Ode to Confluences

con-flu-ence  [kon-floo-uhns]

noun
1. a body of water formed by the junction of two or more rivers, streams, or the like.
2. the coming together of people, things, or events; a concourse.

If you follow Pittsburgh sports with nearly as much zeal and regularity as myself, you are familiar with definition #1 well beyond the point of ad nauseum. Every prime time Steelers' game brought you that slowed moment; usually mid way through the third period, as an injury stoppage, or replay challenge, was chewed up a moronic national color analyst guy showing you, the viewer, the blimp shot of the three rivers and circling the all vexing "confluence" area with his Sharpie-strator or whatever new techno gizmo that his network boasts.  It's always refreshing to get that third grade geography lesson from a former jock stuffed into a three piece suit with a resume of a dozen concussions and probably twice that number in employment dismissals.  NOTE TO NFL: spare us the freshwater aquatic lessons, everyone gets it by now. Even your international viewers know one thing about Pittsburgh geography, the C word.

So, as I drive into the Burgh yesterday afternoon, an afternoon I had been looking forward to for weeks, I began to think about confluences, more of the definition #2 variety.  Yesterday was about the convergence of things non-aquatic, or events non-aquatic.  Yesterday was that day when the true raging rapids of the Allegheny, aka the Pittsburgh Steelers' program, collides full force in Ohiopyle style with the troubling puddle formed by that annoying pipe leak, usually found under your sink, or toilet, or some other unmanageable spot, - and for those that don't know where I'm going with this, -the puddle signifies the efforts of your resident underachievers, aka the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The results of this convergence is a brutish display of the cruel powers of nature as the Steelers' wave washes through the puddle while the backdrag creates a tempest type swirling vortex, appropriately and symbolically resembling that of the final twirling salute of waste found in a standard American toilet bowl.  That poop pipe serving as the conduit for which the waning interest of another Bucco season slides to it's final resting place in the shit stack, alongside all other Ghosts of Bucco Seasons Past.

But alas, and we all can say it - ALAS!  This is 2012, and the Battlins' are fighting that undertow.  On this day, August 10th, the Bucs sport a 63-48 mark, 15 games over .500, entrenched in both divisional and wild card hunts, and most importantly, not to be overshadowed or drowned by the now in-session Steelers. Normally early August is reserved for fireworks, bobbleheads, auditions of newly acquired prospects, and the yearly three way battle for fourth place in the NL Sinful Division.  Just to mix up the ill will a bit, the theme of August 2011 was that of an epic crash to reality.  The sports equivalent of dining at a 5 star restarant and then remembering that you don't have a cent in pocket to pay the bill. 

August of 2012 is something of a gem.  The rounding of the third and final leg of a long and resilient season, punctuated with impressive personal performances on field, in dugout, and even in front office.  The Bucs in dawg days baseball, where every pitch mattered, every coaching decision weighed and mulled. 2012 has been a year for the ages.

Yesterday was a great and long awaited day for me in many ways.  The Bucs at 4:05 - seen live with our very own A-Dawg.  Seeing life throughout a stadium long on life-support.  Seeing Bucco chicks! Getting texts from MP back in Philly, as he watches along via the life changing MLB.TV app, and bonus: after all this, the Steelers kick off pre-season at 7:30! Bucs in pennant relevant baseball as Tomlin prepares his first of many rhetoric filled evenings.  Andrew McCutchen drawing more MVP chants when folks should be racing home from work to get the Yuengling iced prior to the Todd Haley new look-offense's one possession of playing time.  A.J. Burnett's right arm now as equally revered as Big Ben's. What gives?

