18 losing years weren't all misery

By Bob Smizik
http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/bob-smiziks-blog
June 17, 2011

HOUSTON - JUNE 16: Garrett Jones #46 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a three run home run in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 16, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Amid this flurry of Pirate victories, which has put the team in the highly unusual position of being two games over .500, people are looking back on the bad, old days and some are recalling them as 18 seasons of ``misery.’’

Everyone is entitled to describe their own feelings, but I have a hard time equating a losing baseball team with ``misery.’’ That’s especially true because those teams were surrounded by and often had overlapping seasons with highly successful NFL and NHL franchises that would tend to take the edge of that ``misery.’’

But this isn’t about feelings, it’s about fact. Yes, there have been 18 consecutive seasons in which the Pirates lost more games than they won, but not all of those seasons were miserable. The so-called misery didn’t truly begin until the Pirates moved into PNC Park in 2001 and lost 100 games. That turned everything upside down. All of a sudden, a season of less than 95 losses was a success.

That wasn’t how this losing began. In their final eight seasons at Three Rivers Stadium, the Pirates might have had losing records but they were not a national punch line. Fans looked at the upcoming season with hope, not dread.

As is well known, the Pirates made a serious run at a division title in 1997 when the streak was only four years in duration. They were 1½ game out of first place on Sept. 2 and 3½ out with seven game to go. A division title was within their reach going into the final week of the season. That wasn’t misery; it was fun and excitement.

Two years later the Pirates did almost as well but the NL Central wasn’t as cooperative. A losing record wasn’t good enough to contend but the Pirates were not the civic embarrassment some believe them to be today.

The 1999 season was the last time the Pirates had anything approaching a serious relationship with .500 baseball. The manager that year and in 1997 was Gene Lamont, who, by today’s standards, was a raging success.

In 1999, the Pirates were above .500 from May 30 to June 20. They were at or above .500 from May 29 through July 5. They were a seriously competitive team --- five games out of first and in third place at the end of June.

To answer some questions that might come up in the days ahead, the last time the Pirates were three games over .500 was July 1, 1999 (40-37); the last time they were four games over was June 16, 1999 (34-30); the last time there were five games over was June 4, 1999 (29-24).

The Pirates were 46-45 on July 18; 56-55 on Aug. 8; 61-61 on Aug. 20. They never touched .500 again but always remained within reach. They were 78-80 with three games remaining in the season and -- a barometer of the seasons ahead -- lost all three games.

But it was a good season. There was no misery. The Pirates had two players with 100 or more RBIs -- Brian Giles and Kevin Young. They had a third baseman with 81 RBIs -- Ed Sprague -- and a second baseman with 73 -- Warren Morris.

Giles, Young and Morris all had their careers in front of them. So did Jason Kendall, Aramis Ramirez, Al Martin and Adrian Brown. The pitching staff was young and full of potential -- Jason Schmidt, Kris Benson, Francisco Cordova and Todd Ritchie.

It was a fun time. But for many reasons that team never worked out -- never come close to working out.

Which is to say, enjoy the 2011 Pirates. You never know how long this success will last.

Among CBs, it's easy to like Ike

By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/?_s_icmp=nav_sports
Tuesday, June 14, 2011

He's considered the best. Well, at least until common sense takes over.

Unrestricted free-agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is a pretty good football player. A former first-round draft pick, he's considered a lockdown corner because of his ability to prevent opposing receivers from catching the ball.

But you know what? Asomugha may not be as good as advertised.

This offseason, Asomugha has been touted as the class of unrestricted free-agent corners. He's rangy, fast and plays his position with aplomb.

Asomugha is definitely talented. But he has an aversion to contact in a physical sport, recording only 19 tackles in 14 games last season. (He missed two games because of injury.) That's an embarrassing stat for someone who ranks among the best at this position.

Asomugha, who didn't have an interception in 2010, was paid $15 million by the Oakland Raiders. That made him the highest-paid corner in the NFL, but also the most overpaid corner when compared with Ike Taylor, another unrestricted free agent.

"He's not quite a specialist like (Oakland kicker) Sebastian Janikowski, but he is kind of a specialist," said Jerry McDonald, who covers the Raiders for the Oakland Tribune. "He has one special skill. He's great at covering receivers. In the grand scheme of things, it's not changing things. They still gave up 29 touchdown passes with him. The Raiders totally realize that. That's why they weren't going to sign him back."

According to the numbers, Taylor was a more complete cornerback than Asomugha last season, as well as throughout their respective eight-year careers.

Taylor and Asomugha are perfect foils. They were selected in the same draft, so their body of work is nearly identical. Taylor, who turned 31 in May, is a year older than Asomugha, who turns 30 in July.

Taylor recorded 66 tackles and two interceptions in 2010. He had 11 passes defended to Asomugha's six.

Overall, Taylor has 481 tackles, 99 passes defended and 11 interceptions in 125 career games with the Steelers. Asomugha has 310 tackles, 54 passes defended and 11 interceptions in 122 career games.

Taylor and Asomugha were selected in the 2003 draft. Asomugha was the No. 31 overall pick; Taylor went in the fourth round, No. 125 overall.

Statistically, Taylor is a better player than Asomugha, despite earning half as much in 2010. And that doesn't include Taylor starting in three Super Bowls -- winning two -- and playing in four AFC Championship Games.

Asomugha has never played in a playoff game. In fact, he's never played on a team with a winning record.

If a team seeks a talented free-agent cornerback who can also bring a winning attitude to the locker room, Taylor, not Asomugha, is your man.

"(New York Jets cornerback) Darrelle Revis can do it all. But I'd take Taylor over Asomugha because of his physicality," said Scouting Services Inc. chief Dave-Te' Thomas, who consults with NFL teams on the draft and potential free agents. "He should be wearing No. 55 on his jersey. He loves that element where he can punish people.''

Don't assume that Asomugha will set the salary scale for free-agent cornerbacks when the lockout is lifted. If his asking price is in the neighborhood of $15 million per season -- even if he signs for $12 million or $13 million per season -- Taylor should be worth at least that much.

Taylor has a better resume than Asomugha, who was the least-targeted cornerback in the league the past two seasons.

However, Asomugha's ability to play stifling pass defense doesn't override the fact that he doesn't do much else. He doesn't come up and force the run like Taylor does. Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau labeled Taylor the best tackling cornerback in the league. Asomugha doesn't defend both sides of the field or play on special teams like Taylor does.

Steelers management insists it has every intention of re-signing Taylor, who plays right cornerback, left cornerback and in the slot. But the number of teams the Steelers will have to outbid for Taylor continues to rise -- along with his price tag.

Last week, ESPN and CBS Sportsline reported that the Philadelphia Eagles could be targeting Taylor in free agency after the team initially focused on Asomugha, who plays right cornerback exclusively.

"He makes an occasional play against the run, but I don't know how much he wants to really come up and hit," said McDonald about Asomugha. "You wonder why you don't see it more. He's had some nagging injuries. And he's always dealing with this hip thing they never talk about. He's always stretching it. It's never listed on an injury report."

On paper and on the field, Taylor is a better football player than Asomugha. In the battle of unrestricted free-agent cornerbacks, it's Taylor by a long shot.


Read more: Harris: Among CBs, it's easy to like Ike - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_741941.html#ixzz1PFbsxfpd

Signing Maholm a priority

By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
June 14, 2011

A little less than seven weeks remain before baseball's July 31 trade deadline. Much can happen between now and then. The Pirates could fade into oblivion, especially because they will start a string of 12 consecutive games against American League clubs Friday night in Cleveland. They have been, by far, the worst team in interleague play since it began in 1997, their record 75-124.

But what if the worst doesn't happen? What if the Pirates continue to hover around .500? They are 32-33 after beating the New York Mets, 3-1, Monday night at PNC Park. What if they are 52-53 -- or better -- on July 31? What do they do then with pitcher Paul Maholm?

They have to keep him, don't they?

