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No better time to start a "Ponderings 4" thread, while Bucco fans are having fun! How great is it to see Pedro's name two games in a row atop the Major League Batting Game Score list. And D. Young's name right under his! Scoring 46 runs in 5 games is amazing. No team can keep a streak like that up, but it is great fun while it lasts. Wait until McCutchin returns!

Saw a blip on the wire that Texas has inquired about Joel Hanrahan. I had to laugh that Neil Huntington replied with an interest in the amazing Neftali Feliz. At 22 years of age, closer Feliz is about as "untouchable" as they come. Huntington knows that, and his request tells all what he thinks about Hanrahan.

Speaking of Hanrahan, combined with Meek I think the Pirates have the best set-up duo in baseball. That said, can they afford to keep both of them? Parting with one or the other should fetch some bigtime prospects without significantly weakening the Pirates staff. Just a thought.

Its a sad time for baseball, and for the Yankee organization in particular. First, legendary Bob Sheppard passes, then The Boss, George Steinbrenner. Now 90 year old Ralph Houk, the quiet man has died. A backup catcher behind the great Berra, houk made his mark as manager of the Pin Stripes for 20 years. His winning percentage of .514 is amazingly close to that of Sweet Lou Pinelleo and his 1619 wins stand 15th on the all-time list.

Houk became the GM for the Yankees in 1964 for three years, maybe the toughest in NYY history. If you recall, Topps sold the Yanks to CBS. Columbia began cost cutting measures from the first day. Minor League farm teams were cut. Scouts were let go. The best Yankee prospects were names like Steve Whitaker and Roger Repoz. Their minors were destroyed. At the Stadium the team suffered. Bobby Murcer was drafted into the Army. Yes, it was during those years that the Yankee Dynasty came to an end. Fortunately for them, and for all of baseball, George Steinbrenner was nearby on the horizon. Houk returned to the field and the ship was put back on course.

Finally, how sad it was to read the commentary in the local paper trashing Steinbrenner. Who cares if he ever is put into the Hall of Fame. It's just bad manners to belittle the recently passed. People in Florida have a much different view. Anyone connected with medicine in the Tampa area know of George's contributions. Anyone connected with higher education in Gainsville have a love for George. Same goes for countless others in New York and across the country. For his baseball doings, you can't finance and run the richest sports franchise in America and have everyone love you. George himself understood this well. Still, at this very time, it is not the time to be critical. Like all of us, Steinbrenner will be judged, and in a more important way than we judge others.

R.I.P. for those who have passed.

I was listening to ESPN radio the other day and the commentator was going on and on about how the aggressiveness of baseball has changed. Never again, he said, will we witness a "Charlie Hustle" Pete Rose giving his 125% even in an exhibition All-Star game and smashing into Cleveland catcher Ray Fosse, injuring him and perhaps shortening his career. The announcer went on with (a) the players are in the same union, (b) the players share the same agents, and (c) nobody wants to take a chance on getting hurt. As talk radio goes, the one-sided discussion went on and on. Seemed like a smattering of collusion to me, if the announcer was correct.

I thought of his commentary the other day as the Braves and Brewers engaged in a bean-ball contest resulting in Atlanta's pitcher and Manager Bobby Cox getting suspended by the league. I thought of the commentary upon hearing the comments of Brewers manager, Macha, a Pitt grad no less, warning that if this continues Milwaukee would be forced to take matters "into their own hands."

I was reminded of the ESPN blurb when I personally observed Brewers Weeks and Fiedler crowding the plate against the Bucs, getting hit with pitches on occasion. Then you witnessed, if you watched last nights game, a 95 mph fastball thrown by reliever Todd Coffee behind the neck of Pirate Jose Tabata, an obvious intent to injure. I felt that he should have been ejected, but instead both teams were warned.

