]As the sun sets on 2012, many people look back on the year that was and develop new ways to better themselves. It’s an honorable exercise. It takes a tremendous amount of self-awareness to objectively analyze things you wish to be doing differently. For the big three Pittsburgh sports teams, 2012 was a year mired in disappointment and heartache. The Steelers finished with a whimper, losing five of their last seven games to finish at 8-8, on the outside of the playoffs looking in. The ... Read More
Is this another ‘what if’ offseason for Pirates?
Looking at the Pirates moving forward into the 2013 many people keep hearing the same thing like they have for the last 20 seasons - The ‘if’ Factor. For two decades they would either trade for or sign a player that may have had good numbers in a previous season and always say things like, “If he returns to form it will be a great deal.” After two epic season collapses in a row, it is time to get the guarantee players instead of continually getting gambles. Taking a look at the first ... Read More
Pirates/Red Sox finalize six-player deal
While the deal was finalized until today, the Pirates and the Red Sox agreed to a six-player deal that would send Joel Hanrahan and a player to be named to Boston for Jerry Sands and three other Red Sox prospects a few days ago. Today, the other names were released as the deal was complete. Along with Hanrahan, the Pirates shipped out infield prospect Brock Holt in the deal and received Mark Melancon, Stolmy Pimentel and Ivan DeJesus Jr. along with Sands. For the Pirates, Hanrahan was set to ... Read More
It’s the end of the world as we know it
No future date has been more spoken of than today, December 21, 2012. People have made careers off it. The supposed end of the long-range Mayan Calendar. Famed American philosopher Terence McKenna had developed a numerological formula he dubbed “Timewave Zero,” in which he charted the ebb and flow of major events over world history. His graph goes off the charts in December of 2012, which he proposed would be the point of singularity; in which everything in the world would occur ... Read More
Pirates Prospects to watch in 2013
The Pirates’ minor league system may not be among the elite just yet, but few would argue it isn’t at least very solid. Gone are the days of guys like Brian Bixler being a top prospect- the Pirates now have a deep system full of talent and potential. The 2012 season saw players like Alen Hanson and Gregory Polanco breaking out and making a name for themselves. Here is a list of players who could do the same next year. OF Josh Bell- Bell missed the majority of his highly anticipated first ... Read More
Pirates clinch loss No. 81 as they are no-hit by Homer Bailey
Everyone knew about the collapse part two. 16 games over .500, only to fall under the mark. The worst collapse in baseball history as pointed out by Jayson Stark. Technically, the Pirates would still be able to avoid it. They just had to win six of their last six games against two teams who have clinched playoff berths. To reference Dumb and Dumber: So you're telling me there's a chance? The most loyal Pirates fans kept the faith, even if they really didn't believe it. Even if the Pirates ... Read More
Pirates lose to Reds in 14 innings
Missed opportunities in extra innings really came back to haunt the Pirates tonight, as they dropped a 14-inning affair in Cincinnati by a score of 4-3. Wandy Rodriguez had a very solid start for the Pirates tonight. He was charged with three runs allowed, despite only one of them coming when he was in the game. He pitched 6.2 innings, struck out five, and was pulled after 89 pitches. He left the game with two runners on and Jared Hughes allowed a two run double to Dioner Navarro which tied ... Read More
Attendance for contenders down across the league
Attendance numbers for Tuesday, Sept. 5 (Contenders Only) SF: 41,038 - 1st Place in the NL West LA [NL]: 40,619 - 1 Game behind 2nd Wild Card StL: 34,108 - 2nd Wild Card spot Det: 27,729 - 1 game back in AL Central Cin: 17,806 - 1st in the NL Central TB: 17,652 - two Games behind 2nd Wild Card Was: 17,648 - 1st Place in NL East Atl: 16,686 - 1st Wild Card spot Chi: 15,698 - 1st Place in AL Central Pit: 12,785 - two Games behind 2nd Wild Card Oak: 11,688 - 2nd ... Read More
Pirates lose fourth in a row, fall 5-1 to Astros
The Pirates are a tough team to figure out. Within a two week span, they got swept by the Padres before taking two-of-three against the Cardinals. Just when it looks like they figured it out, they get swept by the Brewers in Milwaukee with their three best pitchers starting for them. Thank goodness for the Buccos, the Dodgers, Cardinals and other teams in the wild card race are struggling as well. Entering today's game against the Houston Astros, the Pirates remained just 1.5 out of the race. ... Read More
Berardi’s baseball update: The race is heating up
Updated Playoff Races - 10/3 Every week I will update you on the playoff races going on in the majors along with who those teams will face in the upcoming week. (Take note, All GB are based on loss column ONLY. I don’t believe in the ½ game stat because those are games that can be controlled by a team. AL East Baltimore took two of three from the Yankees over the weekend to close the gap in the East. New York had a seven-game lead at the start of August but the Orioles won't go away. 1. ... Read More