I knew that this weekend was going to be awesome before it even played out.  First, there was the email from my season ticket account executive last Monday, asking me if I’d like to come to the park on Friday and watch the Buccos take batting practice.  (I’m fairly confident I have never been asked an easier question.)  Then, there was the fact that Rocco was doing a live broadcast from the park after Friday’s game.  And then, there was the impending visit of Kev (aka the blog’s most loyal reader, or TBMLR) and his wife Jean, also a dear friend of mine (and a former partner in crime when it came to attending Pirate games).  And when I heard, driving into work on Friday morning, that the Pirates had offered contract extensions to Jack and Freddy, I thought things couldn’t possibly get any better.

And so it was that, later that day, I arrived at PNC Park at 3:55 PM for a 7:05 PM game.  My account executive, Rich, met me in the main lobby of the Pirate offices, and away we went.  Walking through the service tunnel, I looked up to see Andrew McCutchen a few feet in front of us.  We went down through the umpires’ entrance, and then we were on the field.

I don’t mean to sound like a fancy-pants, but I’ve been on the field before.  Last season, I gave tours of the ballpark, and a stop in the dugout and on the warning track was always the grand finale.  Plus, at the end of last season, the other season ticket holders and I got to frolic and play catch on the field.  But I have never been on the field at the same time as the Pirates, and that made this opportunity all the more exciting.

Rich and I took up our posts on the dugout railing, right near where the on-deck circle (which is actually this large rug) goes.  The pitchers were hitting when we got out there, and the position players were stretching and soft-tossing out in centerfield.  The next hour was a flurry of activity, with balls flying every which way (from whichever coach was throwing BP at the moment to Tony Beasley hitting grounders to Jack to the Pirates’ players doing this weird thing for everybody’s first swing, in which the batter would bunt the ball to a player standing right in front of him, who would, in turn, bunt the ball to the player standing right across from him).  I even got hit in the leg with an errant throw at one point, but the bruise on my shin is not nearly as palpable as was my excitement at getting to keep the ball.  (More on that to come.)

Having watched the Pirates take batting practice, I have now concluded that besides athletic pursuits, several other things go on during that time.  I say this without criticism or condescencion, but there seems to be a lot of three things happening: standing around (the Pirate infielders formed a little enclave in shallow left field for the last 15 minutes or so of BP), singing along with the PA system (at one point, Andy LaRoche serenaded Jack, at length, with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”), and general goofing off (which in the case of Andrew McCutchen and Freddy Sanchez takes the form of wild dancing, and in the case of Andy LaRoche takes the form of hurling chewed-up wads of gum at your older brother).  And I felt so lucky to have gotten to witness it, because it allowed me to see the Pirates as grown-up little kids, who seem to genuinely enjoy one another’s company, while also maintaining an adequate understanding that they are living millions of people’s dreams every time they come to work.

And speaking of things I felt lucky to witness, Friday night’s game is definitely in the running for the best one of the second half.  Paul Maholm matched Tim Lincecum, virtually pitch for pitch, and Garrett Jones hit yet another homer early to continue the evolution of his rapidly growing, Roy Hobbesian legacy.  But when the Giants scored a cheap, unearned run in the top of the seventh, it looked like the game might go on for a while.

And it did — through the tenth inning, the eleventh, the twelfth, the thirteenth, the fourteenth.  And as the night wore on, and 11:00 came and went, I started to have conflicting emotions.  On the one hand, the Giants were putting many more men on base in the extra frames, which made me think that they were going to win.  But on the other hand, when games go that long in Pittsburgh, you really start to feel like the Pirates are going to win, almost as a sort of reward for the fans’ loyalty.  Bearing that optimism in mind, I penciled in the Pirates batter by batter on the hastily-drawn, extra innings portion of my scorecard.

And it was Garrett Jones, of course (who else, really?) who provided the long-awaited reward when, leading off the bottom of the fourteenth, he crushed a Bob Howry offering over the center field seats.  The ball bounced on the sidewalk and wound up in the Allegheny, and I cannot tell you how fantastic it was.

Despite the late hour, I headed over to the Hall of Fame Club to check out Rocco’s live broadcast.  I was particularly excited about his planned interview with Neal Huntington, even though I was sure the GM couldn’t comment on the negotiations with my two favorite Buccos.  That much proved correct, but it was still a spirited broadcast, which I greatly enjoyed.  And by the time everything had wrapped up, it was 1:00 in the morning, and I was walking back to my car.

The evening was cool, particularly for this time of year, and there was a hint of the rain that had earlier delayed the game’s first pitch by 45 minutes.  And as I walked around PNC Park, I felt completely, totally at home.

That feeling continued the next day, when Kev and Jean arrived.  They are two of my favorite people, and seeing them always reminds me of the two great years that Jean and I lived together, and Kev essentially lived at our house, too.  (They moved to Philly last summer and married last fall.)  We kicked off their visit with a trip to Fuddruckers, which we made with the understanding that we needed to return to my house by 7:05 (for obvious reasons).  We made it home at 7:04, flipped on FSN, and got out the Super Scrabble board.  The evening was spent as we had so many before, and my delight at being reunited with two of my best friends was only furthered when the Pirates won the game, 2-0.  I’ll admit to not watching the game as closely as I usually do, but I can tell you that it was very well-played, all the way around.

And so I was feeling pretty excited as Kev, Jean, and I headed to the ballpark yesterday afternoon.  We had gotten good seats, two rows back from the left field corner (ironically, the very same seats we sat in during the last game they attended at PNC Park), and I was feeling pretty confident about the chances of a sweep.  That hope continued when the Pirates staked themselves to a 1-0 lead on Brandon Moss’ solo home run, and when Zach Duke was both effective and efficient through his first five innings.  But then, in the top of the sixth, in a rapid-fire sequence of no more than 10 pitches (somewhat reminiscent of that terrible game last Saturday in Philadelphia), the Giants hit back-to-back-to-back-to-back doubles, and suddenly, the Pirates’ 1-0 lead was a 4-1 deficit.

But then the bottom of the eighth came, and the Pirates scored two runs and were poised to tie the game, and Adam LaRoche stepped to the plate with Ryan Doumit at first and one out, and the count went to 3-0, and I turned to Kev and said, “he’s going to ground into a double-play,” and on the very next pitch, he did.  There was still an inning to play, but the ballgame was essentially over.

