Results tagged ‘ yankees ’
Day 16 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- Joe Beimel’s will resume throwing on Tuesday after feeling pain near his elbow.
“Since [Sunday], it’s becoming less and less to the point where now I really don’t even feel it,” said Beimel, who received treatment on his arm Monday morning. “I don’t really have to build myself back up because I’ve been throwing for quite a while. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
- Evan Meek and Joe Beimel are scheduled to throw bullpen sessions today. Although there is no time table, neither are expected to be out much longer.
- The Bucs will face the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday at McKechenie Field. Ross Ohlendorf will start for the Pirates followed by Tony Watson, Joel Hanrahan, Jose Veras, Mike Crotta and Chris Leroux.
- Scott Olsen threw a bullpen session on Monday and is scheduled to throw another on Wednesday.
“My leg feels fine,” Olsen said. “No pain at all.”
Yankees Lineup:
Gardner lf, Swisher rf, Granderson cf, Posada dh, Chavez 3b, Montero c, Nunez ss, Laird 1b, Pena 2b, Hughes p
Pirates Lineup:
Presley cf, Bowker lf, Diaz rf, Jones dh, Atkins 1b, Marte 3b, Snyder c, Rodriguez 2b, Ciriaco ss, McDonald p
James McDonald will start for the Pirates followed by Aaron Thompson, Daniel McCutchen, Chris Resop, Daniel Moskos and Ramon Aguero .
Day 12 of Pirates spring training: news and notes
- FSN Pittsburgh will be telecasting four spring training games this year: March 6th (1pm) against the Toronto Blue Jays, March 10th (7pm) against the Baltimore Orioles, March 19th (1pm) against the Boston Red Sox and March 26th (1pm) against the New York Yankees.
- FM News Talk 104.7, the Pirates flagship radio station, will have 12 games this year which includes the home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.
- Joe Beimel won the Pirates bunt tournament on Thursday, beating out Kevin Correia in the final round as the entire team watched. Not only was it was a fun way to bring the team together, but they also learned from it too. Read more.
- Scott Olsen is scheduled to throw another 25 pitch fastball session on Saturday. Afterwards, the Pirates will reevaluate him. Olsen has been sidelined due to a sore left hamstring.
- Evan Meek threw off flat ground on Friday and also threw long toss. It is unknown to when he will return to the mound. Meek has tightness in his right calf.
“There’s no rush with Evan,” Searage said. “I want to make sure he’s 110 percent before I send his butt out there. He’s playing long toss and doing flat ground right now.”
Baseball vs Football
Only nine days until pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton, FL. for spring training. During Friday night’s edition of Hot Stove they compared Baseball to Football. With the season so close to starting, it’s only fitting to list why our National Pastime really is the better sport.
- First off, there is no equivalent that football has to ‘take me out to the ball game’.
- Major leaguers can play long enough careers to actually play alongside their sons.
- You can be a star in baseball despite being 47 years old (Ask Jamie Moyer).
- Drew Brees grew up a baseball fan, memorizing the stats of Ted Williams. It’s the reason he wears Teddy Ballgames No. 9 for the Saints.
- MLB’s All-Star game, the mid summer classic, is played in mid-season and the teams actually play defense.
- In baseball, both teams have the chance to score in overtime.
- Jackie Robinson day is unique to baseball. There is no equivalent in football.
- The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum tops anything football has.
- There is no such thing as old timers games in football.
- Fathers taking their sons to the warmth of the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues has become a right of passage and getting to the ballpark hours early to catch a glimpse of batting practice feels like heaven.
- Football has no answer to cheering from the bleachers at Wrigley and Fenway.
- Who wants their favorite rivalry to only come around once or twice a year? In baseball, great matchups like Red Sox, Yankees could happen up to 25 times a year.
- Are there any words in the English language that can warm you up on a cold day quicker than, ‘pitchers and catchers report soon’?
Bucs still interested in pitcher Jeff Francis
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports: Free agent [pitcher] Jeff Francis still drawing interest from 7 clubs — Nationals, Royals, Pirates, Rangers, Rockies and both NY teams.
Francis, who will turn 30 on January 8th, went 4-6 with a 5.00 ERA for the Colorado Rockies during the 2010 season. Through 104.1 innings, he walked 23 and struck out 67. Francis missed the entire 2009 season recovering from a shoulder injury.
The Pirates are still looking to add starting pitching depth. The projected starters for this season are: Paul Maholm, Ross Ohlendorf, Kevin Correia and James McDonald with the fifth spot still open. Charlie Morton, Scott Olsen and Brad Lincoln are among the starters who will compete as the fifth starter at spring training.
Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports: Also Clint Hurdle’s familiarity w Francis’ injury history huge benefit when a guy is trying to rebound with a new team.
Jeff Francis is a pro, great teammate. If healthy, will help someone. If were me, I’d go to pitcher’s park. Give him some margin for error.
Park signs with the Orix Buffaloes
Chan Ho Park will be finishing his career in Japan, as he signs with the Orix Buffaloes, according to Yonhap News Agency (Park earlier this year said he would like to retire in his native Korea).
After struggling with the Yankees during the first half of the 2010 season (he posted a 5.60 ERA), he was designated for assignment. The Pirates claimed the veteran off waivers and he finished the season with a 2-2 record and a respectable 3.49 ERA.
Park leaves the states with the most major league wins by a Korean born pitcher at 124. He passed Hideo Nomo on October 1st.
In 17 major league seasons with eight different teams, Park had a 4.36 ERA, 1,715 strike outs, 10 complete games and three shutouts.