A lot of us have assumed the Pirates automatically will trade Maholm because of his contract. They have a club option on him for $9.75 million next season with a $750,000 buyout. It's not their way to pay one player nearly $10 million.

But it's getting harder to argue that the Pirates should trade Maholm. He has been outstanding all season despite a 3-7 record. He pitched another jewel Monday night, holding the Mets to three hits in seven shutout innings. He's maturing before our eyes. He turns 29 on June 25. He has also been remarkably durable. He has made more starts (167) than any left-hander in the National League since 2006 and pitched more innings (1,0291/3) than any left-hander but Philadelphia's Cole Hamels (1,036) during that time.

Isn't that the type of pitcher the Pirates need to keep?

Sure, it will cost big money. But haven't owner Bob Nutting, president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington promised to spend when the time is right? Well, I'm thinking the time is right with Maholm.

As long as the Pirates don't collapse in the next six-plus weeks, it's important to keep Maholm for the rest of the season. Getting over .500 might not be a big deal to any other team, but it's critical for them. That record string of futility -- the 18 consecutive seasons of losing before this one -- has been an enormous burden. They need to shrug it off.

But Maholm figures to be able to help the Pirates for many seasons to come. Good left-handed starters are expensive because they're so hard to find. Maholm has been about as good as any this season. His 3.12 ERA is better than any National League left-hander but Hamels (2.58), who's regarded as the best.

It's worth repeating:

Isn't that the type of pitcher the Pirates need to keep?

Instead of thinking about trading Maholm, shouldn't the team be considering tearing up that option year on his contract and trying to work out some sort of multiyear extension?

"I'd definitely talk to them," Maholm said. "I said that in the spring. They control everything. They have the option. They have the ability to trade me. They have the ability to wait and see what happens ...

"I'm not going to beg for [a new deal], but I'd be open to what they have to say. I enjoy the guys here. I enjoy the staff. The fans are great. I like the city. Why wouldn't I talk to them? I haven't heard anything from them yet and I don't know that I will. I just hope they come to me soon if they are going to do it. I don't want them to come to me the week of the trade deadline and hit me with everything right then."

Coonelly and Huntington don't discuss contracts publicly, but they have to love what they're getting from Maholm. His teammates certainly do. They know his record would be at least 7-3 instead of 3-7 if they had given him any kind of run support early in the season. They scored a total of 13 runs while he was on the mound in his first 10 starts.

"I think guys know that, no matter what, I'm going to put it all out there," Maholm said. "They know I'm going to battle and expect to win every game. I'm never going to give up.

"It's a comfort factor. It's a confidence factor. I'm going out there now expecting to go deep in games."

Maholm has given up three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 14 starts. The win Monday night was especially satisfying because it came against the Mets. He wasted a 7-0 lead against them in New York June 2 in a game the Pirates lost, 9-8. It was one of just two bad starts for him this season.

"It's never easy, but I felt good tonight," Maholm said. "When I missed with my pitches, I missed off the plate. The last time against them, when I missed, it was over the plate and they hit it. Tonight was my night."

Maholm's next start will come Saturday night in Cleveland. By then, he's hoping the Pirates' one-game winning streak will be a five-game winning streak.

"We keep hanging around .500, but we're not getting over it," Maholm said. "Everyone keeps getting reminded about it and has to talk about it. If we can win like seven of our next eight games and separate ourselves a little bit from .500, I think you'll see guys relax more. You'll see a lot of 'em really take off."

No matter what, Maholm will take the ball in Cleveland expecting to win. Odds are he will go at least six innings and give the Pirates a chance.

That's worth something, isn't it?

Millions, actually.

Photo: Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan. More articles by this author

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11165/1153564-87-0.stm#ixzz1PFYhUk00

Why Huntington will — and should — get an extension

By Dejan Kovacevic, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/?_s_icmp=nav_sports
Monday, June 13, 2011

It says here that the Pirates will extend general manager Neal Huntington's contract, currently due to expire at season's end, and that they will do so sooner rather than later.

Want proof?

Listen to what team president Frank Coonelly told me this weekend at PNC Park when I raised the topic: "I'm very pleased with what Neal has done in building our organization from the ground up as well as the work that's been done by the staff he put together. My expectation is that Neal is going to be with the Pirates for many years to come."

All that's missing is the formal press release, right?

Well, here's something else it says here, and it might surprise some: I'm all for this.

In covering the Pirates all through the Coonelly/Huntington era that began in late 2007, I have questioned and criticized many front office moves, particularly Huntington's trades. And, without regurgitating the various Jason Bay/Jose Bautista/Aki Iwamura debates, suffice it to say I stand by those sentiments.

I'll say it plainly: There were times Huntington looked overmatched, even overwhelmed.

But I also have witnessed Huntington grow as a GM, especially in how he has handled his mistakes:

• He has added total busts, but he has not clung to them too long. That started with Byung-Hyun Kim in the spring of 2008, and it continued with Ramon Vazquez, Iwamura and Scott Olsen, all paid large sums of money -- a total of roughly $7 million -- to just go away and clear a roster spot for someone else.

• He has made dubious trades, but he also has responded behind the scenes -- including replacing evaluators -- to upgrade that area. The result was a methodology far superior to that of the disorganized Los Angeles Dodgers when the Pirates stole James McDonald and a prospect for aging reliever Octavio Dotel last summer. And even some earlier trades that once looked iffy -- the acquisitions of Charlie Morton and Joel Hanrahan, for example -- have swung Huntington's way.

• He used to find rejects who played like rejects -- Ryan Church, anyone? -- but he now is pulling off creative signings such as Kevin Correia, perhaps baseball's best bargain this past winter after yet another strong showing Sunday despite the 7-0 loss to the New York Mets, as well as waiver-claim contributors such as Chris Resop and Xavier Paul.

• He has matured in his public persona, more cautious with his words and smoother at handling criticism. He realized from the outset that many of his moves would be unpopular, given how barren the system was under Dave Littlefield, but he still took that criticism to heart at times. Not so much anymore.

Huntington remains far from perfect -- free agent Matt Diaz has badly underperformed, the loss of Nate Adcock in the Rule 5 draft was a poor show of roster management and the offense as a whole still has huge holes -- but you get the idea: He has come a long way since being Cleveland's No. 4 guy.

"I try to live my life to grow and develop every single day, as a husband, a father, a friend and certainly as a member of an organization," Huntington told me before the game Sunday. "You try to learn from every decision, the ones that work well, the ones that didn't, what we could have known at the point of the decision that might have altered the course."

Of addressing mistakes, Huntington said: "I think the worst thing a leader can do is fail to admit a decision didn't work and compound it by forcing the decision upon the organization."

Maybe his confidence stems from the Pirates' improved play at the top level, the mess Sunday aside. Maybe it's from the elite pitching acquired through the draft and international pools. And maybe it's just from finally seeing rewards from his aim to take high-end risks, best exemplified by Morton.

Whatever the case, Huntington is different. He always has heard out his lieutenants, even encouraging them to raise voices in the draft room. But he makes the final call, and he no longer feels compelled to explain every minute aspect of that call, nor to defend it.

Does he feel more confident?

"Sure," Huntington replied. "I think experience breeds confidence. The more times you go through that annual cycle, you have more of a sense of what's coming."

Huntington should get two more years to match the length of manager Clint Hurdle's contract. He always has had the right plan and, having progressed in executing that plan, he has earned seeing it through.

First, though, how about finding a bat somewhere, huh?

Photo: mlb.com

Read more: Kovacevic: Why Huntington will — and should — get an extension - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_741848.html#ixzz1P9SmQReH

Pitchers sending SOS for a little run support

Monday, June 13, 2011

By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/

PITTSBURGH - JUNE 12: Kevin Correia(notes) #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the New York Mets during the game on June 12, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Pirates second baseman Neil Walker showed up, as scheduled, Sunday night to cheerfully sign autograph after autograph at the Summer Sports Jam at Stage AE on the North Shore. He's a bigger man than most of us. This was not a day for public appearances. This was a day to hide if you are a Pirates position player.

