Deeply humbled by Rosenthal

I was humbled Saturday when Ken Rosenthal over at Fox Sports ran an article where he gave Bucco Blog credit for first reporting the latest Jack Wilson/Tigers rumor:

“The Pirates, talking about shortstop Jack Wilson with several clubs, are trying to acquire catcher Matt Treanor from the Marlins, then spin both players to the Tigers, according to one major-league source.

“But that possibility, first reported by Bucco Blog, was dismissed by another source as “inaccurate” and having “no foundation.”‘

Forget for a second that Rosenthal’s first source was obviously credible to him or he wouldn’t have wasted the print space with the rumor to begin with.  Also forget that his second source dismissed the rumor because the only parties who could possibly tell him the rumor was “inaccurate” had to be a member on one of the three clubs, and what do you expect them to say?

Instead, focus on the fact that the editors at one of the largest media giants in the world – News Corp – allowed a blog to be credited with first reporting.  Read that again slowly… a B-L-O-G. 

I’m greatly humbled, and if you are a blogger you should be too.  Baseball is old-school and very slow to change and that includes the media that covers the sport.  My energy is focused on the Pirates, but I’ve never seen large mainstream media credit a blog for first reporting in the three years I’ve been posting, although I’m guessing this was not the first time it’s happened.  I do know I’ve never seen it in Pittsburgh circles.

So kudos to Rosenthal, the editors at Fox Sports, and the News Corp, for opening the hope door for every blogger covering the game.  It’s a small step, but a meaningful one, for citizen media.

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I’m guessing hitting production is down at Coors the last few years because they now test for sildenafil citrate.  Or, do they?  Ok, just kidding.

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I have a Q&A planned with Pirates Director of Scouting Greg Smith.  Email me any questions you would like to have considered using the contact link on the right sidebar.

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Several readers have written questioning why Steve Lerud was added to the 40-man when he only has five years under his belt.  Remember the rules now, a player who is drafted at age 18 or younger are exempt from the Rule 5 draft for the first five after being selected in the amateur draft.  So if the Pirates didn’t add him this year, he would be exposed.

Some of you questioned if Lerud missing 2003 still counted as a year since he was on the DL the entire time.  The answer seems to be yes, because we have to assume Frank Coonelly would have known if there was a possible exception to that rule.

Now the million-dollar question becomes, is Lerud worthy?  Remember now, he was drafted out of high school and had a few problems the first two years in the organization, so the fact it typically takes about six years to develop a catcher out of high school combined with his improving stats both offensively and defensively, it would be hard not to give him one more year.  Look for him to start at Altoona, as a guess.

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I saw the Rays added Jake McGee to their 40-man.  He was a guy I was hoping might get left off since he just had TJ surgery.  We could have added him to the 25-man and then put him on the DL immediately saving the roster space.  Too bad.

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Going to spring training?  It looks like the 6th to the 14th of March will be one of the best times.  Here’s a tentative list of the games during that period:

March 6, Tampa Bay Rays, McKechnie Field
March 7, Minnesota Twins, Hammond Stadium
March 8, Houston Astros, McKechnie Field
March 9, Boston Red Sox, McKechnie Field
March 10, TBA
March 11, TBA
March 12, Minnesota Twins, McKechnie Field
March 13, Philadelphia Phillies, Bright House Networks Field
March 14, New York Yankees, McKechnie Field

If you hurry, JetBlue has a $99 price on flight 1052 from Pittsburgh to Tampa on the 5th of March, and a return price of $124 on the 16th with flight 64.  Both stop at JFK in NY and require a change of planes.

Need a motel?  Stay at the Days Inn on Busch Blvd in Tampa (one hour ride to Bradenton) and you’ll pay only $655.00 for two doubles the 11 nights (includes tax, although add a tick for the extra gas driving); camp out at Lake Manatee State Park for $18 a night if you bring your tent; or stay in a cabin at Coya Costa State Park 60 miles south of Bradenton near Ft. Meyers (about an hours drive to Bradenton) where you’ll pay about $180 per week. 

A car?  E-Z rent a car is typically the cheapest around Florida.  I’ve asked them about a 25% off coupon code which will help your costs as well.  I’ll post an update on that if I get it.  Otherwise, there are numerous cheap car rental companies you can hire a car from once you hit Tampa.   Do a Google search.  Better yet, with all the money you’ll save staying in a cabin, rent a Harley.

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