Pirates 7, Cubs 4: Michael McKenry's Homer Gives Pirates Unlikely Win
by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 8, 2011 10:50 PM EDT
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The Pirates beat the Cubs 7-4 Friday night, and as I type this, the Brewers and Cardinals are both losing in the late innings, which means that the Pirates could wind up with a share of first place in the N.L. Central within an hour or so, which ... wow.
Aramis Ramirez homered in the first inning, but Neil Walker hit an infield single in the third that scored two runs, thanks to a hustling play by Chase D'Arnaud, who came charging home as the play went to first. Chris Resop gave up two runs in the sixth (both charged to James McDonald) on a double by Alfonso Soriano, but Andrew McCutchen answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning.
The Cubs took a one-run lead in the eighth, but the Pirates answered, again, in a big way, with an RBI single by Josh Harrison and a three-run homer by Michael McKenry (!!!!?!!!?!), who blasted a Carlos Marmol fastball (EDIT: actually a slider) to left and then took a curtain call as the crowd freaked out. Joel Hanrahan shut the Cubs down in ninth.
Michael McKenry. Wow. That's just a hugely clutch home run, and it was his first big-league jack ever. And it was off Marmol, too. And on an 0-and-2 count. That's just incredibly unlikely. PNC Park was sold out tonight. Time to watch the Cards and Brewers.
UPDATE 11:23: The Cardinals lose.
UPDATE 11:27: The Reds blow it in the ninth against the Brewers, who win 8-7. Too bad. The Brewers are in first, the Pirates and Cards are tied for second.
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Aargh
The D’bags are on the verge of blowing a 3-run lead.
You're entitled to your own opinions. You're not entitled to your own facts.
you know what
Root, root, root for our home team and Michael McKenry, you are my hero
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
Watching McHenry do that
is just another reason that something magical is happening out there. This is like Angels in the Outfield type stuff! lol
I was there tonight...unreal people...unreal
I’ve said it in a few game threads…this is a team of destiny, reserve your WS tix now.
It doesn’t cost a thing to believe and the payoff on a winner is huge!
loudest game ever!
And I was only able to get standing room only for tonight.
It doesn’t cost a thing to believe and the payoff on a winner is huge!
I was born in 1992...
This is the first time in my life I have watched meaningful baseball in July
Go Bucs!
Where have you been?
I’ve been looking for you to tell you about my trip.
ESPN has a massive chub over the ortiz/gregg spat.
This is going to get annoying.
I think Big Papi goit hit and freaked out
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 8, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
* got
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 8, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
kevin gregg threw inside to ortiz three times.
ortiz hit a 3-0 popup and gregg basically told him to run it out and then benches cleared. punhes were thrown.
so thats what happened
Papi doesn’t like being called out
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 8, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
But it included ESPN’s 2nd fave team, the Red Sox. They NEVER get in fights.
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto
by blackjackfishtaco on Jul 9, 2011 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd say he probably said a little more than that.
Home plate umpire tossed Gregg before Ortiz even started heading toward the mound.
I’ve always thought Ortiz (or anyone in that situation) should be thrown out as soon as he goes towards the mound. He was a good 5 steps out towards the mound after the third pitch before the umpire and catcher jumped out in front and the benches cleared. When you let the AB go on after that you have to expect something to happen. It seems like something should happen just because of the way it’s guaranteed to delay the game.
Lets Go D-backs
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
Anybody who is surprised, raise your hand.
Nope…that’s what I thought.
He's still a total zero, but Pedro Ciriaco deserves praise.
That inning never happens if he doesn’t take out Castro on Walker’s fielder’s choice. He never plays, nor should he, but that’s how you make your opportunity count.
Who knows if this magical run will last or not?
I love this team.
No jinx no jinx no jinx.
Absolutely. Well done by Ciriaco.
You kind of expect a guy who never plays to go through the motions…especially as a pinch runner. Good on him.
Santa Roberto Clemente
Ora Pro Nobis
@ChristianTappe
I'm okay with that
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 8, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Holliday pops out and then Berkman reaches on an error
Looks like it could have been a game ending DP had he fielded it properly too…
Francisco Cordero be useful for once
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
Brooz have 'em loaded now
You're entitled to your own opinions. You're not entitled to your own facts.
Cards lose
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Jul 8, 2011 11:23 PM EDT reply actions
HOW DOES CASEY MCGHEE LEG OUT A SINGLE
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
Brew Crew
The Reds blew it out their ass, much like all teams from Cincy do
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 8, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
And damn Tony Plush
for continuing to play out of his skull
SportsCenter shows Cardinal and Brewer highlights but the Pirates are nowhere to be found. No respect!
You missed them...
SportsCenter showed them an hour ago. They’ve been on since about 1015 EDT. Race ended early.
PS
Chuck I feel like that Marmol home run was given up on hanging slider. Anyone else care to confirm?
It was.
Marmol hung a bunch of them to McKenry, including one that McKenry ripped foul down the left field line. Everybody and their brother knew that in that situation that McKenry was going to swing at anything, yet he stayed around the plate. Walk was befuddled as to why Marmol wasn’t wasting a pitch or two to try and get a chase our of McKenry. As soon as the at-bat went 0-2 I started waiting for the slider in the dirt and it never came.
The Reds are still contending in the division, so them losing isn’t too bad.
by Adam Reynolds on Jul 8, 2011 11:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
We're actually in seccond all by ourselves
one up in the loss column on the Red Birds.
It doesn’t cost a thing to believe and the payoff on a winner is huge!
Marmol
is hittable, and certainly he gets rattled easily.
Another reason the Cubs stink.
Also, from the May 28th game, quoting Charlie:
This could well be the worst series the Cubs will have all year, and it’s probably not fair to draw any rash conclusions, but … wow. Last week I wrote about the possibility of them getting back into the NL Central race. Now, it’s hard to imagine it. They’ll get a bump when Geovany Soto comes back, but their offense has looked lackluster. I know we haven’t seen top relievers like Carlos Marmol or Sean Marshall yet, but their bullpen looks horrible.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 8, 2011 11:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
So...the Bucs should lock up McCutchen. Like now.
Yes? There’s a strong possibility he ends up with a 10 WAR season. Get it done.
Santa Roberto Clemente
Ora Pro Nobis
@ChristianTappe
I just want to say
Even though we didn’t get first tonight, this is the first time since 1997 that I’ve stayed up excitedly watching the out of town scores. Lord, does this feel good!
Pit vs Det May 21, 6-2 W
Modest crowd, drawn in by NW bobblehead (which i didnt get as they ran out and i didnt arrive until the 2nd inning) but the Pirates sink a good Det pitching staff that was on a high streak. Crowd was into it, and the Pirates won, cant complain….
Grade: A
Pit vs Phi June 3, 2-1 W
Packed house, extra inning tight game vs a great team, at least a 60/40 split between pirate and philly fans, but up there in the ranks of a great game to be at.
Grade: A++
Pit vs Chi July 8, 7-4 W
Again packed house, Im guessing a sellout by the looks of it, fans were into all night long, and were on edge late in the game hoping we could find a way to win. Low and behold McKenry saves the day and the place just explodes, hands down, and i mean hands down probably the best/craziest fun game Ive been to. Just awesome all the way around
Grade: Priceless
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend!
Sunday should be as well
that is astounding, considering no one expected anything from this team
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 9, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
it always has been a great ball town
just a little shot in the arm is all it takes to put butts in the seats..course i wouldnt really consider this a little shot in the arm….mor like a shot in the nutz with a tazer or something
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
it always has been a great ball town
This is debatable and probably worth a thread for a discussion. There were 13,000 fans in attendance at Three Rivers when Clemente got his 3,000th hit. The Bucs had empty seats in playoff games in the early 90’s on multiple occasions. i think Pitt is a great sports town. i think it’s a good baseball town with some great fans but it’s not a great baseball town like Boston or even St. Louis. Hopefully it will be in a few years.
