I really enjoy reading this thread of comments after each game. having the prescience of what has happened and thinking about posts made before the game was decided....
I wish it was a taste of what’s to come in the seasons 2nd half, but I can’t subscribe to the theory they’re going to go from being the worst hitting team to being the best.
The odds are low that they're all going to keep being Barry Bonds. Still, the odds are also very low the Hayes and Pham remain .500 OPS guys and Reynolds remains a .650 OPS guy.
So true.....but for the fact they were those guys for a full half-season 81 games. And subsequently season is over for all intents, purposes, and playoff chances.
My view is that pro athletes tend to be proud creatures. They want to show what they can do. If nothing else, you will learn who fits that profile as this season heads down the stretch.
Sure they're pros and many are playing for jobs next year either with Pirates or elsewhere. But playing games under the pressure (or challenge) of trying to win a playoff spot would show us an even better profile.
They got the Mets at the right time —- in a serious overall slump, with their pitching really struggling. But that doesn’t change the fact that it was such a refreshing change to see three actual blowouts. In one weekend they reduced their runs deficit by 26 runs.
By the way, Cruz went out of this way in the post-game media availability to praise Kelly for how he’s handled his recent screw-ups. The clear implication was that Kelly can relate much better to players than Shelton. That doesn’t change the fact that the team is woefully short of offensive talent, but it does mean that they will get the most out of what they have.
In honor of yet another surreal Pirates offensive explosion, more from Dave Parker (re the me and the boys boppin’ T-shirt):
“I thought that if my teammates saw me strut into the clubhouse, cool and confident, wearing a badass message that there would be nothing to worry about …. *Because that’s the mindset you need to succeed at this level* [my emphasis].”
I am so tired of the Pirates being wimps. They need some supremely confident badasses who can back it up on the field.
I loved watching Parker, but while you are criticizing Cruz for not running hard to first, let’s not forget Parker ruined his prime, and as a result, his own teams’ success, by doing blow (and a lot of other things), which he admitted to on multiple occasions. Everyone has internal demons they battle, and I commend Parker for facing his own, but let’s not act like his penchant for running out ground balls means he was more dedicated to the sport than Cruz. To do so, based on the facts we have is utterly ridiculous.
To have an addiction or dependency I guess is sort of similar to being a lackadaisical loafer prone to mental mistakes. Parker always tried hard on the field even if his issues kept him from that off the field, for better or worse.
And some dudes just like to party a bit too much, stay out late, show up to the games hungover (or worse) and then give it their all. If they run hard to first, though, all is cool. Even if the behavior is affecting them and their team.
To be clear, I’m not coming down on Dave Parker. Actually had lunch with the man many, many years ago and had a terrific time. My criticism is of you, AB and others trying to use his hustle to criticize Cruz. There’s no need for it. It’s lazy, lacks nuance and would probably offend Dave Parker (if you really thought more about it and/or knew much about him.)
Don’t think he said Cruz was Parker. Said he was closest and I think grabbing from all of Parker’s attributes- both the good and the bad - he might be right. Name someone on the roster closer to Parker than Cruz. You can set the parameters, but I’d use player ability, personality, and intangibles.
In the old days, I think most of the time they woul give the win to Cabrera because he was in the 5th in that type of game and Mlodzinski would get credit for the save.
I think WTM's point was they are making these type of decisons more often.
6 hit batters before the homer might of played a role. Hoppers got hit by pitch 8 times on the day. Griffin 1, Delgado 2, Valdez 2, White 1, and I'm drawing a blank on the other 2.
Something was happening. I noticed Rivas in his HR trot, in the 5th inning, practically stopped halfway around the bases, then practically walked the rest of the way. The other starter hit five guys in three innings. Had to be connected. Maybe some chirping before that.
Swept the Phils. Swept the Mets. They're 100% getting swept by the Rox, right?
I really enjoy reading this thread of comments after each game. having the prescience of what has happened and thinking about posts made before the game was decided....
.... although this one was decided pretty quick.
