Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here’s your day in sports for Friday, September 18, 2015.
What’s on tap for today:
The Penguins first on-ice workouts will take place today at 9:15 a.m.
The Pirates (87-59) are in Los Angeles for a three-game set with the NL West-leading Dodgers. Waiting for the Bucs is L.A. ace Zach Grienke. Clint Hurdle’s squad will counter with lefty Jeff Locke. First pitch is a late one; 10:10 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
Week 3 of WPIAL action gets underway this evening.
Pittsburgh headlines:
The Pirates four-game set with the Cubs ended in disastrous fashion on Thursday. Not only did the Bucs give up nine runs en route to a 9-6 loss, but infielder Jung Ho Kang was lost for the season with multiple injuries to his left leg and knee
Pirates beat writer Zachary Weiss found out what’s been keeping Tony Watson going, as he leads lefties in appearances over the last two years.
Weiss also talked to Pirates “Camera Guy” Walk Srocki, who has been finding perfect shots for almost three decades with the club.
The Indianapolis Indians, staved off elimination by winning Game 3 of the International League Governor’s Cup Finals on Wednesday.
Steelers writer Gar Bercury says that the Steelers secondary has provided more questions than answered so far in 2015.
On this date in 1903, the Pirates clinched their third National League pennant by beating the Boston Beaneaters (today’s Atlanta Braves) in both games of a doubleheader. It was also decided that Pittsburg would play the American League’s champions, the Boston Americans (Red Sox), in the first World Series.
Player-manager Fred Clarke (right) hit .351 that season and led the NL with a .532 slugging percentage. At age 30, he was the oldest Pirates regular.
He said it: “I don’t think it’s his knee. He has Plantar Fasciitis is what I heard.” – Cubs manager Joe Maddon choosing an especially poor time to make a joke about Kang’s injury.
Photo credit: (main), Baseball Hall of Fame (inset)
