play.”
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Bud Norris (9-8, 4.95 ERA)
Vs
LHP Zach Duke (7-14, 5.68 ERA)
Norris has a 7.71 ERA his only start at PNC Park this season. He picked up his third consecutive win his last start against the Nationals. Norris allowed two runs through 6.2 innings pitched and his nine wins is a career high.
Duke will be making his final start of the season at PNC Park. He is 30-31 in 80 career starts, winning more than any other pitcher. Duke allowed three runs through 7.1 innings of work his last start against Arizona. He walked one and struck out three but received a no-decision. His 7.1 inning start was his longest this season, and just the seventh time he has pitched past the sixth inning this year. Duke is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA against Houston this season.
Pirates Lineup:McCutchen 8
Tabata 7
Walker 4
Jones 3
Alvarez 5
Doumit 2
Bowker 9
Cedeno 6
Duke 1
J-Mac not efficient, Bucs lose 100th
McDonald needed 32 pitches to record an out in the first inning –42 pitches–overall and lasted just four innings as the Pirates lost 10-7 to the Astros on Friday night.
The loss was the Pirates 100th of the season –the eighth time in franchise history and the first time since 2001.
The loss also ensured no .500 season at PNC Park this year. (The Pirates needed to sweep the Astros to finish with a winning record at home.)
“It’s an abysmal season as far as record goes,” Pirates manager John Russell stated. “We’re still concentrating on a lot of the things we need to do and making a lot of progress with our young players, and I’ve seen a lot of progress this last month and a half. But you can’t sugarcoat the record. It is what it is, and it’s awful, but we have to focus on getting these guys to be the players they can be.”
McDonald pitched four innings allowing three runs on five hits. It was his shortest outing since July 31st with the Dodgers. After needing 42 pitches to end the first inning, J-Mac needed 38 pitches the next three innings combined.
“Eighty pitches in four innings, that’s a lot,” Russell explained. “McDonald took a long time to get out of the first, the first two hitters really hurt him, so more than anything it was just a lot of pitches to throw in four innings. It’s getting toward the end of the season, and we didn’t want to push him anymore.”
McDonald also walked two batters in the first. Most of the pitches thrown in the first came from Bourgeois and Sanchez who worked 10 and 12 pitch counts.
“They put together two good at-bats the first two hitters,” McDonald said. “I threw a lot of pitches, and I tip my hat to them. They had two good at-bats.”
Astros starter Brett Myers extended his streak to 32 consecutive starts of six or more innings. It is the longest streak since Curt Schilling in 2002 with the Dbacks. Myers pitched six innings allowing six runs (one earned) on six hits.
Jose Tabata was pulled after the third inning. While running home on a two-RBI double by Garrett Jones, Tabata was removed from the game with left knee irritation.
“Tabata should be all right,” Russell said. “He had some irritation in his left knee under his left knee cap. He said from time to time it bothers him a little bit, and he made kind of a sudden stop and felt it and felt he could still play, but he was limping a little bit, and we didn’t want to take a chance with him. Strength is good, all the joints are good, and the X-rays came back negative. He’s day-to-day, and I know he wants to play, and we’ll see how he is Saturday.”
The Bucs battled throughout the game. Garrett Jones had a big night at the plate going 2-for-4 with four RBI. McCutchen also went 2-for-4 with walk, Alvarez went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
”I was very pleased with the offense. It was one of our better execution games,” Russell said. “We got guys over, and we got guys in, and we got sacrifice flies, and we got bunts down, and we did some good things to score runs. We just couldn’t find the combination to shut them down.”
The Bullpen struggled however, allowing seven runs through five innings of work. Daniel McCutchen allowed two, Leroux allowed three and supringsly, Hanrahan allowed two in the ninth.
“McCutchen and Leroux were just inconsistent and got behind,” Russell said. “That’s what hurt us all night.”
The Astros Brandon Lyon picked up his19th save allowing just one hit in the bottom of the ninth.
Pre-Game News 9/24: Owens, Presley to be honored; Astros vs Pirates
Before the Pirates open up the final three game series at PNC Park this season, Rudy Owens and Alex Presley will be awarded as Pittsburgh’s minor league pitcher and player of the year.