The Pirates are 16-9 at home with Kelly managing.
Mike Burrows in June: 2.73 era and 30 strikeouts in 26 and a third innings. Very encouraging.
Seeing him and Ashcraft in the bigs, Nick back and Davis showing some signs of life make this team way the hell more interesting.
It'd be awesome if Nicolas figures it out and can hit his spots.
I’m hoping Bidois and/or Harbin can make it to AAA by season’s end.
I picked a good game to go to. Was sitting on the Clemente Wall and had to keep my head on a swivel. Should’ve brought the broom with me.
Great game to go to!
Hey, this Pham fellow ain't so bad.
Who knew that you need good eyesight to hit a baseball.
All Pham had to do is ask Ricky “The Wild Thing” Vaughn…..
Fun stats from the last 7 games:
Hayes: BA .450, OPS 1.100
Pham: BA .438, OPS 1.284
Nick G. BA .400, OPS 1.128
Reynolds BA .370, OPS 1.148
Pirates team BA: .313 (1st in MLB)
I wish it was a taste of what’s to come in the seasons 2nd half, but I can’t subscribe to the theory they’re going to go from being the worst hitting team to being the best.
Let’s just enjoy this ride while it lasts.
The odds are low that they're all going to keep being Barry Bonds. Still, the odds are also very low the Hayes and Pham remain .500 OPS guys and Reynolds remains a .650 OPS guy.
So true.....but for the fact they were those guys for a full half-season 81 games. And subsequently season is over for all intents, purposes, and playoff chances.
My view is that pro athletes tend to be proud creatures. They want to show what they can do. If nothing else, you will learn who fits that profile as this season heads down the stretch.
Sure they're pros and many are playing for jobs next year either with Pirates or elsewhere. But playing games under the pressure (or challenge) of trying to win a playoff spot would show us an even better profile.
Many are playing for jobs with other teams come August 1 this year. Ask Heaney.
They got the Mets at the right time —- in a serious overall slump, with their pitching really struggling. But that doesn’t change the fact that it was such a refreshing change to see three actual blowouts. In one weekend they reduced their runs deficit by 26 runs.
By the way, Cruz went out of this way in the post-game media availability to praise Kelly for how he’s handled his recent screw-ups. The clear implication was that Kelly can relate much better to players than Shelton. That doesn’t change the fact that the team is woefully short of offensive talent, but it does mean that they will get the most out of what they have.
Upvote for "They got the Mets at the right time...."
Totally. Forgot to add the #enjoythemoment
In honor of yet another surreal Pirates offensive explosion, more from Dave Parker (re the me and the boys boppin’ T-shirt):
“I thought that if my teammates saw me strut into the clubhouse, cool and confident, wearing a badass message that there would be nothing to worry about …. *Because that’s the mindset you need to succeed at this level* [my emphasis].”
I am so tired of the Pirates being wimps. They need some supremely confident badasses who can back it up on the field.
https://www.mlb.com/pirates/news/origin-of-dave-parker-s-boys-boppin-shirt
True enough but there aren't any Dave Parkers in this clubhouse.
Ironically enough for the amount of shit he gets, Cruz is probably closest.
I like Cruz, but he ain't no Parker. "I never trotted to 1B. I don't know if anyone knows that," Dave Parker.
I loved watching Parker, but while you are criticizing Cruz for not running hard to first, let’s not forget Parker ruined his prime, and as a result, his own teams’ success, by doing blow (and a lot of other things), which he admitted to on multiple occasions. Everyone has internal demons they battle, and I commend Parker for facing his own, but let’s not act like his penchant for running out ground balls means he was more dedicated to the sport than Cruz. To do so, based on the facts we have is utterly ridiculous.
To have an addiction or dependency I guess is sort of similar to being a lackadaisical loafer prone to mental mistakes. Parker always tried hard on the field even if his issues kept him from that off the field, for better or worse.
And some dudes just like to party a bit too much, stay out late, show up to the games hungover (or worse) and then give it their all. If they run hard to first, though, all is cool. Even if the behavior is affecting them and their team.
