Part two of the Pirates most valuable player list will highlight players ranked fifth through second. This list includes all-stars, consistent play and an MVP award. Let the debate and countdown continue. #5 Starling Marte- This is the second outfielder to appear in the countdown. Marte is the best two-way outfielder on the team and arguably in the league. Though he showed a couple of defensive lapses this season with not hitting the cutoff man in a timely manner, Marte's arm is the most ... Read More
2015 most valuable Pirates player: Part 1
Many Pittsburgh Pirates contributed to the team's third consecutive playoff appearance, so it is no wonder why the list for placement when it comes to the most valuable player for 2015 is long. PSN's list will be a three-part series as honorable mention through 6 in this first part, 5-2 in the second part and the best will get their own separate entry. Unfortunately, Ray Searage was not up for consideration, or else this would not have been a contest. Honorable mention Jared Hughes- Hughes ... Read More
COLUMN: Deserving Benedict will be missed by Pirates
It is a sad day for the Pittsburgh Pirates as Jim Benedict, whose work has been praised from top to bottom in the organization, has departed to join the Miami Marlins as vice president of pitching. Though the title sounds like a bizarre one, this is a compliment to a man who frankly I am surprised was even with the Pirates last season. Benedict and Ray Searage made a great team that consistently improved Pirates pitchers. Whether they found success with the team or with another after their ... Read More
Pirates lose in Wild Card again
The crack off Kyle Schwarber's bat made it perfectly clear that the Chicago Cubs meant business in their 4-0 Wednesday night Wild Card game victory the Pirates. His 449-foot home run sailed over the right field seats, completing a dramatic turnaround for Schwarber. A year ago, the Cubs sent Schwarber to the Instructional League. Schwarber and Dexter Fowler, the top two hitters in Wednesday's Cubs lineup had five of the team's six hits with the remainder of the team batting 2-for-32, good ... Read More
Pirates feel Huntington deserving of award
Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette has started a campaign to get his Pittsburgh Pirates counterpart Neal Huntington to be named 2015 MLB Executive of the Year. The Pirates players are on board, too. “What he’s done this year is really what he’s put together the past seven years he’s been here," Jared Hughes said. "He’s changed the mentality of our squad and organization. He finds guys with character and hires them both on and off the field.” Hughes almost referred to honoring ... Read More
Pirates win to secure home field for wild card game
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a chance to control their fate in regards to determining the location of the National League Wild Card game and with a 4-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday afternoon, will ensure that it is played at PNC Park. “I’m proud of our team regardless of anything else that has gone on," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We won 98 ballgames, we’ve got a home field game in the wild card, everybody in that clubhouse contributed something this season and we’ll look forward to ... Read More
Pirates, Huntington look towards playoffs
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington handled a variety of topics in his final regular season press conference, mostly playoff related. Below is a sampling of his remarks. Commentary of being in division with three best records: “Thank goodness the Astros aren’t in the division. The Cardinals are the model franchise for basically anybody in baseball and Cubs have been acquiring a vast amount of talent for the last four years. They’ve had the luxury to add payroll this year. The ... Read More
Pirates pregame 10/4: Game 162 has meaning
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been in the driver's seat all week when it comes to hosting the National League Wild Card game, and will be once again this afternoon in Sunday afternoon's contest, the final one of the regular season. With all of today's games being started at or close to the same time, no team has an early advantage of resting players if there is a race for a playoff spot. The Pirates fall in this spot as they lead the Chicago Cubs by one game for the right to host the NL Wild ... Read More
Pirates’ Burnett loses final regular season start
Even the Cincinnati Reds were among those standing for A.J. Burnett as he made his final regular season start. Unfortunately for him, the Pittsburgh Pirates offered little run support in a 3-1 losing effort Saturday night. Burnett's [9-7] ovation came from 34,180 fans, a mark which allowed the Pirates to set a new single-season attendance record. Fans waved Batman flags and begged Burnett for a curtain call which he did. Burnett also acknowledged the Reds dugout as he came off the field. “It ... Read More
Pirates select Cole to start Wild Card Game
In a move that will not surprise many Pittsburgh Pirates fans, manager Clint Hurdle announced Saturday afternoon that Gerrit Cole will be the team's starting pitcher for Wednesday's Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs. “We pretty much scripted it out when we scripted the entire rotation three weeks ago," Hurdle said. For Cole this will be his first time starting game one of a wild card game, an opportunity he is looking forward to. “It’s special," Cole said. "[Hurdle] continues to ... Read More