Is it just me or does it seem as if those days are happening more frequently?

The Pirates were beaten by the New York Mets, 7-0, at PNC Park. It was the eighth time they've been shut out and the 33rd time in 64 games that they've scored fewer than four runs. They are 6-27 in those games.

This loss hurt more than many because of a beauty of a performance by Pirates starter Kevin Correia.

"If you look at the box score, you won't be able to tell how well I pitched," he said. "I was one pitch away from a great one."

Correia had a perfect game before Jason Bay bounced a three-hop single between shortstop and third base with two outs in the fifth inning. He took a shutout into the seventh before giving up one run. He got two quick outs in the eighth and had two strikes on pinch hitter Willie Harris before Harris singled to start a four-run inning.

It's hard to blame Correia too much for the game getting out of hand.

It's hard to pitch when you have to be perfect.

Not that Correia said that. He actually talked about feeling "spoiled" by his run support early in the season: "I've got nothing to complain about. This is the first time I've pitched well and lost."

And you wonder why Correia is so popular among his teammates? The reason goes a long way beyond his eight wins.

It's nice Correia is such a team man, but that doesn't change the fact the Pirates hitters too often have sabotaged their pitchers. The starters have been strong for nearly a month, throwing up a 2.72 ERA in the past 23 games. Sadly for them, the team went 13-10 in those games. It easily could be 34-30 and sitting pretty in the National League Central standings instead of 31-33 and struggling to scratch its way to .500.

Injuries are a big part of it. Third baseman Pedro Alvarez was expected to provide a lot of thump but has been on the disabled list since May 21 with a right quad injury. Josh Harrison has hit OK as his replacement, and Brandon Wood has hit a little better after a terrible start, but neither has provided pop. The team also is down to its fourth and fifth catchers after injuries to Ryan Doumit, Chris Snyder and Jason Jaramillo. Dusty Brown and Wyatt Toregas have been virtual automatic outs in their limited playing time.

Too many guys are underachieving. First baseman Lyle Overbay hit for a brief period but has slipped back to a .239 average. Shortstop Ronny Cedeno is in an 8-for-56 slide and is hitting .224. Then, there's the mess in right field. Matt Diaz has no home runs and nine RBIs in 109 at-bats, Garrett Jones is hitting .243 and has one home run in the past 38 games and Xavier Paul is in an 0-for-15 slide.

Even Walker is scuffling. He went 0 for 4 Sunday and is in 0-for-14 and 2-for-23 ruts, which have dropped his average to .251. He has hit just two home runs since May 20. No, he's not your typical cleanup hitter, but is it unfair to expect more?

Only center fielder Andrew McCutchen and left fielder Jose Tabata are stroking the ball.

That's not nearly enough.

"We've just got to stay optimistic and continue to scrap," Walker said. "We've got to keep playing small ball. We've got to keep playing good defense, which we have been. We've got to keep getting good pitching, which we have been."

Small ball? How about an occasional three-run home run?

The Pirates have hit four home runs in 11 games in June, tied with the San Diego Padres for the fewest in the National League. It's no wonder the fireworks operator at PNC Park prematurely set off the explosives when Overbay flied out to the wall in center field in the seventh inning. The poor man has been sitting around a long time with nothing to do. He must have been shocked to see one of the Pirates hit a ball even that far.
So what's the solution?

Getting Alvarez back healthy and playing well is the best thing that could happen to the Pirates. He doesn't appear to be close after aggravating his quad problem. If he doesn't come back strong -- not just this season, but beyond -- the team's building plans will take an enormous hit.

Overbay heated up with the Toronto Blue Jays last summer after a rough two-month start. Maybe he'll do the same here. General manager Neal Huntington is looking for a better option at catcher, but that might be hard to find in a trade. You know Walker is going to hit again. Maybe Jones in right ...

Until then?

The Walker Plan: small ball, defense and pitching.

It's fair to wonder how long the starting pitchers are going to be up to it.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11164/1153360-87-0.stm#ixzz1P9Q3rrzf

Jones slowly back in picture

By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Sunday, June 12, 2011

PITTSBURGH - JUNE 07: Garrett Jones(notes) #46 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a double in the 8th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the game on June 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Nothing illustrates better than this what a miracle it is that the Pirates are 31-32 as they hit mid-June:

They have gotten a combined .224 batting average, eight home runs and 29 RBIs from two of their top three left-handed boppers, Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones.

Alvarez has been on the disabled list since May 21 with a right quad injury and isn't close to being ready. He was an enormous disappointment before he got hurt, hitting .208 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.

Jones has been healthy, but his swing has been a mess. He lost his confidence, his manager's faith, his spot in the lineup, everything. He was hitting .229 with six home runs and 18 RBIs going into a game Saturday night against the New York Mets.

That's why, of the many nice things that happened in the Pirates' 3-2 win at PNC Park, the play of Jones was the most encouraging. Getting just his second start in right field in June, he doubled in their first run with a towering drive to left-center field off Mets starter R.A. Dickey and singled in his third at-bat. It was his first two-hit game since May 20.

"I know I can hit on this level," Jones said. "I have hit up here. The good ones come back. I feel like I'm coming back."

Maybe it was the little nudge -- OK, hard shove -- from Pirates manager Clint Hurdle that did it for Jones. "He has yet to be able to counter-punch," the disappointed boss said of Jones June 3. "He's 29. It's time. He's got to throw something down."

Talk about throwing something down.

How about the private and then public challenge Hurdle threw at Jones?

"I was aware of it," Jones said. "I think he was just trying to kick me in the butt and let me know that if I'm not hitting, we've got some good guys on the team who will play instead of me. It's good to have competition like that. It's going to make us all better and better as a team."

Jones' response has been just what Hurdle was anticipating. It wasn't just the two hits against the Mets. It was his pinch-hit double against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday night that started a five-run eighth inning in the Pirates' comeback 8-5 win.

"We're obviously a totally different lineup when Garrett gets rolling like that," Hurdle said. "We had a heart-to-heart the other day. I just want him to come to the plate with bad intentions and hit the ball where it's pitched. Don't look for homers. Just hit the ball hard. He's got a bat that we need."

Did I mention Alvarez is out?

The Pirates' third left-handed power hitter -- Lyle Overbay -- has started to hit a little bit lately but still has just five home runs and 25 RBIs.

The team is getting little offensively from shortstop Ronny Cedeno after a brief surge and figure to get practically nothing from its catchers, Dusty Brown and Wyatt Toregas, who have to play until general manager Neal Huntington can find a better option for injured Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit.

The Pirates, as they are now, are going to struggle to score runs in most games. They got a big break to score two in the third Saturday night when Mets third baseman Daniel Murphy couldn't handle a hard shot hit by Andrew McCutchen. The play went for a two-run double.

You bet Jones has a bat that the Pirates need. They need him in right field. He started the season pretty much platooning with Matt Diaz, who hasn't hit a home run and has nine RBIs. He lost that job when Xavier Paul came on board on waivers April 26 from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Paul provided a spark for a while but is in an 0-for-14 slide.

Jones has to be the guy in right, doesn't he?

"I've just got to stay positive," he said. "I need to do everything I can to get my swing back and get back in the lineup on a regular basis."

Get his swing back?

Where did the darn thing go?

"That's baseball," Jones said, shrugging. "You watch Jason Bay. I'm sure he's frustrated. He's been an unbelievable hitter his whole career, but he's struggling right now. It happens."

Bay, once a big home run hitter for the Pirates and now the Mets' left fielder, ended an 0-for-24 slump with a bloop single to center field in the fourth Saturday night. He's hitting .208 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.

"It happens," Jones said again. "You start pressing. You try to make things happen. You've just got to relax and play your game. That's what I'm trying to do."

Jones isn't expected to play today against Mets left-hander Chris Capuano, but it's nice to think he'll be back in the lineup Monday night against right-hander Mike Pelfrey in the final game of the series.