Finally, the radio comments came to life with Prince Fiedler on second with a potentially critical insurance run. The batter hit a sharp single to left. Milledge just scooped and fired to the plate. The ball arrived in plenty of time, but there was 265 pound (supposedly) Fiedler bearing down on catcher Erik Kratz like a runaway freight train. With Doumit already on the DL with yet another concussion, it was almost too hard to watch. There was no slide. Fiedler crashed into Kratz head on, leading with a forearm, to boot. Kratz, a hulk himself, spun and staggered back. The umpire, classically, looked around the wreckage to check if Kratz still held the ball. He did! Fiedler was out, to the delight of the crowd! No one killed. No one injured. I think the Fresh Prince's feelings were damaged.

That incident, along with the others of this week that I described all occured between players in (a) the same union, (b) sign on with the same agents, and (c) don't want a career-ending injury for themselves. It was a Ray Fosse-revisited.

Baseball supposedly is non-contact. Play it hard, play it to win, and sometimes you could get hurt!

Few things in baseball, or in all of sports, is more fun for the home team fans than a dramatic "walk-off" hit that wins the game on the last pitch! What a week it's been for the Walk Away Florida Marlins! Consider:

7/19 Donnie Murphy -home run off Rockie's Huston Street
7/22 Ronnie Paulino- game winning single off Colorado's Jhouls Chacin
7/23 Donnie Murphy again - single off Atlanta's old Billy Wagner
7/25 Wes Holmes - a Sunday Special single off Braves Jessie Chavez

Has there ever been a week like this for one team to have 4 walk-off hits in seven days? I think not!

I've dug deep (very deep in some cases) for some interesting (to me) walk-off information. Consider:

** Since July 19, there have been 9 walk-off hits NOT including the ones listed above. The Year of the Walk-Off?
** The Padres lead the Majors with 9 walk-offs this year, followed by the Braves and Brewers with 8.
** The Amazin' Mets have been walked-off by opponents 11 times already in 2010!

And what about Walk-Off Grand Slam Home Runs! There have been 6 already this season, only 10 others from 2006 through 2009!

The Pirates, unfortunately, were involved in one of those ten. It was Saturday night in LA, April 21, 2007. The 6-9 Pirates of Manager Jim Tracy were visiting 12-5 LA before 48,995 fashionably late-arriving fans at Dodger Stadium. Starter Ian Snell had come and gone, leaving a small 3-2 lead to middle reliever (at the time) Matt Capps. Ma Ca pitched well and was credited with a hold. Capps was relieved by Damaso Marte, and then in the ninth, closer Solomon Torres. Torres should have escaped, but an unearned run caused by catcher Ronnie Paulino helped the Dodgers tie the score at 3. Torres gets a blown save for his work. The game progresses to extra innings.

The pirates are retired in the 10th, and reliever Jonah Bayless comes in for the Bucs. First batter Juan Pierre singles for LA. This is bad. Pierre is fast! Bayless gets Nomar Garciaparra to fly out to right. One out! Let's get the DP! Jeff Kent promptly singles to right, and Pierre scurrys to third. Big trouble! Tracy brings on Shawn Chacon to pitch to Gonzalez. Gonzalez walks. Really, no harm done, yet! The LA crowd stands and roars as local hero Russell Martin advances to the plate. Strike one, from Chacon! Strike two, called by Umpire Cowboy Joe West! Is Russell Martin a "Casey at the Bat"? Ball one! Guess West missed the call. Sure. Chacon stretches and fires. Crack!!! Picture it in slow motion! Martin's fly ball easily clears the left field fence, and is later estimated at 435 feet by the LA press. Chacon trudges off. LA was "too much for the man." Bayless gets the loss. Fans celebrate before risking their lives once more on the LA Freeways.

Just one of the 16 walk-off grand slams since 2006. In looking at the list, this one seemed to hurt me the most, for sure!

Just some general comments on some of the ponderings. While listening to the bio on George Steinbrenner, it was pointed out that he attempted to purchase the Indians and was rebuffed. How different do you thing the Indian franchise would have been if he would have purchased them?

As for the Pirates, I am firmly convinced the organization as it nows stands does not want to be a winner. I have often wondered why former Pirate and current Yankee front office man Gene Michael has never been approached by the Pirates to serve in the same or higher capacity. Would be willing to guess it comes down to finances!