And it was annoying to me, because this could have been the perfect weekend.  Still, I’m not going to lie — it came pretty darn close.  And as Kev, Jean, and I made our way to the gathering of season ticket holders waiting to take the field for another session of catch, I got really excited again.  Because let’s be honest — no matter how many times you go on to a Major League field, the thrill never gets old.

And so we frolicked.  We threw.  We caught.  We enjoyed getting to feel the grass and the warning track.  We took the requisite pictures of “home run robbing catches” at the wall.  And for once, I was able to forget about a Pirate loss, and not feel its sting quite so strongly.

The night brought more quality time with Kev and Jean (as well as the significantly less exciting news about the major impasse in the Jack and Freddy negotiations), and as I went to sleep last night, I thought about what a difference a week can make.  After all, it was only a week ago that the Pirates were manhandled by their cross-state rivals, in a series that featured the worst game I’ve attended this year (and possibly ever).  And then there was this past weekend, in which the Pirates took two of three (almost three of three) from the current Wild Card leaders.  Although the offense remained paltry, the pitching was great (even with Zach’s sixth), and from start to finish, on the field and off it, the weekend was fantastic.

And to get back to the ball that I got in batting practice for a second — I decided, upon arriving home from Friday night’s game, to keep the ball on my nightstand, even if that makes me 26-going-on-7.  I’ll admit to lovingly tracing the stitches on the ball several times since then.  I’ll admit to looking at it right before bed, and first thing in the morning, and smiling every time.  And sometimes I feel silly for being such a little kid. 

But then I think of Andy LaRoche chucking gum at Adam.  I think of Andrew McCutchen grooving while he waits for his turn in the cage.  I think of Jack and Freddy jawing back and forth while doing their warm-up tosses.  And I realize that being a kid, as it relates to baseball, isn’t necessarily something to be ashamed of after all.

So I realize that the timeliness of a post continuing to evaluate the first half is a little off, as we are now three games into the second half.  But last week brought statistical analysis (mixed in with some feline preferences).  This week brings sheer opinions, on the season’s bests, worsts, and everything in between.  Obviously, the recently completed series with the Giants does not count in these evaluations (although a separate entry about those games is coming, post-haste).

Best game attended at PNC Park: This is a close one.  Do I opt for Zach Duke’s masterful performance in the Home Opener on April 13, or the Pirates’ walk-off win against the Indians on June 25?  I think I have to give it to the latter, if for no other reason than the event of the Home Opener is exciting enough on its own.  Let’s face it — I would have had a great time at the Opener even if the Pirates hadn’t won, if for no other reason than everything the day signifies.  But a big win like that against the Tribe, on a random Thursday in the middle of the season, carries more excitement points on its own. 

Worst game attended at PNC Park: Well, the May 31 game against the Astros was painful, filled with missed opportunities on offense and, ultimately, yet another loss against stupid Mike Hampton.  But by far the most heart-wrenching game I’ve witnessed this year in Pittsburgh was the May 15 loss to the Rockies.  The Pirates took a tenuous 1-0 lead into the ninth, and then all it took was a double by Ian Stewart and a homer into the “Pirate” bushes in center by Brad Hawpe to give the Rockies the game.  Ryan Spilborghs added a run of his own, after earlier absolutely robbing Jack of a homer, the lower the Jolly Roger and give the Rox a 3-1 win.  Yeah, it was painful.

Best game attended on the road: The Pirates’ 10-2 win over the Reds on April 11 was pretty awesome, if for no other reason than it was the first time in over six months that I got to see my boys live.  But this award goes, undoubtedly, to the win over the White Sox on May 24.  First, my friend and traveling companion Hykos surprised me with seats four rows behind the Pirate dugout.  And then, with two outs and two strikes on him in the ninth, Jack doinked the game-tying homer off of stupid white-beard Bobby Jenks.  A Nyjer Morgan double and Delwyn Young single followed, as did perhaps Matt Capps’ most dominant outing of the year (three swinging strikeouts).  I flew back to Pittsburgh that night on a Southwest flight, but I probably could have gotten there on my own after that thrilling win.

Worst game attended on the road: This one is a no-brainer.  Yes, the Pirates’ 10-1 drubbing at the hands of the Mets on May 9 was bad, but when it comes to soul-crushing defeats, nothing beats the July 11, 8-7 loss to the Phillies.  In a matter of minutes, a 7-3 lead turned into an 8-7 deficit and a pile of Phillies bouncing around home plate.  I’m pretty sure that I witnessed the worst outing of Matt Capps’ career that night — he faced 8 batters and retired one of them (and that on a fly ball that went to the deepest part of the yard).  It was awful.

5 most exciting moments: This one is tough, because I’m so afraid I’m going to forget one.  So let’s just do the ones that come to the top of my head, in no particular order:

1.) Jack’s bases-clearing double into the left field gap on Opening Day, effectively silencing  the St. Louis crowd and allowing the Pirates to steal the game.

2.) The Home Opener, start to finish.

3.) Seeing Paul Maholm’s first career home run, and in cavernous Citi Field of all places.

4.) The Jack jack in Chicago.

5.) The seventh through ninth innings of the Pirates/Indians game on June 25.

5 most depressing moments: Again, off the top of my head, in no particular order:

1.) Looking at the schedule and seeing Mike Hampton’s name as the opposing pitcher (or, alternately, the Brewers as the opponent).

2.) Watching the arc of Brad Hawpe’s home run on May 15.

3.) The bottom of the ninth inning on July 11.

4.) Seeing Adam LaRoche step to the plate in any remotely key, potentially game-changing situation.

5.) The first time I saw Nate McLouth in a Braves’ uniform.  It’s been, what, six weeks or so, and it’s still weird.

Most shocking moment: Given #5 above, perhaps it’s no surprise (pardon the pun) that this award goes to the trade of Nate McLouth.  I was out at Bible Study that night, and when I came home and turned my phone back on, there was a voicemail from Kev — “The Pirates have traded Nate McLouth.  I’m not kidding.”  I remember slumping into the wall in my foyer, dialing him back as quickly as I could, and rightly groaning, “please tell me you’re kidding.”  Alas, he was not.

Biggest surprise (pitcher): The next few kind of piggyback on last week’s entries, but that’s how it’s going to go.  This award goes to Zach Duke.  I always believed that the crazily talented rookie we saw in ’05 was in there somewhere, but as year after year of futility piled up, it became hard to keep that torch burning.  Zach has rewarded the Pirate faithful in spades this year.  Think what he could be with some run support — it’s scary.

