Ken Rosenthal of Fox sports has reported that Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister has been hired by the Texas Rangers to be their new manager replacing Ron Washington, who resigned late this season due to personal issues. Sources: #Rangers to hire #Pirates’ Banister as manager. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 16, 2014 Banister had been with the Pirates organization for 29 years as a player and manager in the minors and bench coach since 2011 with the Major League club. The Pirates ... Read More
Banister finalist for Rangers managerial position
Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister is one of three finalists for the Texas Rangers open manager position that was vacated by Ron Washington due to personal reasons late this season. Banister has been a part of the Pirates organization for 29 years which includes one game in the majors — a pinch hit appearance against the Braves in 1991 where Banister singled — which has him in the Pirate record books with a 1.000 batting average. He also spent seven years in the Pirates minor league organization ... Read More
Pirates have decisions to make this offseason
The Pirates have some decisions to make this offseason and it's not just for Russell Martin. Starters Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez are both free agents along with backup shortstop Clint Barmes. For Volquez and Liriano, this season aided their profiles as both came in to Pittsburgh — the island of misfit pitchers — with poor numbers and mechanical issues while they will go back on the market as renewed back-of-rotation starters thanks to the tutelage of Ray Searage and the ... Read More
Pay the man
There have been many men that have stepped up for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2014 season helping them make their second straight playoff appearance. One man that has been consistent throughout and a staple for this squad is Russell Martin. When the team signed him prior to the 2013 season, fans questioned his abilities. Martin hit .211 with 21 home runs and 53 RBI in 133 games with the Yankees in 2012 and was thought only as a defensive upgrade to what the Pirates had in Michael McKenry and ... Read More
Last night showed the Pirates aren’t great yet
Last night's loss in the National League Wild Card game has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Pirates fans after a solid 88-74 campaign in 2014, but should it have been expected? The Pirates were facing Madison Bumgarner — one of the best pitchers in the game this season — who dominated the game from first pitch to last out in a complete-game effort. Edinson Volquez could have thrown a gem and they still would have lost. The Pirates finally ran into a good team and couldn't stick with ... Read More
Pirates season ends at the hands of Bumgarner/Crawford
Madison Bumgarner pitched a dominant complete game shutout and Brandon Crawford hit a fourth inning grand slam to pace the Giants to a 8-0 Wild Card victory eliminating the Pirates from postseason competition. Bumgarner had the Pirate bats off balance throughout the night painting the corners and mixing his fastball and off-speed pitches. The Pirates could only scratch together four hits and one walk in the contest and were not able to put more than one runner on until the ninth when the game ... Read More
Pirates – Giants Wild Card Preview
Good afternoon from PNC Park and the 2014 National League Wild Card game where the Pirates (88-74) look to advance to the NLDS as they host the Giants (88-74). Season Series The Pirates took the season series (4-2) to lock up home field for tonight's Wild Card game. Realistically, the six games could have gone either way as five of the six meetings were decided by two runs or less while two were decided in the final inning — a Giants 11-10 win in 10 innings and Starling Marte's walk-off ... Read More
Pirates set Wild Card roster
The Pirates have set their roster for tonight's National League Wild Card game against the Giants. As expected, manager Clint Hurdle has selected nine pitchers and three catchers along with seven infielders and six outfielders. Pitchers RHP Edinson Volquez RHP Vance Worley LHP Jeff Locke RHP John Holdzkom RHP Jared Hughes RHP Mark Melancon LHP Tony Watson LHP Justin Wilson LHP Bobby LaFromboise Catchers RH Russell Martin RH Chris Stewart RH Tony ... Read More
Pirates taking Wild Card as just another game
The Pirates go into Wednesday's National League Wild Card game with a chance to recreate the magic of a year ago. This time around, things could come somewhat easier as they are not the new kid in town. Last years postseason run has this squad confident and comfortable of the surroundings they are about to enter. For guys like Neil Walker, this is just another game. "I don't think you have to approach it a different way," said Walker. "I think the fact that it's just one game to go to the ... Read More
Pirates prepare for another playoff run
For Pirates fans, last year's playoff run might have felt like a dream after breaking the streak and coming within one win of the National League Championship series. This year should feel more like reality. With a core of players that have playoff experience under their belt and a roster that seems to be getting hot at the right time, the Pirates might just have what it takes to extend their season well into October. The offense has made positive strides this season improving their numbers ... Read More