Matt Garza's no-hitter for Tampa Bay was fun to watch! Monday night, national tv, and no Pirate game. Also a joy was to think that we were watching on ESPN along with Jim Leyland. Skipper Leyland was booted out of the game for arguing.

It was exciting that Max Scherzer, the Tiger pitcher, was humming right along with Garza...until he gave up his first hit! Most unusual to have your potential no-hitter broken by a grand slam!

Garza was more than impressive! Faced only the minimum 27 batters. One walk erased on a double play. Showing how he was in control, he threw 13 first-pitch strikes to those 27 batters. Getting ahead of the hitters is always a good thing.

I was worried that he would lose the no-no in the ninth, particularly to Punch-and-Judy hitter Don Kelly. The Butler, PA ex-Pirate substituting at third for injured Brandon Inge is currently hitting .206, slightly lower than his career .211. Just the kind of guy to get a looper over the 2nd baseman's head. But Garza was strong!

It was the first no-hitter in Tampa's history, but only the third best Game Score at 92! James Shields had a 93 in 2008 giving up one hit but striking out 8. Unlucky Ryan Rupp had a 93 back in 1999 going 9 innings, one hit, striking out 8. The then Devil Rays didn't score, Rupp was replaced, and Tampa lost 4-0 in 10 innings that day. Go figure!

A couple of other thoughts: George Steinbrenner hailed from Cleveland, 72X, so no doubt he had a big interest in the Indians. If he would have bought the team, the Tribe might have Jeter leading off tonight, A-Rod going for #600, etc.

Congratulations to ex-Pirate Jason Kendell catching his 2000 game. That's fourth all-time...and a lot of crouching down. He was behind the plate for Pittsburgh in 1205 of those games.

Congratulations to Ed Hickox and his umpiring crew. The pressure is on when a no-hitter is on the line. One mistake and they will never forget...as we have learned early this year. Hickox, you might have noted, became ever more emphatic with his calls as the innings got late.

Finally, what I deemed as a silly quote: Thirty-nine year old pitcher Brendon Donnelly of the young and building Pirates who has pitched so-so in relief, gave 25 walks in 30 innings (bad news for relievers!), walked the first three batters he faced in a close game over the weekend, said upon being released by the Pirates, "I didn't see it coming." To me, an amazing reaction, for sure!

Let's all keep our eyes open as our Bucs visit Colorado up in the thin air starting tonight. Keep those pitches DOWN!

Thank you for your comment, 72X. I enjoy reading your thoughts on other pages.

While we were busy Monday watching Garza's no-hitter, Twins catcher and MVP candidate Joe Mauer was having himself a night of a lifetime. Facing Kansas City, Joe had 5 hits and drove in 7 runs! To put this into perspective, since 1920 there have been 250 players hit for the cycle, 176 pitched a no-hitter for 9 or more innings, but just 44 players getting at least 5 hits and 7 RBIs in a game! Even more amazing to me is that Mauer was rested for a pinch hitter in the 8th inning! Wow!

I did some undercover work with the other 43 guys to at least equal that feat. Of course, I was looking for Pirates (among other things). It was a relief that nobody accomplished this against our Bucs in the last 90 years, but some Pirates were involved in equaling this statistic.

Two players who had 5 hits and 7 RBIs were former Pirates who currently played for Cincinnati; old Gus Bell, and Dave Parker. Both were right fielders for the Pirates. Parker's numbers are Hall of Fame material but his involvement with drugs in his era works against him. Still, his throw to the plate in the All-Star game typified his abilities, for sure.

Two Pirates that equaled that achievement were before my time and I don't recall their efforts; Johnny Rizzo in 1939 and Reb Russell in 1922. Actually, on May 30, 1939 Rizzo had 5 hits and drove in 9 against St Louis.

Two more modern and recognizable (to me) Buccos also achieved that standard; Willie "Pops" Stargell in 1968 against the Cubs, and slugger Ralph Kiner in 1950 in a game against the Brooklyn Dodgers. We are proud that this wasn't a one-day thing as both players are enshrined in Baseball's Hall of Fame.