Biggest surprise (position player): Andrew McCutchen looks as good as advertised, which I’m sorry to say means I doubted him at first.  But you know what?  Given the fates of some of the other recent Pirate first-round draft picks, it’s easy to be skeptical.  Luckily, in “Cutch,” we seem to have a real, legitimate superstar-caliber player.

Biggest disappointment (pitcher): Ian Snell went from a number-two starter to a first-class bust.  The only thing more disappointing than his on-field performance in Pittsburgh (and the awful attitude that accompanied it) is that there is apparently no interest in him on the trade market.

Biggest disappointment (position player): Speaking of no interest on the trade market, Adam LaRoche is in the midst of, arguably, his worst season out of his overwhelmingly mediocre stint in Pittsburgh.  The only time the homers seem to come, the bases are empty and the game is already out of hand.  Any other situation, and that gorgeous swing of his (which I say without sarcasm) is going right through a third strike.

Player I wish the Pirates would trade: Much as I dislike Ian Snell, this award goes to Adam LaRoche.  Garrett Jones can easily step in at first, thus allowing the Buccos’ glut of outfield prospects to get regular playing time as well.

Player I don’t want the Pirates to trade: Hello!  Scroll up and take a look at the picture that graces the blog, and there’s your answer.  A very strong second would be his BFF and double play partner extraordinaire.

Best series played by the team so far: June 1-4 against the Mets.  Now, the Pirates did lose the rain make-up of the third game of this series (played a month later), but taking the three games that were played in early June, it was a very strong performance.  Whether it was taking advantage of a beleaguered Mets’ bullpen with a five-run eighth in the opener, beating the always frightening Johan Santana in the second game, or bouncing back from the decimation of the Nate trade with a very satisfying 11-6 win the next day, it was a fantastic series.  A very close runner-up in this category is the three-game sweep of the Marlins April 20-22.  They came into Pittsburgh the hottest team in baseball, and left with their tails (well, at least their tail fins) between their legs.

Worst series played by the team so far: Oh, that there were not so many to choose from.  And yet…  Could it be the Mets’ series May 8-10?  The sweeps at the hands of the Brewers (in late April), the Rockies (in mid-June), or the Phillies (just last week)?  It’s kind of making me sick to think about, so let’s make this one a four-way tie and move on.

Stat I’d most like to see the Bucs improve on in second half: Take your pick from any one of the offensive categories.  I’m not one of those “chicks [who] dig the long ball,” but a few more home runs sure would be nice.  Or even just some more clutch hitting.  Or fewer men left on base.

Stat I’d most like to see hold steady in second half: This is the converse — virtually anything with pitching and defense.  The starting rotation has, on the whole, out-performed expectations, and I’d venture to say that the bullpen has as well.  Plus with speedsters in the outfield and sure-handed fielders around the diamond, the defense is quite sound.

MVP of the first half (pitching): Zach Duke, for reasons cited above and elsewhere.

MVP of the first half (offense): Freddy Sanchez.  His 2006 form is back; his 2008 injuries are forgotten; and he remains the most reliable and consistent bat in the Bucco lineup.

MVP of the first half (defense): Is there any question?  Jack wins this one.  If defense could, like pitches, be called filthy, the moniker would apply to him.  He’s arguably playing the best defense of his career, and I defy you to find me a Pirate shortstop prospect (or potential trade acquisition) who can turn half the plays that Jack does.

What I’m most looking forward to in/about the second half: A few things, which will be listed here at random…another 2.5 months of Bucco baseball…seeing the horrid, heaven-forsaken streak against the Brewers come to an end (it has to — I mean, seriously)…potentially going to Cincinnati again to see the Buccos.

What I’m dreading most in/about the second half: Also at random…the trade deadline, and the deals for Freddy and Jack that are increasingly looking like only-a-matter-of-time realities…the horrid, heaven-forsaken streak against the Brewers continuing (what if it turns out that it actually doesn’t have to end?)…October 4, 2009, in Cincinnati, the last game of the year.

OK, position players, the pitchers went under the microscope a few days ago, and now, it’s your turn.  That’s right, JollyRog is pleased to present yet another first-half report card, this one on the position players.  We’ll go through each player (in alphabetical order), comment briefly on his performance (both offensively and defensively), and give him a grade.  I will try to keep this strictly statistical, but I can’t promise that my emotions or personal preferences won’t factor into the equation. 

With that said, let’s get to it!

Bixler, Brian: Yikes.  Not a good place to start.  Bixler has consistently looked overmatched in the Bigs, and after all the fanfare about him in spring training, his early cup of coffee this year quickly turned bitter.  During one stretch, he struck out 15 times in 18 at-bats.  His defense is OK, but he will always be viewed (and rightfully so) in comparison to the incomparable Jack Wilson.  Not to be harsh, but I’m not sure “Bix” has a long-term future with the Pirates, or any Major League team, for that matter.  Grade: F

Cruz, Luis: He was quickly sent down at the beginning of the year, and hasn’t seen more than an at-bat or two since his recall last week.  His defense is smooth, but is it smooth enough to take over for Jack or Freddy on an everyday basis, in the event of a cataclysmic trade?  That much remains to be seen.  For these reasons, he receives an I, for incomplete.

Diaz, Robinzon: My hope for Diaz (who was demoted when our next Bucco, Ryan Doumit, returned from injury) is that he will use this stint in the minors to work on pitch selection.  Much as the Pirate announcers like to compare him to Manny Sanguillen, and laugh about how he’ll swing at anything, this isn’t Little League.  If you go up there swinging at everything, word will get around, and pretty soon you’ll be regarded as an easier out than Brian Bixler.  Diaz’s defense also left something to be desired.  That said, production from the catcher’s spot during Doumit’s injury could have completely disappeared, and Diaz gets props for helping to make sure that didn’t happen.  Grade: C+

Doumit, Ryan: His sample size is small (he was hurt less than two weeks into the season, and returned a mere three games before the All-Star break), and my view might be biased.  But the fact remains that Doumit is viewed as the leader of this team, and he must now share half of the “cornerstone of the franchise” weight (or should we say burden) with Paul Maholm in the wake of Nate McLouth’s departure.  Doumit gets bonus points for consistently being one of the nicest Buccos anytime I meet him, and also for embodying a team-first attitude.  Grade: B

Hinske, Eric: Apparently management was disappointed with his stint with the Buccos; honestly, I’m not sure it was the best match.  Hinske was looking to start everyday, and despite the outcry from Pirate fans on talk radio (clamoring for the benching of Adam LaRoche or Brandon Moss in favor of Hinske), management didn’t agree with such assessments of his role.  Offensively and defensively, he was kind of just OK.  He does receive bonus points for having the straightest teeth I’ve ever seen (seriously — look at a picture of him) and for having a name that’s similar to someone very important to me.  Still, his grade is: C+

Jaramillo, Jason: He’s duking it out with our next Bucco for most pleasant surprise amongst position players.  He and Diaz actually formed a nice tandem during Doumit’s injury, and Jaramillo performed (both offensively and defensively) beyond most anyone’s expectations.  When you consider that the Pirates acquired him for the petulant and terrible Ronny Paulino, Jaramillo helps give bonus points to Neal Huntington as well.  The question is, how will he adjust to a bench role now that Doumit is back?  Definitely a storyline to focus on in the second half.  Grade: A-

Jones, Garrett: He’s provided the power that the lineup has so sorely lacked, and hasn’t seemed fazed at all by the Big Leagues.  Granted, he’s been up for a total of two weeks, but still, to this point, I’m impressed.  Plus, his speed means that he can cause a stir on the basepaths and track down a lot of balls in the outfield, certainly more than opponents would expect, given his size.  He gets bonus points for being one of those guys who’s finally making the most of his opportunity, after spending years blocked in the Twins’ system.  Grade: A

LaRoche, Adam: A big conundrum.  Start to finish (or should I say start to halfway mark), this has been perhaps his most disappointing season in a Pirates’ uniform.  The problem being that the worst he does for the Bucs, the harder it will be to find a suitable trade partner.  Which means, potentially, that the Pirates could lose him and gain nothing in return.  LaRoche’s soft hands at first are definitely taken for granted, as he can pick it with the best of them.  But the numerous long, seemingly interminable slumps in which he just looks lost at the plate are so detrimental to the team.  How many times have we seen him strike out (swinging or looking), fly out harmlessly, or ground out weakly?  This is not the kind of production you need from your cleanup hitter.  Adam also loses points just for being a disappointment during his time in Pittsburgh.  That’s not all his fault, but it’s kind of amazing to look back at the fanfare that preceded his arrival, compared to the vitriole that will likely accompany his departure.  Grade: D+

LaRoche, Andy: Still very much a work in progress, but he gets bonus points for coming out this season with something to prove (namely, that he was worth trading Jason Bay for).  He is markedly improved both offensively and defensively, and even when he makes outs, it’s usually with a line drive.  Andy is an intriguing player.  Grade: B

McCutchen, Andrew: The kid seems to have lived up to the hype.  Talk about not being fazed by the Big Leagues.  He runs (both on the basepaths and into the gaps), he hits (tying the league leader in triples within his first three weeks with the team), and he brings that utmost intangible, youthful energy.  If I could make one criticism, it’s that the throws to the plate (or even the infield) need to get more accurate.  You can’t sky one when the runner’s coming home and it’s a key situation.  And yet that’s what we’ve already seen McCutchen do several times.  I’d also like to see the ego get in check a little bit.  Grade: A-

McLouth, Nate: Sigh.  Oh, Nate.  The middle of the order has been hurting since his departure, that’s for sure.  Before that, he was always good for the key hit, or the late home run, or the running snare.  I’m lionizing a bit and I realize that, but I still miss Nate and what he brought to the lineup.  Some will say the Gold Glove is a farce; others will argue that he’s not a legitimate star; but he was dedicated to the Pirates, and he gets bonus points for that.  Grade: A-

Monroe, Craig: Monroe was good for some big homers (his two three-run jacks in consecutive innings on April 18 rank among the best moments of the season so far, and resulted in the rare curtain call at PNC Park), but his lack of hustle was ultimately his downfall.  I liked the veteran leadership that he brought, but that “veteran” status (read: “old”) also meant that he was somewhat slow, so virtually anyone else in the outfield is an upgrade (except, say, Steven Pearce).  The Pirates cut him loose, so it’s difficult to give an unbiased grade.  Still, he receives a C-.

Morgan, Nyjer: Oh, Nyjer.  Infectious love of the game + a willingness to throw one’s body around + a tangible sense of excitement whenever he took the field = a player who is sorely missed.  Yes, unfortunately, the strong first half that Nyjer cobbled together was ultimately enough to heighten his trade value, and the Pirates did the right thing and sold high.  It’s too early to judge the return, of course (Lastings Milledge, I’m looking at you), but you have to wonder if an average player who’s a great clubhouse guy isn’t worth more, ultimately, than a five-tool guy with a bad attitude.  For his defensive prowess (best outfielder in the Majors), his havoc-wreaking on the bases, and his all-around approach, Nyjer receives an A-.

Moss, Brandon: About the only bonus points Moss receives are those for being one of my cat’s three favorite Pirates.  Other than that, he’s been a disappointment, to the point where he has been forced basically into a platoon role with Delwyn Young.  The promised power is in there somewhere, but it’s going to have to emerge, and soon, lest the fans engage in another anti-Bay-trade uprising.  Moss isn’t bad defensively, but I’d love to see him be a little bit speedier in tracking down fly balls.  Grade: C-

Pearce, Steven: Perhaps the only player to look more overmatched than Brian Bixler, Steven Pearce presents a similar problem, in that, if the incumbent at that position gets traded, what do the Pirates do without any viable internal replacements?  Pearce has looked downright awful at the plate, and even worse in right field.  Here’s hoping he spends his latest stint in Indy (where he was optioned last week) learning how to avoid the sharp breaking ball at the plate, and learning to read the ball off the bat better in the field.  Grade: D

Salazar, Jeff: The sample size (4 at-bats) is simply too small.  Still, although a bench guy, Salazar represents someone with Major League experience, and he apparently will give McCutchen the occasional day off.  Check back at season’s end on Salazar.  In the meantime, he receives an I.

Sanchez, Freddy: At the plate, Freddy seems to have regained his ’06 batting champion form.  In the field, he’s never looked better.  After an injury-plagued 2008 campaign, Freddy looks stronger and more confident this year.  He is the Pirates’ best all-around hitter, and the longtime friendship he shares with double-play partner Jack Wilson (and the familiarity bred by that relationship) helps take their defense to a whole other level.  Grade: A+

Vazquez, Ramon: He was signed as a bench player, and that’s pretty much been his role to this point in the season (save the week that he started when Freddy hurt his back getting out of a cab).  He’s not much of a power threat, but he’ll put bat to ball when asked.  His range in the field, however, leaves much to be desired.  Grade: B-

Wilson, Jack: Let’s be honest here and admit that this is not going to be an unbiased review of Jack.  It never is, with me.  The nice thing is, this year, it’s not just me thinking that he’s the best defensive shortstop in the Majors — the metrics confirm it, too.  The pundits say that Jack is playing the best defense of his career, and it’s rare to see a nightly highlight reel scroll by without an entry from #2 at short.  Plus, he’s been showing a little bit more pop at the plate, and has been making good contact all year, especially of late.  Jack gets major bonus points for being a class act off the field, and we can only hope he’ll still be in black and gold when the time rolls around for the end-of-the-season review.  Grade: A+

Young, Delwyn: Acquired for, essentially, a bag of balls, Young has been another very pleasant surprise.  His pinch-hit numbers are impressive, but I’d love to see him be more consistent when he starts.  And I don’t think anyone could argue that the defense (in both his natural outfield and his still-in-the-learning-phases second base positions) needs to get better.  Still, he’s worked his way into being an integral cog in the Pirates’ machine.  Grade: A-

Overall, despite their mostly strong individual grades (I must be in a benevolent mood), the offense receives a C+.  The lack of clutch hits, the bevy of men left on base, and the sheer inconsistency (often ranging from 7-10 runs one night to 3-5 hits the next) are just paralyzing this team.  The defense, on the other hand, which has been a strong suit, is, in fact, strong enough to merit an A.

 

 

Have you thrown a pitch in a Pirate uniform in 2009?  If so, prepare for your close-up.  That’s right, JollyRog is pleased to present a first-half report card on the pitching staff.  We’ll go through each player (in alphabetical order), comment on his performance in 75 words or less, and give him a grade.  I will try to keep this strictly statistical, but I can’t promise that my emotions or personal preferences won’t factor into the equation.  Stay tuned for similar entries on the offense and the defense — as well as an overall recap — which are coming your way over the course of the next few days.

Burnett, Sean: Overall, solid, with the exception of the game against the Astros on April 16 and the game against the Padres on April 24.  Burnett definitely showed improvement over last year. apparently to the point of becoming attractive to the Nationals. Grade: B

Capps, Matt: Of course, his most recent appearance was Saturday’s debacle (which might be coloring my perceptions), but even before that, he’s been questionable all year.  The walks and home runs are up, the strikeouts are down, and count me among those concerned for his future.  Grade: C

Chavez, Jesse: Arguably the biggest surprise on the staff.  With his 11.45 ERA in spring training and the fact that Evan Meek’s illness was the only reason he came north with the club, I thought for sure he’d be the first to be sent down.  Instead, Chavez has been solid, and John Russell has shown confidence in going to him against all kinds of hitters, in all kinds of situations.  Grade: A-

Duke, Zach: Arguably the second-biggest surprise on the staff.  His hard work in the offseason has undeniably paid off, and he has been the Bucs’ most consistent pitcher to date.  Even when tagged with the loss, he’s still thrown good games.  Remember that stat I threw at you yesterday — in those eight losses, he’s gotten a total of seven runs of support.  It will be fun to watch him in the second half.  Grade: A+

Gorzelanny, Tom: His demotion in spring was a pleasant surprise.  His promotion (to the bullpen!?) was also a pleasant surprise.  Although management seems to fancy him a starter in the organization’s long-term plan, I kind of liked his work in middle relief.  Let’s just say I’m intrigued.  Grade: B-

Grabow, John: The Pirates’ most consistently reliable reliever.  The only bad thing I can say is that if he’s traded, the bullpen becomes significantly — almost frighteningly — less formidable.  Johnny Grabs will also always get bonus points for being a fantastic bowling partner to my roommate and me two years ago.  Grade: A

Hanrahan, Joel: A little too early to comment on his performance for the Pirates.  Suffice it to say that things did not go well with the Nationals.  Anytime you’re removed from the closer’s role in the worst bullpen in baseball, it’s far from a feather in your cap.  Hanrahan gets bonus points for earning the win while taking a nap in his hotel room last week, but his grade is still an I, for incomplete.

Hansen, Craig: I’m giving Hansen an incomplete as well, since he’s spent most of the season battling a freak injury and only appeared in 5 games so far.  As far as I’ve heard, there’s no timetable for his return.  Obviously, Pirates’ management liked him enough to get him included in the Jason Bay trade last year, but Hansen still has a lot to prove.  Grade: I

Jackson, Steven: He was obtained primarily for his sinkerballing abilities, and we’ve seen that, a little bit.  But we’ve also seen a fair amount of walks (11 in 18.1 innings) and hits (16 in 18.1 innings), and those numbers are going to have to go down if he’s going to be a true, high-leverage reliever.  Of course, he’s also in Indianapolis right now.  Grade: C+

Karstens, Jeff: An interesting case.  He was OK — not great, not terrible — over the course of his ten starts.  But then, upon his “demotion” (if you will) to the bullpen, he got really good.  Take Sunday, in which he struck out the side against one of the best hitting teams in baseball.  He is kind of struggling from Gorzelanny syndrome — what is his long-term role?  It will be interesting to see.  Karstens gets bonus points for being one of my cat’s favorite Pirates.  Grade: B-

Maholm, Paul: Arguably the biggest disappointment on the staff so far.  You don’t need to go too far back in the blog to see that my expectations for “Money” were very high going into the season, perhaps unfairly so.  Maholm’s season has been marred by inconsistency so far — he’s either been really good (giving up a few runs several times) or really bad (giving up 5+ several times).  His task for the second half is to get more consistent in those “few runs” games.  Grade: B-

Meek, Evan: Still too many walks (24 in 33.2 innings), but so far, he’s been proving the Pirates’ management right for keeping him despite all the Rule 5 red tape last year.  Meek also gets “cat favorite” bonus points.  Grade: B-

Morton, Charlie: His stuff is nasty, but it needs to be harnessed.  He also carries the burden of being one of the guys who came over the Nate McLouth deal that was hugely unpopular amongst the Pirate fanbase.  Another guy who’s intriguing, but whose sample size is too small.  Hence, his grade is an I.

Ohlendorf, Ross: Tree Trunk Arms has been a strong fourth starter, and he seems to rise to the occasion when facing an elite opponent (Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels come to mind most recently).  He gets bonus points for being a Princeton grad, and for apparently being frighteningly smart.  Not much seems to rattle him, and that calmness can only be a help going forward.  Grade: B+

Snell, Ian: Terrible performance on the field, worse attitude off of it.  And yet we wish him all the best in Indianapolis, because the better he does there, the more it maximizes his trade value.  Grade: F

Vasquez, Virgil: His Pirates’ debut was pretty good (not great), but since then he’s been pretty much your standard organizational sixth starter.  He gets bonus points for his formidable head of hair, but his high walk numbers (much, much higher than advertised) are a major cause for concern.  Maybe it’s unfair to give Vasquez a letter grade when Charlie Morton (who’s started more games) gets an incomplete, but you know what?  He’s still getting a grade.  And it is a C-

Veal, Donnie: What can you say — he’s kind of the classic Rule 5 guy.  He has to stay on the Major League roster, even if it means riding the pine.  That’s pretty much what’s happened to this point, and in some ways his injury in late May (which kept him on the DL through early July) was a blessing, although that sounds horrible to say.  He gets bonus points for having an inspirational personal story.  Grade: C

Yates, Tyler: Will he ever pitch again?  He’s been hurt for what seems like the entire season (in truth, he’s made 15 appearances covering 12 innings), and when he’s pitched, it’s not been good (he’s given up 12 runs in those 12 innings).  He loses points just for being a disappointment, both with his performance and with his injury.  Grade: D

Overall, I’m giving both the starting pitching and the bullpen a B.  Compared to the rest of the league, the Pirates’ pitchers are, on the whole, not that impressive.  But compared to last year (I shutter to even think about it), there’s been a marked improvement, up and down the staff, both in terms of the individual personnel, and the skills of that personnel.

I arrived in suburban Philadelphia this past Friday eager for all that the weekend held.  The Pirates-Phillies series had originally been the primary reason for the trip (I had tickets for Saturday night’s game), but that distinction had quickly shifted to my best friend Kath’s bridal shower, which was slated for Saturday morning.  Kath and I have known each other since kindergarten, and my relationship with her (as with all of my friends) falls into the same category as my Bible Study — one of the few things more important to me than the Buccos.

On Friday night, sitting at dinner with my parents (who still live in my childhood home in what I have come to term “the wrong side of the state”), something provoked my dad to quote George Costanza from “Seinfeld,” a show we would always watch in syndication, each night after “Jeopardy!,” when I still lived back home.  “The sea was angry that day, my friends, like an old man sending back soup at a deli.”

In some ways, his words would become oddly prescient, because the elements — indeed, the very universe — seemed to be conspiring against the Pirates during this most recent series.  How else can you explain all that went on — Zach Duke throwing another complete game on Friday but losing (and not for the first time this year, either)?  Matt Capps doing his best Ryan Vogelsong impression and turning in an absolutely abyssmal ninth inning on Saturday?  Virgil Vasquez doing his best John Van Benschoten impression and getting smacked around yesterday, putting the Pirates in a hole out of which they could not climb, in a style so reminiscent of last year?

Because that’s the thing about this series, the final one of the first half.  In each of the three games, the Pirates were undone by one inning.  On Friday night, it was the bottom of the third, in which the Phillies scored all three of their runs.  Other than that, Zach Duke was fantastic, and apparently made such an impression on Phils’ skipper Charlie Manuel that he named him to the All-Star team prior to yesterday’s game.  On Saturday, it was the bottom of the ninth, which will be elaborated upon momentarily, and which ranks among the most painful experiences I have had as a Pirates’ fan.  And yesterday, it was the bottom of the first, in which a poorly placed 0-2 fastball to Pedro Feliz was deposited into the seats and essentially ended the Pirates’ afternoon before it had begun.

Another thing that struck me about this series was John Russell’s managerial choices in it.  Now, in fairness, I didn’t see more than an inning or so of Friday’s game, as shower preparations were, at that time, in full force.  But I thought he made some terrible decisions on Saturday night.  For one thing, he left Tree Trunk Arms in the game way too long.  I agree that having to pull your starter before he’s completed six innings is painful, but not as much as watching him get smacked around as the Phillies did in the bottom of the sixth.  And in the end, Russell wound up pulling TTA in that inning anyways, so I would have loved to have seen a quicker hook.  Interestingly, I thought the opposite of his choice to bring in Matt Capps in the ninth.  Obviously, this is a case of hindsight being 20-20, but John Grabow had a great outing on Saturday night — two scoreless innings in which his pitches (29 total) were crisp and impressive.  The Pirates hadn’t needed their bullpen on Friday, thanks to Zach’s effort, and they had had an off day on Thursday.  So Grabow should have been fresh, and I would have loved to see him stay out for the ninth.  Plus, even if he wasn’t completely comfortable with the idea and wound up slightly overextending himself, at least he had the upcoming All-Star break in which to rest.

But lest this turn into a John Russell-bashing session (a pasttime in which, despite its popularity among the Bucco faithful, I don’t regularly participate), I thought his pitching choices yesterday were quite wise.  Vasquez obviously didn’t have it, so I loved that Russell put him on a short leash and didn’t hesitate to bring Jeff Karstens in.  He promptly threw 3 2/3 brilliant innings that left the Phillies’ announcers (whom I listened to while hoofing it back to the ‘Burgh) highly impressed.  Evan Meek, Donnie Veal, and Joel Hanrahan followed with impressive performances of their own, meaning the bullpen limited the Phillies’ bats (mighty on their own, but even more so in the confines of their bandbox ballpark) to three baserunners in the final 6 2/3 innings.  I think it goes without saying that you hate having to go to the bullpen in the second inning, but when they perform like that, it lessens the sting a little bit.

Of course, I’m still waiting for something to lessen the sting of Saturday night’s loss.  I attended the game with the bride-to-be, her sister Chris, Kev (aka the blog’s most loyal reader) and his wife Jean, my friends Matt and Hykos (in a virtual tie for the blog’s second-most loyal readers) and my dad.  Within that group, my dad and I were the only Pirates’ fans, with Jean going half-and-half in her Raul Ibanez t-shirt and stars-and-stripes Pirates hat.  In typical Philadelphia fashion, the vitriole rained down upon me before we even got inside the park, but I continued my normal “road” practice of being respectful of other teams, stadiums, and fans, and quietly took my seat and set up my scorecard.  And though I clapped when the Pirates staked themselves to a 5-0 lead, and then a 7-3 lead, I was in no way obnoxious about it.  In fact, I remember even saying to Kev and Matt at one point that the Pirates had blown a 5-0 lead to the Mets not ten days before, so anything was possible.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have even said that, shouldn’t have brought that possibility into the cosmos, shouldn’t have said (quite obnoxiously, I might add) upon Matt Stairs’ towering blast to lead off the ninth inning, “I’m not worried.”  Perhaps I should have been.

