It has been 18 years since the Bucs last winning season, and although it’s been nice watching what the Steelers, and Penguins become two dominate franchises’, there’s still that baseball atmosphere that we all miss. There are several possible reasons to why the Pirates have become such a poor franchise, but bad ownership has been the most discussed factor.
Since 2002, the Pirates opening day starting line-up has made 44 significant changes, while a recent successful team, such as the Yankees, have only made about 24.
Now even though baseball is probably the sport that chemistry is least needed, the facts, (as stated above), do not lie. Not to mention that the Buccos have made five management changes since that time as well, including the recent hiring of Clint Hurdle.
Hurdle made a World Series appearance back in 2007 with the Colorado Rockies, but was swept by the Boston Red Sox. We can only hope that he can turn our beloved franchise around.
In order to do so, the Bucs will have to find nine guys that play well together and can win ball games. It seems as if we’ve become a “farm team” for the rest of the MLB. Just when Jason Bay became one of the leagues top players, he was off to Boston in a heartbeat. The same with Nate McLouth’s departure to Atlanta, and even going back to the days with Aramis Ramirez! Picture having Bay, Ramirez, McLouth, and McCutchen all in the same line-up.
Don’t even get me started on pitching…
In 2006, Oliver Perez, the Pirates then number one pitcher, put up a record of 2-10. After that, he was off to Queens to play for the Mets, and by 2009, he lead the MLB in strikeouts per 9 innings.
Zach Duke, who made the All-Star game back in 2009, was of course, traded to Arizona this past off-season. Ross Ohlendorf, who was apart of our big trade with the Yankees back in 2008, went 11-10 in 2009, but showed his inconsistency by going 1-11 last year…
Regardless of what the Pirates decide to do for the upcoming season, it’s obvious that they are in need of change, and have been for some time. It’s a good thing that the Steelers and Penguins have been able to carry this cities spirits in recent years…
Like I’ve always said, at least we’re not Cleveland…
written by Alex Muchnok
I believe you missed some of the facts. A lot of these losing seasons aren't because of lack of chemistry. Maybe only a few of them are.
ReplyDeleteThere were reasons guys like Ollie Perez and Zach Duke were shipped out of here. It was because of the coaching. Perez had a 97 mph fastball. What did the coaches do? Told him to tone it down so he could save his arm. He hasn't come close to that velocity since. That's why he was dealt. He dropped off.
In Duke's case it was much of the same. His velocity hung around 94-95 mph during his outstanding rookie campaign until they also told him to tone it down. Look at what happened to him.
And Ohlendorf? Inconsistent??? His ERA was barely over 4.00. He also pitched for the worst scoring team in the National League. When you don't get run support and you have back problems, your chances of going 1-11 dramatically increase.