Yinzers uber alles
Don't be deceived by St. Louis's self-propoganda
They’re no better than anyone else, they just like to think they are.
i think, being so bad for so long, will snowball into many many sellouts when the team is contending, i know its quite a lot more seats to fill than Mellon or the new Consol Energy Center but think of the Penguin fan turnaround as things took a step in the right/bright direction
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend!
thisthisthisthis and this
its no secret how poor attendance was for what 5 years or so? then all of a sudden you start getting the pieces in place, those pieces connect with fans on a regular basis, and boom you got lots more butts in the seats…next thing you know you get a few more pieces, and sell outs every night
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Please get this right -
the correct terminology is MEAT in the seats. Butts are the remainders of cigarettes, and no one wants to find them in their seats. Well, not many do. I remember a fraternity bro of mine who made it a point to collect butts after parties and smoke them instead of buying his own.
My heros have always been Steelers...
That's horrible
The only time I heard the phrase “meat in the seat” is in the Frank Zappa song “He’s So Gay”. Believe me, he’s not singing about attendance at the ballpark.
wha?
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Hit 3000 and playoff games
All took place during football season. This doesn’t make your point invalid, but it may be more that Pittsburgh is a football town, not not a baseball town.
It’s interesting. Pens seem to succeed because, well, it’s championship caliber right now. But hockey fans are pretty fanatic as well. Less games, too, than baseball.
Santa Roberto Clemente
Ora Pro Nobis
@ChristianTappe
another thing to consider is
ticket prices. but yeah there is a point there. one thing the pens do really really well and i dont know if the bucs or stillers do it quiet as well is player interaction with the fan base in town. during the season the pens ALWAYS have something going on whether its things with childrens hospital, humain societys, or whatever.
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Good point on both counts
It’s tougher for a baseball team to do the community interaction as well as a hockey team, in general, though because of the sheer lack of off days. You get long 3, even 4 day stretches in the NHL sometimes.
Santa Roberto Clemente
Ora Pro Nobis
@ChristianTappe
true
but during those long home stands they could do something during bp with the fans who show up…but yeah that is prolly the single most valid counter to the whole community interaction thing. how many guys stay in town during the off season? i would imagine very very few.
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
another thing to consider
a thought that just popped into my head is that if this lock out goes on into september (pls god) and we are still in this mix (no jinx), there will continue to be butts in the seats every night and it presents a prime opportunity to win back fans that were lost over the loosing and the lock out
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
was pittsburgh actually a football town in 1972?
The Steelers were a horrible team that didn’t win their first playoff game in franchise history until December 1972, or two months after Roberto’s 3000th. I really don’t think the town was as geared up for football at the time as people might think. Rather, I think fans were just less likely to attend games in general.
Three Rivers
was such an awful baseball and traffic experience that once fans got used to the winning, they’d stay home and listen to the Gunner. Sad but true. Division clincher in 1974 had around 10,000 fans. If the boys can keep this up, that jewel of a ballpark will remain packed.
"Throw strikes, but don't give him anything good to hit."
Keep in mind some things about the crowd for #3,000.
It was a cool, damp afternoon and a meaningless game. The Pirates had a 10 1/2 game lead with 4 to play. Pitt and Penn State both had home football games that afternoon. High school football also played a lot more Saturday afternoon games then than occur now.