Owens spent the 2010 season in Double-A finishing 12-6 with a 2.36 ERA in 26 starts. His ERA was the lowest among pitchers in the Eastern League and his 132 strikeouts were third best. This is his second straight year receiving this award.
Presley had a great 2010 season. He spent 67 games in Double-A batting .350 and was promoted to Triple-A where he hit .294 in 69 games. Presley’s breakout season allowed him to be a September call-up and make his major league debut.
- The Pirates need to sweep the Astros in order to finish the season .500 at home.
Pitching Matchup:
Brett Myers (13-7, 2.76 ERA)
Vs.
James McDonald (4-4, 3.50 ERA)
Myers streak is still intact –31 straight starts pitching at least six innings–. Myers 2.76 ERA in third best in the National League. He is 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA against the Pirates this season. Myers picked up his 13th win his last start against the Reds allowing no runs on six hits through seven innings.
McDonald’s streak was broken his last start –20 innings without allowing a run–. J-Mac picked up his fourth win pitching five innings (101 pitches) allowing two runs on four hits, striking out six. McDonald has been dominant at PNC Park since being acquired from the Dodgers going 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA.
Astros Lineup:
Bourgeois 8
Sanchez 6
Pence 9
Lee 7
Keppinger 4
Johnson 5
Quintero 2
Wallace 3
Myers 1
Pirates Lineup:
McCutchen 8
Tabata 7
Walker 4
Jones 3
Alvarez 5
Bowker 9
Cedeno 6
Snyder 2
McDonald 1
Rob Dibble: To female fans “There’s no talking in baseball!”
I’m sure by now, everyone has heard about what a big idiot Rob Dibble (Washington Nationals’ Analyst) is. If you didn’t hear about what he said about “Female Fans” here is exactly what he said on-air during the Nationals vs Marlins game on August 12th.
Those ladies right behind there, they haven’t stopped talking the whole game,” Rob Dibble said in the sixth inning of Wednesday night’s Nats broadcast. “They have some conversation going on. Right here,” he said, circling the offenders. “There must be a sale tomorrow going on here or something….Their husbands are going man, don’t bring your wife next time.”
“All right Bob, now they’re back there, they’re eating ice cream and talking at the same time,” Dibble noted in the top of the eighth.
“I just got an e-mail that said there’s a lot of women who come to the games — while their husbands are the ones at home — because they love this game,” Carpenter noted, briefly touching base with the 21st century. “Tread carefully, Mr. Dibble.”
“My wife loves to come to the game, but they’re right there, still talking,” Dibble countered.
This. Makes. Me. So. Angry!
After outrage from female fans and females that work in the business, Dibble did “apologize” saying this:
My mother was and continues to be my biggest fan. She has been there since I was eight years old playing Little League in Southington, Connecticut, shouting encouragement from the stands.
I’ll never forget 20 years ago during the NCLS; I thought I was on the top of my game, having played in my first All-Star game earlier that summer. But my mom said to me, “Rob you’ve got a good arsenal, but you still need a strikeout pitch.”
Mom was right, of course, and she remains as insightful a student of the game as I have ever known.
Likewise, my wife not only comes to every Nats game, but also scores every pitch, and genuinely feels it when her team makes an error or loses the game.
My 21-year-old daughter, who against my wishes, wears her Coco Crisp Red Sox Jersey to Yankee Stadium, does it to show pride and respect for her team.
That’s the great thing about baseball. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you can – and should – have a passion for the game and for the celebration of the game by its legions of fans in the stands. Those are the values I learned in Southington, and they are part of who I am today.
The game of baseball transcends race, sex, ethnicity, and economic status. Everyone can be a fan of this game and that’s why it remains our national pastime.
As a former player and a current broadcaster, I love baseball. Encouraging new fans and building upon our audience is essential to the future of the game. That’s why I host a national baseball radio show five days a week.
And it’s why I volunteer my time at various clinics and seminars throughout the year, to help bring baseball into the lives of new fans.
The other night I made an off-handed comment, the meaning of which may have been misconstrued beyond what was said. If any fan of this great game took offense, then he or she should know that this was neither my intention nor my history in the game.
I have had the privilege of knowing a great many fans of all backgrounds who are students of the game. Many of baseball’s most insightful fans, television viewers, and callers to my radio show are women.
And just like my mom in 1990, they know what they’re talking about.
