Young Guns:A Pirates Dyansty

[Mav3rek]

Pittsburgh, PA --- Hope springs eternal for all 30 Major League teams this year, as the 2006 season is upon us. But the outlook is brighter for one that has been mired in mediocrity for years. This season the Pittsburgh Pirates have added many new faces in hopes that they will help turn around this struggling franchise. Jim Tracy comes over from LA to take over the coaching duties, bringing with him a strong sense for fundamentals. "I really like our lineup from top to bottom," says Tracy "I don't feel we really have any holes in our lineup at all" One thing the Pirates definately have in their favor is their pitching. With many young talents in the starting rotation, the Pirates feel they have a good chance at winning a few games. While they aren't expected to compete for the playoffs this year, they are expected to not finish dead last in the division, which is an improvement. "Expectations still aren't high, but they are higher than they have been in a while." With the additions of Sean Casey, and Joe Randa, Tracy feels they will help to add some veteran leadership to a young clubhouse. Another big change in the Pirates organization is the hiring of new owner/GM Mark Cuban. "I'm excited to be taking over such an organizatoin with such a proud past. It's been a dream of mine that has finally come to realization." When asked about any possible changes or moves that Cuban is looking into, he offered this in response: "Every team is always to get better. Weather it's from free agency, or from trades, each and every team is always looking to improve. But I will tell you this, I am looking into making a trade to sure up our rotation. Right now I'm happy with the rotation, but I still want to add some depth, and a proven winner. I'm not going to drop any names just yet, but I'm looking into who is and who isn't available." There could be many changes in store for the Pirates up ahead in the coming days and weeks. Will the Pirates make any trades before the start of the season? Stay tuned for any late breaking trade news, but until then here are the current lineups and pitching rotation.

[Fastflink2009]

I'll be following, good luck matey! ARRR

[storcka9]

Good luck with the dynasty. The Pirates are a fun team to do a dynasty with as I had one before.

[Mav3rek]

Pirates add another gun to rotation

Pittsburgh, PA -- The Pirates GM Mark Cuban has just announced that he has aquired Issmail Salas, Felix Pie, and Kerry Wood from the Chicago Cubs in exchnage for Kip Wells, Ryan Vogelsong, and Chris Duffy. "We really didn't want to give up Chris, but you have to give up something to get something. Getting Felix Pie really sealed the deal. We feel that he is an adequate replacement for Chris, and hopefully he will be up with us before long. Kip wasn't happy with being put into the bullpen, so hopefully he can crack the rotation in Chicago. But overall I'm happy with this deal, and can't wait to see Kerry in action against the Brewers on opening night." According to manager Jim Tracy, Wood will be the opening day starter, and will be at the top of the rotation. Felix Pie will start off in AAA, with Salas being sent down to A. Hopefully Wood will be able to stay healthy and provide some stability at the top of the rotation. We'll see how he performs in his debut tonight against the Brewers.

[Mav3rek]

Pittsburgh, PA --- Newly aquired pitcher Kerry Wood was back to his old dominant ways as the Pirates defeated the Brewers 7-0 to win their first game of the season. Wood pitched well in his debut going 7 shutout innings, striking out 5. The Pirates got off to a fast start when Jack Wilson singled to lead off the game, and then stole second. With a runner on 2nd, Jason bay came up to bat and quickly laced a single into right that scored a run. Next up was Burnitz who took the first pitch Sheets offered into the right field seats for a quick 3-0 lead. Wood would pitch out of a jam in the bottom half of the first. With runners on 2nd and 3rd he struck out Carlos Lee, and got Prince Fielder to fly out to left. Wood never was in trouble again during his performance, watching his team seal the victory in the 7th and 8th innings. Damaso Marte pitched the 8th, with Tom Gorzelanny pitching a perfect 9th to close out the 7-0 victory. Sheets took the loss in this game to fall to 0-1 with Wood getting the victory to move to 1-0. The player of the game (no surprise) was Kerry Wood. Who not only pitched 7 shutout innings, but went 2 for 2 at the plate with a double. If Wood can continue to play like this, the Pirates may be better off than first thought.

[Fastflink2009]

Are you gonna post screenshots?

[Mav3rek]

I am, but from that first game there really weren't any screenshots worth anything.

[Fastflink2009]

Ok Great, looks very Nice, some advice though, even if there aren't any screenshots worth taking, just do a replay of a pitch, and take one of the pitcher following through or something and then just put that as a big picture for your game recap

[Mav3rek]

Pittsburgh, PA --- Trying to build off of an opening day win, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent out left Oliver Perez to take on the Brewers. To counter, the Brewers sent fellow left Doug Davis out to the hill to stop the Pirates. The game was shaping up for what looked like a pitchers duel. That is until the bottom of the 3rd inning. Damian Miller would lead off the inning with a single. Doug Davis would then sacrifice him to second, and after a Brady Clark ground out, J.J. Hardy would single in the first run to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead. Geoff Jenkins would then double, scoring Hardy from fist, and making it a 2-0 Brewers lead. The Pirates could not answer back in the top of the 4th, and the Brewers would only play add on from there. In the bottom of the 4th, Prince Fielder would single and then Bill Hall would follow with a 2 run homer to give the Brewers a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the 6th Damian Miller would crush a 3 run home run to make it 7-0 Brewers. Perez would be lifted for John Grabow, who would end up leaving in the bottom of the 7th after being hit by a line drive. Grabow suffered a fractured toe in the process and is now out for 24 days. A couple more Brewer runs would stake them to a 9-0 lead. The Pirates would get 1 back in the top of the ninth on back to back doubles by Jack Wilson, and Jason Bay, but that would be all. In the end the Brewers would take this on 9-1. Doug Davis is the player of the game going the distance only allowing 1 run on 6 hits.

