Jake

LOL!

Take my SS. Please.

Whew!

WTF? I go to do some work, and I come back to first and third, one out? HELP! ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

Walking nate was a good idea. Rivas will hit into a DP.

Hope you guys can hit a curveball thats 6 inches off the plate! We have a new name for that in Pittsburgh. We call it a ball. Last year, more times than not, it was strike 3.

I like us in this one, especially if Snell is in a bad mood. When he's in a bad mood, he usually wins.

Supposedly we tried to get him in the Kris Benson trade a couple of years ago but ended up with Ty Wigginton. I'm glad the person who made that decision is now with the cubs.

I was at the Cubs Phillies came this past Saturday with some members of the board and my 7 year old daughter. (see picture here ) I was telling the story to a friend in Pittsburgh who asked me this question. I'm not sure of the asnwer. Raise a Phillies fan, and live with crushed expectations, or raise a Pirates fan, and live with no expectations? Then he said: Wait, you were there with Cubs fans. Stupid question. Perhaps I should teach her to root for the Braves.

Your mom is embarassing. Alex Pressley is embarassing.

Going to be off and on rain over the weekend. They'll get all three games in, but probably with delays in each of them.

I miss that view. One of the best in baseball. See you guys tomorrow!

This is embarassing. :oops:

Couple other moves, too. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08086/868029-100.stm Good to see that money was not a factor with Kim. Littlefield would have kept him to justify the signing.

The Pirates sent Macias down this morning.

I see him as the every day Right fielder in Pittsburgh. Neal Huntington, OTOH, sees him as the every day right fielder in Indy. I suspect he'll start the season there until we trade Nady.

That's what management says they're going to do. There was a Chat w/ Coonely today on MLB.com . One questioner asked him point blank if the Pirates are in the thick of things, will he have permission to spend money. He replied that ownership has given him the money. To be sure, there is some proof that they'll spend. They offerd Durbin, who signed with the Phillies more than he got there, supposedly. Really, we'll know something when the draft comes. If we're passing on a Matt Weiters type because of money, then we'll know. OTOH, if we draft him, and pay more than slot, that says something positive. A lot will be figured out as the year progresses.

It's a question we're all asking. I suspect he'll start the season in AAA, though. what's the latest on McCutchen? http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08064/862245-63.stm

It's a question we're all asking. I suspect he'll start the season in AAA, though.

I've written on each of the three previous spring trainings. I've started and stopped a couple fo times this year. In one sense, it's really hard to be optimistic this year. It's the same basic team that lost 94 games last year. If, in fact, everyone plays up to standards, and we gain 10 games, that's 84 losses. Still a losing season, to be sure. Yet, there's something different this year. I've had a hard time trying to put it into words. Fortunately, for me, John Perrotto didn't. Here's how he puts it: http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/03/04/sports/pirates/doc47cccfd0c6de6842322108.txt Dave Littlefield's exploits have been enumerated in many a rant on many a board. But, one of his worst moves was hiring Jim Tracy. I believe Tracy & Staff permanently screwed up Zach Duke and Chris Duffy. And, I'm sure, some others. So, why do I think we're get 14 more wins this year than last year with the same team? 1) Jason Bay is healthy today. He wasn't this time last year. One wonders if he was healthy at any point during the season last year. 2) Matt Morris. OK, stop laughing now. Say what you want about him, he's still better than Tony Armas. 3) Solomon Torres is gone. He'll probably have a great year in MIL. But, he was dreadful early last year. 3) Mclouth or Morgan will be better than Duffy was last year. 4) Freddy is ready to start the season. He wasn't last year. 5) Nady is healthier now than at this time last year. 6) Paulino was so bad last year he couldn't possibly be that bad again. And, if he is, Doumit will get opportunities to catch. Which he didn't get last year. There's more I could write. What I wrote is reaching enough (Remember, Optimisim!) But, really, it's just the intangibles that tell me we're going to be a better club this year.

Dusty gives me hope that we won't finish in the basement.

I keep trying to find a reason for this, then I realize, he's probably better than most of the guys we have competing for spots in the 'Pen. Which is pretty pathetic. Perhaps if he concentrates on relieving only, and doesn't worry about starting, he'll be a competent reliever. :beg:

I was wondering how we were going to get out of the cellar.

:confused:

I do! :-"