I was particularly interested in Kiners big day, Sunday June 25, 1950 before 20,196 fans at little Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The Pirates were on the way to another dismal season (no, the Nuttings didn't own them. Don't blame them) under Manager Billy Meyer. Perhaps the greatest of all umpires, Joco Conlin, provided the excitement behind the plate. Kiner really lit the lamps on that sunny afternoon with five hits including 2 homers, a triple, double and single and driving in 8 runs! This ranks as one of baseball's alltime best one-game performances.

Certainly I was interested in the Pirate lineup, but Brooklyn's was loaded with stars. Don Newcombe was the starter. This 149-game winner was one of the very best of the first half of the '50s. He was signed by the Dodgers in 1946 at a time when no other team was signing Black players. Newk's only problem of his career was in facing the Yankees in three World Series'. He was 0-4 against the Bombers.

The losing pitcher that day for the Dodgers was hard-luck Ralph Branca. Branca became suddenly infamous in 1951 as the losing pitcher in the last game of the season to rival Giants. Bobby Thompson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" came out of his hand, and Branca was never the same. Brooklyn, after bragging with a 13.5 game lead heading into September that "the Giants are dead" saw that lead at zero forcing that one-game playoff. I'm sure that Branca recalled Kiner's game of the year before, also.

So Joe Mauer goes into the record book this week for a feat even rarer than hitting for the cycle or pitching a no-hitter! You have to love this game of baseball, for sure!

Just a few thoughts from a fan trying to understand what the Pirates received from their deadline deals. They didn't give up much, so my initial reaction is that they didn't get a lot in return. I feel that younger guys with positive upsides was the way to go, but they did get some immediate needed help at catcher and perhaps a so-so starting pitcher. it will be wait-see on some of the other guys.

For those worried about money, I gather that Arizona has agreed to pay off newly aquired catcher Snyder's contract saving the Pirates about $3 million. Just a drop in the hat to big market teams, but the Pirates, like most of baseball and other sports teams cannot afford to spend like the fans want them to.

The Texas Rangers are a prime example. Their new bankruptcy plan released Wednesday attempts to get them out from under paying what is owed to A-Rod ($24.9 million deferred), thirdbaseman Michael Young ($4 million owed), long-departed Vicente Padilla (1.7 million), the almost forgotten (except at the bank) Mickey Tettleton (1.4 million), and who-he Mark McLemore (nearly $1 million). Like Pirate fans, Big D "spenders of other peoples money" call Ranger ownership "cheap" and have accused them of "not wanting to win." Now they are broke. Enter Nolan Ryan and/or Mark Cuban. Do they have enough money/smarts to please the whinners?

Now that Roy Oswalt is a Philly and joins Roy Halladay at the top of the rotation, I ponder if there has ever been a "same name" combo at the top as talented as these "Roy brothers". Of course there has!

Don Drysdale/Don Sutton of the Dodgers (also Drysdale and Newcombe)
David Wells/David Cone 38-11 for the 1998 Yankees
Bob Feller/Bob Lemon in Cleveland together 1946-56 The best Bobs I can think of!
Jim Kaat/Jim Perry both Twins from 1964-72

Bet there are a lot more that I can't think of. Oh, by the way, Roy "Doc" Halladay's real name is Harry Leroy Halladay. So much for the "Roys"!

Finally, it is rare to see a player slip so quickly in skills as Ryan Doumit has this year. He has had a rough year with concussions and other injuries but he is terrible behind the plate and looks confused while batting. His actual decline started late in 2008 and has dropped dramatically this year. He really looked bad the few games he played at first base, and the propsed putting him in the outfield will take game-experience away from Milledge. It will be interesting in how the Pirates handle Doumit who had such great potential. He is signed through 2011.

Us oldtime baseball fans were saddened by the news of the death of former Dodger pitching mainstay Billy Loes in a hospice in Arizona recently. I have fond memories of the pitching heroics of Loes along with mates Carl Erskine, Johnny Podres, and Preacher row among others during the first half of the 1950s.