Here's Hurdle one final time:

"It changes the lineup when Garrett is hitting."

Changes it for the good, obviously.

Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan. More articles by this author

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11163/1153248-87-0.stm#ixzz1P3hKj8ZV

A Golden quarter-century, with plenty of memories to come

By Dejan Kovacevic, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/?_s_icmp=nav_sports
Friday, June 10, 2011

Had I been born and raised somewhere other than the Golden Triangle, and had I not spent the past quarter-century covering the city's sports scene, I probably never would have had the chance to humbly introduce myself to you this morning as the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's newest columnist.

I also never would have ...

» Sneaked up to the box seats at Three Rivers with my dad — plenty of room with only 4,523 on hand — to marvel at a spirited pitchers' duel between Nolan Ryan and John Candelaria on May 16, 1984. Ryan and the Astros prevailed, 1-0, and it otherwise was not at all a memorable result. But we all have those that resonate for family reasons, don't we?

» Experienced that Heinz Field crowd in January essentially change the course of the Steelers' playoff triumph over the Ravens: They stood, screamed and waved towels as if they were one with the suddenly surging defense. As LaMarr Woodley told me that night, "Believe me, we felt it out there."

» Climbed the snowy hill leading up to the white-capped Civic Arena from Fifth Avenue with my brother or friends. It will forever be the iconic image of hockey here.

» Bundled up one frigid morning on Neville Island, where Mario Lemieux and Jay Caufield crammed in one last session before Lemieux would gloriously retake the ice the next night. His father, his son and I were the only witnesses to the Rockwellian image of his tossle cap caked with snowflakes.

» Gone out to sit on the front lawn and cry, along with my dog, right after Sid Bream's slide. I'd swear the dog was crying, too.

» Received a letter postmarked Aug. 2, 2007, from Myron Cope. He was quite ill, but he took time to type some exceedingly generous words about my baseball writing. The best part: He cited another writer from a half-century earlier who, in his estimation, was better than me. How very Chuck Noll.

» Had a rinkside vantage point at the Vancouver Olympics for Sidney Crosby's golden goal. First thought: Wow. Second thought: This article had better be good.

» Seen Charlie Morton teach everyone why you never give up on a great arm. And not just because the guy strums a wicked acoustic guitar.

» Spent a February afternoon inside a near-empty Petersen Events Center hearing the bounce-bounce-swish of Pitt's Ashton Gibbs making 10, 20, 30, 40 ... for all I know, he's still in there hitting 3s without a solitary miss.

» Met DARYLE before a Pirates game in San Francisco a couple years ago. DARYLE is one of many readers who have corresponded with me over the years by email, social media and in person. He also loves to type in ALL CAPS, so I felt compelled to shout his name upon shaking his hand.

» Watched my daughter have a blast with Ben Roethlisberger and his dog in his backyard. Different time, different Ben.

» Contorted my body as an 8-year-old to avoid sleeping on the many Vikings logos on my NFL bedsheets. Small wonder the Steelers took Super Bowl IX.

» Prompted former Pirates manager Jim Tracy to weakly defend Jeromy Burnitz's jog to first base by replying, "What did you think, Dejan, that he was going to be safe?"

» Witnessed the real turning point for these Pirates with Pedro Alvarez's riveting three-run home run off Huston Street last August that shook PNC Park.

» Been able to casually name-drop a slew of Pittsburgh Spirit players, from my time as a season-ticket holder. Try this with a friend, but spot them Stan Terlecki.

» Sat on stools beneath the Bradenton sunrise to talk ball with Chuck Tanner and Bill Mazeroski.

» Lugged my Radio Shack TRS-80 up to wooden football press perches across the WPIAL and City League, from Aliquippa's Pit to Oakmont's Riverside Park, maybe the most scintillating stadiums of any scope in our region.

» Scribbled on my notepad after the 1997 AFC title game at Three Rivers when the victorious Broncos' Shannon Sharpe remarkably ad-libbed this: "Stay away from the Allegheny, Ohio and Monongahela! I hope they freeze those three rivers tonight because I'd hate to see anybody plunging to the bottom."

» Gotten a bear hug from an old hockey player. Part of what makes the Penguins successful is the family atmosphere they foster. Pierre Larouche, Kevin Stevens and so many alumni don't greet familiar faces with handshakes. They pick you up off the ground.

» Received this text from Freddy Sanchez upon his initial return to Pittsburgh with the Giants: "Just drove through Fort Pitt Tunnel. Feels like home."

» Had the privilege to write for an audience so knowledgeable about the city's sports to realize that I chose 21 entries this morning for a reason.



Read more: Kovacevic: A Golden quarter-century, with plenty of memories to come - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_741401.html#ixzz1OsHVFo4G

Dejan Kovacevic joined the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review as a sports columnist this week.
Kovacevic, 45, was born in Pittsburgh and was an award-winning reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for 26 years, including six years on the Pirates beat, seven on the Penguins before that, as well as Steelers games, colleges and high schools. He also covered the 2004 and 2010 Olympics.
His columns will appear Mondays and Fridays through the summer. He also will write feature articles and a blog at triblive.com.

Hanrahan's success measured in cigars

By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/

Friday, June 10, 2011

CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 19: Joel Hanrahan(notes) #52 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by Chris Snyder(notes) #19 following the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 19, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Pirates won 5-3. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Somewhere in Wexford, a man named Jay is out about $150 because of Pirates hammer Joel Hanrahan.

He wishes it were $250.

"He told me if I cost him $500 this season, it will be worth it," Hanrahan said, grinning.

Jay is Hanrahan's neighbor.

"Don't know his last name, but I see him all the time," Hanrahan said.

Each time Hanrahan gets a save, Jay puts a cigar on his garage door. Hanrahan is 15 in 15 opportunities.

"I don't want to break his bank, but, sure, 40 or 50 would be great," he said.

Nice thought, isn't it?

Hanrahan has been huge in the Pirates' surprising 30-31 start. Of the 14 National League pitchers with double-digit saves going into the Thursday night, he and Philadelphia's Ryan Madson (14 for 14) were the only ones who hadn't blown one. His 1.57 ERA was lower than any of the 14 with the exception of Cincinnati's Francisco Cordero (1.53). There are other impressive numbers to throw at you, but what's the point? Can't we just stipulate that Hanrahan has been terrific?

It's such a difficult job, the closer's job. The 25th, 26th and 27th outs are unlike any other in a game. Often, a team has to work three hours to build a lead after eight innings. A closer can blow it in minutes in the ninth. That's tremendous pressure, maybe the most in baseball. Those late losses are devastating to a team.

"I try not to think about it like that," Hanrahan said. "I've been in a situation where I put that pressure on myself. When I was with Washington, I thought I had to be perfect every time out. 'I've got to do it right now. I've got to strike out three in a row right now.' Obviously, that doesn't work. It didn't work for me. Now, I go out there, I try not to walk anybody and I let my defense do it for me."

The approach has worked well for Hanrahan and the Pirates. He has struck out 26 and walked just seven in 282/3 innings. His work against the Arizona Diamondbacks this week was fairly typical of his season. He struck out two of the three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday night to get his 15th save and-- yes-- his 15th cigar, which was waiting for him when he pulled in his garage. He pitched a one-two-three ninth in a tie game Wednesday night to give the Pirates a chance to win in 12 innings and, finally, get their record back to .500 at 30-30. They lost to the Diamondbacks, 2-0, Thursday night.

Hanrahan deserves All-Star consideration, although he downplayed his chances. He pointed at Pirates starter Kevin Correia, who was tied for the National League lead with eight wins going into Thursday, and to Neil Walker, who led all second basemen with 40 RBIs. Even if he doesn't make the All-Star game, his alternative isn't bad.

"I could go home [to Frisco, Texas, near Dallas] for four days, then we open the second half in Houston," he said. "I could spend a week in Texas."

