Pirates at Reds

[Darkstone42]

No, what this does is prove racism is the motivation for the Pirates fans vitriol.
Hitting the black guy was all right until somebody asked about it. Well, I guess hitting the white guy gets you off the hook, huh? Hmmm ... yeah, that's fairly racist.

The team isn't the issue here. It's the fans.


And yeah, a beat writer who is covering a team and proposes throwing at Brandon Phillips ... that is bush-league. I wrote to their editor and said that real journalists get a comment, even if it's predictable. You cover the game, you don't incite incidents. Just ask the manager about it. Get a comment.

Again, the writer said Phillips was the guy the Pirates needed to hit and Phillips had not even played the entire series. Why throw at a guy who didn't even play? He was out with a hammy pull.

That one still smells like racism.

Honestly, I don't think anybody ought to throw at anyone and I wish we could have a series of ballgames that didn't include stupid fans and stupid homer bloggers.

And for what this is worth, I have no idea if Chapman is throwing at people. He does not confide in me. He's young and wild. He was taught to play ball in Cuba under some tough guys. His agenda isn't part of my daily life.


But since "we" are in charge of all this, I hope "you" have a nice day.

Phillips has the biggest combination of being some combination of being a star player and having some kind of attitude (which shows itself in how he fields, as some impartial commentators have pointed out) which lends himself to being the reasonable target of a retaliatory hit by pitch.

I would guess that a lot of teams target Phillips for their retaliatory throwing at a guy. It's not because of race, it's because he makes himself an easy target. I could probably say the same for how I perceive Ryan Braun on the field.

 

[Darkstone42]

That reaction from Votto on Morton's first pitch to him, however, could make him a target in the future.

 

[Darkstone42]

Also, I would like to bring something up. Has anyone else noticed Walker has been lacking in the mental and effort aspects of the game lately? That baserunning error in the first cost the Pirates a run, and that's why I bring it up now, but his at bats have looked bad often lately, and he doesn't look to me to be hustling in the field, either, not getting to balls he really should be getting to, even factoring in his limited range.

Am I making this up in my head, or has anyone else noticed this?

 

[evolver115]

Just would like to say, I was kidding in my previous post, hence the wink

Phillips has the biggest combination of being some combination of being a star player and having some kind of attitude (which shows itself in how he fields, as some impartial commentators have pointed out) which lends himself to being the reasonable target of a retaliatory hit by pitch.

I would guess that a lot of teams target Phillips for their retaliatory throwing at a guy. It's not because of race, it's because he makes himself an easy target. I could probably say the same for how I perceive Ryan Braun on the field.

I think what you have here is spot on, DS. Phillips hotdogs it a bit on the field. He enjoys what he does, for which I can't blame him, but he doesn't hide it like most guys in baseball do. He wears it on his sleeve so to speak. And it does make him a target. Another guy I liken him to is Johnathan Papelbon. They play with attitude you can see.

 

[SFNL]

Interesting first inning, boring 2nd

 

[element1286]

No, what this does is prove racism is the motivation for the Pirates fans vitriol.
Hitting the black guy was all right until somebody asked about it. Well, I guess hitting the white guy gets you off the hook, huh? Hmmm ... yeah, that's fairly racist.

The team isn't the issue here. It's the fans.


And yeah, a beat writer who is covering a team and proposes throwing at Brandon Phillips ... that is bush-league. I wrote to their editor and said that real journalists get a comment, even if it's predictable. You cover the game, you don't incite incidents. Just ask the manager about it. Get a comment.

Again, the writer said Phillips was the guy the Pirates needed to hit and Phillips had not even played the entire series. Why throw at a guy who didn't even play? He was out with a hammy pull.

That one still smells like racism.

Honestly, I don't think anybody ought to throw at anyone and I wish we could have a series of ballgames that didn't include stupid fans and stupid homer bloggers.

And for what this is worth, I have no idea if Chapman is throwing at people. He does not confide in me. He's young and wild. He was taught to play ball in Cuba under some tough guys. His agenda isn't part of my daily life.


But since "we" are in charge of all this, I hope "you" have a nice day.

Keep on playing the race card, you're giving yourself so much credibility.

 

[steelparrot]

Morton pitching well kinda surprises me.

I have no idea what they will do when everyone gets healthy.

 

[SFNL]

Morton pitching well kinda surprises me.

I have no idea what they will do when everyone gets healthy.

Yeah. Helluva escape in the bottom of the 5th. That could have got out of hand but instead we're still up 3.

 

[Darkstone42]

Morton could have kept going, but a nice outing for him.

Now get a hit, Cutch, and let's put this one away.

 

[Darkstone42]

Wow, Snider stole a base. Didn't see that coming.

 

[element1286]

Walker looks horrendous

 

[Darkstone42]

Also, I would like to bring something up. Has anyone else noticed Walker has been lacking in the mental and effort aspects of the game lately? That baserunning error in the first cost the Pirates a run, and that's why I bring it up now, but his at bats have looked bad often lately, and he doesn't look to me to be hustling in the field, either, not getting to balls he really should be getting to, even factoring in his limited range.

Am I making this up in my head, or has anyone else noticed this?

Walker looks horrendous

I've noticed too.

 

[SFNL]

RTJR! Series tied 1-1

 

[element1286]

I've noticed too.

Woops, missed that one. Yea, he doesn't look focused, and can't make contact with any fastballs.

 

[Illinest]

Morton looked like he had some attitude tonight - as if he's been taking coolness lessons from AJ. Anyone else think that?

 

[steelparrot]

Morton was solid for sure, with attitude.

Requesting links for reporters/fans calling for Phillips to be hit too, hit up the links plz its must see for me

 

[ramburgh]

The Pirates need to at least split although winning the last 3 of a 4 game set (just like against the Braves, Phillies, Mets, Brewers and Tigers) would be nice! This sets up the easiest stretch of the season for the Pirates (Angles, Mariners, Brewers, Phillies, Cubs, Athletics, Mets). The Athletics are the only team of the next 6 series with a winning record. This is an important stretch where the Pirates need to play .600+ baseball. This is a 19 game stretch going into the break with the Oakland series at home. To keep pace/possibly gain on the Cardinals/Reds the Pirates really need to take at least 12 of the 19 and split the current series with the Reds. This would put the Pirates at 55-37 heading into the break. Last year they were 48-37 at the break (break is a week later this year).

 

[evolver115]

It is simply amazing how many pitchers come back from Tommy John surgery and show an increase of velocity. Charlie has followed suit and has ramped up the average of his fastball and sinker by at least three to four miles per hour. What a difference that makes for him. That sinker is hard to hit to begin with, but now with the extra velocity, it becomes even harder to barrel up. Hope the guy stays healthy, as he could be a pleasant surprise for the remainder of the season for a currently battered starting rotation.

 

[ramburgh]

Yes, he is a critical piece of figuring out what to do for next year's rotation. How about the Nate McLouth trade now if Locke and Morton are significant pieces of the starting rotation?

Next year's rotation based upon team control:
Liriano (signed 2014), Morton (final arbitration year 2014), Locke, Cole, Gomez? (Taillon possibly being promoted at this time next year and doesn't Pimental have to be on the team bc he is out of options?)

Rodriguez has an option in 2014.
McDonald will be in his second year of arbitration in 2014.
Burnett is a free agent after this season.
Karstens is a goner.

 

[element1286]

If AJ wants to keep playing, I'd like to keep him.

Not sure Gomez is much of an option, depending on injuries, Kyle McPherson and Phil Irwin are options.