In addition, there were 24,000 (including me) there the night before, when he probably should have had it on an infield hit (which was called an error on Ken Boswell).
to all you guys who were there
i hate you…i really do…not hate as in i hope you die or anything…hate as in i hope you stub your toe something fierce one night….just sayin…
from watching the highlight of that shot….wow…i can honestly say after the decade and change of loosing i never ever thought i would see a bucs park (three rivers or PNC) go absolutely bonkers like they did tonight. its just so loaded with awesome i cant even really put it into words. to say im stoked for the second half is an understatement. i wanna see the guys do well, break 500 and all…but most of all i want to see fans in the seats like tonight. its a great baseball town, it always has been…now we got something to cheer about
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 12:09 AM EDT reply actions
oldtime
I have to say, I thought the Friday night game against the Red Sox may have been the best game I ever attended. We played well against one of baseballs best. But last night…wow. I expected Cutch to come through — it’s what future Hall of Famers do — but all night long I expected to win, and that’s an expectation I haven’t really had since Andy van Slyke was surrounded by killer bees.
When Fort McKenry came to the plate I said to my wife, “If only this kid could hit, he’d be a major leaguer.” After he hit the long foul I told my wife, “Well he’s making decent contact, but Marmol is a heck of a pitcher…” I don’t know what to say. It was unbelieveable. I am well known among my family members for for just sitting there in the seat. I don’t like the wave, I despise people who make me let them by while the game is in progress, I am generally just a crusty old man. Last night when I went home my hands were sore and my throat was raw. I was not one of those perfectly played games, but man o man, it was BASEBALL.
"I don’t like the wave, I despise people who make me let them by while the game is in progress ..."
AMEN, brother!
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
hehe
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
This is good stuff people...
I remember the freakshow but for some reason this season seems mucn more legit. Anyway, I’m in town and heading to the ballpark Sunday for the first time in a couple of years. I’m taking my daughter to her first game ever. I’m hoping I’ll be watching the game that vaults the team into sole possession of first before the break!!!
#AllTheBuntsAreBad!
I've said this 800 times tonight, but I couldn't be happier for McKenry...
You can just tell he’s truly living in the moment of his Major League opportunity. He’s just such a likable guy. He’s got such a clear and vivid enthusiasm for the game, he could play 3 games in one day, play all 27 innings and just be happy he’s out there catching and playing baseball. He works hard out there everyday, is an outstanding defensive catcher, manages and has great relationships with the pitchers, and hopefully we’re starting to see some spark with the bat. He’s the kind of guy you root for to do well and while it’s impossible to quantify and measure exactly where the little girl shrieks I let out tonight upon his homer, I’m sure part of it was because how much I wanted to see him do that. Keep working hard, Mike, thanks for giving me an incredible memory.
by Zach Buccos on Jul 9, 2011 12:43 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I also love with this video is NW’s reaction during the curtain call. Look for it at around the 54 second part… He’s so fucking pumped.
my fav
is cutch
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Love that, too.
Honestly, that’s just Cutch being Cutch. Is there a player in baseball cooler then Cutch? He’s just got pure swag.
Did anyone else see J-Mac humping GFJ
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 9, 2011 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
hahahahahahaha
I just noticed that. J-Mac seems to be quite the character.
i saw Jones ass grabbing JMac a couple weeks back.
he literally waited for the camera to be on them and he cupped a cheek for the world to see…
must of been payback for that
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 11, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Also
take a look at the Schlubbies’ dugout as Quadzilla rounds 1B.
hahahahahahahahahaha
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
and that
was one hell of a call of the shot
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
by oldtimehockey09 on Jul 9, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
McKenry
I think we have to give some credit to the scouting department for finding a capable replacement at catcher instead of making a trade involving a serious prospect. Other teams knew the Bucs were hurting at the catching position, and it appears they were asking a steep price. Of course, McKenry deserves credit for adapting quickly to a new team, and he seems like the type of unsung player every winning club needs. I hope he stays a Pirate for a long time.
Agreed.
Keep Doumit. Snyder’s contract expires after the year, and I have zero desire to re-sign an aging, mediocre catcher just coming a major injury/surgery. I’d rather delegate that money elsewhere. McKenry makes for a more then capable long term backup for the team who is capable of starting, too. I honestly don’t think we see Snyder at all this year and that slide into 2nd was the last time we saw him as a Pirate.
