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A Nutting Idea

A Nutting Idea

 

In case you’re unaware or really don’t care. Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training this week. Here in Pittsburgh it means absolutely nothing. No reason to get excited about a team that could be one of the worst of all time.

The worst team in our cities history were the 1890 Pittsburgh Alleghenys, who finished the season 23-113…No, I didn’t go to any of the games…Shut Up! You know, sometimes you people can be very hurtful.

That record isn’t as bad as the 1899 Cleveland Spiders who went 20-134. Because of Covid, I don’t know how many games the Pirates will play this season but, I think they can be worse than the Spiders.

For a team to win at the major league level, you have to spend money. Some money at least. I spent more at the grocery store yesterday than the Pirates payroll for the 2021 season. Ok, actually I spent less…but that was after I used my coupons…did I mention I was in the 15 items or less aisle?

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There’s No Spitting in Baseball!

 

In these strange days we are living through, a major holiday is upon us. The 4th of July, when we celebrate our independence and freedom…I don’t know how much you are feeling either of other cities do have major league teams.

With baseball shut down, the Pirates are currently at 500, 0-0. It would be their first non-losing season for a few years…and there haven’t been many in the last 25.

The Pirates opening day payroll this year was less than a large family take out order at McDonalds during the pandemic…thanks to tight fisted owner Bob (Ka-Ching) Nutting. Any money that could go toward the team is much better served in his pockets.

Anyway, even though baseball won’t be played on the holiday this year, they are trying to come back. Teams are headed for spring training…in their home parks and promise to be back in a few weeks.

You’re guess is as good as mine if this will actually happen, but we have hope.

There will be rule changes because of the virus. The most interesting is…

“There will be no spitting in Baseball.”

“Spitting…you’re spitting…There’s no spitting in Baseball.”

Yes, I borrowed that from “A League of Their Own.” It’s just ridiculous. Spitting and baseball go together like…well, baseball and the 4th of July.

So, you can’t spit…no tobacco, no sunflower seeds…OK, what happens if you hack up a loogie? I guess you have to call a timeout and run out to the parking lot. Yeah, like the games not long enough.

When I was a kid we watched our favorite players and learned all of the idiosyncrasies. Spitting was on the top of the list.

Before we knew how to hold a bat the right way, we learned how to spit like a major leaguer.

After that, you learned how to fix and adjust things…which we really didn’t have much of as kids, but we fixed them anyway.

I always liked mine even. I don’t know if some guys feel like they get a better pull if one hangs lower, but it’s nothing we ever discuss. Everyone has their own way of hitting.

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I’m So Bored I Would Watch the Pirates

I’m So Bored I’d Watch the Pirates

 

The Stanley Cup and NBA finals should be finishing up. Baseball should be into its second month. The Pirates should be mathematically eliminated for the post season. We should be talking about what players the team could get in Bob Nutting’s annual midseason salary dump. This year, we have nothing.

My wife and I re-watched Super Bowl Forty-Three last night on the NFL network. The Steelers won again, but it was close.

There’s a pandemic, protests, looting, Murder Hornets, an asteroid headed towards earth and nothing to take our minds off any of it.

We’ve had seasons stopped and canceled because of strikes and contract disputes before. Fortunately, there was always another sport to focus on. This time, we have nothing.

People are betting on table-tennis…you know, Ping Pong…just for some action. That’s how bored we are. We need sports.

I know, I’m a frequent critic of the Pirates and this year would have been no exception. With no pitching, no catcher and a payroll lower than some beer league softball teams, there wasn’t much hope.

But, I would watch. If they were on right now, I would be paying attention. After they removed the starting pitcher, down 17 to nothing with one out in the first, I would watch.

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Nothing to See Here (Part ????)

Nothing to See Here (Part ????)

 

The Super Bowl is Sunday, so let’s talk about the Pirates. I guess I should mention, at least we don’t have to watch New England yet again. I’m actually looking forward to watching for a change.

Speaking of things I’m not looking forward to watching, the disaster that will be the 2020 Pirates. During the offseason, they replaced the manager, GM and president. Unfortunately, it’s still the same owner, Bob (Ka-Ching) Nutting.

The new GM sounds just like the old GM.

“We have to spend our money carefully…Let’s see what we have here…yeah…yeah…yeah…”

We’ve heard it all before. At this point, the Pirates have the team Nutting has always dreamed of. The lowest payroll in all of baseball. As of today, the Pirates payroll for this year is 48 million. Every team in the division is at least 100 million above that. So, do you thing they have a chance?

Starling Marte, the starting center fielder was traded this week for two 19 year old PROSPECTS. Doesn’t that give you optimism? Five years from now, it these guys don’t get hurt or suck, they can be called up to replace anybody who was any good and has to be traded because,

“Nutting Don’t Pay!”

Both Nutting and the new GM keep saying the same thing,

“We want to take a look and evaluate what we have.”

Maybe I can help with that. You have no catcher, no pitching, no center fielder and your right fielder is questionable. I can tell you what you have,

“A Big Bag of Crap!”

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The Hated Man

The Hated Man

 

As a lifelong Pirates fan, it was depressing to watch as they lost year after year. Then, as the worst team in baseball, they always drafted first and made a habit of drafting somebody projected for the later rounds, (Remember Daniel Markos?) It was like they wanted to draft mediocrity, so they could pay less salaries.

Then, one year with the number one pick, they took Gerritt Cole. He was a stud pitcher, I remember thinking, this guy could become the best pitcher in the game and pitch in the World Series someday.

Tonight, my thoughts are true. Gerritt Cole is the best pitcher in the game and is starting game one of the World Series. Of course, not for the Pirates. You have to pay great players and that money is better served in the greedy, slimy pockets of team owner, Bob (Ka-Ching) Nutting.

Cole was traded a few years ago for mediocre players…because, mediocrity costs less. So Gerritt Cole will start game one for the Houston Astros and the Pirates are one of the worst teams in baseball with no hope in sight.

It doesn’t matter as long as Bob Nutting can make a profit and yell

“Ka-Ching!”

Attendance at Pirate games has dropped tremendously in the past few years.

Nutting doesn’t care, he just decreases the payroll.

“Ka-Ching!”

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