Dotel persued by seven teams
According to MLB Trade Rumors, seven teams are interested in veteran right hander Octavio Dotel. The Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Orioles, Twins, Pirates and Yankees have reportably inquired.
Dotel, 37, spent the 2010 season with the Pirates, Dodgers and Rockies while posting a 4.08 ERA. He had 21 saves as the Bucs closer.
Jorge De La Rosa Pirates top target
The Pirates main focus this off season is pitching and their top target? Left-handed pitcher Jorge de la Rosa.
De La Rosa, 29, went 8-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 20 starts for the Colorado Rockies during the 2010 season.
The Pirates will have to fight for the lefty as The Rockies, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, and Milwaukee Brewers are reportably interested in him as well.
In six seasons pitching in the National League, De La Rosa is 38-31 with a 4.80 ERA. He does average 8.7 strike outs per nine innings but the downside is his innings pitched per year. In 2009 De la rosa threw 185 innings but his second highest is just 130.
He will also come with a hefty price tag. De La Rosa has said he wants at least a four-year contract at 11 million per year.
According to Troy Kenck of the Denver Post:
“Teams are expected to begin meeting with De La Rosa’s reps today. Washington, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Rockies, Yankees among those with interest.”
Game seven viewing was a remarkable event
“We thought it was only fitting to premiere this here in Pittsburgh.” Bob Costas said during his opening remarks. Fitting it was. Over 1,000 people were in attendance at the Byham Theatre in Downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday night to witness history. Never before has game seven of the 1960 World Series been seen since it’s original broadcast.
Former players who were at the event were: Joe Christopher, Elroy Face, Bob Friend, Dick Groat, Vernon Law, Bob Oldis, Hal Smith and Bill Virdon. Vera Clemente was also in attendance as well as Members of Bing Crosby’s family, Michael Keaton, Pirates broadcaster John Wehner, President Frank Coonelly and Owner Bob Nutting. Bill Mazeroski was unable to attend, he was in the hospital with Kidney stones.
The copy of game seven was found in the late Bing Crosby’s wine cellar earlier this year. Crosby was very superstitious and was in Paris the night of the game and had someone record the game for him (Not until the 1970′s were historic games filmed and saved).The film was recorded in Black and white and had very little use of graphics. There was also no commercials. There were no advertisement’s being shown or even discussed. It was a pure, beautiful game –called by Bob Prince and Mel Allen. The game lasted just over two hours. “The good part of this game, Bob Costas said. “You don’t have guys stepping out of the box every two seconds.”
The host –Bob Costas– recalls game seven of the world series and even said “That was the first time I remember being heartbroken. Costas –who grew up in New York– missed school to watch the game at home. His Mother told him to get to the bus stop and he told her, “I’ll go to the bus stop, but then I’m coming right back home.” His parents finally allowed him to miss school, his dad saying that he will remember this game a lot longer than that one day in class. (I’d say he did just fine).
The film was shown and periodically was stopped for Costas to ask the players questions and reactions to what had just happened.
“I don’t have a clue”, Bill Virdon said to Costas on if he remembered exactly the pitch by pitch of his two-RBI double in the second inning.
Vernon law was asked how he pitched to Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle: “Inside. Don’t throw a strike. In on their hands.”
Dick Groat said, Mantle’s grounder up the middle that he missed “still haunts him to this day.”
Michael Keaton –who grew up in Pittsburgh– flew across country to be at the event. “This to me is art. Watching him run. It’s just something, man.” On watching Roberto Clemente play.
Hal Smith’s three-run home run in the eighth inning (which during the film, Mel Allen says is one of the most historic home runs in World series history and will never be forgotten –ironic?) happened so fast he didn’t know what happened. “I didn’t realize what happened until I was rounding second. I thought, ‘What have I done?” He remembers Clemente picking him up on his shoulders and was, “absolutely overwhelmed”.
The crowd cheered and booed at the appropriate times and even started chants throughout the film. The crowd also gave Vera Clemente a standing ovation after she was introduced. Still to this day, Vera feels his presence. She talked about how much Roberto meant to her and how much he truly loved Pittsburgh. “He told me that if the Pirates traded him he would quit [baseball].”
“It was really something we all wanted to see,” Bob Friend said. “It’s one of the greatest games ever played in the history of baseball.”
And now, everyone at home will get the opportunity to witness it as well. The film will be aired on MLBNetwork, December 15th at 8 PM ET (Maz –who was sick– will be interviewed at a later time and worked into the film). The post game interviews by Mel Allen (which were absolutely hilarious) will also be included during the event along with 60 minutes of additional footage. MLBNetowk will also release a two-DVD set on December 14th by MLB Productions.
Dick Groat said it perfectly. “The 1960 Pirates’ were a team of destiny.”
I asked Elroy Face why he wasn’t smiling and was acting so serious. He said, “I didn’t see you standing there. I am now!”
Pirates Players of the 1960 Bucs take pictures on the red carpet.
The view from my seat in the beatuiful Byham Theatre in Downtown Pittsburgh.
My ticket from attending the event.
My media pass from MLB Network. It was a remarkable night.
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
1960′s game seven viewing in pgh Nov. 13
On November 13th at 6:00 p.m. at the Byham Theatre in Pittsburgh, the copy of game seven of the 1960′s world series will be unveiled.
The copy was found in the late Bing Cosby’s wine cellar and will be shown on MLB Network later this year.
Bob Costas and MLB Network will host the viewing and the guest include: Bill Mazeroski, Dick Groat and Bobby Richardson.
There is a limited number of tickets available to the public and for fans interested in attending should email Game7onMLBN@mlb.com.
Kristy Robinson
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