Pirates/MLB category, Page 222
John Steigerwald: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of a 59,000-seat mistake
Thursday was the 50th anniversary of a really bad idea. Three Rivers Stadium opened July 16, 1970, and I was there. It was a spectacular debut, even though the Pirates lost to the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2. After having watched baseball in dingy old Forbes Field, with its view-destroying pillars and...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates’ first exhibition game at PNC Park was weird, wonderful
Perhaps the best way to describe the first baseball game of 2020 at PNC Park is to say it was an exhibition game that looked like a Major League Baseball regular-season game, was played like a spring training game and pretended to play to a packed house instead of an...
Joe Musgrove has strong showing, but Pirates blow three-run lead in exhibition loss to Cleveland
Joe Musgrove struck out five while allowing one hit and one walk in three scoreless innings, a strong performance for the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander a day after he was named the Opening Day starter. Guillermo Heredia drove in two runs with a fifth-inning single to center, a solid debut for...
Pirates lose backup catcher Luke Maile for the season after surgery on right index finger
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost catcher Luke Maile for the season when he underwent surgery Friday for a fractured right index finger, a day after being hit by a pitch in an intrasquad game. Maile’s surgery was performed by Dr. Edward Birdsong at Allegheny Health Network in Wexford. Maile is expected...
Kyle Crick has ‘driving force’ when he takes mound, with possibility as Pirates closer
Through a tumultuous season followed by a difficult offseason, Kyle Crick has found “a driving force” as a relief pitcher whose role could become even more important for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Crick’s rollercoaster 2019 season, which ended with a fractured index finger from a fistfight, was only a prelude to...
As Pirates play ball at PNC, no fans doesn’t mean no fanfare
The Pittsburgh Pirates hosted the first major sporting event in Pittsburgh since March 10 — a 129-day stretch — but there were no fans for their exhibition game against Cleveland on Saturday night at PNC Park. There were, however, plenty of cheers. The Pirates have been playing training camp intrasquad...
For Pirates, right-hander Joe Musgrove the natural choice to earn Opening Day start
Upon being named Opening Day starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Joe Musgrove’s mind couldn’t help but drift to the man who shared his love of baseball and pushed him to chase his dream of playing in the majors. “I just think about how proud my dad probably is right now,”...
Pirates confirm starting right fielder Gregory Polanco has tested positive for covid-19
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting lineup suffered a big blow with the announcement Gregory Polanco has tested positive for covid-19, which threatens to force the right fielder to miss the start of the season. Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed the positive test Friday afternoon after receiving consent from Polanco to go...
Pirates place closer Keone Kela on 10-day injured list
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed closer Keone Kela on the 10-day injured list, according to MLB transactions. The 27-year-old right-hander has not participated in training camp for undisclosed reasons. Kela was ordained the closer by new Pirates manager Derek Shelton at the outset of spring training at Pirate City in Bradenton,...
Here’s the pitch: Pirates set to begin unprecedented season amid coronavirus pandemic
For the first time in 293 days, a game between two Major League Baseball teams will be played at PNC Park. The Pirates host the Cleveland Indians in an exhibition game at 7:05 p.m. Saturday — with the game being carried on radio and television. It’s the first of three...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Discussing what Derek Shelton can’t, Pirates players with covid-19
One of the most uncomfortable interactions with coaches involves asking why a player didn’t participate in practice, attempting to clarify whether it’s for a disciplinary, illness, injury or personal matter. Derek Shelton won’t discuss it. Because he can’t discuss it. That’s the reality of the covid-19 sportsworld, when teams aren’t...
5 big 2020 Pirates questions: Will a short season help the Pirates?
Our “Breakfast With Benz” Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training 2.0 coverage has built all week to this. We’ve posed one crucial question per day about the Pirates as they prepare for the 2020 shortened season. We looked at the batting order and the starting rotation. We analyzed the bullpen and tried...
Pirates won’t be the only team using ‘piggyback’ tandem. How will it impact fantasy leagues?
If you’re already tired of hearing about the Pirates “piggyback” starting idea, too bad. They aren’t going to be the only team employing that type of tactic in this herky-jerky 2020 Major League Baseball season. That’s what Jeff Erickson tells us in this week’s “Breakfast With Benz” fantasy sports podcast....
