When Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker — and their combined 43 home runs — departed last off-season, the Pittsburgh Pirates decided to make up for the lost power with a high on-base approach. Their replacements, John Jaso and Josh Harrison, fit that mold. Before the start of the 2016 season, Pittsburgh was also hoping Starling Marte would continue his surge to stardom, while Gregory Polanco was expected to break out and show why he was a former top prospect. David Freese was signed as a temporary ... Read More
Archives for July 2016
Reports: Pirates to call up Josh Bell
With Chad Kuhl, Jameson Taillon, Steven Brault, Tyler Glasnow and Adam Frazier getting the call to the big leagues recently, the Pirates have seemingly embraced the youth movement, similarly to their hometown partners, the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. With so many prospects up, it was only a matter of time until Josh Bell joined them at the big league level. A source told Pittsburgh Sporting News that first baseman/outfielder Bell is on his way to meet the Pirates in ... Read More
Four Steelers on NFL Network’s Top 100
The NFL Network finally finished unveiling its Top 100 players of 2016 — as voted on by the players — and four Pittsburgh Steelers are on the list. Wide receiver Antonio Brown (No. 4) topped all Steelers and all wideouts, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came in at No. 21, running back Le’Veon Bell (No. 41) was fourth among backs and defensive end Cameron Heyward was listed at No. 88. Antonio Brown. Unguardable.#NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/WGbEhISV6v — NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 7, ... Read More
Glasnow looks strong in MLB debut, Pirates unable to beat Cardinals
The Tyler Glasnow Era got off to a solid start Thursday afternoon against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium — albeit in a 5-2 loss. Glasnow, in his first MLB start, went toe-to-toe with Cardinal ace Adam Wainwright in a pitcher's duel that saw the rookie go five-and-one-third innings before turning the reins over to reliever Arquimedes Caminero. A three-run homer by Stephen Piscotty off Caminero sealed Glasnow's fate. The rookie right-hander would end up allowing four runs on three ... Read More
That’s a rap: Bell reveals contract demands in new song, ‘Focus’
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell has a history of injuries, so it makes sense he’d want to think about his future and consider a career as, uh, a rapper? Under the name Juice, the 24-year-old Bell recently dropped his single, “Focus,” which condemns his haters who think — if you didn’t guess it by the title — he isn’t “focused” enough on rehabbing from his injury (a torn ACL) or his career. He also goes after people who think he’s still smoking marijuana after a suspension at the ... Read More
Mazeroski Statue symbolic for engaged Pirates co-workers
March 25, 2015 started off as a “lousy” day for Marion Shipton as she walked hand-in-hand along PNC Park with Tom Leturgey. What she didn't realize was that particular Wednesday would change her life. At the Roberto Clemente Statue, Shipton broke off from Leturgey, further detailing her awful day. Shipton thought she was there because Leturgey had invited her to take a walk around PNC Park — but he had a different motive. He had a ring in his pocket and the approval of Shipton's ... Read More
Marte, Polanco snubbed by All-Star final roster
We all know that Chicago has a history of stuffing ballot boxes and potentially stealing elections, but who knew that extended to stealing spots in the MLB All-Star Game, too? While the Chicago Cubs have their entire infield and one outfielder representing the National League in the All-Star Game, the Pittsburgh Pirates have exactly zero position players in the game. Sure, closer Mark Melancon was — very deservedly — named to the All-Star team, but there were two Pirates players, both ... Read More
How do Pirates match up against potential playoff aces?
It's funny. On July 4, I said this week is a make-or-break week to keep the Pirates' playoff hopes alive. All they've done since is take the first two games of the series against the Cardinals — in St. Louis — to push Pittsburgh's winning streak to six games. Suddenly, the Chicago Cubs are in reach, and the magnitude of this weekend's series against Chicago is even bigger. Still, I don't think, under any circumstances, the Pirates will be able to win the NL Central. If they get into the ... Read More
Where does Glasnow’s debut rank among other Pirates?
The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians rotation takeover is in full effect in Pittsburgh. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Tyler Glasnow is expected to make his major league debut tomorrow afternoon against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Glasnow, a fifth-round draft pick in 2011 by the Pirates, has had a ton of hype while pitching in the minor leagues. However, in regards to buzz surrounding a debut, where does Glasnow's highly anticipated first major ... Read More
Pirates to promote Glasnow, according to Buster Olney
Pitchers Jameson Taillon, Chad Kuhl and Steven Brault have already made the leap this year from Triple-A to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, it's prized prospect Tyler Glasnow's turn, as ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Pirates will promote their No. 1 prospect this weekend against the Chicago Cubs. Source: Tyler Glasnow is being promoted to start for the Pirates this weekend. — Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 6, 2016 Olney then added the Glasnow will in fact start Thursday against the ... Read More