Results tagged ‘ giants ’
Ex-Bucco Sanchez makes history in game one
Freddy Sanchez made history during game one of the world series against the Rangers on Wednesday night. Sanchez hit three doubles in his first three at-bats becoming the first player in world series history to do so.
“Obviously, for no one to have done that yet, it’s something special,” Sanchez said. “For just a little guy like me to go out there and be able to do it.
Sanchez helped the Giants defeat the Rangers 11-7 and take a 1-0 series lead. He went 4-for-5 with three doubles, three RBI and two runs scored.
“A couple of those pitches we wanted to get a little deeper in on him,” Texas manager Ron Washington said of Sanchez. “But that guy can hit, man.”
“Freddy is a great player — I mean, this guy did win the batting title one year,” Bochy said. “He can hit, and he can hit good pitching, and he showed that tonight, and really, throughout the playoffs.
Pirates interview Macha, Banister
On Tuesday, the Pirates interviewed Ken Macha and Jeff Banister for the managerial job –the fourth and fifth candidates since John Russell was relieved on October 4th.
(The interview panel includes General Manager Neal Huntington, President Frank Coonelly, as well as farm and scouting directors)
Macha has strong ties with Pittsburgh; he was born in Monroeville, PA and is a current resident of the steel city. Macha also went to the University of Pittsburgh and was selected by the Bucs in the 6th round of the 1972 draft. The third baseman is a career .258 hitter with one home run and 35 RBI during his six years in the majors.
Macha was fired from Managing the Brewers at the end of the 2010 season after serving as the skipper since 2008 (Milwaukee finished below .500 in both ’09 and ’10). He also managed the Oakland Athletics from 2003-2006. In his six years combined as manager, his record is 525-447.
Banister has spent the past 25 years in the Pirates organization. During that span he was a minor league coach from 1994-1999, from 99-02 Banister served as the Pirates major league field coordinator, and was the minor league field coordinator from 2002-2010. He was named interim bench coach after the Pirates fired Gary Varsho this past August.
Drafted by the Pirates in the 25th round of the 1986 draft, Banister made one only major league appearance –in 1991, as a pinch-hitter.
It is clear that Banister wants to remain with the Pirates:
“That’s an obvious yes,” Banister said. “There’s a lot of guys I know very well who’ve come up through our system that are there. They’ve developed, they continue to develop. They’re not finished by any stretch of the imagination. I’d love to continue that if Neal, [president] Frank [Coonelly] and [owner] Bob [Nutting] allow that to happen.
“My passion is for this organization and where I think we can go and where I think we are going. It’s unfinished for me. I grew up in this uniform and there are a lot of things I think we can and will do. I’m sure some people think we are a ways away. I see it every day, and I know we’re not that far away. There’s a really strong nucleus of talented athletes that take the field every day. There is some finishing that needs to go along with their Major League experience before they truly know what it takes to win on an every-day basis. Hopefully, I’m part of that, in whatever capacity that is.”
Now that we have seen five candidates interview for the manager job (Wedge, Porter, Gibbons, Macha and Banister) I was curious what the Pirates’ fans thought of potentially one of these guys being the new Pirates manager. So I jumped on twitter and asked the questions: What do you think of Ken Macha as the new Manager and of the five that interviewed who would you like see get the job? Here are some of the responses I got:
@Laclips: I want van slyke
Unfortunately, President Frank Coonelly denied the rumor of Van Slyke interviewing with the Bucs. I would love to see him as a base coach though.
@ClevelandROC (on Macha) he was a loser in both oakland and milwaukee…and apparently, players don’t relate to him at all. you need that with a young team. They need someone much more dynamic. They need someone who will inspire the younger players and help them grow. i hope they go after some like boston pitching coach john farrell. he has a lot of experience with young pitchers…
Farrell has not been interviewed as of yet by the Pirates but according to the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette he is a potential candidate.
@PiratesProspects (on Macha) He’s not good at dealing with young players.
@pghsportstavern theres better candidates out there especially for young players than ken macha. i like wedge’s work with younger rebuilding teams.
@damntheman44 Bannister cause he knows the players well and has served in many roles in player development.
@3rdboss I heart Ken Macha. The question should be why would Macha want to manage the Pirates?? I’d love to see Macha.
