Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

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  • mjb2124
    Hall Of Fame
    • Aug 2002
    • 13649

    #16
    Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

    I've been one of the more negative in terms of the Pirates, but am finally a bit excited about baseball. I actually look forward to catching some of the Pirate games when I have some free time. I'm 34 so I was around for the early 90's and heartbroken year after year. It's been a long 18-19 years to the point where I lost a lot of interest in baseball in general, but this young team is pulling me back. I love the hustle, the determination and how it seems they want to prove everyone wrong...they want to prove that they can get to the postseason. Personally, I don't think it will happen this year, but it will be fun to watch. I heard that their series with first place STL after the All Star break is almost sold out...that's not something we've seen in Pittsburgh for a while.

    FWIW - The 1960 Pirates Championship is probably one of the better stories in baseball. Playing a powerhouse Yankee team and getting severely outscored in all 7 games by a total of 55-27, but winning the entire thing on a bottom of the 9th inning HR by Bill Mazeroski. I often think that Maz's HR has been somewhat forgotten outside of Pittsburgh and IMO is still the greatest HR in a World Series game. I seem to hear more about Kirk Gibson, Joe Carter, Bobby Thomson etc... I've even seen Maz's ranked as the 5th best WS HR of all time...hard to believe IMO.

    PS - The Willie Stargell helicopter windup was awesome! Still my 2nd favorite Pirate behind Clemente (watching Clemente catch a flyball over his right shoulder in deep RF and spin around to throw a laser to 3B to get a runner tagging up is a thing of beauty).

    Comment

    • goh
      Banned
      • Aug 2003
      • 20755

      #17
      Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

      I had them finishing 2nd in the division in the prediction thread. I kinda owe that one to 2K though,I picked them for a franchise last year.

      Comment

      • areobee401
        Hall Of Fame
        • Apr 2006
        • 16771

        #18
        Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

        I think its great for baseball. The Pirates have a long tradition but the fans in need to start getting to the stadium to support the team.
        http://twitter.com/smittyroberts

        Comment

        • BatsareBugs
          LVP
          • Feb 2003
          • 12553

          #19
          Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

          It's about time and I think some people had their doubts about Neal Huntington and the recent front office. I get tired of hearing all the experts about the Pirates, but it's only a matter of time that the right people step in and right the ship.

          I remember them getting some unwarranted criticism for making several trades a couple of years ago, basically clearing house but it was obvious that they saw things differently and some of those stars now didn't figure into their plans two or three years down the road (which is coincidentally right now or next season). Right now they have a solid core to build around with Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata, Neil Walker, and Pedro Alvarez (Yes I know he's struggled mightily, but I still think he'll be a good one). I don't know how Tony Sanchez is doing, but if Stetson Allie, Jameson Taillon, and Gerrit Cole pan out, look out. Currently a few pitchers have pitched well, but if I were the Pirates I would try to move Hanrahan and Correia for something.

          Comment

          • SPC_67
            Rookie
            • Jun 2011
            • 25

            #20
            Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

            Originally posted by mjb2124
            I've been one of the more negative in terms of the Pirates, but am finally a bit excited about baseball. I actually look forward to catching some of the Pirate games when I have some free time. I'm 34 so I was around for the early 90's and heartbroken year after year. It's been a long 18-19 years to the point where I lost a lot of interest in baseball in general, but this young team is pulling me back. I love the hustle, the determination and how it seems they want to prove everyone wrong...they want to prove that they can get to the postseason. Personally, I don't think it will happen this year, but it will be fun to watch. I heard that their series with first place STL after the All Star break is almost sold out...that's not something we've seen in Pittsburgh for a while.

            FWIW - The 1960 Pirates Championship is probably one of the better stories in baseball. Playing a powerhouse Yankee team and getting severely outscored in all 7 games by a total of 55-27, but winning the entire thing on a bottom of the 9th inning HR by Bill Mazeroski. I often think that Maz's HR has been somewhat forgotten outside of Pittsburgh and IMO is still the greatest HR in a World Series game. I seem to hear more about Kirk Gibson, Joe Carter, Bobby Thomson etc... I've even seen Maz's ranked as the 5th best WS HR of all time...hard to believe IMO.

            PS - The Willie Stargell helicopter windup was awesome! Still my 2nd favorite Pirate behind Clemente (watching Clemente catch a flyball over his right shoulder in deep RF and spin around to throw a laser to 3B to get a runner tagging up is a thing of beauty).
            Yeah it has been a really frustrating period of time, hopefully this year can be the year we crack .500. I also love the passion of the team, you can definitley credit that to Clint Hurdle. As he always says he expects championship level excecution, and the bucs are doing their best to get on that level. And the Cards sell out doesn't surprise me but that's awesome. We have sold out the past few weekend series, each game, and it's nice to finally see that. It would be nice to see the Bucs and Cards on Sunday Night Baseball then, too

            Comment

            • SPC_67
              Rookie
              • Jun 2011
              • 25

              #21
              Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

              Originally posted by goh
              I had them finishing 2nd in the division in the prediction thread. I kinda owe that one to 2K though,I picked them for a franchise last year.
              haha i hope your prediction ends up wrong and they have first! But i certainly take second, too.

              Comment

              • SPC_67
                Rookie
                • Jun 2011
                • 25

                #22
                Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                Originally posted by Rag3vsW0rld
                It's about time and I think some people had their doubts about Neal Huntington and the recent front office. I get tired of hearing all the experts about the Pirates, but it's only a matter of time that the right people step in and right the ship.

