Wirtings on the Reg/ Drive for .500

After defeating the Cubs last night, they Pirates are still tyring to right the ship after an ass whooping they recieved since my last post. In the next 7 games, they lost all 7 by a combined 72-12. Did I curse them. No, they just suck.

They did however pull themselves together enough to win at Milwaukee for the first time in almost 2 years. Then flew to LA, took the first game but got rock for the last 3 of the 4 game series again the Dodgers. They have won the last 2 nights, and their pitching is starting to show signs of life. Lets hope they can keep it together.

Fun Facts:
1) The Pirates are a -86 run differntial this year. The worst in the MLB bt 35 runs.
2) No team other than the Cardinals has a winning record in the NL Central.
3) The Cardinals the the largest lead in the majors of second place( 4 game)
4) Andrew McCutchen has only 1 stolen base in the last 12 games.
5) Garrett Jones has only 1 HR and 11 RBI since April 7.
6) Jones is batting .333 batting 3rd, but .218 batting 4th.

Pirates record: 12-15

Wins needed for 81: 69

Amount I am drinking the Pirates Kool-aid: 7%

Writings on the Reg' 4/15

Today is tax day. If you haven't filed your taxes by today you are lazy and pathetic. On to sports.

The Pirates are playing a sea-saw season so far. At 4-5 they seem to win one, loose one. They have a day off for travel back home and have series against Cincinnatti and Milwaukee. They are good at home so they could win 4 of 6.

Fun Facts
1. Pittsburgh is last in the NL in almost every pitching statistic this year
1a. They are last in both the NL and MLB in ERA
2. The Pirates lead the NL in stolen bases (10)
2a. Andrew McCutchen leads the NL in steals (5)
3. Pittsburgh has been outscored by 26 runs so far this year.
4. In their 5 losses this year, Pittsburgh has lost by a combined score of 49-12.
5. Last year, on August 1st, the Pirates beat the Nationals at home, making their home record 28-17 at that point.
6. After that, they went 12-22 at home.
7. Pittsburgh went 22-58 on the road last year.

Current Record: 4-5

# wins needed to get to .500: 77

Garret Jones update:
9 games:
242 avg; 3 HRs; 8 RBI
.375 OBP
.545 SLG
.920 OPS

Major drop off in the numbers. Since hitting his 3rd homerun of the year in his first AB of the 2nd game, Jones has gone 5 for 28 (.178) with 1 double, 6 BB and 2 RBI. (.323 OBP; .353 SLG; .676 OPS) Not the numbers you need coming out of your #3 hitter. He is supposed to be the best hitter on the team.

Amount I am drinking the juice..... 3%

Writings on the Reg' 4/8

Welcome back to the Writings on the Reg. A weekly look at all things going on in the world of sports and beyond.

Writing this while watching Pirates-Dodgers on ESPN.com on a 60 second auto refresh I came to a conclusion. I don't know whether I am ready for a good baseball team in Pittsburgh, and I don't think the Pirates are either. Instead of making the decision to build the team with quality young players, they did what they always do. They went out and spent money on mediocre aging players to try to temporarily fill holes in the line-up. They spent $6M on a 36 year old closer (Octavio Dotel) and $5.3M on a 30 year old back-up shortstop (Bobby Crosby). By they way, they are their 2 highest paid players.

The correct way to build a team ,the way the Tampa Bay Rays were able to build an AL Pennant winning team, is with youth and a good farm system. The Pirates have neither.

There is only 1 marquee player in their farm system, 3B Pedro Alvarez. (Expect him to be called up shortly after June 1 if not earlier) Other than that, they do not have a player worth putting hope into the future with. Every year the Pirates make trades to try to get "prospects" and they seem to miss every time. Jeff Karstens was supposed to be a great prospect of a pitcher from the Yankees. In his second start with the Pirates he threw a 1 or 2 hitter. He is now in the minors.

Lets take a look at the other big problem, age. The pirates roster looks like a Dave Matthews Band crowd.

Player ages:
1B - Jeff Clement (26)
2B - Akinori Iwamura (31)
2B - Delwyn Young (27)
SS - Ronny Cedeno (27)
SS - Bobby Crosby (30)
3B - Andy Laroche (26)
OF- Garrett Jones (28)
OF - Lastings Milledge (25)
OF - Andrew McCutchen (23)
OF - Ryan Church (31)
C - Ryan Doumit (29)


Only Milledge and McCutchen are under the age of 26!! If you are building a franchise, you need young talent. Players start coming into their prime at 26, 27, 28. All of these players are peaking or have peaked. The only saving grace is if their starting rotation can pull it together this year and throw all season like they did in the first few months of 2009.