What happened next was, at that time — and remains to be, even now — a blur.  A walk here and a hit there, a heart-stopping fly ball off the bat of Shane Victorino that McCutchen tracked down, and an even more heart-stopping fly ball off the bat of Ryan Howard that he didn’t.  The inning was simultaneously interminable and unbearably rapid-fire, and so when Paul Bako’s winning single trickled through the left side of the infield, I was almost relieved, because it meant the end of my torture.

To their credit, my Phillies’ fans friends were very good.  They could have rubbed it in; they could have laughed in my face.  Instead, I got a hug from Kev and an arm around the shoulders from Matt, as well as some genuinely sympathetic looks from everyone else.  I think because the end of the game was so shocking, none of us knew what to make of it.  I couldn’t believe that the Pirates had lost, and my friends couldn’t believe the Phillies had won.  And you know what?  Even though I was disgusted with the Pirates’ performance, I couldn’t begrudge my friends their euphoria.  After all, it had been just 364 days prior that Jean and I had watched the Buccos stage an improbable comeback of their own, against the Cardinals, in what remains the second-most exciting game I have ever been to.  (The first, in case you’re wondering, was the Pirates’ combined no-hitter in 1997, which, interestingly enough, also happened on July 12.)

But perhaps the most unbelievable thing of all that went down on Saturday night was the weather that then blew in.  No sooner had the remainder of the assembled crowd of 45,000+ (for indeed, many of them had left over the course of the Phillies’ first eight innings of offensive ineptitude) finished singing “High Hopes” than did a few trickles of rain start falling.  Those trickles would increase to a shower, and by the time we got off I-95 heading for home, the shower had become a downpour.  I thought of the George Costanza quote, and decided the skies were angry at the Pirates’ collapse.  Kidding aside, though, it was a harrowing trip back — my dad said he had never driven in rain so hard.  But like he has done so many times before in my life, my dad took good care of me, and got me home safely.  He and I then recounted the game for my mom, who had actually watched some of it on TV and was nearly as excited as I was for the fantastic double play turned by Jack in the bottom of the seventh (definitely a redeeming attribute of the debacle, and perhaps the best of the year).

And then, just like that, it was time to return to the ‘Burgh.  And ever since I’ve gotten back, I’ve been thinking about how a weekend that was so forgettable for the Buccos wound up being so unforgettable for me.  Sure, the end result of Saturday’s game was terrible, but the experience of being at the game with most of my closest friends was great.  The bridal shower was great.  Being surrounded by so many people I love was great.

Now, if only the Pirates’ performance could have measured up.

Most encouraging sign of the series: Garrett Jones is a legitimate power threat.  He homered in all three games of the series, including one in the opener that traveled over the batters’ eye.  I like this guy.  He could be the real thing.  It’s amazing what happens when somebody finally gets a chance.  Look at Freddy in 2006.  I’m not saying Jones is going to be a batting champ (or, for that reason, a 40 home run guy), but it’s nice to see a guy make the most of his opportunity.

Most discouraging sign of the series: This is actually one of the discouraging signs of the first half, on behalf of poor Zach Duke.  Consider this — including Friday’s game, Zach has lost eight on the season.  In those losses, the Pirates have scored a total of seven runs.  Go back and re-read that, and then consider this — given more offensive production, Bucs could easily have the Majors’ leading pitcher in wins.

Things that make you go “hmm” (in a good way): The question on every Pirate fan’s mind is, of course, should Jeff Karstens be moved back into the starting rotation?  My vote?  Yes.

Things that make you go “hmm” (in a not-so-good way): I’m not taking just Saturday night as a sample size, but it does stick out as representative of a problem that’s been true throughout the season.  Why does Matt Capps’ fastball not move, and how can he be a successful closer if it doesn’t?

Jolly Rog status: Lowered, and glad for a few days off in which to regroup.

Rest assured, dear reader, that entries about the ongoing series in Houston will be coming soon; however, for now, I would be remiss if I neglected to mention two great announcer-isms from the past weekend series in Florida.

The first came on Friday, courtesy of Tim Neverett, regarding Andy LaRoche: “Yeah, their mom likes to tell the story of how when they were kids, Adam and their brother Jeff would put a batting helmet on Andy and have him run around the backyard while shooting BBs at him.”

And then, on Saturday, this hilarious exchange between Bob Walk and Greg Brown, after Andy LaRoche slid awkwardly after an attempted snare of a foul pop.

Bob: “Yeah, these are tough conditions to slide in.  You have to imagine he just slid on, like, a six-foot long eraser.”

(silence from Greg)

Bob: “You don’t see a lot of warning tracks like they have here.”

Greg: “Yeah, and I’d have to say you don’t see a lot of six-foot long erasers, either.”

A word of congratulations to Freddy Sanchez, who was named today to his third All-Star team.  The last Pirate second baseman to achieve the feat?  A guy named Bill Mazeroski.  All in all, not bad for a guy whose parents, when he was born, were told he would never walk, much less play ball.

Freddy, it’s an honor for the Pirates (and the fans) to be represented by a class act like you.  Well done!

…because how else can you explain their play today?  Clearly, this was a team who thought they were on All-Star break, or at least that this was the last game leading into the break.  Au contraire!  We still have a week to go, a week that’s going to take the Bucs through a key inter-division series with Houston (can they finally solve Mike Hampton?), and then a key inter-state series in Philadelphia.  So why, then, were the Pirates playing today as if they were in a rush to get to a few days off?

I’m not saying they weren’t trying.  And I’m not saying they didn’t care.  I’m not even saying they needed to want to be there.  Everyone has days, regardless of how they make a living, where they’re not all that jazzed about going to work.  But I am saying that the Pirates could have tried harder today.  They could have shown more passion.  And they definitely could have acted like they wanted to be there.  In fact, as far as I’m concerned, that’s a big part of what they get paid for.  I don’t care if they’d rather be asleep in the hotel, or out on the golf course, or hanging out at the beach — they need to act like they want to be at the ballpark. 