My take would be that since he grew up in Pittsburgh he would probably enjoy managing the team he watched as a little boy. (He also interviewed as manager in 2006). I would also think a manager would enjoy takig pride in helping turn the franchise around.
@tonyframpton If I were Neal, Wedge. But I’d like to interview F. Gonzalez first.
@djpeck21 Of those interviewed? Wedge. Love what he did with young CLE team. Runner-up: Porter/Bannister tie. Want no part of Gibbons/Macha.
And of course..It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t have a negative comment against the Pirates:
@ej6687 Yeah, if they hire Ken Macha, I think I’ll just pass on watching next season…..
I personally don’t think a “good” manager makes much of a difference as far as wins and losses go, talent plays a much bigger role. So if watching the young guys like McCutchen, Alvarez, Walker, Tabata (and many more in the minors and on their way)doesn’t draw your attention, I’m not sure what will.
Another Possible candidate? Pirates’ beat writer Jenifer Langosh blogged about Giants’ bench coach Ron Wotus’ interest in managing the Bucs.
The August leaders are in…
And for the first time this season i made it in the top 50.
First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who reads my blog. It really means a lot. I enjoy doing this and I hope you guys enjoy reading it.
And secondly, congrats to all the winners. I noticed a lot of the blogs are women which is really awesome.
Here is the list of all the winners.
And lastly, thanks to Mark who runs the mlblogs. My photo was part of the panel showing the winners. (Top left, next to Pirates MLB.com Reporter, Jenifer Langosch)
Bowker insists he is not a 4-A Player
Don’t call John Bowker a 4-A Player, he does not like being refered to one. (A 4-A player is someone who does very well in Triple-A but doesn’t translate in the majors. Ex. Bowker average in the minors .302 and .238 in the majors. Garrett Jones and Steve Pearce have been labeled as these type of players.)
September call-ups
- OF/1B John Bowker was re-called from Triple-A Indy. The Pirates received Bowker during the trade deadline in which they sent Javier Lopez to the Giants for Bowker and Joe Martinez.
Bowker was batting .313 in 25 games in the Pirates organization with seven doubles, two triples, four home runs and 10 RBI’s. He has a .367 OPS, .571 SLG and .939 OPS. In 76 total games this season, Bowker batted .314 with 18 home runs and 46 RBIs.
- Joe Martinez was re-called on Sunday, September 5th from Triple-A Indy.
Martinez was acquired from the Giants, along with John Bowker for reliver Javier Lopez on July 31st. Joe was used in the starting rotation for the Indianapolis Indians.
In seven games with Indy, four of them starts, Martinez allowed 18 earned runs in 28 1/3 innings. He struck out 18 and walked seven.
“He’s a kind of guy that we look at as a starter candidate down the road,” manager John Russell said. ”He’s a guy that can give you some depth.”
- On Septemeber 7th, the Pirates re-called OF Alex Presley, OF Brandon Moss, SS Pedro Ciriaco, C Jason Jaramillo, RHP Brad Lincoln, LHP Justin Thomas, RHP Brian Bass and RHP Steven Jackson from Triple-A Indy.
Presley was hitting .323 with 12 home runs, 84 RBIs and 13 triples in 135 games between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A this season.
Moss was batting .260 with 22 home runs, 96 RBI and 32 2B.
The Pirates acquired Ciriaco from the Arizona Diamondacks along with Chris Synder for Bobby Cox, D.J. Carrasco and Ryan Church. He was hitting .281 with nine 2B, and six RBI in 32 games with the Indians.
Jaramillo, who played 28 games with the Pirates this season was batting .239 with one home run and 13 RBI in 25 games for Triple-A. In the majors this season, Jason had an average of just .148 with one home run and six RBI.
Lincoln was the Pirates Number one pick in the 2006 Player Draft. He went 1-4 in nine starts with the Bucs this season. In Triple-A Indy Lincoln was 7-5 with a 4.12 ERA.
Justin Thomas spent the 2010 season bouncing up and down with both the Pirates and AAA. In 54.1 innings, Thomas had a 2.48 ERA.
Bass pitched only six innings with the Pirates this season. For the Triple-A Indians he had a 3.26 ERA through 69 innings.
Jakubauskas pitched just 2/3 of an inning with the Pirates this season due to getting hit in the head from a comebacker in his start against the Astros. When healthy, Jaku had a 5.09 ERA through 40.2 innings pitched.