Loes was 50-26 for Brooklyn from 1950-55 and greatly helped their pennant drives during those Golden Years. But perhaps he will be remembered as an eccentric character of the game, a "screwball" who fit right in with Dodger mentality. Loes always said that he didn't want to ever be a 20-game winner because management and fans would expect it every year! He should be in the game today!

Loes will also be remembered for his inaccurate prediction that the Yankees would beat his team in the World Series in 6 games. He underestimated his team. It took the Yankees 7 games to win that year.

In one World Series game Loes blotched a ground ball hit by Yankee pitcher Vic Raschi right back at him. After the game he told reporters that he "lost it in the sun."

Back in that era the game seemed to be more fun. Jackie Robinson was the highest paid player in Dodger history making $35,000 to play "a kids game." It was common that players had winter jobs to supplement their income

What were our Pirates doing while so much fun was being had in New York? Our Bucs finished last in 1950 with a 57-96 record...playing .373 baseball. Other than slugger Ralph Kiner, the Pirates had little to go on. Soon the youngsters like Roberto Clemente and basketball star Dick Groat would arrive. the fans were patient. They loved the game!

The passing of Loes means that The Boys of Summer fall another step back in memory. But ah...it is such a wonderful memory for those of us still left!

See you at the ball yard on this warm summer day!

Tried to watch the Pirates this weekend. They are and an . There is to much wrong to fix in anytime soon! I think if the Cards played them 162 games the Cards might go undefeated! .. Where have all the Pirate's heros gone!

The "undefeated" Cardinal season wouldn't happen since the Bucs beat the Redbirds in Pittsburgh, shutting them out 2-0 by the pitching of Jeff Karstens. That said, the Pirates offense and pitching looked exceedingly weak over the weekend despite Friday's close extra-inning game. The team looked nothing like the Bucs against the Rockies earlier in the week. Over time, the Pirates are 4-14 in their last 18 against St Louis, a team that has lots of other team's "numbers."

I don't mind seeing the Big-Guns of Pujols and Company swat the Pirates out of a ballgame, but it hurts to see the tail end of the order...the pitcher, then the guy who hits BEHIND the pitcher cause havoc to our pitchers. Our throwers lacked aggressiveness. They didn't challenge the hitters, trying to work too fine, too cautious. When that happens and you fall behind, you have to groove one, and it's "Goodbye Mr Duke" as we saw yesterday.

I'm shocked by the outcomes of Saturday and Sunday's games, but it you follow the Pirates, if you follow Major League Baseball you know that 1) St Louis has one of the top teams, and 2) the Pirates (like most teams) don't play well on the road...so I'm not "shocked to death."

Mr Wainwright, Adam Wainwright - Major League pitcher, is 11-0 this year at home at Busch Stadium with a 1.22 ERA. Just one of those victories were against the Pirates so he is an example of a tough guy to beat for anyone. Yes, the season is 162 games long, and there are plenty of games left against St Louis. I look forward to our team playing against them.

Planning on going down this Sunday, the wife, son, and his friend.

I remember the days when the Pirates had a team full of great and good players ...not just one super star. Oh, Clemente and Stargell were super stars but they blended so well with their team mates that those around them played better. Both were not the somewhat self promoting stars of today.Bonds was the poster boy of self!!!!

Sometimes memories can be faulty, especially mine. We remember only snatches of what our heroes were like, and especially on how they developed.

When Clemente arrived in Pittsburgh in 1955, he was not particularly welcomed with open arms. Although the city had many Afro-American citizens, even "black" music was relegated to certain radio stations. Clemente himself failed to make a splash. On a team that finished 60-94 and had one established star (Frank Thomas) and one fairly good pitcher (Vern Law), Roberto batted a mere .255 with 5 homers and 47 RBIs. Like many of the current Pirate starters, he was yet to get his feet on the ground.