There has been talk that Hanrahan will spend even more time there this season. There has been speculation that the Texas Rangers are interested in trading for him. Here's hoping it doesn't happen. Hanrahan came to the Pirates with outfielder Lastings Milledge from Washington in the '09 trade for outfielder Nyjer Morgan and pitcher Sean Burnett. It might be Pirates general manager Neal Huntington's best trade. Hanrahan, 29, is the type of player the team needs to build around, not trade. He's making $1.4 million this season and will be eligible for salary arbitration next winter. He can't become a free agent until after the '13 season.

"I'd like to stay here," Hanrahan said. "We've got a good thing going. I think we're really close right now. I think we're going to be a great team."
Hanrahan played on Pirates teams that lost 99 games in '09 and 105 games last season.

"We deserved all the ridicule we got," he said. "There were times I was embarrassed to go out to dinner. It was really bad."

Not so much now. It's not so bad being a Pirate these days.

The town is excited about baseball for the first time in a long time.

Hanrahan kind of figured that out on his own. He hasn't been here long, but he knows the passion of Pittsburgh sports fans. He has been to a Penguins playoff game. He was at Super Bowl XLV in Dallas in February and saw all of the fanatical Steelers fans. Still, it was nice to get confirmation from Jay and his wife.

"She grew up here and knows the history of the team," Hanrahan said. "She said she can't remember anything like it. It's awesome. Everywhere they go, people are talking about the Pirates."

At the supermarket, at the bank and, of course, at the neighborhood tobacco store. Especially at the tobacco store.

Jay hopes to make a lot more trips for cigars this season. It's one time he won't mind seeing his money go up in smoke.

Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan. More articles by this author

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11161/1152743-87-0.stm#ixzz1OsEAGpQu

Pirates becoming late-night rock stars

 

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/

 

 

PITTSBURGH - JUNE 07: Lyle Overbay(notes) #37 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits the game winning bases clearing double in the 8th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the game on June 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

 

There was no indication that Pirates manager Clint Hurdle had issued any Miranda warnings before a series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Hurdle still very likely set a National League record by mentioning Meatloaf and Bugs Bunny in the same pregame news gabber.

Go ahead, find that on baseballreference.com.
Hurdle said the recently completed series against the first-place Phillies called to mind "the immortal words of Meatloaf, 1977, at least immortal in my mind," meaning two out of three ain't bad, then described Daniel Hudson, Arizona's starter Tuesday night, as having "almost a Bugs Bunny changeup," presumably meaning that the pitch is prone to disappear down a rabbit hole from a perfectly obvious place.

Now, of course, we shouldn't be presumptuous on any of this, and maybe John Russell pulled precisely the same rhetorical rock star/Looney Tunes double play at some point in the past two summers.

While we were sleeping.

Turns out a Miranda warning would have been more useful anyway, as Tuesday was a game in which Arizona's .232-hitting first baseman Juan Miranda would go 4 for 4, spark a three-run rally by leading off the fifth inning with his sixth homer, all of it helping to keep PNC Park an uncomfortable place for Pirates ace Kevin Correia. Correia's eight wins still lead the league even if North Shore audiences have seen but one.

No matter, the Pirates buried all of that trivia with a rollicking five-run eighth in which Hurdle's makeshift lineup unleashed a triple-double on Arizona's bullpen.

The fact that they were down, 5-3, and had exactly three hits through seven innings against Bugs Hudson didn't seem to discourage pinch-hitter Garrett Jones nor leadoff man Jose Tabata nor Lyle Overbay, all of whom doubled to vault the Pirates to an 8-5 lead and a seventh win in its past 11 games.

But the biggest hit of the inning was perhaps its least likely, coming off the bat of substitute second baseman Josh Harrison, who was giving Neil Walker a night off and pretty much minding his own business until he went up there to bunt with Tabata, representing the tying run, on second and nobody out in the eighth.

"Just shows how things can change in a hurry," said Harrison, the 62 on his back continuing to suggest he's here to do the long snapping. "I knew I had to battle. I should have got [the bunt] down."

Sure he should have, and when he fell behind Arizona reliever David Hernandez 0-2, Hurdle probably felt a few synapses fire toward giving him a third shot at it, so valuable was Tabata's run, so callow was Harrison as a big league hitter.

"I have not given many position players the bunt sign with two strikes," Hurdle said late Tuesday night. "I may have done it, but I can't remember.
The thing is, a swinging bat can still be a dangerous bat. Give Josh credit. He was able to close the book on the bunt thing and put a good swing on the next pitch."

So there's your credit due, as Harrison swatted an 0-2 curveball Hernandez was doubtless trying to waste back through the middle for a 5-5 tie in a game that rarely flashed the promise of five Pirates hits let alone a five-run, eleventh-hour onslaught.

Xavier Paul, hitting third for the first time, put down the bunt Harrison couldn't, but Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero wasn't content to accept the out Hurdle was offering. He threw incorrectly to second, leaving Harrison safe there and Paul safe at first. After Hernandez walked McCutchen, hitting fourth for the first time, on four pitches, Overbay calmly rode a fifth consecutive fastball from frustrated Hernandez to the extreme backyard in right-center field to chase everyone home, including most of the 12,378 paid.

Where are those Phillies fans when you need them?

Walker's rest will end tonight, meaning Hurdle's lineup will look a lot more conventional for the quasi-anticipated Paul Maholm-Zach Duke matchup.
There's no foreseeing how that might go, but at least one thing has become clear about Hurdle's team -- it will go deep in games looking for a way to win, rather than a way to the parking lot.

"I can feel the energy on this team," Harrison said. "We are gonna battle the whole game."

A year ago at this point the Pirates were 13 games under .500. Today they are 29-30. Meatloaf never sang a chorus like it, and sure, there ain't no way you're ever gonna love it, but in this summer, in this city, 29 out of 59 ain't bad.

Gene Collier: gcollier@post-gazette.com. More articles by this author

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11159/1152124-150-0.stm#ixzz1OgVaVXDg

Pirates select Gerrit Cole with their No. 1 pick

Pirates scouts sold on 'big, intense' right-hander's ability as team once again opts for pitcher by taking UCLA starter with No. 1 pick

Tuesday, June 07, 2011
By Bill Brink, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/

The Pirates opted for pitching with the first overall pick in Major League Baseball's draft, selecting UCLA starter Gerrit Cole Monday night.

Cole, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-hander whose fastball can hit 100 mph, became the second consecutive pitcher the Pirates chose with their first-round pick.

"He's big, he's physical, he's competitive, he's intense, he's intelligent," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a conference call from team headquarters in Bradenton, Fla.

Cole said in a conference call that he found out about three minutes before the draft that the Pirates would choose him.

"Obviously one of the most memorable phone calls I've ever received," he said.

Cole is 6-8 this season with a 3.31 ERA, twice taking perfect games into the seventh inning. He moved into second place on UCLA's career strikeout list with 376. Last summer, he played for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and went 2-0 with a 0.72 ERA in five games. A 20-year-old from Santa Ana, Calif., he won 11 games for the Bruins in 2010, striking out 153 batters in 123 innings.

Cole's numbers suffered this season compared to his previous standards, and his teammate, pitcher Trevor Bauer, compiled better statistics, but Huntington said Cole's future projection outweighed the present results.

"Our focus is selecting the player that we believe is going to be the best for the organization two, four, six, eight, 10 years from now," Huntington said. "Gerrit has the makings of three above-average major league pitches."

The Diamondbacks selected Bauer with the third pick.

Cole said he did his best to ignore the speculation about draft position.

"I didn't really let it get to me or affect me very much," he said. "I just control what I can control and let the teams do the evaluation."

The Yankees drafted Cole in the first round out of Orange Lutheran High School in 2008, but Cole opted for college. He did not take a loss in his first three high school seasons.

"There's a lot of different aspects of the game that I've fine-tuned," since the 2008 draft, Cole said.

In addition to his fastball, which routinely sits in the mid- to high-90s, he throws a hard slider, a changeup and a two-seam fastball in the low 90s.

Those pitches sold the Pirates, who observed Cole's performances at UCLA closely.

