One of my favorite sports movies will always be Major League. Although the movie takes place in Cleveland, a.k.a. "the Mistake by the Lake", Major League is a hilarious baseball film, with great characters. Towards the beginning the film, the director utilizes a montage of Indian fans saying the same phrase over and over again, in order to exhibit how no one actually knows any of the players being invited to spring training. The phrase that is repeated by the fans is "Who are these &^%$*(# guys?" As I read the paper Sunday morning, I remembered that phrase as I perused the Pirate's spring roster. The only difference between myself and those hapless Indian fans; I unfortunately know exactly who these guys are and there is no expletive to help assuage my frustration in Pirate management. I understand that under MLB's current structure that a Pirate dynasty is probably too much to ask, but it has been eighteen years since I have seen a winning team! Looking at the roster I am hopeful when I see names like, McCutchen, Alvarez, Tabata and Walker, all of these position players have potential, but there is no way that these potential stars offensive abilities can make up for the dreadful state of the pitching staff. Hearing GM Neil Huntington's statements about the staff do not inspire confidence either, especially after hearing him try to dress this disaster up over the last couple of years. Huntington has been quoted saying that four of the rotation spots are locks. He also added that one of those locks was Ross Ohlendorf "the best 1-11 pitcher in the league." That is tantamount to having the highest F in the class. It might be true, but who really cares, the guy went 1-11 for crying out loud! There should be no locks on any spot in the Pirate rotation, all jobs should be up for grabs, but that would make too much sense. Eighteen years of losing is testament that the word sense and Pirate's management usually don't mesh.
2/13/11
Who Are These %$#*&^ Guys?
One of my favorite sports movies will always be Major League. Although the movie takes place in Cleveland, a.k.a. "the Mistake by the Lake", Major League is a hilarious baseball film, with great characters. Towards the beginning the film, the director utilizes a montage of Indian fans saying the same phrase over and over again, in order to exhibit how no one actually knows any of the players being invited to spring training. The phrase that is repeated by the fans is "Who are these &^%$*(# guys?" As I read the paper Sunday morning, I remembered that phrase as I perused the Pirate's spring roster. The only difference between myself and those hapless Indian fans; I unfortunately know exactly who these guys are and there is no expletive to help assuage my frustration in Pirate management. I understand that under MLB's current structure that a Pirate dynasty is probably too much to ask, but it has been eighteen years since I have seen a winning team! Looking at the roster I am hopeful when I see names like, McCutchen, Alvarez, Tabata and Walker, all of these position players have potential, but there is no way that these potential stars offensive abilities can make up for the dreadful state of the pitching staff. Hearing GM Neil Huntington's statements about the staff do not inspire confidence either, especially after hearing him try to dress this disaster up over the last couple of years. Huntington has been quoted saying that four of the rotation spots are locks. He also added that one of those locks was Ross Ohlendorf "the best 1-11 pitcher in the league." That is tantamount to having the highest F in the class. It might be true, but who really cares, the guy went 1-11 for crying out loud! There should be no locks on any spot in the Pirate rotation, all jobs should be up for grabs, but that would make too much sense. Eighteen years of losing is testament that the word sense and Pirate's management usually don't mesh.
Where'd the Love Go?
I have always followed the Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins, Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh Men's basketball team. Over the last two years however, I have become apoplectic about these teams. I have thought to myself "what has happened to my love of these teams?" Maybe I am getting to old, perhaps this is something that happens to all young men as they grow older. I had faith that I was making a rebound during the Steeler's recent playoff run. It appeared to me that my love of sport had been rekindled, but then Super Bowl XLV occurred. When it was over I simply went home and went to bed, so I could get some sleep for the week ahead. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME!! I did not analyze the game or really stress out about it. This blog will be my attempt to see if I still have a passion for my teams, or to recognize that the love is gone. I will attempt to reconnect with the teams, players, issues etc. At the end of the year hopefully we will be celebrating our seventh Super Bowl victory, or I won't care if the Steelers won the big game or went 1-15. I hope to care.
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