News and Notes 8/30
- Jose Tabata continues to be a hitting machine; 12-for-28, .428 AVG, two home runs, two walks and four RBI in his past seven games.
Since being called up from Triple-A Indy on June 9th, Tabata has accumulated 87 hits which is only one behind Albert Pujols during that span.
“Albert Pujols? Really? Come on,” Tabata pressed.
Batting .312, he is second among all Major League Rookies with a minimum of 300 plate apperances; Buster Posey is the leader.
If that isn’t enough, Tabata’s 59 hits since the All-Star break are second-most in the league, behind the Cubs Starlin Castro.
- The Pirates face the Cubs for the final three games of the season starting today. This season the Buccos have “owned” Chicago winning 9-of-12 games. Ryan Doumit is 8-for-17 against Zambrano, so I would expect him to be in the line-up today playing right field.
Monday’s Pitching Matchup:
Paul Maholm 7-12, 4.82 ERA
VS
Carlos Zambrano 5-6, 4.64 ERA
Maholm is 7-1 in 12 career starts against the Cubs with a 5.70 ERA. His last start on June 28th against Chicago, Paul gave up one run on seven hits through eight innings.
Zambrano has made four starts since returning to the rotation on Aug. 9. He is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA. On Tuesday against the Nationals, Carlos allowed one run on five hits through 7.1 innings.
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.
Ramblings
I had just a few things I wanted to post about before the Pirates game this afternoon.
- Now that the Trade Deadline is over, and I’ve had time to read about some of the new guys that we got, I must say Huntington did a very great job. Over the past few years management has given the lineup a house cleaning (similar to the Dbacks and Astros this year) and left fans upset. Talent aside, after watching players year after year you start to love them even if they are hitting below the Mendoza line. Never will you hear a bad thing come out my mouth about Huntington though. What he has done since he took over in 2007 has been unbelieveable and the Pirates are FINALLY on the right track. As sad as it is to see certain players go, its all for the better of the orgainzation and for the team to see winning again.
I’m just glad I didn’t have to use this picture, literally this year.
As sad I was to see Dotel, Lopez and Carrasco go, we really got some great talented guys back in return for the veteran guys. I’m excited about James McDonald and John Bowker. I used to live in Los Angeles, so I was pretty familiar with these two from watching the NL West so often.
McDonald, once stretched back into a starter has the potential to be a pretty good 4th or 5th guy for the Pirates.
Bowker has a lot of power and can play both first and the outfield. In 2008, with the Giants he hit .255 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs in 11 games. This year in AAA he was hitting .310 with 14 homers and 36 RBIs in 51 games. A nice left handed power bat is exactly what the Pirates need, and he could be the guy to do it.
“It’s a good bat that we wanted to add to the system,” Huntington said. “Brandon Moss has swung the bat very well, and we’ve added another quality left-handed-hitting outfielder that could fit on the club as an extra outfielder. But we also have scouting reports not too long ago that have John Bowker as a potential everyday player.”
Andrew Lambo has been a very highly regarded prospect the last few years with the Dodgers. He did miss 50 games earlier this year for testing positive for drug abuse. But no need to worry, it was just marijuna. (it’s okay, I’ll let that one slide.)
It will be very weird at the ballpark tomorow, without some of those guys, but we all know they weren’t part of the Pirates future. I do wish them all the best of luck. Especially Dotel, he was always smiling and I just loved his personality. So for one last time.. TickTickTick
Here are a few of the Pirates reactions to the trades:
“It’s very disappointing,” Meek said. “Geez, it’s frustrating. Again, it’s the business side of the game. All you can do is wish them the best and hope that they adapt and are happy with where they’re at. I’m going to miss them very much.”
“We had pride in our bullpen,” added Hanrahan. “We were a close-knit group. We felt that we were one of the best ones in the league in doing our job. It’s tough to see all the guys leave, and you lose a lot of experience, but, obviously, Neal has an idea of what he’s doing. We’ve got to continue to go out there and get people out.”
@Maholm28 Glad to still be in the burgh and thanks everyone for ur support. Looking forward to turning this around.
@Maholm28: Always sad to see a few more great guys leave but good luck to each of them.
- The Pirates re-called LHP Justin Thomas.