Player ages:
SP - Zach Duke (26)
SP - Paul Maholm (27)
SP - Ross Ohlendorf (27)
SP - Charlie Morton (26)
SP - Daneil McCutchen (27)

Duke, Maholm and Ohlendorf have had time to throw and develop. If they can continue to grow and improve, the Buccos have a shot at 81 wins this year.

Record: 2-1

Remaining wins for .500: 79

One other thing about this season is Garrett Jones. I am not convinced yet. As I pointed out above, he is an aging player. He just spent 6-8 years in the minors for a reason. His power came on as he got called up last year.

Current Stats
3 games:
.273 avg; 3 HRs; 6 RBI
.429 OBP
1.091 SLG
1.519 OPS

Off to a great start, but he went 0-3 today with 2 walks. Pitchers will start to throw around him due to lack of protection in the line-up.

Amount I am drinking the juice...10 %

Writings on the Reg

Quote of the week: "There are no stupid questions, just stupid people. "

Movie Review: sorry got nothing. Haven't seen anything new recently.

This Week in Bitching:
Well it is official. The Pirates have managed to get over 81 losses for the 17th straight season. The rebuilding has been in progress, but is getting nowhere. They have been TERRIBLE recently and have given up on the season. Time for another new manager, but they need to find one who actually gives a shit.

Stats of the week:
1) The Pirates continue to get killed on the road. They have a worse road record (19-54) than the Nationals (21-51)
2) The Pirates still have a winning record at home. (36-34)
3) The Pirates are only 5.5 games better than the Nationals
4) The Toronto Blue Jays lead the majors in Hits (594) and Batting Average (.281), yet have a loosing record. (66-79)

Writings on the Reg

Quote of the week: "Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings."

Movie Review: "I Love You Man" (R)
Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) has spent his entire life without strong male companionship. When he asks his girlfriend Zooey (Rashida Jones) to marry him, he realizes he doesn't have anyone to be his groomsmen. A series of quasi-gay "man-dating" ensures until he meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segel). They hit it off so well it almost ruins Peter's marriage plans. Stupid guy break-up happens and they end up making up in the end. A little too much guy love in this movie. I am close with my friends, but his borders on just gay. There are funny parts, but not their best work.
Grade: B-

Girl of the week:
Rashida Jones


This week in bitching:
The magic number is at 7. If the Pirates loose 7 more games, they will have reached loss #82 on the season. This will seal the deal on a record 17th consecutive loosing season for the franchise. They have 32 more games left, so they would have to go 26-6 for the rest of the year (which I highly doubt). The team will most likely reach at least 19 loosing seasons before they are able to turn this thing around.

Stats of the week:
1. Zach Greinke's stats from the last 2 games: 17 innings 6 H 2 ER 20 K.
2. Cliff Lee's stats since coming to Philly. 6 games. (5-1) 45 innings 44 K ERA 1.80
3. Pirates continue to be good at home. Home record: 35-29
4. They are getting killed on the road. Road record: 18-46
5. They seem to night owls too. Day record: 12-29 Night: 41-46
6. They struggle against their own division: 19-35
7. There are 6 teams in the AL with a negative run differential this season
8. There are 9 NL teams with a negative run differential.

Writings on the Reg'

Quote of the week: "I wish my grass was an emo, so it would cut itself" - Pretty Boy Steve

Movie Review: I have watched alot of movies recently, but the new movie for me has been "A Mighty Wind." Still need to see "Public Enemies." Awaiting the release of "G.I. Joe" and "Inglorious Bastards." I will give a quick review of "A Mighty Wind" however. One of the workings of Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tap) showcases a documentary of a reunion concert featuring folk singing bands from the 70's. The movie takes place around 2000. Not that great, has some funny parts and manages to keep with the theme of the intelligent comedy. I laughed some but it gets a bit boring after a while. Not a high recommendation.
Grade: C-

This Week in Bitching:
Despite the recent hitting displays by both Garret Jones and Ryan Doumit, the Pirates are continuing to struggle. The pitching, which was the backbone of the teams early success, is beginning to fall apart at the seams. There are still spots of promise, but they cannot seem to put it all together and play consistently.

Statistics of the week:
1) The Houston Astros (-28: 50-48) have a worse +/- then Pittsburgh (-23: 43-55) but are 7 games ahead of them
2) On July 27, 2006 the Pittsburgh Pirates were 29 games under .500 (37-66). This year, the Washington Nationals are (30-68)
3) At least PNC Park is doing it part. The Pirates are 26-19 at home.
4) They are 17-36 on the road.
5) San Diego has been outscored by 145 runs so far this year.

Starting tomorrow, I will be doing a full NFL season preview. It will run through this week up until next Friday Aug 7th. It will be a breakdown by division with predictions.

Writings on the Reg'

Quote of the Week: "Its always darkest right before dawn. So if your going to take your neighbor's newspaper, that is the best time to do it. "

Movie Review: Finally watched "No Country for Old Men". It is a combination of too long of a movie with too long of an ending. I did find the serial killer character played by Javier Bardem to be just creepy enough to keep it interesting. Josh Brolin (one of the kids from The Goonies) plays a guy who stumbles upon 2 millions dollars in cash in 1980 and is chased after by the serial killer. The movie went on to win 4 Oscars including best picture, I respectively disagree. The climax of the movie happens about 15 minutes before the end of the movie and simply drags on until the credits roll. Worth watching, maybe. Worth watching again.... no.
Grade: C+

Baseball Bitching:
We find ourselves in familiar teritorry once again as we reach the All-Star Break in MLB. The Pirates are now 37-46 and 7.5 games out of first. They are 2-5 since the Nyger Morgan trade last Tuesday. They have 5 games left before the official All-Star Break next week (2 @ Hou, 3 @ Phi). They are currently on pace to finish 72-90, another sad year. There have been some bright spots (the emergence of Andrew McCutchen, much imporved pitching) but the trades last week, really took the wind out of their sails.

Stats of the week:
1) The Pirates are 3rd in the National League in batting average (.264)
2) If Pittsburgh could change divisions they could do well. They are 14-10 against the NL East.
3) They are 11-24 against their own division, the NL Central.
4) They were 8-7 in interleague play vs. the AL Central
5) AL East teams are 59-34 against teams from the AL Central

Pirates

It has come to my attention that the Pittsburgh Pirates have made yet another trade. Nyger Morgan and Sean Burnett have been traded to the Washington Nationals for OF Lastings Milledge and RP Joel Hanrahan. They also traded Eric Hinske and cash to the Yankees for a 2 minor league prospects. Right now, Lastings Milledge is starting his rehab assignment to recover from a broken finger. Joel Hanrahan has an ERA of.... are you ready for this..... 7.71!!!! He is 0-3 with 5 blown saves this year. I now present his box score from his last 3 appearances:
6/21 vs. Toronto: 1 IP 3 H 3 R 3 ER 1BB 0K 36 pitches
6/23 vs. Boston: 1 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 1BB 1K 22 pitches
6/26 @ Baltimore: 1/3 IP 3 H 4R 4ER 1BB 1K 27 pitches

Atleast he is on a good run right? As for the Hinske trade, I say good. The prospects the Pirates have gotten from NY have turned out to be solid, and Hinske is a whining bitch. Also, he was making $1.5M this year so they dumped his contract. Both prospects Pittsburgh received, Casey Erickson and Eric Freyer, has produced in the lower leagues. They are each only 23 years old.

I would have liked to see Pittsburgh keep Morgan, but Hinske was an overpaid doushe and Burnett was having some serious issues. I just wish they would have gotten more out of the deal from Washington. Milledge was supposed to be a great prospect but has battled injuries over his 3 years in the league. He did have 14 HRs and 68 RBIs last year. The biggest problem is there is noone to step in and replace Morgan right away.

Writings on the Reg'

Quote of the week: "If you let someone borrow $20, and never see them again.... it was probably work the $20"

Movie Review: Watched the new Transformers last night. Pretty good. There have been a lot of reviews online that have bashed the movie. Those are most likely written by a bunch of hippie doushebags that are not fans of the first one either. The movie is long (2 hours and 11 min) but the story keeps you in it. Interesting plot to keep the movies series alive. They do leave it open for a 3rd one. More comedy in this one as well. I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first one.
Grade: A

Baseball Bitching:

The Pirates finish 4-2 in their last 6 to get to 35-40. They are still only 5 games out of first in the division, but are in last place. The division is wide open, and if the Buccos can continue to win their series like this, and put together a winning streak(maybe 10 games or so) they have a serious chance. They managed to hold their own against 2 of the best pitchers in the majors. They beat Cliff Lee on Thursday and lost 3-2 to Zack Greinke yesterday.

Their biggest issues is their lack of power from both sides of the plate. Adam LaRoche is their best power hitter, and he only has 11 HRs and 37 RBIs. That's good enough to be tied for 59th and 84th respectively. Their best power from the right side is Freddy Sanchez. Freddy fucking Sanchez!!! Are you serious. He is a great contact hitter, but Freddy Sanchez!! They need to establish a serious RF and get rid of Laroche at 1B for someone better. If they can trade the LaRoche brothers for a serious 1B, they will have room at 3B to call up their #1 draft pick from last year, Pedro Alvarez. He is 6-3 234lbs and can provide some real left handed power. He spent most of this year in single A, but had 14 HRs and 55 RBIs in 66 games. He was recently called up to AA and may need more time. Ryan Doumit is still a question mark as to when he willl return. He is scheduled to start his rehab assignment in AAA Indianapolis this week. They say a wrist injury like his is brutal for a catcher. They could however play him at 1B or RF to get him up to bat. Their lineup could look something like this:

1. Andrew McCutchen - CF
2. Nyger Morgan - LF
3. Freddy Sanchez - 2B
4. Ryan Doumit - 1B
5. Pedro Alvarez - 3B
6. Jason Jaramillo - C
7. undetermined RF
8. Jack Wilson - SS
9. Pitcher

If they can get a good RF somehow, he would move up the lineup to possibly 4th or 5th.
They could always just ask Spanky Lavalliere to come back.

Statistics of the week:
1) Nate McClouth is still second on the Pirates in HRs and RBIs despite being traded away 3 weeks ago.
2) The Pirates are 5 games under .500, but have outscored their opponents by 6 runs.
3) The Nationals have been outscored by 98 runs this year
4) In 3 games against the Baltimore Orioles, Hanley Ramirez had 11 RBIs
5) Transfomers rolled $112M over the weekend and $210M since its release last Wednesday. The next highest over the weekend was "The Proposal" at $18M. $94M less than Transformers.
6) Micheal Jackson has sold over 750 million albums world wide.

Writings On The Reg'

I have decided to write atleast once a week under this title, "The lig
I have done the off-season review for the Penguins, now it is time to focus on the 2 other Pittsburgh teams. I will do a Steelers preview sometime in July and a piece on the future of the Pirates later this week. Now to move on to some more entertaining things.

Quote of the week:
"Fights in bars should have Blades of Steel rules. If you win, you get to stay in the bar."
-the Great Beast

Movie note of the week:
Go see "The Hangover". Very well done script. Highly entertaining. Keeps you laughing from the beginning to end. Make sure you stay for the credits.

Baseball Bitching:

The Pirates are atrocious on the road. They just lost 5 of 6 on their last road trip including being swept by the red hot Rockies. (McCutchen and Nyger Morgan are probably out at the clubs pulling home skanks every night.) They now begin a 10 game home stand against the Indians (3) Royals (3) Cubs (3) and a make up game against the Mets from June 3rd. At 31-38, the Buccos need to go 9-1 at home to get back above .500. Can it be done, probably not. However, they do have alot of things going in their favor. The Indians and Royals are terrible. The only hurdle is that Cliff Lee is scheduled to pitch Thursday and they may have to face Greinke Sunday. (he throws Tuesday vs. the Astros and Sunday would be his next spot in the rotation) If they can take 5 of 6 from those 2 they are well on their way to approaching .500. The Cubbies are playing much better baseball then they were when the Pirates played them earlier this year.

Random statistics of the week:

1) The Pirates have played only 29 games at home this year compared to 40 on the road.
2) The Pirates are 17-12 at home this year.
3) The Pirates are 14-26 on the road this year.
4) The Rockies have won 17 of their last 18.
5) Albert Pujols actually is a machine. He has 8 home runs in the last 10 games. Pujols -->
6) Kate Hudson is sucking the life out of Alex Rodriguez. Rumors surfaced about those 2 banging in early June. He is hitting .145 (8-55) with 2HR and 9 RBIs in June.
7) The human head weighs 8lbs.
8) The Phillies are 13-22 at home.