We jump forward to 1957. Although the Pirate record was still dismal (62-92), the Pirates were building. Like today, the fans were impatient when players like Bob Skinner, Bill Mazeroski, and Bob Friend were added. Many never heard of these guys. One key player was former St Louis Rookie of the Year Bill Virdon. Still, Roberto in his third season batted .253 with 4 HRs and only 30 RBIs. Today we would give up on guys like Alverez, McCutchin, Jones, etc with those numbers after 3 years!

Let's jump to 1959...the brink of the Championship season! Only two games over .500 as the Bucs finished 78-76. Still, it was progress from the previous 9 seasons, for sure. More parts of the puzzle were being added. Names like Don Hoak, Smokey Burgess, Dick Stuart (Dr Strangeglove!), Harvey Haddix were popping up. friend and Law and little Elroy Face were starting to jell, taking the Good Guys up over .500! And Roberto Clemente? In his fifth Major League season he hit .296 with 4 HRs and 50 RBIs (seventh best on this team).

Of course we know what happened in 1960! This really came together. A huge jump to 95-59 and of course a World Series Championship. The point is: Super-stars don't always start by setting the world on fire. They might mature into excellent players. Teams don't automatically make a turn around. Parts have to be added, adjusted, weathered, and even aged. Clemente was more than a great ballplayer. He was a team leader, a winner, a guy who made others better by just playing on their team.

The 1960 Pirates were built the right way. Their loyal fans who stuck with them through the darker days got the greatest satisfaction from that team. Many of those players were examples of being a champion is more than just winning a championship.

Of course, things don't last forever. The window often closes faster than it was opened. The Pirates went from 1960 World Beaters to a 75-79 record in 1961. They are not passing out commemerative mugs honoring that '61 team. We dropped, but then again rose to glory. What goes around comes around almost always happens...except for those that got off when times are tough.

Let's go Bucs. It's our rival Reds in town again tonight!

It will be interesting tonight to see new Pirate prospect James McDonald, obtained along with a minor leaguer for closer Octavio dotel from the Dodgers, make his first appearance in a pirate uniform. The 25-year old made one start for LA, going 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 9 hits and being charged with the loss vs the Padres. Since then, McDonald has made 3 relief appearances, was credited with a Hold in one, and pitching two hitless innings on July 29. He is averaging one strikeout per innings pitched.

The Pirate philosophy, stated clearly by the new owner Nutting and by their General Manager is to build up their minor league system with prospects; then weed through those who develop and promote them to the majors. How successful will this be? Depends upon what you think of Alverez, McCutchin, Walker, Tabata, etc. Are they developing? Do they have the potential? Are they better than hiring on tired vets on the downside of their careers?

One problem that must be overcome with this system is careful player evaluation. Don't place your bet on the wrong guys. To that effect, the Bucs have been yo-yoing players up and down from minors to majors. The result is that several players who are interesting for one reason or another are out of options. Decisions on these players cannot wait for ever.

McDonald himself is one of those having no further options. The Pirates must get a read on him soon, and at the major league level. He pitches tonight against a tough pennant contender. Others out of options include Jeff Clement, Steve Pearce, Delwyn Young, pitcher Charlie Morton, Sean Gallagher, newcomer John Bowker, and others. Decisions need to be made. They are either in or out, kept on the 40-man roster or lost to other teams.

Also in need of protection from the Rule 5 draft are good prospects such as Sterling Marte, Nathan Adcock, Jeff locke, top choice Danny Moskos, and others. We can only protect 40 on that 40-man roster.

The prospects the Pirates have collected the past few years have run deep and are the envy of most Major League organizations. Depth is a wonderful thing! But others are just waiting to see who goes unprotected and will raid the Pirate farms for sure. Let's hope that the evaluation system is as good as the developmental part, and the best guys can be kept withing the organization until their time is ready!

Good luck to James McDonald. Let's hope to score some runs to take the pressure off. We really need pitching in the system...badly!

Hmmm. A-Rod has hit his 600th home run. Seventh player and youngest in history to reach that mark. Big deal? Or no big deal?