Today’s Pitching Matchup (PIT @ STL) 09/01/10
Zach Duke 5-9, 5.09 ERA
VS
Adam Wainwright 14-6, 2.23 ERA
Duke continues to look like a different pitcher since coming off the DL. In those last three starts, he has rediscovered his sinker and efficiency, and the confidence is building as a result. Duke said he feels as good now as he has all season.
Wainwright is coming off a rare iffy start, but he’s coming home, where he’s been dominant. Wainwright is 10-0 with a ridiculous 1.22 ERA at Busch Stadium. In his last five home starts, he’s pitched 35 1/3 innings and allowed one earned run.
Pirates Lineup:
McCutchen 8
Tabata 7
Walker 4
Jones 3
Alvarez 5
Milledge 9
Cedeno 6
Jaramillo 2
Duke 1
Pirates Trade away “rent a arms” and get some great talent
The trade deadline can be a very nerve racking time for Pirates fans. This year however, was much different. Instead of seeing the crowd favorites being shipped off, The Pirates traded away the “rent a arms”, or short term fix vetern guys and got a lot of great talent in return.
Things are looking up for us here in Pittsburgh…
Here are a breakdown of the trades:
- The Pirates acquired catcher Chris Snyder and Minor League shortstop Pedro Ciriaco from the D-backs in exchange for Ryan Church, Bobby Crosby and D.J. Carrasco. They also received $3 Million in cash.
Synder, 29, hit.231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 65 games this season. He was drafted by the D-Backs in the second round of the 2002 Draft.
“Chris Snyder is a solid Major League player, who will provide us with a quality catching option for this year and next year,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. “He brings leadership to the club, along with a game calling and receiving ability that will help our pitching staff mature. Additionally, he will add some home run power to our lineup.”
He is expected to join the team Monday in Pittsburgh. Snyder will take over as the primary catcher. Ryan Doumit, who has been the everday catcher since 2008, will be moved to the back-up role once activated from the DL. The Pirates also plan to use Doumit in right field and at first base.
“It’s no secret Chris is going to catch,” Russell said. “How much he catches, we’ll go from there. How can we effectively get the bats in the lineup to help us win the game? That will be the juggling act that we do. It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s a good challenge to have.”
I was surprised,” Doumit said. “I didn’t know what to think of that. I just want to play. I look at myself as an everyday player. I always have. I hope that doesn’t change. As far as a catcher coming in, I’m all for improving the team and doing whatever it takes to improve the team. Selfishly, I think I’m an everyday player, and I want to play every day.”
Pedro Ciriaco was assigned to Triple-A Indy. In 87 games this year for AAA Reno he hit .259, with 6HR and 57 RBI.
“We’re going to give him every chance in the world to show us that he can be an everyday Major League shortstop,” Huntington said. “We think the bat upside is in there. He can probably fill a premium utility middle role right now … but at 24, we’re going to give him every chance in the world to grow and develop and show us that he can be an everyday player.”
- The Pirates aquired LHP James McDonald and Minor League outfielder Andrew Lambo from the Dodgers in exchange for Octavio Dotel.
McDonald, 25, was selected in the 11th round of the 2002 draft by the Dodgers. Over the last few years he has spent his seasons up and down, in the majors and with AAA-Albuquerque. In 2009 he was 5-5 with a 4.00 ERA in 63 innings. This season with AAA he was 6-1 with a 4.41 ERA.
Lambo was selected in 4th round of the 2007 draft by the Dodgers. In 2009 he was rated by Baseball America as the Dodgers best prospect, 49th overall. This year he was named the Dodgers best Outfield prospect in their system. For AA-Chattanooga he batted .271 with four Home Runs and 21 RBIs in 47 games.
McDonald is expected to join the Pirates at the Major league level and Lambo will go to AA-Altoona.
- The Pirates aquired right-hander Joseph Martinez and outfielder John Bowker from the Giants in exchange for Javier Lopez.
Martinez, a RHP was 5-3 with a 3.32 ERA in AAA-Fresno.
Bowker, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 3rd round of the Draft. The Sacramento, CA native plays First base and Outifield. This season in AAA-Fresno he was batting .310 with 14 Home Runs and 36 RBI.
Bowker and Martinez are expected to join AAA-Indy.
Kristy Robinson
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