Bucco Blog - New Bucs http://newbucs.com Think. Live. Pittsburgh Pirates baseball Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:34:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en USA Today: Huntington and Russell on the hot seat Anytime my site analytics start showing more Fortune 500 company hits than residential hits, I immediately know something is blowing in the wind around the Pirates and today was no exception. Evidently it started when USA Today ran an article by Bob Nightengale in the Daily Pitch: Hot Seat is Cooking for Pirates GM Neal Huntington and manager John Russell.

Nightengale had received an e-mail from Coonelly which said:

“I have been extremely disappointed in the team’s [...]

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]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/09/03/usa-today-huntington-and-russell-on-the-hot-seat/ Fun, fun, fun expected this weekend in Pittsburgh! With the season pretty much a wash, we might as well start looking at what went wrong and see if there is any way to avoid the same problems in 2011.  First, let’s look at our pitching and, more specifically, on base average allowed:

(Note: WHA is well-hit average of at bats or of strikes thrown)

That’s an ugly picture  and, obviously, one of the worst pictures in the game this year. We have exactly four [...]

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]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/09/02/fun-fun-fun-expected-this-weekend-in-pittsburgh/ Pirates’ fans need to get behind the organization One of the aspects of being a Pirates fan that I have missed over the last 5+ years is involvement. Years ago I used to send gifts to the clubhouse wishing the players well, support fan groups, drop in on games around the country to see them play, be a season ticket holder at a couple of the affiliates, buy quite a few Pirates Charities items in support of their mission, or try to organize a rally to greet [...]

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]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/09/01/pirates-fans-need-to-get-behind-the-organization/ What It Takes to be Number Thirty One “Losing is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t lose once in a while; you don’t do things wrong once in a while; you do them wrong all of the time. Losing is a habit. fortunately, so is winning.

There is no room for next to last place. There is only the basement in my game, and that’s last place. I have finished next to last twice in my time as [...]

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]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/09/01/what-it-takes-to-be-number-thirty-one/ How does John Russell continue to stand? The FIRE JOHN RUSSELL call:

firejohnrussell.com - site dedicated to removing the Bucs skipper Bucs Dugout – August 30th, 2010 John Steigerwald – August 25, 2010 Facebook – fan page Elvis Has Left blog – August 31, 2010 Ken Rosenthal discusses the possibility June 16th Bob Smizik – August 30th ESPN Radio 1250 – Stan and Guy discuss it August 25th Mondesi’s House - August 31, 2010

And of [...]

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]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/09/01/why-does-john-russell-continue-to-stand/ Lacking rangy infielders, Pirates get clobbered via the ground ball

Talk about an epic meltdown, wow. It started simple enough.. a leadoff walk to Soriano in the 4th, then a groundball past Jones, then another grounder past Alvarez that scored Soriano. While I wasn’t at the stadium, it seemed both ground balls were glovable by average range defenders. Zambrano then put down a sac bunt to move the two runners up and Baker struck the first well-hit ball.. the fifth straight hook [...]

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]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/08/30/lacking-rangy-infielders-pirates-get-clobbered-on-ground-balls/ Setup for failure by Pirates, Charlie Morton delivers Sometimes I think the Pirates front office just loves to screw with players minds. Take poor Charlie Morton, for example.

The last game he pitched before being demoted was May 27th against the Reds where he lasted just two innings, gave up 8 hits with two of those going for home runs in the small confines of Great American Park, allowed 7 runs – 5 earned, he walked three, and behind the plate calling balls and strikes was Marvin Hudson [...]

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]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/08/29/setup-for-failure-by-pirates-charlie-morton-delivers/ Bucs D still MIA, lose in 11th for 50th loss on road this year  

uggghh.. Game Tied

Since everyone liked the Milledge shot Friday night, there’s another one for you.

I expect to hear quite a bit of fuss in the media about John Russell’s decision in the 9th Saturday night. Game was tied, Leading off the inning, Tabata just doubled down the right field line and threw his arms up while looking into the dugout begging for someone to pick him up. Up to the plate came Walker and Russell [...]

Continue reading: Bucs D still MIA, lose in 11th for 50th loss on road this year

]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/08/28/bucs-d-still-mia-lose-in-11th-for-50th-loss-on-road-this-year/ Pirates fail to bring D, lose 49th road game

Or as one of my friends said after seeing the above photo –

..  Cheesecake dental work — $1500

..  Jokester Number “85″ — Free

..  Yellow Nike shoes and laces — $400

..  “Lost in the Lights” look after realizing you misplayed the ball while running a backward route on a line drive with top spin  — Priceless

–

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Andrew McCutchen appeared to be playing despite a lingering shoulder [...]

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]]> http://newbucs.com/2010/08/27/pirates-fail-to-bring-d-lose-49th-road-game/ Let’s see.. Don Beaver or Bob Nutting? Don Beaver or Bob Nutting? Don B.. Just a few rambling comments looking forward…

I keep being asked about the Nutting’s loan. I wasn’t there, I don’t know what the loan was for, and I don’t know the terms of the note. In other words, I haven’t a clue. In my own mind, the loan was the tool they used to squeeze out McClatchy. I assume since the team was unable to pay all their bills in a timely manner the year before, MLB probably [...]

Continue reading: Let’s see.. Don Beaver or Bob Nutting? Don Beaver or Bob Nutting? Don B..

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