"Collectively with our scouting staff, we did not miss a start," scouting director Greg Smith said in the conference call. "I got multiple looks at him, as did our leadership group."

Agent Scott Boras is advising Cole. Boras represents Pedro Alvarez, and negotiations got tense between the two sides after the Pirates chose Alvarez in the first round in 2008. Huntington had said that a player's representative would not affect who the Pirates drafted.

"Signability is an issue with every player that comes off the board in the first round," Huntington said. "We're going to fight to find a common ground that makes sense for both sides. And we believe at the end of the day we'll get a deal done."

The Pirates selected two high school pitchers, Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie, in the first and second round of the 2010 draft. The Pirates gave Taillon a $6.5 million bonus, the largest in club history, and signed Mexican right-hander Luis Heredia to a $2.6 million bonus as well.

The Pirates will spend heavily again this year: The previous two No. 1 overall picks, Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals, earned huge contracts and signing bonuses. Harper, taken first overall in 2010, signed a $9.9 million contract with a $6.25 million bonus, and Strasburg signed a $15.1 million contract with a $7.5 million bonus as the No. 1 pick the year before.

Boras represents Harper and Strasburg as well, but no one in this year's draft was as highly regarded as those two. The price, which the Pirates and Cole have until Aug. 15 to agree upon, will still be high.

The Pirates bypassed Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon, who was considered the top hitter in the draft. A sore shoulder has kept Rendon from playing the field as much this spring, but Huntington said a multitude of factors caused the Pirates to select Cole instead.

"There was nothing in Anthony's record that changed our willingness to draft him or not," Huntington said.

The Pirates also considered Virginia pitcher Danny Hultzen and high school outfielder Bubba Starling, but chose Cole, hoping that at some point in the near future he can take the mound at PNC Park.

"You got Roberto Clemente, great city, great ballpark," Cole said of Pittsburgh. "Lots of history, lots of tradition. Steelers, obviously. I've heard it's a great place to play, great environment, fans are unbelievable."

Cole was the Pirates' only pick Monday because the team did not have any compensation picks. The Pirates will make their next pick, the 61st, when the draft resumes at noon today.


Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11158/1151922-63-0.stm#ixzz1OaYKqi4r


Pirates make power move

By Kevin Gorman, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Tuesday, June 7, 2011

As soon as the Pirates picked UCLA right-hander Gerrit Cole first overall in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft Monday night, we could dare to dream about a formidable future starting rotation.

The Pirates have stockpiled power arms in the past two drafts, loading up on flamethrowers in hopes of finding a future ace, knowing it's the one thing they cannot afford to attract in the free-agent market. It's why they took a pitcher in the first round for the 12th time in the past 16 drafts.

"Pitching is a game of attrition, unfortunately," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said soon after choosing Cole. "You can never have too much of it. It's the most valuable commodity in our game."

By adding Cole, the Pirates are sending notice to former first-rounders Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Tony Sanchez, as well as Jose Tabata, that top-of-rotation talent is on the way. They also are giving promising prospects Jameson Taillon, Stetson Allie and Luis Heredia the necessary time to polish their pitching repertoire.

Mostly, the Pirates shot for the stars.

The safe pick, baseball analysts agreed, would have been Virginia left-hander Danny Hultzen, who went to Seattle with the second pick. Sure, Hultzen has superior statistics to Cole, who finished 6-8 with a 3.31 earned-run average, 119 strikeouts and 24 walks and a .242 opponent batting average this season for the Bruins. Hultzen is 10-3 with 136 strikeouts and 16 walks this season, numbers eerily similar to a former Pirates No. 1 overall pick who was 11-3 with 139 strikeouts and 18 walks in 2002:

Remember Bryan Bullington?

That's not to suggest Cole will be a star and Hultzen a bust, or the other way around. But the Pirates had a scout at every one of Cole's games since January, saw the mechanical flaw in his delivery, saw his pitching plan and saw him getting battered around and still didn't flinch in selecting him first.

"If we were focused on taking the player who performed the best this year, you're right, there might have been other options," Huntington said. "We felt (Cole) has the biggest impact potentially for us of anybody on the board."

As we learned with Bullington, No. 1 overall is no place to play it safe. But Anthony Rendon's sore shoulder was scary enough that five other teams skipped on the Rice third baseman, who went to the Washington Nationals sixth overall. And, contrary to popular belief, the Pirates' system is short on pitching.

Hultzen might make it to the majors faster, but the Pirates were charmed with Cole. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has three above-average pitches, touching 100 mph on his four-seam fastball, and the Pirates believe he has a higher ceiling. You should love that Cole was a 2008 first-round pick who opted for college instead of signing with the Yankees. The Pirates love that he relished his role of pitching in the Pac-10 on Friday nights, developing a dangerous changeup and a promising slider under John Savage at UCLA.

"One of the things that we really stressed with our scouting staff and certainly in our draft room down here is our vision to see down the road and see what the biggest impact can be when you look at the crystal ball," Pirates scouting director Greg Smith said.

"When you look at Gerrit, the physical side, the strength, not only the weapons he has now but what we think can be harnessed going forward and can be helped and improved going forward. There's a lot of things where you like the ingredients, the makeup to be a starting pitcher down the road."

The Pirates now have the potential to pair Cole and Taillon at the top of the rotation, along with Charlie Morton and James McDonald or Allie and Heredia. When it comes to pitching, they have plenty of possibilities.

That's not even taking into consideration that the Pirates still have lefty Rudy Owens and righties Brad Lincoln and Bryan Morris at Triple-A Indianapolis, even if they project as middle-of-rotation or bullpen types.

That's why Huntington was talking about having options and depth. He has the flexibility to finally start making deals the way the Philadelphia Phillies did, using former first-rounder Kyle Drabek as the key to the Doc Deal that brought ace Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays in December 2009.

That's a concern for tomorrow, one that can't be considered until after the Pirates pay the ransom it takes for super agent Scott Boras to convince his client to sign. Today, we should celebrate that the Pirates made the bold pick, staring at the ceiling instead of focusing on the bottom line.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Read more: Gorman: Pirates make power move - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_740813.html#ixzz1OaXIg23j


UCLA's Cole makes pitch to be Pirates' top pick

Coach calls big, powerful right-hander 'a special, special arm'


By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Friday, May 06, 2011


LOS ANGELES -- No one in the nation, not instructors, not scouts, has a better feel for the pitching of UCLA flamethrower Gerrit Cole than the young man on the receiving end.

So, amid all the reports that trail any prospect with a chance to be the No. 1 pick in Major League Baseball's amateur draft -- which belongs to the Pirates June 6 -- perhaps the most important evaluation comes from a single word uttered through the mask of catcher Steve Rodriguez.

"Ow!"

That happens when Cole puts all of his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame and golden right arm into a darting, 98-mph fastball that can look unfair at the collegiate level.

"I've learned how to handle it over the years because I've been catching most of his games and bullpens since our freshman year," Rodriguez said. "But, man, there are still times, because of his movement, where it'll hit the wrong part of the glove, and I really feel it."

UCLA pitcher Gerrit Cole has a fastball that stays in the 93-96 mph range, even when he goes deep into games. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

There is more to Cole than the fastball that stays in the range of 93-96 mph and registers a strike 68 percent of the time. He has a curve with a heavy finishing break. He has an 88-mph slider, about 2 mph harder than most in the majors. And, in the past few months, he has found a changeup that one American League scout recently compared to the trademark pitch of the New York Mets' Johan Santana.

Some even compare Cole to Stephen Strasburg, the once-in-a-generation pitching phenom taken No. 1 overall by the Washington Nationals two years ago.

Thing is, Strasburg needed elbow surgery shortly thereafter, a painful reminder of how unpredictable pitching can be.

The deluge

What makes Cole most popular on the UCLA campus, apparently, is that he is focused only on the Bruins, not the Pirates, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks or any other team that might draft him. To that end, Cole declined an interview request from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, just as he had from the Seattle Times, Arizona Republic and New York Times.