I can’t help but bring this issue up and put my two sense in. Guys just don’t understand the issue woman have in the sports world. I have been a sports gal my whole entire life. Growing up I played softball and soccer year round. I also tried other sports but failed. (Gymnastics, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, etc.)
More importantly, I have LOVED watching Baseball, (my passion) football, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf. You name it, I watch it. Nothing compares to my love and passion for the game of baseball though. The most frustrating thing is that Rob Dibble said what most guys think. I know there are some guys out there that respect women in the industry. But sadly, a lot don’t.
I have a season ticket to the Pirates. I have only missed a handfull of games this season. I go early and watch both teams take batting pratice and warm-up. Out of 162 games, I’m at 150 of them. (That’s not even including road trips to other stadiums) I go to the game by myself. Most of my friends don’t really love baseball the way I do and to be honest I hate more than anything sitting next to someone who is talking and playing on their phone and not paying attention to the game. If I didn’t love this game, why on earth would I spend and arm and a leg for my seat? Why would I make it to at least 150 games a year? Why would I go to games alone if I didn’t understand the game of baseball?
It never fails, every game I get asked at least once what player I’m dating. Okay, maybe I get it a little. I sit a few rows behind the Pirates dugout, I’m alone, I’m a girl. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a compliment to be considered a ”baseball wife” but I’m not! Nor would I ever be! (No offense to the players.) Why can’t I just be a baseball fan, watching the game I love? I’m assumed to be either a wife/girlfriend or a Pro-Ho. (which I would never be either)
Normally, it’s men that ask the question. Then its followed by a few quiz style questions. ”Oh Yeah? Well, then who is the best hitter on the Padres? or, how long has Pedro been a Pirate? or, Who’s pitching against the Pirates tonight?” These are just a few of the questions I have to answer every single game. (Which I do, correctly. Then they feel like an idiot and I walk away.)
Then there are woman at games, that can be just as rude. (Aren’t we suppose to support each other?) Just because I’m an attractive girl doesn’t mean i’m going after your ballplayer or that I go to games just to try to snag one up. I know there are girls out there like that. Call me crazy but I want more out of my life than that.
To the women who are girlfriends, or wives. I hope to not have offended you. Some of the players are really great guys. Some of the ones I have gotten the oppurtunity to talk to and meet were really cool. And yes, I will admit that some of the players are very handsome and look very good in their uniform. But I’m not that kind of gal and I don’t want that kind of life. Some of the wives do great things with charity events and I have nothing but respect for that.
I just get so frustrated because I want to work in the industry. I want to be a part of this great, great game that I love. I hope that one day women like myself won’t be quizzed or assumed to be a girlfriend or a pro-ho.
Metsgrrl sums it up perfectly:
I wonder if Rob Dibble knows how many times women get looked at funny for keeping score. I wonder if Rob Dibble wonders how hard it is for female fans to have to continually defend their love of baseball as being about the game, and not about cute guys in tight uniforms. I wonder if Rob Dibble thought about what any teenage girls who were watching the game… and heard that. He just gave fuel to the fire of every sexist clod out there who thinks that women are dumb and can’t understand baseball and can’t possibly be at the game because they want to be. No one ever looks at a man and thinks “he must be here with his girlfriend”. It is hard enough to have a conversation with a guy at a game who assumes you are there because you are with a guy.
Here are some more comments:
Did you hear that, guys? Don’t bring your wife to baseball games! She might talk through the whole thing, which she probably doesn’t understand anyway, and like, spend all your money and stuff!
Thanks for the warning, Rob. It’s a good thing all the MALE corporate jerkoffs I see at Wrigley yakking on their Blackberries talk about nothing but OBP and the minor league draft, right? Hey, it’s a good thing they don’t let women work outside the home or drive cars or anything-imagine how much they’d have to talk about then.
Ultimately, though, I couldn’t ignore it. The fact is that this is my life. I am a woman who is a baseball fan. No, wait. I’m more than that. I am a woman who is a baseball writer. I’m a woman who is a baseball writer who runs the best and most successful Orioles blog on the internet. I am recognized by both local and out-of-town sports media as a knowledgeable source on the Baltimore Orioles.I am a woman who, if seated behind home plate at a Nationals game, would get circled by Rob Dibble and called out for gossiping about an upcoming sale while the men were trying to watch baseball.
Kristy Robinson
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