Tired of This Kind of Reporting from the Media

by zogger on Apr 2, 2011 9:59 AM EDT

The Pirates win their opener on the road and espn starts their recap (http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310401116) with:

Play the Chicago Cubs enough times and maybe the Pittsburgh Pirates would escape the cellar of the NL Central. Or not end up with the worst record in the majors, as they did a year ago.

Cook in the Post-Gazette (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11091/1136161-63.stm) says:

Is anyone else concerned that the Pirates' big off-season acquisition after an 18th consecutive year of losing and a 57-105 record is a guy who won't pitch a ball, hit a ball or field a ball all season?

It can't just be me, right?

I know that having 18 losing seasons means that the writers get to kick you around, but come on! The Nationals get shutout in their home opener and no comments like this in the recap of their game.

I wish the writers would give it up and start writing about the promising stars and how they shined in the opener. Walker a Grand Slam, McCutchen a 2 run dinger, and Meek/Haranhan slamming the door. I would have started out the recap pointing out the young guys came to play.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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I would say we've earned it

Also, if you don’t like the reporting, don’t read those outlets.

by pantherboy on Apr 2, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Perhaps, seeing that it's an article about the Pirates,

zogger was hoping to get some information about the team, or be rewarded with a decent article after a nice win.

But the Cook thing – well, one should know what that’s going to say before going in.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Apr 2, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

But Cook is a columnist, therefore it's only going to be opinions

by pantherboy on Apr 2, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

But Cook is a ~~columnist~~ complete boob, therefore it’s only going to be unqualified and stupid opinions

FTFY.

;-)

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Apr 2, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I don’t see nothing with what he wrote because it’s the truth.

Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.

by Black&GoldTrain on Apr 5, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

The Pirates have lost 18 years in a row…and 2011 will most likely be 19. They’re a laughingstock. Late night comedian talk show hosts take shots at them.

Local and National media will continue to blast them. As stated, the Pirates have earned being the worst team in pro sports in North America. They will have to win to earn back respect.

I dont like every sports writer or talk show host. …So I dont read or listen to them. I dont stoop to name calling like some of you do if you disagree with them.
Someone(Piratefan13) didnt like what Dejan wrote the other day before the season started…claiming it was too negative? Give me a break. When he was the beat writer, most of you liked him, now he puts a negative slant or in my opinion telling it like it is, the cheer leaders dont like it?

Dont like Ron Cook….dont read his material or listen to his show. BTW is was dead on right about U Conn

by eihcir on Apr 6, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

When he was the beat writer, most of you liked him, now he puts a negative slant or in my opinion telling it like it is, the cheer leaders dont like it?

That’s because the two jobs called for two different kinds of writing, and he’s much better at the one than the other. People aren’t unhappy that he’s negative – they’re unhappy that in his current role, he’s often negative in ways that are unsupported or outright factually incorrect.

by Vlad on Apr 6, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, Cook is a terrible writer and a worse analyst. Telling people not to read him is very good advice.

by Vlad on Apr 6, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Cook actually wote his blather before the opener

But your point is still valid. I’m neither the brightest nor the most patient Pirate fan in the world, but even I can see it’s going to take time to restore an organization that had mediocre talent at the Major League level and virtually none in the minors when the current front office assumed control.

Would it be nice if the Pirates had an owner so independently wealthy that he could afford to grossly over-pay for the sort of second-tier free agent talent that wouldn’t gravitate to the Yankees and Red Sox under any circumstances? I suppose so, but the current ownership can’t do that, so it seems both idiotic and counterproductive to continually bitch about what can’t ever happen — especially when you continually give short shrift to what positive things are happening.

by bucfaninwa on Apr 2, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

I haven't read a Ron Cook column in years

What would be the point?

by maguro on Apr 2, 2011 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

you read cook?

i’d say you asked for it…

by BurgherKing on Apr 2, 2011 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

Even worse

is that Cook gets to make his Debbie Downer opinions heard for all of Yinzer Nation on 93.7

by psudynasty on Apr 2, 2011 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

That's just one big collection of idiots on the fan

The guy who was on last night(6p-10p segment) was talking about the Greinke trade and said the Brewers gave up no major league ready talent to acquire him. Nothing like speaking on a subject you know nothing about on live radio.

