Asked by a magazine writer to describe himself, heat-throwing A.J. Burnett once said: "Bloodthirsty at least, I pitch that way sometimes."
Via Pirates Prospects
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February 26, 2012
BRADENTON — Being able to play multiple positions not only takes talent and dedication, but it apparently also requires a big equipment bag. Once Spring Training games kick off for the Grapefruit League on March 3, Jake Fox will be carrying around nine gloves. Nine.
“I will have a game glove for each position, a backup, and as a catcher I usually carry three gloves,” Fox said...
Via Pirates Prospects
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February 25, 2012
Image Credit: Pittsburgh Pirates
BRADENTON — Erik Bedard signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates in December, adding a lefty to the rotation, and depth to the pitching staff. Over the off-season, Bedard has been working hard to be healthy and strong heading into the 2012 season.
“Just the normal stuff: workout the legs, the upper body, the whole body thing, and get...
Via Pirates Prospects
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February 24, 2012
BRADENTON — Whenever Pirates reliever Jason Grilli was given the ball last season with Pittsburgh, he thrived. Grilli pitched from the 5th inning on during the 2011 season, but it was in the back end of the ‘pen that Grilli enjoyed the most.
“I hope that’s my role,” Grilli said of pitching towards the back of the bucco bullpen. “I’ve always taken the ball whenever...
Via Pirates Prospects
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February 25, 2012
Back in October, there was doom and gloom about the 2011 offseason from not only fans, but also writers that follow the Pirates closely. At the time, I consistently said that it was OCTOBER and you can’t write the story for the upcoming offseason when it hasn’t…ya know….started.
At the time, there was widespread consternation about the impending decline of options on Ryan...
Via Pirates Prospects
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February 25, 2012
Most Pittsburgh Pirates fans can tell you the team’s all-time home run leader is Willie Stargell with 475. A lot of them could tell you whose record he broke as well, Ralph Kiner with 301. Prior to that is where it gets cloudy. I thought for today, why not go all the way back to the beginning of the franchise and show just how the Pirates to that current record held by Stargell...
Via Lady At The Bat
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February 25, 2012
Now that AJ Burnett is no longer a Yankee, speculation has begun as to whether or not his pie act will continue and, if it does, who should do the honors. Joe Girardi was asked about it the other day. He said "The guys enjoyed it. Someone might do it, continue the tradition."[The Star-Ledger] I don't know if Girardi was serious or was simply being polite to the reporter...
Via North Side Notch
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February 26, 2012
Without going back and actually looking, I am going to just go ahead and say that the Pirates will be on television way more this Spring Training than any other prior year.
Root Sports Pitsburgh wil cover 4 games, all live. 6 other games (2 live, 4 delayed) will appear on MLB Network. MLB Network will also carry all 4 games covered by Root Sports for any out of towners, however those...
Via The "Mc" Effect
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February 27, 2012
The only real position battle going on in camp this year for the Pirates is the backup infield spots. The team has a solid starting shortstop in Clint Barmes, but there isn't an obvious name that is going to be in Pittsburgh backing him up.Sadly enough, one of the Pirates next best options is Chase d'Arnaud. The kid spent some time at the big league level last year and looked...
Via Pirates Prospects
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February 26, 2012
The Pittsburgh Pirates came into the 1909 season looking to regain the top spot in the National League that they held from 1901 until 1903. Very few of the players were left from those teams, shortstop Honus Wagner, left fielder/manager Fred Clarke, third baseman/ center fielder Tommy Leach and pitchers Deacon Phillippe and Sam Leever were all that remained. The team was confident...
Via Pirates Prospects
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February 27, 2012
On this date in 1948, Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pie Traynor is elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He narrowly missed getting elected in 1947, falling two votes shy of the minimum 75% of the votes required to gain entrance into the Hall. Traynor played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, making his debut in September 1920 and continuing on through 1935...
Via Fangraphs
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February 24, 2012
Episode 145
Charlie Wilmoth is both the manager of SB Nation’s Pirates blog Bucs Dugout and an actual, real-live music scholar. He’s also the guest on this edition of FanGraphs Audio. Topics discussed: Pittsburgh’s top prospects (Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Josh Bell, and Starling Marte); the significance of the A.J. Burnett trade to the organization; and the effects of the...
Much will be out of Casey McGehee's status during spring training. If Pedro Alvarez hits well, he'll bump McGehee off third base. If Garrett Jones hits well, he'll bump McGehee off first.
Via Pirates Prospects
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February 25, 2012
BRADENTON — Bob Nutting, the Pirates Chairman of the Board, addressed the team this morning at Pirate City. His message this year was different from a year prior –the expectations are higher heading into 2012.
“We have talked about expectations, but I really believe — and [General Manager] Neal [Huntington] addressed this head on yesterday — I really believe the level of...
Via The "Mc" Effect
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February 27, 2012
One of the Pirates best players in 2011 was closer Joel Hanrahan. The hammer posted a ridiculous 1.83 ERA and struck out eight batters per nine innings.He turned into one of the best closers in the game and a valuable commodity for the Pittsburgh Pirates to have. However, the team only won 72 games and had their 19th straight losing season.A top of the run closer seems like something...
Via NY Daily News
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February 27, 2012
When A.J. Burnett was traded to Pittsburgh last week, everyone was wondering who would fill the righty’s role as the designated pie thrower.
Original Story:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitts...