                I remember them getting some unwarranted criticism for making several trades a couple of years ago, basically clearing house but it was obvious that they saw things differently and some of those stars now didn't figure into their plans two or three years down the road (which is coincidentally right now or next season). Right now they have a solid core to build around with Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata, Neil Walker, and Pedro Alvarez (Yes I know he's struggled mightily, but I still think he'll be a good one). I don't know how Tony Sanchez is doing, but if Stetson Allie, Jameson Taillon, and Gerrit Cole pan out, look out. Currently a few pitchers have pitched well, but if I were the Pirates I would try to move Hanrahan and Correia for something.
                I agree, at the time people were unhappy about it but were really annyoing at the same time. If they just had listened they knew these guys weren't the right guys to get us rolling in the right direction. Neal did a awesome jo reconstructing the team and deserves a heck of lot more credit. A lot of these guys on the 25 man roster were steals by Neal.

                Comment

                • rsox
                  All Star
                  • Feb 2003
                  • 6309

                  #23
                  Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                  Normally i would agree with moving those players but if they are keys to the team fininshing with a winning record than i think they have to keep them. Correia is signed thru next season and with a lot of young pitching coming he can be a veteran presence in the starting rotation.

                  Lack of depth at the SS position i the minors is why the Pirates have to be patient with Cedeno. A winning season may help ownership open the checkbook a little more and maybe they can get someone to play SS next season (i'm sure the Mariners would gladly give Jack Wilson back}.

                  In all it's good to see the Pirates relevant again. There is a whole generation of fans who have never seen the Pirates even be competitive (unless you count that brief stint in 1997). Imagine if the Prates and the Royals are both playoff contenders next year...

                  Comment

                  • yankeesgiants
                    I Drink Like A Champion!!
                    • Feb 2007
                    • 2477

                    #24
                    Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                    When smart competent baseball people are in charge of baseball operations good things tend to happen. Too bad it took them almost 2 decades to figure this out. Even though they have a .500 record. That is a good young exciting ball club to watch.
                    I dont remember there names but they were allot of fun....

                    Comment

                    • doubledeuceR6
                      Ride on Kentucky Kid
                      • Apr 2011
                      • 1948

                      #25
                      Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                      Glad to see Clint Hurdle doing well with the Pirates. Wish we still had him with the Rangers though.
                      Texas Rangers/Saints/LSU/Tottenham Hotspur
                      GT: CQR Deuce
                      PSN: doubledeuceR6
                      Twitter: @CQRDeuce @CQRclub
                      www.cqrclub.co.uk

                      Comment

                      • SPC_67
                        Rookie
                        • Jun 2011
                        • 25

                        #26
                        Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                        Originally posted by rsox
                        Normally i would agree with moving those players but if they are keys to the team fininshing with a winning record than i think they have to keep them. Correia is signed thru next season and with a lot of young pitching coming he can be a veteran presence in the starting rotation.

                        Lack of depth at the SS position i the minors is why the Pirates have to be patient with Cedeno. A winning season may help ownership open the checkbook a little more and maybe they can get someone to play SS next season (i'm sure the Mariners would gladly give Jack Wilson back}.

                        In all it's good to see the Pirates relevant again. There is a whole generation of fans who have never seen the Pirates even be competitive (unless you count that brief stint in 1997). Imagine if the Prates and the Royals are both playoff contenders next year...
                        I agree Correia and Hanranhan should not be touched. They are a big part of reason of where we are right now. I'm seeing small progression from Cedeno so it's tough to want to stick with him, but I think you're right, if we end up really contending and Ronny still isn't producing we will have to go after someone else. And that would be great haha, us and the royals have kind of become the basement brothers of baseball and i'd like to see them contend as well.

                        Comment

                        • SPC_67
                          Rookie
                          • Jun 2011
                          • 25

                          #27
                          Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                          Originally posted by yankeesgiants
                          When smart competent baseball people are in charge of baseball operations good things tend to happen. Too bad it took them almost 2 decades to figure this out. Even though they have a .500 record. That is a good young exciting ball club to watch.
                          Yes unfortunatley we had run through several managers and GM's before finally getting something going here. I give all the props to Hurdle and Huntington, so far. And yes, it has been a lot of fun to watch them grow as a team and as players. Really fun to watch.

                          Comment

                          • SPC_67
                            Rookie
                            • Jun 2011
                            • 25

                            #28
                            Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                            Originally posted by doubledeuceR6
                            Glad to see Clint Hurdle doing well with the Pirates. Wish we still had him with the Rangers though.
                            I'm sure you and Rockie fans think alike

                            Comment

                            • SPC_67
                              Rookie
                              • Jun 2011
                              • 25

                              #29
                              Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                              What a game last night and home run by michael mckenry!! i was going bananas!!

                              Comment

                              • Buckeyes_Doc
                                In Dalton I Trust
                                • Jan 2009
                                • 11918

                                #30
                                Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

                                Even though they are in the same division as the Reds and are currently 3 games ahead of us I am happy for the Pirates.

                                I like to see small-market teams have success in baseball. Since I've been following baseball the Pirates have never been successful so seeing new teams contending is refreshing.

                                As a Reds fan I do not like it, but as a baseball fan I think it is awesome.

                                I remember how exciting it was last year for me being a Reds fan to see the them finally have success again, so I'm glad the Pirates fans are enjoying something similar to that so far this season.
                                Ohio State - Reds - Bengals - Blackhawks - Bulls

                                Comment

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