I mean, come on.  There were half-innings today where Greg Brown barely finished telling us who was due up for the Pirates, and the Marlins were already heading back to the dugout for their knocks.  The Pirates swung and missed so many times today (Marlins’ starter Ricky Nolasco came within one strikeout of his career record of 13) that I could feel the breeze traveling all the way up from Miami.  The Bucs mustered three hits on the day, and two of them did not leave the infield.  You know what the previous post said about knowing how things will go in a game from very early on?  I could tell that today when the Pirates had first and second, nobody out in the top of the first (thanks to a McCutchen infield single and a Jack walk), and they couldn’t come around to score.  The Bucs wouldn’t have another legitimate opportunity the rest of the game.

I know, I know, sometimes these games happen.  But the apathy (or at least perception thereof) that I detected in today’s game was disturbing to me, and it made me wonder if some of the conspiracy theorists are right — is the apparently widespread players’ perception (borne of the slew of trades to this point, and the others that are assuredly on their way) that management is punting this season starting to get in their heads?  It’s just one game, I know, but sometimes that’s all it takes to jumpstart a trend, either good or bad.

All I know is, thank goodness this wasn’t the last game before the All-Star break, because if it were, I would have to have this nasty taste in my mouth for the next five days, rather than just the next 28 hours or so.  I’m sure the Pirates don’t need anyone else assuring them of the importance of the six games they’ll play this week, but I just hope they bear it in mind.  Coasting into the All-Star break on cruise control could easily lead to getting into a train wreck on the other side.

I’ve been thinking in the last week or so about how you can often predict the winner of a game, often based just on the first inning.  I realize this is hardly an earth-shattering observation, but it came into play in the first two games of the Pirates’ series this weekend with the Marlins.

Take Friday night.  Brandon Moss homered in the top of the first (that’s not a typo, my friends — Brandon Moss did actually homer), and then Ramon Vasquez (the last-minute lineup addition after Freddy tweaked his back getting out of a cab) continued the rule of last-minute additions making a difference by doinking a home run of his own in the top of the second.  Boom.  3-0 Pirates, and you could tell they were going to win.

Take, by contrast, last night’s game, in which Hanley Ramirez clubbed a two-run homer in the bottom of the first  Even though the Bucs had Zach Duke (arguably our best pitcher so far in 2009) on the hill, I could tell they were going to lose.  And so when he later uncorked a wild pitch (his first of the year, against his almost embarrassingly light-hitting mound opponent), I wasn’t altogether surprised.  And even when Garrett Jones continued his power surge by knocking a homer in the top of the seventh to pull the Pirates to within one (at the time), I didn’t get too overly excited, because you could just tell the Marlins were going to win the game.

So what other observations can we make about the first two games of this series?  Here are some of my thoughts…

Charlie Morton has really good stuff; I don’t think anyone can argue that.  However, he seems to tire very easily, once the fifth or sixth inning hits.  Will this change once the hammy is 100%?  We can only hope so.

I think Jeff Karstens’ role needs to be clarified a little bit more.  Sometimes he’s in as the long man (which is what I understood his role to be when he was first moved to the bullpen); other times (like on Friday), he’s coming in in the ninth inning.  Luckily, this confusion doesn’t seem to be having adverse effects on him (as the whole “starter or reliever?” debate apparently did on Ross Ohlendorf in the Yankees’ system).  But I just think we need the late inning guys to come in in, well, the late innings, and the middle relievers to work that part of the game.

It’s been nice to see the offense pick up a little bit of the power slack, with a more balanced output.  Moss and Vasquez did their part on Friday night, and Andy LaRoche joined Jones yesterday.  Not joining the above group?  Andy’s older brother, who by my count went 1 for 12 in the series, with eight strikeouts and a GIDP in a rather key situation yesterday.

People are already hotly debating who will get demoted upon Ryan Doumit’s return, Jason Jaramillo or Robinzon Diaz.  In my mind, it’s simple.  “JJ” (as he is known) has proven himself to be the superior both offensively and defenisively, and “Roby” seems to need a little bit more seasoning.  (Oh, and a follow-up to my memo to ESPN — Diaz pronounces his name like most others who share it, not the Matt Diaz way.  Just so you know.)  People like to tease Diaz about his free-swinging ways, but rather than shrugging and saying, “well, that’s just how he is,” I think we need to get him some more refinement and discipline at the plate.  And I’d like to see that happen at Triple A.

So the Pirates were 1-1 heading into today’s rubber match, and as for what happened there, well, that’s a subject for another post altogether…

Dear ESPN:

So as I was lazing in bed yesterday morning, reveling in the holiday weekend, I flipped on your fine station and was thrilled to see Pirates’ highlights being aired, particularly in the first half of the show.  (I’ve noticed that you usually don’t play them until the 53rd or 55th minute of a one-hour broadcast, often as the very last item, after “What to Watch For” and before the credits roll.)  I enjoyed that you showed several plays from Friday night’s game, instead of the standard-issue groundout that is typically shown.  But then I heard — wait, is this right?  Did I really hear this?  Oh yes, I did.

“Boy, that Andrew McCutchen was a great pick-up for the Bucs.  You know, he came over in the Nate McLouth trade.”

And so I ask you, ESPN, did he?  And then I ask you to check again.  Because the answer is absolutely, positively, in no way did Andrew McCutchen come over in the Nate McLouth deal.  Please have your fact-checkers do a little bit more due diligence the next time around.  I mean, I realize that the Pirates are not a team that has national appeal.  I realize that, as far as you’re concerned, they’re not worth more than thirty seconds of air time.  But you need to know that, tools-wise, Andrew McCutchen is the best player on our team right now, possibly in our entire system.  Since he was drafted in 2005 (you know that class; it produced other not-acquired-by-trade talents like Justin Upton, Ryan Braun, and Troy Tulowitzski), he has been heralded as the savior of the franchise, and the diehard Bucco fans have followed his rise (throughout the Pirates — not the Braves — system) with near-religious fervor.

What I’m trying to say is, McCutchen is not just some guy, some random prospect.  He’s a legitimate Major League talent, and it might behoove you to know your stuff before trumpeting random, completely incorrect facts about him. 

Thank you.  I look forward to seeing more Pirates’ highlights, maybe once in the next week or so.