Aging, mediocre catcher just coming off a major injury or surgery...
could apply to either Snyder or Doumit. They were born 6 weeks apart (2/12/81 vs 4/3/81).
Back vs miscellaneous
Back injuries, I suspect, have a much higher probability of recurring and causing premature retirement than the miscellany of injuries that Doumit has had.
If you want to keep Doumit,
remember that Doumit’s contract has an odd clause where if you exercise one option you have to exercise the second as well. That means you can’t just retain him for 2012, you have to take him for 2013 as well. The alternative is to decline the option, at which point he becomes a free agent. The Pirates could offer him arbitration in the hopes that he accepts it but he might prefer to try the open market.
as if there was no option
you can always offer arb to a FA-to-be, unless his contract specifically precludes it.
but if hes a FA, how can he have a contract that precludes it?
if the option is declined… arghhhhh, confusing as $#@!
also, arent you allowed only 4 arbitration years, or is that something else entirely?
the 4 arb years
are for a player within 6 years of ML service time.
Suppose you have a player on your team on a contract (any contract) such that at contract end, he will have 6 or more years of MLB service. That contract may have club option years which specify salary for those option years. This means that the club will choose whether to pick up those options. Suppose the club declines the options. Now, you are in a scenario where the player’s contract with the club is up at the end of the year, and he is gonna become a FA. For all such cases, the club can choose to offer arb, which the player may accept or reject.
I assume you know what happens when he accepts arb. If he rejects arb, he becomes a FA, and the team may have a shot at prospects in the draft if he is Type A or Type B, and signs a major league deal with some team.
If the player has not completed 6 years of service time at the end of the year, then he is forced to accept arb, if the club offers it. The club may not offer arb, of course.
Finally, some players, when they sign contracts, specify that the club cannot offer them arb, when they are about to become a FA— e.g. Carlos Beltran. I believe Kevin Correia’s contract says that the Pirates cannot offer him arb if he is a type A FA.
I think you might be confused by my wording above — declining the option doesn’t automatically grant Doumit free agency. The Pirates still own exclusive negotiating rights up until the non-tender deadline. If they tender him an offer, he can accept or decline arbitration. Declining means he’s a free agent.
Alternately, the Pirates could decline to tender him an offer, which means he’d be a free agent at that point.
As for the 4 arbitration years, no, teams can offer arbitration as many times as they want. For the first three years, or four in the case of Super 2’s, players aren’t able to decline the offer. After that, they have the option of accepting or declining arbitration.
No credit to them
Clint Hurdle and Mark Strittmater knew of McKenry and asked Huntington to go get him.
"Throw strikes, but don't give him anything good to hit."
final thought of the night for me
this will be a game i remember for a long long time. there aren’t many of them and when you consider in the grand scheme of things a 8th inning win in early july really doesn’t mean a whole hell of a lot in the grand scheme of a season. but the way the guys fought back every time, I just get the feeling that everyone associated with the team from hurdle, to the trainers, hitting and pitching coaches on down to the players has the not this year mindset. this is a group that is just loaded with guys who have an extremely high amount of intestinal fortitude.what was there for most of the season (BP) wasn’t late, so the bats that have been an enigma answered the call….just awesom
" Lord Stanley, scratch thier names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009
Definitely feels like we’re starting to have a TEAM – not just some random collection of former prospects, a low grade free agent signing, and one or two prospects.
There were tears running down my face as McKenry rounded the bases
I’ve been a Buc fan since 1970, so I grew up being spoiled by a lot of winning teams.
By the time 1990 rolled around, I was married and in Virginia, where it was a struggle to hear or see games, but I followed as best I could.
Now I rely on mlb.tv. I work nights, and usually wait until 11 or 12 to turn on the game. On demand is better than live because I can pause if I have to go to the bvathroom, and click thru the inning breaks.