Brothers Rick, David Eckstein lean on each other to prop up Pirates’ bats
David Eckstein was a 5-foot-7 shortstop who was drafted in the 19th round by the Boston Red Sox in 1997. Three years later, the Red Sox waived him. World Series and All-Star Games didn’t appear to be in his future. But big brother, Rick, never stopped believing, a stubborness that...
Chris Stratton aims to turn ‘elite-type’ stuff into results in Pirates bullpen
Justin Meccage’s reaction to the talents of relief pitcher Chris Stratton is encouraging. “This guy’s got pitch characteristics that not many people have in terms of spin on the fastball, spin on the curveball, spin on the slider,” the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen coach said. “Very elite-type pitches.” But can Stratton...
Five big 2020 Pirates questions: How does the bullpen come together?
This week at “Breakfast With Benz,” we have isolated one major question surrounding the Pirates per day as they ramp up for the start of this delayed 2020 season. So far we have looked at the lineup, the starting rotation, and the future of first-round draft choice Cole Tucker. Thursday’s...
First Call: ‘Dave Parker Day’ is Friday. Celebrating the day The Cobra uncoiled.
You’re calling off sick on Friday, right? What? You’re not? How come? Did you forget it’s “Dave Parker Day”? Yup! Tomorrow is the 41st anniversary of “The Cobra’s” MVP performance in the All-Star Game, July 17, 1979. That’s when the Pirates right fielder gunned down two American League runners with...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton’s office has HOF jerseys, Pittsburgh-themed vibesVideo
The Pittsburgh Pirates gave a glimpse of new manager Derek Shelton’s refurbished office at PNC Park through the lens of social media. On Wednesday night, Shelton gave a virtual tour. The office has a picture window, a new paint scheme and the stylistic touch of Shelton’s wife, Alyson, whom he...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates GM Ben Cherington ‘impressed’ by covid-19 testing
When it comes to covid-19 testing, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is impressed with how MLB has implemented the health and safety protocols in training camp. That’s especially true for those tested most frequently: Players and coaches. Cherington credited the league for being proactive with adjustments to the system...
GM Ben Cherington says Pirates don’t expect to add any players through free agency, trades
General manger Ben Cherington warned that the Pittsburgh Pirates probably won’t add any new players to their 30-man major league roster through free agency or trades before next week’s season opener at St. Louis, despite having the third-lowest payroll in the majors. “I would expect that the players who are...
Covid-19 shutdown gave Pirates pitcher Clay Holmes time to patiently recover from broken foot
Arm strength and athleticism matter for anyone trying to overcome adversity or even make it in the major leagues with a sound body. But there is something to be said for intelligence and patience, and Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Clay Holmes has shown evidence of both. He earned a 4.0...
5 big 2020 Pirates questions: Can the starting rotation keep team afloat?
With the Pirates ramping up to their 60-game sprint of a season, each day this week at “Breakfast With Benz,” we will be examining the five most pressing questions facing the team. The Pirates open the season on Friday, July 24 in St. Louis. Tuesday’s question: What should the Pirates...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates CF Jarrod Dyson makes powerful, provocative statement
The Zoom interview with Jarrod Dyson wavered from candid to cliche as the Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder touched on a number of baseball-related topics and showed his jovial and jaded sides. A serious question to Dyson, however, received a serious response. And it was as powerful as it was provocative....
Pirates add first-round pick Nick Gonzales to their alternate training site in Altoona
The Pittsburgh Pirates are adding No. 1 draft pick Nick Gonzales to their alternate training site in Altoona, paving the way for the former New Mexico State shortstop to play professional baseball this summer. Gonzales is awaiting results from a covid-19 test before he can practice, his father Mike Gonzales...
Pirates counting on speedy Jarrod Dyson to solidify center field, provide veteran leadership
When Jarrod Dyson homered in Monday night’s intrasquad game, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton joked it was fun to watch the “fastest guy running around the bases in the big leagues.” After striking out in his first three at-bats, Dyson cracked that he was just trying to “get off the...