That is unusual for an elite prospect. The other clear candidate for No. 1, Rice University third baseman Anthony Rendon, is being interviewed by publications nationwide, even basement-run blogs. And it might suggest that Cole has trouble handling pressure.

Not so, those closest to him insist.

"Gerrit's handled this well, and that's because he's been through it," UCLA coach John Savage said, referring to Cole having been drafted by the New York Yankees in 2008 before choosing college. "You're talking about someone who's had a lot thrown at him for a 20-year-old junior."

The Yankees took Cole, a native of Santa Ana, Calif., in the first round, 27th overall. But, even though he grew up and remains a fan of baseball's most successful franchise -- as a child, his picture appeared in the Newark Star-Ledger holding up a sign reading, "I'm a Yankee forever!" -- he rejected them.

"That still amazes me," Savage said. "But he's close with his family, and they knew this was best."

Cole is a team captain, and teammates call him a vocal leader.

"He's one of the best," Rodriguez said. "He wants to see our team succeed more than himself. You can see that with how he cheers for us when he's not pitching. I don't ever hear him talk about the draft."

"It's a major challenge," Savage said. "Our draft is like no other, at the end of our regular season but before the College World Series. And, being here in L.A., there's tons of media, autograph requests, a mock draft every other week from Baseball America or ESPN ... you'd better have blinders on."

There also are "minimum 15-20 scouts watching every game," Savage said. That includes, he added, the Pirates attending all his starts this season.

The delivery

Cole has a 3.45 ERA in 11 starts this season, back-to-back perfect games carried into the seventh inning March 4 and 11, complete games April 1 and 8, and 81 strikeouts with only 15 walks in 76 innings. For his career, his ERA is 3.25, and his 338 strikeouts are second on UCLA's all-time list.

But not all has gone smoothly. As a freshman, Cole went 4-8 despite a 3.49 ERA and took it hard.

"Being able to taste failure, it makes you kind of want to throw up," Cole told Baseball America last month. "It makes you just hate the game."

He soon rediscovered the love and, this spring, found a new level. With improved conditioning and better use of his lower body for torque, his command of the fastball increased and the changeup went from complementary to "plus-plus," a scout's highest grade.

Nothing has impressed Savage more than the endurance.

"He sits in that 93-96 range the whole game," Savage said. "Sometimes, there's even a spike. He holds his velocity unlike anybody I've ever seen. It's just a special, special arm."

That also was because some extra effort was removed from his delivery upon leaving high school.

"There's a flow now. He came to us as an arm that could strike people out. Now, he's a pitcher."

As for the Strasburg comparisons ...

"This is a different delivery, arm action, pitches ... when I see Cole, I don't think of Strasburg. And dominance-wise, he's not quite there."

That has shown of late: Cole has been tagged with 18 runs in his past three starts, all losses. After the most recent start a week ago, he fired his cap into a trash can outside UCLA's locker room.

"I don't have any answers," Cole told reporters that night. "The overall goal this year was to pound the zone. I've been getting ahead of guys. It's just that the ball's getting hit around the park."

Savage dismissed it as a minor matter of not pitching inside enough. Cole's stuff and velocity have been just as sharp as early in the season.

The dilemma

Most services rank Rice's Rendon the No. 1 draft prospect, and there is cause: After a slow start from offseason ankle surgery, he is batting .286 with four home runs and an astonishing .552 on-base percentage, fueled by pitchers avoiding him for an NCAA-high 62 walks. He also is superb defensively.

Still, there are concerns about two major ankle injuries, a sore shoulder that has limited his duty to designated hitter much of this season, and a smallish 6-foot, 180-pound frame that might make him injury prone.

Baseball America editor Jim Callis consistently has ranked Rendon first, though he recently acknowledged that "Cole is making a push" at No. 2. ESPN's Keith Law has it the other way, calling comparisons between Cole and Strasburg "reasonable" and writing two weeks ago that "there is absolutely no question" Cole is No. 1.

The Pirates are not commenting on any specifics of their No. 1 pick, but they are known to be focusing heavily on these two, while still not ruling out others. There is internal concern about Rendon's physical stature and health, and there is concern about Cole simply because he is a pitcher.

Both are represented by super-agent Scott Boras, meaning they will command top dollar. That is certain to be $10 million and up, which would be the greatest one-time expenditure in franchise history, and it presents this choice:

The team can go for the position player, with history showing he is more likely to contribute in some capacity in the majors. Third baseman Jeff King, the Pirates' No. 1 overall pick in 1986, was an example of a serviceable if unspectacular player. If Rendon turns out great, so much the better.

Or the team can prioritize pitching, as the Pirates did last year with Jameson Taillon at No. 2 overall. The Pirates have posited consistently that nothing is harder to acquire than elite starting pitching prospects, and Cole would be added to Taillon, Luis Heredia and Stetson Allie.

Neal Huntington, the Pirates' general manager, said the team's approach will not change at No. 1.

"Our philosophy is to take the player we like the most at the time of our selection," Huntington said. "We have approached the past three drafts with that philosophy, and we will attack the fourth draft with the same philosophy."

Savage bristled at the notion that Cole would be a health risk.

"He's never missed a start at UCLA, and his delivery has only gotten cleaner," Savage said. "My own view is that he's a guy who wants to be in the majors in just a few months, and he'll get there. The evolution of Gerrit Cole is only halfway to where it's going to be."

Dejan Kovacevic: dkovacevic@post-gazette.com.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11126/1144479-63-0.stm#ixzz1OaR9ZWEn

Shero facing Tough Decisions

By Mark Madden
Beaver County Times
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/
June 6, 2011

This is a difficult off-season for Penguins General Manager Ray Shero.

Shero is likely considering two plans for 2011-12: One with Sidney Crosby, one without. The plans are so different, though, that Shero must commit to one. Given salary cap ramifications, Shero must assume Crosby will play.

Crosby has been cleared to work out. That’s a long way from being cleared for contact. But there’s not much hitting in July and August.

If Crosby’s problems reoccur, the Penguins will again be forced to scramble. That’s going to be tougher the second time around, even with Evgeni Malkin. Adrenaline isn’t bottomless.

Malkin is fine. His rehab after knee surgery has gone phenomenally. Had the Penguins progressed to the conference finals, Malkin might have played.

Malkin reportedly has a new mental outlook. A refreshed attitude. Good, because the Penguins need 100 points from Malkin. No less, preferably more. Malkin must be the player he was in the 2009 playoffs but not since.

Malkin’s father, Vladimir, told a Russian publication, “Evgeni is seriously focused. I am not even sure he will vacation somewhere. He wants to approach the start of the NHL season in top form.” Sources close to Malkin say his goal for the upcoming campaign is the NHL scoring title.

Malkin will be ready for training camp. Dustin Jeffrey — assuming he signs; he’s a restricted free agent — won’t be. He’ll be ready for hockey activity by the start of October, maybe back in the lineup by November.

So, up front, the Penguins have — for certain - Malkin, Matt Cooke, Nick Johnson, Chris Kunitz, Mark Letestu, James Neal, Jordan Staal and Eric Tangradi. That isn’t much. Johnson will be a low-paid fourth-liner. Tangradi has to play. That’s good. Give him decent linemates and some rhythm.

Where does Shero go from there? He has $55 million committed to 17 players. Depending where the cap falls, he can spend about $5 mil more.

Tyler Kennedy wants too much. Max Talbot will get more elsewhere. Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams seem 50/50. Mike Rupp will return.

There just aren’t many quality forwards available in free agency, and certainly no sleepers at an affordable price.

A relatively big trade wouldn’t be shocking. The Penguins have depth on defense, especially with Simon Despres, the team’s first-round draft choice in 2009, ready for prime time. Perhaps Shero moves Paul Martin, who makes about a million per year too much and disappointed this past season.

What if Malkin underachieves again? What if Staal’s production stays flat? I’ve always been told Shero won’t trade a center. But never is a long time. If any center moves to wing, it should be Staal. When Staal had a career-high 29 goals as a rookie in 2006-07, he played wing, Malkin center.