So it’s been about three weeks now that I’ve been watching the standings. A win could mean a share of first place. Veras’ work was disappointing, but it’s only one run. Just like Big Ben with the ball and two minutes left. I knew Harrison could make contact, and bang base hit. I knew McKenry doesn’t have a good batting average, but he does have some power. I felt like Bob Walk and called it. He’s gonna jack one. Foul after foul, and then the ball’s in the air. I’ve got my headphones on at work, but I’m yelling “Go! Go!” and then I’m crying like a baby.
This is frakking fun. Keep it going Bucs.
by Brian Cartwright on Jul 9, 2011 4:11 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
game ball goes to Harrison
it’s his birthday and he’ll cry if he wants to. but seriously, we all know that this kid is probably not on the squad by years end, but hotdamn, he’s a gamer in my mind.
#31 All Day...
as he should
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 Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
Remember that long road once more, then kiss it...kiss it goodbye
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on Jul 9, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
The Pirates are 11 wins away from matching their total from all of last year. Man. Last year I would tell my friends from Pittsburgh here in LA that sure the PIrates were having an awful season but they were doing the right things to rebuild the organization and were a only a few years away from potentially having a really good team. Most of them, who follow the Pirates casually at best and probably get most of their news from their parents back home, would raise an eye and say sure, sure..
…But never in a million years did I envision what’s transpired so far this year. I was in 6th grade in 1992 and spent the last minutes of that October 7th evening choking back tears, knowing that was the last chance the Pirates would have to make it to the WS for quite a while.
I haven’t lived in Pittsburgh since I was 18 but in the years since whether I was school in North Carolina, or living in Brooklyn, Portland or LA I’ve followed the Pirates as closely as technology would allow. Given the nearly two decades of misery, often with little hope or reason to think things might improve the last two months have been as satisfying for me as any Steelers Super Bowl or Penguins Stanley Cup.
Hey guys...Blue Jays fan here again, I got a nice trade request you might like?
How do you feel about this..
Personal Signed Jose Bautista bat and batting gloves..
FOR
James McDonald/Diego Moreno ;)
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
oh, im sorry, but what place are the blue jays in? 4th? 4 games under 500, 11 games back???
looks like Bautista is helping the Jays make the playoffs quite easily, hmmm?
We play in the AL East dude…give us a break, I don’t see you having to play the Rays, Red Sox, or Yankees…(forget about the Orioles) on basically a day-to-day basis.
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 9, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Pirates, Blue Jays, it's all relative
No doubt the Jays play in a higher revenue division with the Yankees and Bosox, so that’s a reality Toronto has to deal with. Obviously, the Jays’ resources have been hampered by the post strike attendance issues, so that will need to be addressed as well.
But at the end of the day, it’s all relative. Toronto happens to be a larger city than Pittsburgh, and they were able to use those resources in the early 90s as one of the highest payroll teams, and that played a role in the world titles in franchise history. By contrast, the smaller market Bucs were forced to break up a world title caliber team after 1992. So it’s just the way it goes, and you don’t always see the team with the best record win the world series anyway.
by SteelStealth on Jul 9, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
No we don’t play them as often. But we did beat them when we played them.
by thecheeseisblue on Jul 9, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Touche sir ;)
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 9, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
How about...
You just give us Bautista in exchange for our owner supporting radical realignment that would allow your team to escape its current fate of never,ever having any chance of being in the kind of exciting four-way race that we’re enjoying? M’kay?
"Personal Signed Jose Bautista bat and batting gloves.."
Thanks, but we’ve still got a few of those laying around somewhere in the equipment room at PNC.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh yeah..how do you guys like this guy?
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 9, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Ha!
Naw, really… we couldn’t….
Thanks, though! We appreciate you thinkin’ of us!
(Of course, the memory of our invasion is still pretty recent.)
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
You do know this is the guy we traded you guys for Bautista, correct?
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 9, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Um, yeah.
I got it.
didjoo see the “Ha!” in the subject line?
.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
aha yes, I wasn't really sure though.
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 9, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
did I miss something?
Why is a random Blue Jays fan coming here to talk smack at us? I have no beef with the Blue Jays. Do they have a beef with us for some reason?
I mean, besides taking two of three from them in their stadium.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Jul 9, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
They're Canadian...isn't that enough to be jealous of us?
It doesn’t cost a thing to believe and the payoff on a winner is huge!
It sounded like he was joking to me.
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
yeah
i m curious too… i really dont care much either way about the Blue Jays, and don’t see there being much history either.
I’m not trolling, easy guys..calm down.
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 9, 2011 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I am in no way smack talking you guys?
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 9, 2011 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Jose Bautista is a bit of a touchy subject among Pirate fans. What you need to realize is that our media is full of idiots, and the Pirates get endlessly criticized for that trade, despite the fact that nobody saw it coming and half of baseball passed on him. We’re just really sick of getting crap for it, since it happens constantly. So we can get a little defensive about it.
by thecheeseisblue on Jul 9, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay, I apologize guys, I was in no way trying to troll or tease you guys, the more thing I was trying to point out was that I liked McDonald and Moreno, that is all.
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
by Joseph Kirby on Jul 9, 2011 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Well thanks. It’s no problem, just a little misunderstanding. It’s always nice to have other teams’ fans stop by.
by thecheeseisblue on Jul 9, 2011 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Never give up, never surrender
Last year once we fall behind late in the game you just gave up. You knew it was over. Last night I felt the urge to do just that.
But there was this nagging thought…these guys are different.
Yes, yes they are.
It is fun to be a Bucco fan again.
Peace
JP
they are different, yet the same...
we had to be patient with these guys. the FO was patient, and now its paying off.
Dare I say...
That you are even expecting the comeback. This season is like no other. Truely magical.
By a rookie;
how many rookies on the Pirates right now? They doing the job!
Tom Specht
oh i forgot this last night
as one fan won a game on the jumbotron somewhere in the park, he was asked which pirate he wants to sign the official mlb bat he just won. the fan goes on to say:
“I would like the allstar (pausing)…Andrew McCutchen to sign it”
man did that get the crowd going, just another part of the awesomeness of last nights game
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend!
Great night starting
At 5 o’clock on Federal Street. People everywhere. Relatively few Cubs fans. Shops outdide snd indide stadium packed with people buying gear. The Cutch Nike mustache tee is one of the all-time greats, and people were wearing them everywhere. All things considered best night I’ve seen at PNC.
by Horace Clarke on Jul 9, 2011 9:06 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
There is a Cutch version of that?
I have seen a Stargell and a Teke online (out-of-towner here). Man, if there’s a Cutch one, I gotta find one.
Stupidity should be painful.
by wrecking_ball on Jul 9, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Still want...
Dock Ellis with the rollers… Also, wish they’d done Stargell in the pillbox hat with some stars on it.
Dock Ellis
And the LSD no-no tee at Slacker on Southside. No rollers, though.
by Horace Clarke on Jul 9, 2011 1:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Dock Ellis
And the LSD no-no tee at Slacker on Southside. No rollers, though.
by Horace Clarke on Jul 9, 2011 1:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No rollers
On the Dock Ellis LSD no-no tee at Slacker on Southside.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Just ordered one of THESE
to wear at my wedding reception in 2 weeks:
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
Thankee!
(I didn’t wanna push it by wearing it for the ceremony)
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Congrats...
I have a Cutch Jersey from borntrade…I didn’t know they were still in business. I know that a lot of people got burned by their orders getting seized.
It doesn’t cost a thing to believe and the payoff on a winner is huge!
Oh, criminy.
That’s not good news.
Just got an email saying mine’s on the way.