Davis laying down a sac bunt

Double by Jenkins

Jenkins nailed at home

Hall's homer.

[Mav3rek]

[cybernetic]

you have to keep images to 800px wide at max

[Fastflink2009]

Yah, I love the format though it looks great, just size it down a bit and maybe post the box score

[Mav3rek]

[Guest]

you have to keep images to 800px wide at max

[Fastflink2009]

Make it longer and skinnier, so the width is like 600 and the length a lot longer.

[Mav3rek]

It's a 1024x768 photoshop image. I meant to make it 768x1024 or something like that....my bad.

[maz1960]

It's a 1024x768 photoshop image. I meant to make it 768x1024 or something like that....my bad.

Imageshack has a resizing option. Just resize it that way.

[Mav3rek]

From time to time I'll play 4 or 5 games in a row, so instead of getting way wasy behind, I'll just do a mast post every once in a while. Here's the updates....

Game #5 --- Victor Santos vs Paul Wilson. Final Score Reds-6 Pirates-5. Wilson get the win (1-0), Santos takes the loss (0-1) Matt Belisle gets the save (1). Things started out well with Sean Casey hitting a 3 run homer in the top of the first to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead. But Santos couldn't hold the lead as in the bottom of the 3rd he would give up 5 straight singles which allowed the Reds to tie the game at 3. In the bottom of the 5th Edwin Encarnacion singled to lead off the inning, Ken Griffey Jr. would single right behind him, and then Adam Dunn would double scoring 2. Royce Clayton would later triple to score Dunn making it 6-3. The Pirates would add 2 more in the top of the 8th to cut it to 6-5, but would never get closer. Player of the Game was Adam Dunn who went 3-4 with 2 RBI.

Pirates add another piece to the puzzle.

Pittsburg, PA -- Mark Cuban isn't shy about making any moves to help improve the ball club. Today Cuban announce that the Pirates have aquired outfiled Cliff Floyd from the New York Mets, in exchange for Jeromy Burnitz, and a AAA prospect. "Our offense is struggling, and the trade for Floyd should help improve that," says Cuban "Floyd and Burnitz are basically the same player, just Floyd has a little more power. " Cuban said other trades are in the works, but wouldn't comment on specifically who. Stay tuned for further details.

Game #6--- Kerry Wood vs Jose Lima. Final Score Pirates 3, Reds 2 in 11 innings. Wood pitched 7 innings giving up only 1 run, Lima would pitch 7 2/3 rds giving up only 1 run. Gonzalez would blow a save in the 10th, but would get out of trouble and leave the 10th tied at 2. Elizardo Ramierz gave up a run scoring double to Jose Bautista to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead, which would be the final. Player of the Game was Jose Lima, who didn't get the victory but pitched 7 2/3rd of 1 run baseball.

Pirates make yet another trade.

Pittsburgh, PA-- Mark Cuban has certainly made his imprint on this Pirates team in only a few short days. Cuban has already aquired Kerry Wood, and Cliff Floyd, and today Cuban announced yet another trade. The Pirates have send backup catcher Humberto Cota to the New York Yankess for outfielder Bernie Williams. Cuban said, "Bernie is playing well so far this year, and he's going to add veteran leadership to our team. He has tons of post season experience, and that could only help us in the long run." While the Pirates are only 3-3 to this point in the season, Cuban has seen a disturbing trend thus far. "We just aren't consistent enough at the plate, and this will help us by giving us a better bench. Williams will just get the spot ready for Felix Pie who is our center fielder of the future." Williams has been made the everyday starter in center.

Game #7-- Aaron Harang vs Oliver Perez. Final Score Reds 7 Pirates 6. Oliver Perez would have to leave in the 2nd with a concussion and is now out for 70 days. Homers in the game were from Ryan Freel (1), and Royce Clayton (1). Aaron Harang gets the win (2-0), Perez takes the loss (0-2), and was placed on the 60-day DL after the game. Matt Belisle gets his 2nd save of the year. Player of the Game was Royce Clayton who went 3-5 with a homer.

Game #8 -- Ian Snell vs Brad Penny -- Final Score Pirates 4, Dodgers 2. Ian Snell gets the win (2-0), Brad Penny gets the loss (0-2), Mike Gonzalez gets save number 1. Homers in the game were J.D. Drew (4), and Cliff Floyd (1). Player of the Game was Cliff Floyd who went 3-4 with a homer.

To this point in the season I'm currently 4-4, and 2 games back. I have 2 injuries, Oliver Perez is out for 68 more days, and John Grabow has 17 more days.

[Mav3rek]

I was just playing around with photoshop and thought this was a neat idea on how to show the play of the game...so i'll probably do something like this from now on for just the play of the game. let me know what you think.