Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
It’s literally been years since the Steelers let a running back rush for over 100 yards against them, but this week they’ll face a tough challenge when they go up against Adrian Peterson and the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Peterson rushes for over 100 yards in over 80% of his games and often goes for 150 or more. The Steelers still have a stalwart run defense, but their secondary is becoming a little suspect. If the Vikings can spread out the Steelers with the passing game they might be able to soften up the middle of the field enough for Peterson to break the Steelers incredible stingy run defense streak.
Sorry folks, I missed the ball on this one. Last week was the 100th anniversary of Forbes Field, which the Pirates called home from 1909 through 1970. Although it was torn down long ago, a victim of “college campus sprawl”, Pirates fans still journey out to the spot where so many of their heroes played. Forbes is where Mazeroski hit that famous home run to win the World Series against the Yankees. It’s also where Roberto Clemente collected most of his 3,000 hits. It was built 3 years before Fenway Park and 5 years before Wrigley Field, and some say it’s exterior was the inspiration for Ebbets Field’s classic brick look (the new Citi Field tries to mimic this look, albeit in a cheesy strip mall kind of way).
Happy 100th Forbes Field, you’ll be remembered by Pirates fans forever.
By the way, there are some great pictures of Forbes Field out on the web if you know where to look. I once had a link to a collection of photos of Forbes Field after it was abandoned but before it was torn down. The photographer and subject of some of the photos was none other than Fred Willard, the famous actor known for his deadpan comedic delivery. Who knew that he was a Pirates fan?
Tony Sanchez is still the earliest pick in last week’s draft to have signed a deal. He and the Pirates agreed to a deal that includes a $2.5 million bonus. The catcher out of Boston College was the #4 pick in the draft.
With the #4 pick in Tuesday’s amateur draft, the Pirates selected Tony Sanchez out of Boston College. Sanchez has seen his stock rise in recent months, as he wasn’t even on the mock draft boards for the first 2 rounds back in March. He’s a young catcher with a lot of upside who seems to be getting better every week, especially behind the plate. He’s been a solid .300+ hitter in college, which should translate to about .275-.280 in professional ball, assuming he can make the proper adjustments. There are some noticeable flaws in his swing that I’d like to see worked out, but nothing that’s beyond the expertise of pro hitting coaches.
June has arrived, and with it the annual Pirates Put Up The White Flag Day. The Pirates traded their All Star center fielder to the Braves in exchange for some minor league prospects. In addition to having some power at the plate, McLouth is also a gold glove winner in center field. McLouth was the only remaining piece from an outfield that was the best in the majors in the first half of last year. Besides McLouth, it included Xavier Nady and Jason Bay, who now play for the Yankees and Red Sox, respectively.
This trade will allow the Pirates to call up some highly-touted minor league prospects who I’m sure will have fine careers with other teams after the Pirates dump them in a few years.
I’ve been reading a very interesting discussion on Baseball Fever about whether or not Kent Tekulve deserves more Hall of Fame consideration. At first, I assumed the answer would be “no way”, but after looking at the numbers it appears Tekulve should have been given a better shot.
Perhaps Tekulve’s most impressive stats are his 1000+ games played and a career ERA under 3.00. He is one of only two pitchers in major league history to have pitched in over 90 games in 3 different seasons. This guy was a workhorse. He only accumulated 184 saves as a closer, but it’s important to remember that the “Holds” stat that is still unofficial today did not even exist back when he was pitching. The biggest argument for Tekulve is that Bruce Sutter made the Hall of Fame. Sutter had about the same ERA as Tekulve but pitched in fewer innings in fewer games. Sutter got the nod because he was a strikeout pitcher, while Tekulve gets nothing because he induced ground balls like no other pitcher of the modern era. He gave up just 63 home runs in his entire career.
I’m going to argue here and now that Kent Tekulve was a more valuable pitcher than Hall of Famers Bruce Sutter and Goose Gossage. There, I said it. He may have lacked intimidation and he may have worn those goofy sunglasses to go with the already-clownish Pirates uniforms, but Tekulve got hitters out, period. Most statistically metrics for valuing a pitcher put too much emphasis on wins and saves and leave little for the middle reliever or, as was the case for much of Tekulve’s career, the long reliever who pitched 2 or more innings for a save. If Sutter and Gossage are in Cooperstown, I think Tekulve should probably be there as well.
The American League could learn something from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates managed to score 2 runs off White Sox closer Bobby Jenks on Sunday to get the come-from-behind win. It was a rare blown save opportunity for Jenks, who is usually lights-out in these situations. The Pirates start a series against the Cubs tonight at Wrigley Field, completing their tour of Chicago.
