Mike Friend — Last season, fans in Pittsburgh confirmed plans that were more than 20 years in the making as the Pirates played their way into the playoffs and made it to the divisional round before falling to the eventual NL champion St. Louis Cardinals. Although the season didn’t end with a World Series win, the season brought plenty of excitement to the city, culminating in the improbable run into Buc-tober. The team finished with a record of 94-68, finally breaking the .500 barrier for the ... Read More
Pirates Position Preview: Middle Infield
With pitchers and catchers settling into Pirate City, it's now time for the rest of the squad to make their way to the Bradenton complex to begin spring training. Most of the pieces from last season's NLDS run return to go at it again, but there are others that hope to shake the roster up come opening day. We begin with the middle infield positions of Neil Walker, Jordy Mercer, Clint Barmes and Josh Harrison. Neil Walker: Walker had a down season last year batting .251/.339/.757 with 24 ... Read More
Francisco Liriano Named Opening Day Starter
Clint Hurdle took no time in announcing his opening day starters he has given Francisco Liriano the honor on the first full day of spring training workouts. Liriano, last years NL Comeback Player of the Year, had a stellar 2013 posting a 16 - 8 record in 26 games with a 3.02 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 161 innings of work. His ERA would have been in the mid-two's had he not have given up 10 runs in Colorado and 7 runs in Milwaukee which dropped him out of Cy Young consideration. He finished ninth ... Read More
Making the case for Kendrys Morales
Yes, I know. Just yesterday I wrote about Andrew Lambo (FOUND HERE) and why the fans shouldn't give up on him quite yet. While I meant that, let's also point out that in said article, I listed myself as a Kendrys Morales guy. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports said yesterday that the Mariners, Orioles and the Pirates are all possibilities to land Morales during Spring Training. I'm not going to give you the Wikipedia page on Morales and tell you about his freak injury that happened with the Angels, ... Read More
The Mount Rushmore Of Pittsburgh Sports
Mount Rushmore is one of the most iconic pieces of Americana that we have in this country. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore honors four of the most iconic Presidents to ever lead the United States of America. As I was sitting in class on this fine President’s Day I began to ponder, who would be the four faces that would represent the Pittsburgh Sporting world if it was decided to carve out a Yinzer style of Mount Rushmore up on Mt. Washington? Now picking four faces ... Read More
Is Andrew Lambo getting a fair shot from fans?
It wasn't long ago that you couldn't go on Twitter without seeing #FreeLambo plastered all over your timeline. You know, it's kind of like how making Jose Altuve the #FaceOfMLB is everywhere now. It's annoying, but regardless, it's what the people wanted. You see, the 25-year-old Lambo was shredding the opposition in Triple-A Indianapolis, so much so that he was named the Pirates Minor League Player of the Year for his efforts. Lambo posted a .272/.344/.589 slash line, with 18 home runs and 53 ... Read More
PSN Videocast Episode 5: Rewind
In case you missed it, our Michael Waterloo, Jon Pennline, Travis Berardi, Gar Bercury and the Trib's Daniel Dudley discussed Team USA's hot start, whether or not we know who Pitt basketball is, A.J. Burnett's signing in Philly, concerns over the starting rotation and if Andrew Lambo is getting an unfair shake. Remember, we have our live show each Sunday at 11 a.m.! ... Read More
Pittsburgh Sporting News Videocast: Episode 5
This week, Michael Waterloo, Gar Bercury, Travis Berardi, Jon Pennline and Daniel Dudley discuss the Olympics, tons of Pirates talk, Pitt basketball, A.J. Burnett, Jason Worilds/LaMarr Woodley and much more. ... Read More
Baseball is Back as the Pirates Begin Spring Training
The day has come, baseball fans. Spring Training is officially upon us as pitchers and catchers -- with a handful of position players -- took part in the teams first workout of the 2014 season. All 36 pitchers and catchers invited to spring training were in attendance while position players Chase d'Arnaud, Chris McGuiness, Jordy Mercer, Neil Walker, Jaff Decker, Jose Tabata and Gaby Sanchez attended as well. Only Kyle McPherson and Wandy Rodriguez didn't participate due to rehab from ... Read More
Burnett to Philly: Will he be missed?
With the signing of A.J. Burnett by the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, the seemingly never ending saga of whether or not Burnett would be a Pittsburgh Pirate in 2014 came to a merciful conclusion. A one-year offer worth $16 million predictably changed Burnett's tune in regards to his claims of "Pirates or retirement." With Burnett moving on, its fair to say the Pirates offseason, which began with promise and excitement fans have rarely experienced in over 20 years, has reached a point of ... Read More