Baseball is known as America's pastime. The game was the most popular sport in America in the 19th and 20th century. Regardless of football's popularity in our country today, America will always be represented by baseball. As you may have heard, in the Great White North of Canada, hockey rules all. Hockey has caught on in a big way in the United States, while baseball has made its mark on Canada as well. The Pirates new catcher, Russell Martin, is one of many Canadians that enjoy both. Growing ... Read More
Pirates unable to sweep D’backs, lose 10-2
Tom Singer - Sometimes you're the broom, and sometimes you're the mess. The Pirates had no trouble deciding which they were on Wednesday, when they entered Chase Field hoping to sweep the D-backs and instead were whisked out of town. With Jonathan Sanchez looking nothing like the left-hander who impressed in Spring Training and in his first start of the season, the Bucs took a 10-2 series-ending loss on the chin. The haymakers were delivered by A.J. Pollock, who drove in four with a ... Read More
Pirates get swept at hands of Dodgers
The Pirates' stay in Dodger Stadium, appropriately overrun with movie and television glitterati all weekend, was like a lot of other Hollywood productions: Based on a true story. But still a little hard to believe. With Korean rookie left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu extending their torment on Sunday, the Bucs were swept out of Chavez Ravine, 6-2. Jeff Locke, the Pirates' own young southpaw, couldn't quite keep up with Ryu, allowing four runs -- three of them delivered by Adrian Gonzalez -- in six ... Read More
Pirates offense struggles again; shutout by Dodgers
The Pirates dropped their third game of the season Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and once again the offense was nonexistent. Jonathan Sanchez was given the ball for his first start as a Pirate. He actually did pretty well. For a guy whose ERA was over eight last season, Sanchez looked decent for a fourth starter. He pitched five innings and allowed three runs. One of the runs was an absolute bomb given up to Andre Ethier, and the other two were driven in by Matt Kemp and ... Read More
Pirates Notebook: Martin uses MMA to train; McCutchen keeps running
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- In a recent Men's Fitness magazine article, Pirates Russell Martin discussed how he stays in shape and trains in the offseason. Being a catcher is a demanding position. It requires flexibility and quick reactions. In order to stay strong and to endure a full season behind the plate, Martin does MMA, or mixed martial arts during the winter months to gear up for a new year. But wait, MMA? The full contact combat sport that involves striking and grappling techniques and ... Read More
Rally falls short, but McDonald starts season strong
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Pirates attempted to rally back from a 3-0 deficient in the bottom of the ninth inning at PNC Park. Andrew McCutchen came through with a RBI single to drive in Starling Marte off the Chicago Cubs closer Carlos Marmol. First baseman Gaby Sanchez, too, picked up a RBI with a base hit of his own to bring the game within one. But Marmol was able to escape the jam and pick up the save after a strikeout and Neil Walker grounded into a game inning double play to seal ... Read More
Wandy paces Pirates over Cubs
For the second consecutive game, the fans who braved the frigid temperatures of PNC Park were rewarded with an excellent pitching performance by the Pittsburgh Pirates. While A.J. Burnett wasn't able to receive any run support for his 10-strikeout performance, the Pirates were able to scrape together three runs to give Wandy Rodriguez and the Pirates their first win of the year. "It was great to get it out of the way," Catcher Russell Martin said. "Now it's on to tomorrow's game." Prior to ... Read More
Pirates reflect back to their time at WBC
Once every four years, respective sports hold a competition to find out who the best of the best is throughout the world. The first one that comes to mind, of course, would be the Summer and Winter Olympics respectively. To a lesser degree - depending on who you speak to - is the World Cup which pits the best of the best that soccer has to offer against each other over a month long tournament. While baseball is America's oldest game, it's also the newest to the four-year annual ... Read More
Snedden’s Take: Play Ball! 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates Over/Under Edition
The image I chose for this years Pirates Over/Under article doesn’t seem to fit the title, at least until you realize who is smiling back at you from that March 1978 Sports Illustrated cover. The handsome young man under that head of jet black hair is none other than the Commander of this Pirates Ship – Manager Clint Hurdle. The optimism that surrounded the 20-year-old Kansas City Royals rookie that spring was not unlike the unbridled enthusiasm that looms over the upcoming 2013 Pittsburgh ... Read More
Jeff Locke thankful for making Opening Day roster
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Ever since Jeff Locke was little, his dream was to be a Major League baseball player. That came true on September 10, 2011 against the Miami Marlins when the left-hander took the mound for the Pirates and allowed three runs over five innings. It took Locke 10 big league starts over parts of two seasons and a combined 67.2 frames before he was able to notch his first Major League win on October 1, 2012 against his former club, the Atlanta Braves, who drafted the southpaw out of ... Read More