To be clear, I’m not coming down on Dave Parker. Actually had lunch with the man many, many years ago and had a terrific time. My criticism is of you, AB and others trying to use his hustle to criticize Cruz. There’s no need for it. It’s lazy, lacks nuance and would probably offend Dave Parker (if you really thought more about it and/or knew much about him.)
Don’t think he said Cruz was Parker. Said he was closest and I think grabbing from all of Parker’s attributes- both the good and the bad - he might be right. Name someone on the roster closer to Parker than Cruz. You can set the parameters, but I’d use player ability, personality, and intangibles.
That's a lay-up.....Cutch of course comes closest with ability and probably personality
and intangibles, although I'm not in the locker room or dugout to fully verify.
Yeah no, Cruz is more Dave Chappelle's character in half baked than Cobra.
Ha! I hope this - in the name of Chappelle- was an attempt at high comedy! If so, bravo. If not, well…
It was like all the best jokes. It had a kernel of truth in it.
Nope, no comparison whatsoever to Parker.
Great article. Thanks for the link.
Genesis Cabrera feeling like he joined the ‘27 Yankees.
And that series is in remembrance of the Cobra and The Lumber Company. Unprecedented!
Such a weird coincidence. Or not …. If you believe in karma. And so great that it was against the Mets of all teams.
Really strange......came out of nowhere.....like a Field of Dreams.
So over/under 2 runs on Skenes' next start after this weekends fuckery?
30-4! I guess the Mets thought they could just stroll in to PNC and the Pirates would start quaking in their cleats.
Eat it, Grimace!
raise it
BOOYAH!!!!!!! Sweep of the Mets !!!! Humiliations Galore!!!!! Raise It!!!!!!!
30-4. Love it!
Good, Mlod for the S.
Gave him the win instead.
That’s fine, although they seem to be going hog wild with discretion these days. Cabrera did his job.
I don't understand when they can or can't use discretion.
Anytime the starter doesn't go 5 IP and there wasn't a lead change.
Burrows goes 4.1 with a big lead.
Cabrera goes 1 and is in during the 5th inning.
Mlodzinski goes 3.2 innings to finish the game.
In the old days, I think most of the time they woul give the win to Cabrera because he was in the 5th in that type of game and Mlodzinski would get credit for the save.
I think WTM's point was they are making these type of decisons more often.
Certainly wasn't ever a save situation for Mlod, so the W is the right call here.
Me neither.
It's probably the smart thing to do, but with 50+ pitches, probably won't see him vs Crads, so essentially down 2 relievers for that series.
Doesn't matter in the long run. They'll have to call up somebody.
Esmerlyn w #20. BC said today he’s “knocking on the door” for a promotion. Left out the battering ram part.
https://x.com/GSOHoppers/status/1939415665422807124
And another Rivas homer. Great day all around.
https://x.com/GSOHoppers/status/1939405062817657200
Neither were cheap, both blasts!
Rivas making Pedro Alvarez look like Jesse Owens with that home run trot lolol
6 hit batters before the homer might of played a role. Hoppers got hit by pitch 8 times on the day. Griffin 1, Delgado 2, Valdez 2, White 1, and I'm drawing a blank on the other 2.
Edit Alonzo 1, and Polanco 1
Bet he wouldn’t that against Gibson, Drysdale, Ryan, or Pedro.
He looks a bit like F. Tatis, at least to me.
Both on hanging curves. Probably not a great idea.
Talk about emptying the pen. GBO got a one-hit shutout -- Wietgrefe went three, then six different guys went one each.
What was with all the HBP in that game?? I think 8 Grasshoppers were hit. It’s insanity I tell ya!!
Something was happening. I noticed Rivas in his HR trot, in the 5th inning, practically stopped halfway around the bases, then practically walked the rest of the way. The other starter hit five guys in three innings. Had to be connected. Maybe some chirping before that.
How there were no ejections, I dunno.