"So you think 25 percent of the country is retarded?! Yea. Atleast 25 percent. Well lets do a sample. There are 4 of us an you're retarded. Thats 25 percent." Southpark; Mystery of the Urinal Deuce
RIP Corey Keller, James Taylor, M. Jay Darby, Derek Davis.

by gorillakilla34 on Apr 2, 2011 11:37 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah...

the Brewers basically gave up the only prospects they had that were worth mentioning. Nothing like selling the future. It will bite them in the a** though.

Agreed though, I am really starting to sour on 93.7

by psudynasty on Apr 2, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Greinke

It may bite them in the ass, but I think its a risk worth taking. They may lose Fielder after this year whether they acquired Greinke or not…so if they end up with a rather light lineup after the loss of Fielder, but Greinke, Gallardo, and Marcum in the rotation, thats pretty decent.

by NastyNate82 on Apr 2, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with this and agree with what Milwaukee did this year...

They’re going all in for 2011 and ‘12. They already had a crappy farm system so why not sell off the remains plus their starting SS and possibly this year’s starting CF (Cain) for one last harrah. If it doesn’t work out for them (or even if it does ala Florida Marlins) look for Milwaukee to blow it all up and start from scratch in a couple years.

by gorillakilla34 on Apr 2, 2011 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess they could “re-stock” the system with a few good prospects with a Prince Fielder trade.

by psudynasty on Apr 3, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Just give up on the PG

That’s the easiest way to keep your blood pressure down.

And while I would also say that ESPN’s reporting is the Associated Content of sports writing, that lead was expected. Hell, that’s what I thought when I saw we were opening with the Cubs. The Bucs inexplicably owned the Cubs last year and without them, they might have lost 110.

by BarryJT on Apr 2, 2011 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

Ron Cook

Strikes me as the kind of writer that has to consult Wikipedia six times a day; to find out how many quarters are in a football game or a dollar. Paul.

"I choose to gamble with my life

Twice the risk, four times the prize

Nothing knocks me over"

by lighthouse913 on Apr 2, 2011 5:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

If you ask me ...

The national media isn’t hard enough on the Pirates. The Bucs are going through the longest stretch of ineptitude out of any team in any of the four major American professional sports leagues. What do you expect after an opening day victory?

by Pghfan987 on Apr 2, 2011 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

Ticker Tape Parade

by Mr. E on Apr 2, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Phils still hold that record. If not for one winning season, they would have had 30 straigt back in the mid 20th century.

Thank you Ned Colletti.

by ryebr3ad on Apr 3, 2011 10:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The Bucs are going through the longest (SUSTAINED) stretch of ineptitude out of any team in any of the four major American professional sports leagues.

better?

by BlindSquirrel on Apr 3, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

No

Because 30 out of 31 years below .500, with one year in the middle where you went 78-76 to finish fourth in an eight-team league is a longer, more sustained stretch of ineptitude than the recent Bucs. Imagine, if you will, the Pirates winning 82 next year, and then not having another winning season until 2023.

by DG Lewis on Apr 3, 2011 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know

we have had 22 losing seasons in the last 26 seasons, that’s not much better than that run by any stretch of the imagination.

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." Wes Westrum
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 3, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

No matter how the Simon deal works out — on paper, it looks like a steal for the Pirates — it’s great to see Littlefield finally step up to the plate again, so to speak.
[…]
It’s amazing Littlefield was able to get Simon for so little. Simon hit .301 with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs last season, numbers that would have been better if the Tigers hadn’t benched him for much of September to look at their younger players. The trade also is refreshing. We’re used to seeing the Pirates dump a proven player for prospects. Is it possible the Tigers are in worse shape? Is it really possible they had to trade their MVP from last season because they didn’t want to take him to arbitration and have to pay him $1.5 million next year?
[…]
Simon’s power numbers should improve at PNC Park with its short right-field porch. (Sure, Jim Thome would be better, but Kevin McClatchy doesn’t have a spare $95 million or so). The Pirates also can cover for his defense — “It’s not as bad as it’s been made out to be,” Lloyd McClendon said yesterday — by replacing him with Kevin Young late in games. Fans want the team to dump Young, but it’s unrealistic to expect McClatchy to eat the $6 million he owes him for next season. Young also could give Simon days off against left-handed pitchers. He won’t be worth the money, but something is better than nothing, isn’t it? – Ron Cook, “It’s very simple: Simon is a steal”, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 11/27/02

by Vlad on Apr 4, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions