The Pittsburgh Power (3-12) had to feel fairly confident heading into their divisional matchup against the Cleveland Gladiators (3-12), after all this was one team they were ahead of in the standings and had defeated earlier in the season. Not anymore. The Power got off to a great start by forcing a goal line fumble by Gladiator quarterback Chris Dieker. It took the Power exactly one play on offense, a 42 yard strike from Steven Sheffield to Julian Talley and just like that it was 7-0 Power. ... Read More
Pirates’ Bats Sputter, Fall to Cubs
Wrigley Field - On a day that saw four Pirates get selected to the All-Star Game, the Buccos offense was less than stellar. Two Alfonso Soriano home runs off Charlie Morton and a quality start from Cubs' starter Edwin Jackson vaulted Chicago over Pittsburgh 4-1. The Pirates offense could only muster one extra base hit, a Pedro Alvarez home run, and their only run of the contest. The Pirates seemed to have something going in the first inning after a Marte single, steal, and Jackson wild pitch ... Read More
Alvarez, Three Others Named To All-Star Game
Pedro Alvarez, Andrew McCutchen, Jason Grilli, and Jeff Locke have been selected to participate in the 2013 MLB All-Star Game. Alvarez, elected as a reserve, has continued to be the Pirates' best source of power with a team-leading 21 home runs and 56 RBIs. That is good enough for third and tied for sixth in the NL, respectively. McCutchen, also making an appearance as a reserve, continues to be one of the best multi-tool players in baseball. The centerfielder came into today hitting .298 with ... Read More
All 22: Making a Name on Special Teams
For most, offense and defense are the only aspects of football that get much fanfare. Special teams tends to take a backseat. To an extent, it’s understandable; outside of a few flashy return men, this group is made up of unsung heroes that barely register on the stat sheet. But don’t take them for granted. If you’re a fan, a bad day here can cost your team a victory (Steelers’ fans can certainly attest). If you’re Vince Williams or Terry Hawthorne trying to make a roster or keep your hat on ... Read More
Realistic trade targets for the Pirates to inquire about at the deadline
I know, you all want Giancarlo Stanton. The guy is a 23-year-old monster slugger who could legitimately hit over 25 home runs for the Pirates between July 31 and September 29. He is only making $537,000 this season, but his arbitration kicks in after 2013 and he is due to end up making somewhere upwards of $15 million per season until he becomes a free agent in 2017. Stanton is the Cabbage Patch Kid under the tree in 1985; the shiny new toy that could turn the Pirates from a great story into ... Read More
Pascal Dupuis Re-Signs With Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced late Tuesday the re-signing of forward Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis signed a four year contract worth $15 million. CBC’s Eddie Friedman reports the deal also comes with a limited no-movement clause. Dupuis was acquired in the 2008 Marian Hossa deal that sent Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen along with a prospect and a first round pick to Atlanta. Armstrong spent just over two seasons with Atlanta before signing with the Maple Leafs in 2010 and spending last ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Report: Part Two
Yesterday, we examined how the Top Five of the Pirates' farm system was faring in 2013. Today, we'll finish the rest of the list with 6-10. 6. Josh Bell/OF A: 323 PA, .290/.353/.466, 84 H, 23 2B, 8 HR, 51 RBIs Bell underwent left knee surgery in April of last year, forcing Pirates’ fans to wait on watching his development. But overall, the wait has been worth it. His line is a bit bizarre. Bell drew just three walks in June after 21 in May. He’s in a home run slump, last going yard ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates Top Ten: Minor League Report
In the past few weeks, we’ve taken two looks at the Pirates’ farm system. With the season officially past the halfway mark, let’s again see how the Buccos’ prospects are faring. This time evaluating the Top Ten prospects coming into the 2013 season using Baseball America’s rankings as a guide. We'll begin with the top five today and round out the rest tomorrow. 1. Gerrit Cole/SP AAA: 12 GS, 68 IP, 5-3 2.91 ERA 1.06 WHIP. 47/28 K/BB MLB: 4 GS, 24.1 IP, 4-0 3.70 ERA 1.23 WHIP. 11/4 ... Read More
A guide to being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan
It is at the midway point in this MLB season that the perennial fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves surrounded on all sides by folks that they have never seen before…well, not since 1998 or thereabouts, anyways. Or maybe last year at this time was the last they had been together at PNC Park. Regardless, there seems to be some animosity on the part of these more regular Pirate game attendees toward these other, less seasoned folks. I am here to clear the air between these two ... Read More
Seton Hill, Pitt-Johnstown Officially Named Members of the PSAC
A unanimous vote today by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Board of Directors officially accepted the Seton Hill Griffins and Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cats as members of the conference. On their acceptance, PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray said, “Adding Seton Hill and Pitt-Johnstown will undoubtedly bolster the PSAC's reputation on a regional and national scale.” The Griffins and Mountain Cats, formerly of the WVIAC, will join the PSAC West. Seton Hill sponsors 19 teams while ... Read More