Later last evening on MLB-TV they switched to the Twins game where commentator and former pitcher Bert Blyleven was checking in with his thoughts. I was shocked at his mocking tone speaking of the event. No grace. No recognition of A-Rods obvious skills as a player - just total distain for Alex. This is surprising, coming from a professional. I would think that someone who himself has been denied recognition for his ability might be more sympathetic to a player with marks against him. Or that someone like Bert who played during an era when "greenies" were popped like candy might give todays slugger his dues. No. For Bert, A-Rod committed the unpardonable sin. He belongs to a small superstar group who dabbled and then was exposed. No love for him.

While pondering this (just a hobby!), I wondered why Blyleven, with his Hall of fame stats, has been denied to this point. The simple answer is that he was not well liked. Not by fans. Not by media. Not by voting sportswriters.

I recall a time back in the day when Blyleven, star pitcher for Minnesota, gave the home fans the finger as he left the field after a bad outing. They're spoiled. They are frontrunners he said, and he vowed to do it again. Bert became known as Bert's biggest fan, looking out for Bert and the mighty dollar. I'm surprised he is now part of the media in the Twin Cities, but I'm not surprised he has been shut out of the Hall despite Hall of Fame stats.

Blyleven will be up for his last vote this year, and I would bet that he will squeek in. Bad memories die off. Stats remain. It will be wins, losses, ERA, baseball stuff that is remembered...not so much flipping off fans and being surly to reporters. Yes, Bert will be on top - getting what he surely feels he deserves. But for A-Rod, one of the best ballplayers ever with or without enhancing medication, Blyleven won't even acknowledge anything good about him. To me, this says more about the Dutchman than it says about Alex.

What a great night it was in Pittsburgh! I'm surprised that Pirate "fans" who are so often critical and negative aren't filling up forums like this with the good news. Guess we leave the "fair and balanced" to Fox News! Oh, did I mention, Pirate affiliate teams were 9-0 last night. How are you going to keep them down on the farm...!

It was the James McDonald Pirate debut, and what a coming out it was! As you probably saw, his line was terrific - 6.0 innings, 0 runs, 4 hits, 1 BB, 8 impressive Ks, and a Game Score of 71. His stuff was electric! He consistently hit 92-93 mph with his fastball, had a hard breaking curve, and his changeup was amazing; 13-14 mph slower than the heater. He had the Rocky hitters off balance all evening.

JM got the bat support that I hoped for. A tremendous HR blast by Garrett Jones, proving that he can hit lefties, and a shot to the seats by Ronnie Cedano particularly damaging since Colorado had just blotched catching his foul pop-up. The Pirates added to their lead as the game progressed, something they have had trouble doing.

The Pirate relievers contributed by holding the Pikes Peakers to one run. Former Tiger Wilfredo Ledezma pitched well, and former Brave Chris Resop finished well striking out the visitors. This added to the luster that McDonald began.

Because of the Pirates, the Rockies are in trouble. Being in third place in the West, 7.5 games behind, they are in sort of a "must" win situation this weekend. The Bucs have dominated, taking 3 out of 4 this season from the pennant contenders. They are 22-13 in Pittsburgh against Colorado, even with their losing seasons. All this can change however. Critics talked about St Louis domination over the Bucs, but baseball fans know that each game is a 50/50 proposition.

Just as a side note, it was good to see Pedro Alverez RBI single, but his strikeouts are getting to be a bit much. Batting instructor Long better start helping to correct this. An alarming stat today says: when Pedro gets ahead in the count, his on-base percentage is .588. When falling behind in the count it is .138. Most batters do better ahead than behind, get better pitches to hit, but with Pedro it is critical.

Good luck to the Bucs tonight. It's Zach Dukes turn again. Let's put the fork into these guys once more!

Final note: Congratulations to Larry "Chipper" Jones on his 1500 run scored. Only 70 players in history have gotten to that point. Chipper needs only 10 more RBIs to get to 1500, and 96 BB to get to 1500. He would be only the 14th player to get 1500/1500/1500, and 11 of the current 13 are Hall of Famers. Only Pete Rose and Jim Thome are not. Chipper will be a sure-fire H of Fer upon his retirement. Enjoy him while he finishes his career before our eyes!

LETS GO BUCS