The Bucs' game ended less than admirably, as newly acquired Wandy Rodriguez is still displaying his love for Pittsburgh by offering more souvenir balls to those fans sitting behind outfield walls. It was another W almost in the books,..should have been in the books. Damn, those game hurt.  Driving home at 7:20 I found myself compelled to not brush it off, and flip over to DVE for Steelers' pre-game as I would have done in years past, but instead to tune in to Pirates' post game to hear skipper Hurdle explain the loss.  Wow, what a great dilemma!  Toggling my radio back and forth between meaningful sports broadcastings?  Wolfley screaming about mojo-nating, Hurdle calming me and reminding me that Wandy just hung a pitch.  This is a true confluence!  A confluence of interests, a confluence of distractions, a confluence of emotions.

Who knows how long two gale forces will push through the North Shore?  Who knows how long we can ride the wave? All I can say is that I'm finally enjoying the challenge of navigating a confluence!

QUICK HITTERS:

• love Josh Harrison, but has anyone ever told the guy that 4 balls gets you a free ticket to first base?
• after 4+ months of steadiness, Jared Hughes, aka 'Mr. Hyde', is looking much more Jeckyl-ish to opposing batters these days.
• Am I getting fatter, or are PNC Park seats getting narrower?

Report Card Time

Welcome back! Sorry about my hiatus, I took a little time off to visit Sin City, re-charging the batteries and dropping some coin on strippers in the process. I'd like to get back into full stride by giving my fair, and unbiased, evaluation of the Pirates' first half performance of the 2009 season.

Given your already growing frustrations of the Battlins', I do find it somewhat fitting for our unlovable team to end the first half getting trounced by the Phils and then having the pleasure of watching both of our All Star selections sit on the bench last night, forgotten and unused.

With a not so stellar record of 38-50, and 9.5 games out of first place, it would be easy to just write off the first half as an F. I'm certain that is what most of you will score our last place club. Being an optimist, I'm quietly watching the new management team, and although I may be sipping the Cool Aid, I do find some logic in the moves and non-moves that the front office is making. The one chilling reality that we all must embrace is that this management team cares very little about the breaking of the string of consecutive losing seasons in 2009. Should Freddy Sanchez and/or Jack Wilson be traded in the upcoming weeks, it will only strengthen this position. Whether we agree or disagree with the current philosophy of rebuilding the organization's young talent, we should believe that any short term solutions could potentially spin this club into a string of bad seasons well into the next decade. This organization, as a whole, was completely broken when the new guys came to town, and as my personal trainer often says, "you didn't get fat overnight, and you won't get skinny overnight."

Despite all the bad press and ill feelings we read and harbor, we should note that in the last several months, the Bucs have acquired some young guys who can play. The difference these days is that the returns have been guys with talent and upside, not just more medium grade ballplayers who hit .270 with mediocre power. The additions of Charlie Morton and Garrett Jones, along with the long awaited promotion of the highly skilled Andrew McCutchen have already infused the team with some guys with the tools to help win games. Should salvage project Lastings Milledge realize anything near his potential, the loss of light hitting Nyjer Morgan will be quickly forgiven and forgotten. Of course, these steps forward are met with typical Pirate underachievement, and thus we have a team 12 games under .500. With all this said, here is my breakdown for the first half.

THE GOOD:

• Sir Frederick. Is anyone looking for a scrawny middle infielder with awkward mechanics and an over aggressive swing? Despite Sanchez' obvious physical limitations, he consistently keeps the BA on the north side of .300 while turning in gold glove caliber second base work. Granted, Sanchez will never be a Chase Utley type guy, capable of carrying a lineup, but Freddy has flat out been the best Pirate since he earned the starting nod in 2006. It will be a shame if he's traded before the true rebound finally occurs, but if his trade brings more quality young guys, then I can understand.

• The New Look Outfield. How does an outfield of McCutchen, Jones, and Milledge look? Well, that's what you may be seeing within a month. Jones could be the truly remarkable story here, as a two time castoff who spend parts of 11 seasons in the minors, now getting the chance to play. With some amazing left handed power, could he finally be that guy that sinks balls into the Allegheny on a regular basis?? Brandon Moss is the one disappointment to note, as I had him earmarked as a rising star in April. Although he possesses the tools, he had better start translating potential into production, or he will lose his job soon, most likely to Milledge.

• The Rotation. Probably the most improved part of the team. The starters have reduced their combined ERA by over a run a game since last year, and should surpass the 2008 quality start total by mid August. Zach Duke has been the success story, and his All Star selection was truly based on merit. The downer note is the rapid decline of opening day starter, Paul Maholm, who's ERA is well over 5.00 since June 1. Should Maholm and the coaching staff correct his issues soon, the second half will look very good for the starters.

THE BAD:

• Ian Snell. Possibly the most tragic case of lost or misjudged potential on the North Shore in years...and there have been many. Snell's dramatic dropoff, coupled with a similar stock loss with Tom Gorzellany, over the last year and a half has really stymied the Bucs potential of building and maintaining a solid rotation. Hopefully Snell will be able to regain that form, but I feel that when he does, it will be when he's pitching to the Pirates and not for them.

• Matt Capps. There was a time, not so long ago, that I considered Capps to be the best Pirate pitcher. The one time reliable, and at times, dominant, closer has fallen onto some funky times these days. The complete meltdown against the Phils on Saturday was enough for even me to call for his head.

• Karma. Is it just me, or does it seem that no matter what strides the Bucs make, somehow, someway, Lady Luck manages to thrust her pretty little fingers into their faces and just fuck stuff up? Perhaps it's the sports gods leveling things off for the continual success of virtually every other athletic program in town. This year's bad mojo belongs to opening day cleanup hitter, Ryan Doumit. Losing Doumit, the team's best all around hitter, for 70 games severely crippled an already underpowered lineup. I'll peg the cost at 5 wins minimum...and 5 more wins would have the Battlins' at just under .500. The recent struggles of Maholm also have many folks thinking ailment, which, once again, gets chalked up to nothing more than sadly timed misfortune.

OVERALL: Before we score this first half, we need to remember that 2009 is like the baseball version of The Empire Strikes Back, meaning, it's a transitional year. I truly feel that this was the year off pulling off bandaids and attempting to find cures for the cancer, and not just another year of jettisoning vets for prospects. The potential is here that within a year we could see a lineup boasting McCutchen, Sanchez, Jones, Doumit, Pedro Alvarez, Milledge, and whatever combination of LaRoches you wish to sprinkle in. You are hearing it here first, the Bucs will win 85 games in 2010 and compete for the division in 2011. Should these tremendous events not occur, then I will also agree that this first half should get an F. Until then, I will grade it out as "incomplete". Now, please excuse me, I need to refill my Cool Aid.

Mistake By The River

The greatly ballyhooed and well over hyped turnpike series between the Cleveland Indians and our lovable losers, aka, the Bucs, commenced last evening with a whimper, then a bang, and then another whimper. Sadly, the bang and the second whimper both belonged to MLB's poorest excuse for a cleanup hitter, Mr. Adam LaRoche. Much ado about nothing.

That LaRoche leaves the bases jammed during a rally in the bottom of the ninth is as equally typical as it is inexcusable. We can all banter back and forth regarding organizational philosophies, and what the definitions of words like "now" and "near future" are, but the bottom line here is that situations like last night are games that can be won, and just aren't. Last night's loss has nothing to do with the trade of Nate McLouth, the trade rumors of Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez, or whether the Bucs are serious about latin American superstud, Miguel Sano. It's all about execution. Something that is expected from stars and role players. Ask the guy across town who, like LaRoche, also wears #25 and some facial hair. The similarities end there. You'll probably find him sipping something frothy out of a rather large silver trophy right now. He'll tell you all about execution.

A guy like LaRoche can put up 25 homers and 85 RBI's year after year, but until he starts getting that base hit when the game is on the line, he's just another mope trying to fill up a stat sheet...holding down the cleanup spot on a 70 win team in the process.

Quick Hitters:

• Remember a young, flashy, top of the rotation guy named Ian Snell? Naw, me either. Sadly, the mercurial Snell is probably another bad start or two away from complete obscurity.
• How about Pedro Alvarez getting bumped up to AA Altoona after less than a half season of pro ball? Alvarez will most likely be a September call up when the rosters expand to 40, and he very well may be in a Bucco uni on opening day 2010. Oh crap, and I just bought my Andy LaRoche jersey...

The Jilted Lover

Have you ever been cheated on? Of course you have. What red blooded American man hasn't had his life destroyed at least once by a conniving bitch? Have you ever been downsized, or dealt with in an unsavory manner by your employer? I'm sure you have. The fact that you're reading this blog during prime business hours tells me that you're probably not a cracker jack worker bee. I'm guessing that your car doesn't spend many days parked in the employee-of-the-month spot.

How does this make you feel? Whether deserved or not, no one likes to feel scorned. Put yourself in the shoes of Buccos pitcher Jeff Karstens. Holding down the fifth spot in the Bucs' rotation all spring, Karstens was served a little notice when the team traded for Braves' prospect, Charlie Morton. In fact, Morton was given the start last night, as Karstens was sent to the bullpen for middle innings, long relief, and mop up duties. In the baseball world, Karstens was handed the classic, "I just want to be friends" line.

Well, as luck would have it, new-guy-in-town, Morton would blow out his hammy after one whole inning. So guess who gets the call to get his hiny loosened up and out to the mound...pronto? You guessed it, the previously scorned Jeff Karstens. I guess that's the equivalence of getting that call from your ex-lady and hearing that she's just discovered that her new man lives with his mom, fantasizes about Hannah Montana, or experiences occasional erectile dysfunction.

In seriousness, some credit needs to go out to Karstens on this one. He jumped on the hill with short notice and pitched 4+ strong innings, propelling the Bucs to victory. All in all, I'm not sure what moral, if any, this story holds. Perhaps Karstens' strong effort was inspired by the feeling of scorn or betrayal. Maybe a little shake up was necessary to motivate the youngster to produce at the major league level. Maybe the Pirates' management will have an interesting problem soon. I just know that in 4 days, it's going to be interesting to see who takes the mound.

Karstens handled his 23 minute demotion to the bullpen with grace and dignity

Welcome to the 'Burgh, Kid

Rookie sensation Andrew McCutchen got his first true glimpse at the frustrations that teammates Freddy Sanchez and Paul Maholm have endured for years...wasted effort. McCutchen had the biggest night in his young career, going 4 for 7 with a double, a pair of triples, and 2 runs scored; all for not, however, as the Bucs squandered numerous opportunities before finally succumbing to the Braves 7-6 in 15 innings.

Ironically, Nate McLouth, another guy who has seen his performances wasted in a Pirates uni, rocked a homer off former Bucco and Altoona Curve mate, Zach Duke, in a winning effort. As they say, fate is not without a sense of irony.

Quick Hitters:

• With McCutchen replacing Nate, he joins Nyjer Morgan and Brandon Moss in the Bucs' starting outfield. This trio has a combined 1 whopping home run on the season. At this point last year, the starting outfield of Jason Bay, X Man Nady and McLouth already had over 30 combined dingers. Astonishing even for the Buccos.
• If you're feeling uneasy, you should. Mid-June is generally when the Bucs begin to entertain multiple losing skids. With no McLouth or Doumit in the lineup, it may just be a matter of time until the team is dozen or so games under .500
• 51 days until Latrobe!

Oh Goody, Here Comes Inter-League

As the birds chirp, the flowers bloom, and America prepares itself for another glorious Memorial Day weekend, and most likely a long, hot summer; our very own Battlin' Buccos prep themselves for their annual free fall that generally coincides with the beginning of inter-league play. For those that don't read in between the stats on the score cards, early June is generally when the Bucs slide from three or four games under .500 to about a dozen or so under in just a few dreadful weeks. It all starts with that first inter-league pitch.

The Pirates are clearly the worst MLB team when it comes to inter-league play, with a career winning percentage under .380! As history bodes for the Bucs, any promising season in which the team exits spring hovering just under .500 gets wiped away by the club getting clobbered over the next few weeks. When late June breaks, and the team is 10 or 12 games under, the "fuck it" attitude has already hit the spectators, and the front office scours the clubhouse for any resemblance of a tradeable veteran. By the 4th of July, the team is usually at least 15 games under, and we're all just counting down days until Latrobe opens.

Last night's squandering of another masterful Zach Duke outing was as appropriate of an inter-league opener as it gets for the Buccos. Getting blanked on two lousy hits by a misfit with an ERA over 7, simply unacceptable. Let's hope I'm wrong, but if history serves true, our Battlins' should be on the brink of sub .400 ball within the next week.

Hanging a Ten Spot

In early efforts to woo an offensive outburst out of the Penguins, our very own Battlin' Buccos conducted their own offensive onslaught yesterday, creaming the Colorado Rockies 11-4. The Buccos conjured the ghosts of the old Lumber Company by dropping an impressive 10 runs in the seventh inning. Nate McLouth would spearhead the Bucs' remarkable assault with four RBIs. Zach Duke looked strong once again in gaining his fifth win of the early season.

All focus, however, is now on the men on skates, as the Pens are less the seven hours away from opening puck drop of the Eastern Conference Finals. The odds favor our Flightless Birds, winners of the last four series in which they've held home ice advantage. Let's start the road to five tonight.

El Duke-Ay

For fear of inspiring any jinx in any form, I am reserving any postings on the Pens until tomorrow morning. That leaves me with the only Pittsburgh team that has won a game in the last 72 hours, the Battlin' Buccos.

Some quick props to Z Duke for another masterful gem on the hill last night to FINALLY end the seemingly endless losing streak. Oddly, this is the second flattering post on Duke in the spring from a writer whom has become a fairly harsh critic of the inconsistent lefty. Once again, quality starts = wins. It's that simple.

Cue Fred Claus...

Frustrated

Mr. Orpik, PLEASE handle this...

What a shitty night for the good guys last night, as both the Penguins and the Buccos laid major eggs in stinging defeats. The similarities end there, however, as the Pens are finding themselves in unfamiliar grounds, down 2-0 in a series, while the Bucs move home to the friendly comforts of sub .500 life.

For the Penguins, just the thought of public asshole #1, Alex Ovechkin triumphing with such gusto is enough to send the meekest family man downtown in the back of a police cruiser.

For the Bucs, just the idea of losing 16 consecutive times to any team, let alone the Brew Crew, is more than enough to ruin my day.

Oh, and to top it all off, the Steelers officially announced the cutting of Larry Foote. At this point, the only news left to come out of the 'Burgh as that Big Ben is a cross dresser...

Happy friggin' 40th, MP!!

Black (and Gold) Monday

Wow! What a sports weekend for the Western PA guys! Starting with the Penguins' fashionable and memorable rally to sink the NHL's version of the Titanic (the Flyers), then a deep and potentially excellent draft by the Steelers, and last, and least,...will someone please break up the Buccos?!? More in depth analysis on all three pistons of this highly tuned Steel City engine to follow. For now, just enjoy your coffee with some of my award winning quick hitters:

• What is up with Adam LaRoche? The sloth who warms to spring in glacial slowness, is already clocking a .621 slugging with 5 dingers and 14 RBIs. Oh yeah, it's a contract year.
• The Bucs' starting rotation continues to be the spring story in PNC Park. With 12 quality starts in 18 games, this rotation is quietly sitting as MLB's best.
• The Third Round of yesterday's draft will be the tell-tale litmus as to how the 2009 draft will be remembered. Watch this guard Urbik challenge to start in his rookie season.
• A.Q. Shipley in the 7th round??!! Hell, yeah! Again, you heard it here first, watch Shipley not only make this team, but eventually earn a starting job. (maybe by 2011)
• So, although I totally missed the Pens game (laugh it up, Ad Rock) I need to jot something here. Readers, please fill up the comments section with clear recounts of just how good it felt to end the Flyers season (again) in such a triumphant fashion.

The Topsy Turvey Spring

Although I should be focusing my energies on the growing intensity in the Pens/Flyers series, or perhaps on some in depth analysis in the Steelers upcoming draft, I still find myself oddly drawn to the intriguing early spring of our #3 team, the Battlin' Buccos.

With last night's shutout of the red hot Florida Marlins, the Bucs now own an astonishing four white washings in just 13 games. This figure actually exceeds the entire 2008 total for shutouts. With more analysis from the help of the world's greatest baseball bean counters, Baseball-Reference.com, you'll notice that the Bucs own the league's best era with an incredible nine quality starts in 13 outings. They've held their opponents to two runs or fewer seven times already, yet have yielded six or more runs in half of the other games.

This roller coaster ride is surely to extend well into the season, but my protruding gut tells me that this year's season totals will be light years better than the dreadful returns of 2008.

Ok, enough on the Bucs. More Pens and draft coverage coming soon. I promise.

Duking it Out

Contrary to the constant and profane protestations of A Dawg, MP, (and virtually my entire reader base), the Buccos are alive and well, as they extend their winning record deeper into the season with a creaming of the Astros, 7-0 yesterday. Zach Duke continues to resemble a cross between Sandy Koufax and Jesus, with his 0.59 era through two starts.

All indicators suggest that pitching coach Joe Kerrigan is rubbing off on this young staff, which is already enjoying an impressive April. More to certainly follow on this epic story. Let the angry comments begin...

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the left arm of God???

Seventeen Can Wait

For all of you nay-sayers who have already penciled our 2009 Buccos into 6th place with a modest projection of 68 wins,...not so fast. The Cosco brand, economy priced squad just started through the opening four game series with the St Louis Red Birds, taking two outa three, while demonstrating some fine batsmenship.

All kidding aside, this version of the Bucs looks eerily similar to most of the past sixteen versions, and my overly optimistic gut tells me to expect low to mid 70's in the win totals. Here are some other projections/opinions:

• Fred Sanchez is finally healthy and should return to his rightful home north of .300.
• The starting rotation will range from average to above average most of the year.
• OF Brandon Moss could be the wild card to this year's success.
• Andy LaRoche will actually be remembered as being worse than his big bro.
• Expect to see Neil Walker and Drew McCutheon in the lineup by late May/early June.

Bradenton!

Hope sprang eternal this morning, as Bucco camp officially opened. Some interesting press came out of the team over last few days, as the front office continues to make strides forward by locking up core players long term. As Neil Huntington continues to employ the strategy he learned in Cleveland, by locking young guys up long term in their pre-free agency years, he continually avoids the big problem: the team is still lacking that big free agent slugger that the line up can be built around.

With a projected payroll around $50 million, the Bucs can surely afford an increase of $15-20 million to get that one blue chipper. Of course, I run a free blog, not a professional ball club. All in all, it appears that the front office is targeting 2010 to be "the season"...HURRAY another 68 wins this year!

Quick Hitters:

• At what point is a high profile athlete no longer allowed to use the "I was young" excuse for a bone headed screw up (ala Michael Phelps, A Rod). If a 25 year old working class stiff attempts to argue out of a DUI by saying he's young, he'll get an extra bitch slap on his way to the slammer.
• Who will be the next Steeler to wind up in the post Superbowl police line up?
• Isn't Jamie Dixon a friggin' God sent?
• How many of you power back on the brain swammis are secretly wishing the Steelers would sign Fred Taylor. Actually, if it could work (it probably can't), he'd be a great asset off the bench.