Fingers crossed.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't sweat it
I ordered an NW jersey a few weeks ago. Got it very quickly. I highly recommend ordering jerseys from there with a group of people. While they’re cheap, the S+H is very high and if you can get an order of over $250 the S+H is free. That’s what me and my fraternity brothers did.
Phew.
Just got the conf. email that it shipped.
I would’ve liked to order another jersey or two, to make the shipping cost reasonable, but $$ is super scarce right now. This one was “our” wedding present to me.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Good work
My black alternate Tabata jersey arrived today. Hopefully he’ll be back in the lineup by my next trip to Pittsburgh (7/22)…
Almost
got that one.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 9, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Was at the game as well
Unbelievable feeling in that ballpark. I actually ended up with standing room tickets, and ended up standing next to Daniel McCutchen’s childhood friends (apparently he couldn’t get them actual tickets). They were both huge Cubs fans, one of them of the loud obnoxious variety. When McKenry hit that HR (which actually put their friend in line for the win) I’m pretty sure the annoying one cried. The other guy actually gave me a fist bump.
Last Night
I’ve been a Pirates fan my entire life and the last winning season they had was when I was 2 years old. I have NEVER, in the thousands of Bucs games Ive watched, screamed so loud as I did when Harrison brought home NFW. And then, by the grace of God, McKenry hits an absolute shit missle no doubter. My newly-wed wife doesn’t like baseball and she was jumping up and down. It might have been the best baseball game I’ve ever witnessed as a fan, and I can only hope they keep it up.
by bosten7 on Jul 9, 2011 12:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Geez....
Last winning season when you were two, that means you’re my age. Already married? Off the market early I see.
I have been a Pirate fan
since 1958. I was 6. My dad was a fan-atic. He loved them winning, but there were stretches when he wouldn’t even watch them (when the games were available on TV – a rarity). We got to see them win the ‘60 series (me at home after school, him at work in the employee cafeteria), then again in ’71 and ’79 (I went to school in B’more and the ‘71 Series was unf’nbelievable for Burgh fans).
This team is not a contender. Too many holes. Just like 1960 against the Yankees. We’re overmatched.
I love it.
My heros have always been Steelers...
wozzle
I was working in Middle River in the fall of ’71. Where were you? Do you remember how freaked they all were about Clemente, of whom they had apparently never heard?
Crusty, I went to Johns Hopkins
and scored tix from friends who were very wealthy, had season tix and were not terribly interested – it was a foregone conclusion that the Os were going to win in a walk. They felt that the only NL team worth playing (or watching) was the Reds. BTW, I love B’more, its folks and its food. Especially the food. Those of you who can spend some time in Annapolis should do so – September is outstanding, as is October.
They knew Roberto – just didn’t know him well enough. After the Series, many of their fans (and I’m talking MANY) spoke of him with awe. They had never seen him up close. His death was almost as much a shock there as in Pittsburgh.
I spent the ‘79 series in Alabama, working on a project. Won a bit of money from the Os fans there (most who weren’t Braves fans were Os fans). Tuscaloosa is another great place to visit, but don’t go there in the summer. Spring there is magical.
My heros have always been Steelers...
1971 and 1979
Good points about 1960, and the Bucs were also underdogs in 1971 and 1979. That 1971 Baltimore club was pulverizing the American League with a long winning streak entering that Series, and was being talked about as one of the great teams in MLB history. With those four 20 game winners, and Frank/Brooks Robinson, that team was a juggernaut.
The ‘79 Orioles weren’t as dominant, but many people gave them the edge over the veteran Pirates team, that kept finding ways to win.
Getting back to 1960, that Series against the Yanks, would make a tremendous movie, either at the theater or ESPN.
Like ESPN would ever do anything that gave more attention to Pittsburgh than New York
Best hope would be a smaller or independent studio
Problem is, very little vid/Super 8 of that series remains.
I’d love for owners of flicks from the series to get it together and put it on CDs. It would sell like – well, like movies of the 1960 Pirates. I have the Press copy of the win.
My heros have always been Steelers...
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