It will be sad when Talbot leaves, but don’t get too attached to players. Then-GM Craig Patrick showed brass when he traded Paul Coffey and Mark Recchi from the team that won the Stanley Cup in 1991. Patrick lost the trade in terms of raw talent, but Rick Tocchet and Kjell Samuelsson were better fits. The Penguins won again in ‘92.

You’ve got to think about trades and signings in terms of fit. That’s the biggest challenge facing Shero: Developing or signing wingers who mesh well, thus achieving beyond their talent level.

The Penguins can negotiate a new contract with Crosby as of July 1, 2012. The NHL CBA expires thereabouts. There’s talk the new CBA may have a maximum salary, one less than the $8.7 mil Crosby currently makes. It would behoove the Penguins and Crosby to strike an extremely lengthy, extremely lucrative deal before a new CBA forces a pay cut.

One wonders: If Crosby would max out at a certain figure anywhere he plays, would Pittsburgh still be his first choice?

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).

Phillies manager feels the difference

Monday, June 06, 2011

By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/

 

 

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 05: Neil Walker(notes) #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the game on June 5, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

 

It isn't every manager of the National League's best team who comes to PNC Park to play the Pirates and is thrilled to go home with one win in a three-game series.

The Philadelphia Phillies' Charlie Manuel might be the first, actually.

"They come to play," he said of the Pirates.

This was late Sunday afternoon after the Phillies salvaged the third game of the weekend set, 7-3. The Pirates pitched so poorly, from out-of-control starter James McDonald to the last of six relievers, Daniel McCutchen, that the Phillies could have won, 17-3. But it didn't matter. This still was the best weekend of ball in the 11-year history of PNC Park.

Don't believe me?

Ask Manuel.

He also was the opposing manager in the only other series that came close. He brought the powerful Cleveland Indians -- on their way to a sixth division title in seven years -- to town June 15-17, 2001, to play a Pirates team that was 20-43 and on its way to 100 losses. The Pirates won all three games, the last, 1-0, when Todd Ritchie outpitched CC Sabathia and Brian Giles scored from first base in the bottom of the ninth inning on Aramis Ramirez' double to shallow center field in front of Kenny Lofton.

What a weekend that was.

"This one was a little better," Manuel said. "It had a little better feel to it. I think their team now has a little more talent. They enjoy playing. I like where they're headed."

Anybody who watched the three games against a Phillies team that's on its way to a fifth consecutive division title will have a hard time arguing that point. The Pirates played a strong game Friday night, winning, 2-1, in 12 innings, then did it again Saturday night, winning, 6-3. Even Sunday, when the pitching was so horrendous, the Pirates had a couple of chances. Jose Tabata was robbed of a hit by diving second baseman Chase Utley with runners on first and third in the seventh inning and the Pirates down, 4-2, and Garrett Jones, who suddenly seems overmatched against everyone, struck out with two on in the eighth and the Pirates trailing, 5-3.

You're not going to win every game, you know?

"I think the fans enjoyed it," Manuel said. "The crowds last night and today showed that, if they start winning, they'll definitely draw here. I think Pittsburgh is ready for a winning baseball team."

You can't get anything past ol' Charlie, can you?

Of course, Pittsburgh is ready for a winning baseball team after 18-plus seasons of losing. Even this team is 28-30, which is below .500, which is below mediocrity. But just as the series against the Phillies had a different feel to it, these Pirates have a different feel about them. It's a lot easier to believe they'll compete -- not necessarily win, but compete -- every night.

Look at the Friday night game. The Pirates got one hit in eight innings off Phillies starter Cole Hamels yet still found a way to win in 12. Pirates starter Jeff Karstens pitched a terrific seven innings. The bullpen gave up just two hits in five innings. First baseman Lyle Overbay saved the game with a diving play in the 10th. Tabata got the winning hit.

Take the Saturday night game. Right from the beginning, the Pirates showed up to play, thank you very much, Mr. Manuel. Tabata, the leadoff hitter, turned a routine bouncer between shortstop and third base into a double with pure hustle and later scored. Starter Charlie Morton pitched seven wonderful innings. Andrew McCutchen had three hits. Overbay nearly hit for the cycle.

It all comes down to starting pitching, of course. The Pirates' starters have been so much better than anyone expected and had a string of 13 games without allowing more than two earned runs before Paul Maholm blew a 7-0 lead in a 9-8 loss to the New York Mets Thursday. Karstens and Morton ran that streak to 15 out of 16 before McDonald imploded, walking three consecutive batters on 12 consecutive balls before leaving in the fifth inning. Pirates pitchers gave up 14 hits and seven walks. Pitching coach Ray Searage must have lost 20 pounds walking back and forth to the mound for consultations under the hot late-spring sun.

Now, it will be up to starter Kevin Correia -- the first pitcher in baseball to get to eight wins -- to start a new streak when the Pirates play the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park Tuesday night. He has to pick up McDonald the way Karstens and Morton picked up Maholm. They didn't let that difficult loss in New York turn into two losses and then three in a row.

So far, there has been no sulking by this Pirates club.

"Hurdle, he's a very positive guy," Manuel said of Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. "I've always found him to be that way. I'm sure with just him alone, they're getting very positive feedback."

The Pirates are starting to get it from other places, as well. This bunch isn't the punch line to bad jokes the way the previous 18 Pirates teams were. That it has won 17 road games after winning 17 last season is a big part of it. So is winning two out of three from the Phillies.

The crowd of 39,441 Saturday night was the largest at PNC Park. Attendance for the three-game series was 108,807. It's hard to say just how many were Phillies fans. 45,000, maybe? 50,000?

What isn't hard to say is this:

The Pirates' fans liked what they saw. Many will be back to see more.

It's the feel, I tell you.

There's definitely a different feel.

Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan. More articles by this author

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11157/1151634-87-0.stm#ixzz1OV65J0NU

Penguins star Evgeni Malkin’s injury rehab on the fast track

By Dmitry Chesnokov

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/

Sat Jun 04 01:04pm EDT

When Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin(notes) suffered a season ending injury after crashing into the boards last February, it was difficult to predict how long it would take Geno to recover. (Watch the video here.)

Following the surgery on the torn ALC and MCL, Malkin's father commented that Evgeni was taking it hard psychologically. In March, Pavel Bure, who had similar injuries that ultimately ended his career, gave the following advice to Malkin in an interview to Puck Daddy:

"You have to have the right mindset and do everything to recover quicker. And if you're depressed it is not going to help. You just have to react positively. You have to do everything that depends on you to come back faster. It will depend on how you're going to train, how much time you are going to spend in the gym, how you're going to get your muscle tone back."

Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review put the typical recovery time for this injury at six months. But today, it looks like Malkin's recovery is going a lot quicker than expected. He started his rehab back in Pittsburgh, where he stayed through mid-May.

According to Evgeni Malkin's father (what a source), who spoke with Pavel Lysenkov of Sovetsky Sport, Malkin flew to Moscow on May 10 and started on-ice workouts immediately.

"Evgeni is seriously focused. I am not even sure he will vacation somewhere this summer. He wants to approach the start of the NHL season in top form," Malkin Sr. told Lysenkov.

It is good news for the Penguins that Malkin's recovery is seemingly going well and he is well enough to take to the ice. The news of Malkin's recovery may be even more important for the Penguins considering a report out of Canada that Sidney Crosby's(notes) career may be "compromised."
According to Montreal's 98.5 FM radio station, RDS commentator Mario Tremblay claims Crosby was the victim of four (!) concussions in the past five years. Allegedly, Crosby suffered two concussions playing junior hockey, followed by two in January after hits from David Steckel and then Victor Hedman(notes).

This report comes out just a day after it was announced that Sidney Crosby was cleared by a doctor to resume off-ice workouts targeting a return to ice in late July or early August.

Related: Sidney Crosby, Victor Hedman, Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins