Tree of Life

09 Aug

Pittsburgh Sports TV Ratings

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates, Wrestling Reality on Thursday, August 9th, 2012 – 10:21 am

The top three TV shows last week were the Olympics on NBC. July 27th Olympic coverage from 7:30pm-12-Mid earned a 15.2. July 29th Olympic coverage 7pm-12-Mid earned at 14.1 and July 28th 8pm-12-Mid pulled a 10.2.

Pirates games on ROOT Sports ranked 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th for the week. Two 6.6's, a 6.5, a 6.2 and a 5.1. Pretty consistent meaning most likely that the same people are watching all these games.

8 of the top 10 shows for the week in Pittsburgh were sports related.

WWE RAW came in 20th overall for the week in Pittsburgh with a 3.1.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates, Wrestling Reality

 

07 Aug

No Answers Left in Free Agency for Ray Shero by Michelle Methot

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 – 8:37 am

Let's flashback to the end of June, before the Pittsburgh Pirates were on a serious pennant race and before the Pittsburgh Steelers arrived for camp in Latrobe, the Pittsburgh Penguins were in contention to land the biggest names on the free agent market. Now with the free agency period over a month old, the Penguins have yet to make a move to improve the team or to fill the void left by the departed Jordan Staal and Zbynek Michalek. With the uncertainty of whether the NHL season will begin as planned in October or whether it will be halted by the collective bargaining agreement negotiations, it is unlikely that Ray Shero will make any major moves with a season that is up in the air.

You can cross your fingers and wait for Shane Doan to sign in Pittsburgh or you can realistically look ahead at moves that could be made at the 2013 NHL trade deadline to push the Penguins into a race for the Stanley Cup. Although the Penguins might struggle down the NHL stretch with a defense that lost a veteran presence and no longer having a third line center that will put up numbers like Jordan Staal, the Penguins still have potential to make a run at the Atlantic Division title. Instead of starting the NHL season at the salary cap ceiling, the Penguins can have the luxury of being able to be buyers come the trade deadline. With the unknown status of labor negotiations, it makes more sense for the Penguins to wait until there is more certainty with the impending season.

There is optimism with the current state of the Penguins roster in terms of hopes of having a healthy Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for the majority of the season for the first time since the 2009-2010 season. The Penguins also have a dynamic goaltending tandem with the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun who will assist Fleury with the 82 game workload. The holes still remain in the defensive roster that was torn to pieces in six games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers. A healthy Kris Letang is a priority as well as Paul Martin returning to his earlier form that earned him a long term contract with the Penguins in 2010.

The Penguins opening night roster will be nothing like their roster on the opening night of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. Instead of overpaying for players holding out on their free agency, the Penguins and their fans need to be patient. Adding a hodgepodge of players still left on the market is not the answer, wait it out and start putting together a wish list for players that could be putting on the black and Vegas gold after the trade deadline. It will be worth the wait.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

05 Aug

Pirates-Reds Reigniting Rivalry by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, August 5th, 2012 – 10:53 am

Since becoming the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clint Hurdle has stressed getting fans in Pittsburgh back into the tradition of watching winning baseball. In less than two years, we have seen the transformation take place as PNC Park has become a packed house night in, night out. The popularity is obviously due to the team's success, something Hurdle has challenged his team to become by changing the general mindset of what it means to be a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Now, with the team 15 games over .500 heading into the final two months of the season, it is time to bring back another tradition in Pittsburgh: loathing the Cincinnati Reds.

In the 1970s the Pirates made the playoffs six times, winning two World Series titles. In four of those seasons, the Pirates faced the Reds and went 1-3 in the playoffs. Led by Tony Perez, Johnny Bench, and Pete Rose, The Big Red Machine was a thorn in the side of Pittsburgh. In fact, the only team more hated than the Reds, at this time, was the Phillies as they were constantly battling Pittsburgh for the NL East title while Cincinnati was in the NL West.

In 1990, the Reds defeated the Pirates in the playoffs again, taking the series in six games.

Since the two teams came into the NL Central in 1994, the rivalry has died down. The Pirates, as we all know, have been abysmal up until this year, and the Reds have only been slightly better. This season, it has been a completely different story as both teams are battling for the NL Central and if you didn't completely hate the Reds before, after last night's game, you probably will now.

With the Reds up 3-0 in the ninth inning with nobody on and two outs, Aroldis Chapman beaned Andrew McCutchen with a 101 mph fastball on the first pitch. McCutchen glared at Chapman as he jogged down to first and, after the game, looked to be extremely upset walking into the locker room. At the same time, Pirates bench coach, Jeff Banister, was seen giving a death stare into the Cincinnati dugout.

The decision to hit McCutchen likely came from Dusty Baker and it was done to make a point. The Reds are the favorite to win the division while the Pirates are still drawing a high amount of skepticism. With the game essentially in hand, Baker wanted to prove their team was better and he wanted Chapman to intimidate the Pirates by throwing at Andrew McCutchen.

How will the Pirates respond? We'll have to wait and see. The fans are obviously excited since PNC Park has already sold out their last three home games against the Reds in September. The Pirates have eight games left against the Reds this season and it may not be long before we see benches clear.

Welcome to the rivalry.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

03 Aug

Taylor offers perspective on Steelers by Ike Taylor

published in category: Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, August 3rd, 2012 – 8:55 am

Hey readers!

Ike Taylor here, reporting to you from Steelers training camp. This season I will be giving all of you readers my perspective on the team, the season and what's going on around the league. With that said, let's talk offseason and training camp.

Anyone who knows me or has played with me knows that I don't take days off. I work hard and do whatever it takes to stay in top physical shape. So this offseason I maintained an intense training regimen and also made sure to spend some time with the family. I convinced my mom and sister to let me watch after my nieces and nephews for a week, which proved to be an intensive mental exercise of its own kind. Let's just say I arrived at camp mentally and physically prepared.

Speaking about training camp arrivals, how many of you heard how Brett Keisel arrived? Let's just say it had to do with a huge orange Kubota tractor; no, I'm not joking, Google it. That really set the tone for the camp. We all come here knowing that it's going to be tough and grueling and one of the toughest physical and mental challenges you can imagine, but we try to make the best of it.

We all stay in dorms, which are as bad as you might think. We do have the option to put TVs and refrigerators and different kinds of beds in our rooms. Like I said, we just make the most of it. We know we are here to work and work hard, and I think the entire camp experience is what brings us together as a team.

The weather has been the craziest part about camp. We'll get a big storm right before practice and then it will stop just as soon as the whistle blows to start practice. The whistle blows to end practice, and here comes the storm again. It's crazy; I guess it could be because we are our own perfect storm out there on the field so Mother Nature can let up while we are out there.

Now I have never been to another camp before – been a Steeler since I came into the league 10 years ago – but I'm willing to bet that there is nothing like the intensity of a Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. The competition is fierce, and we leave it all out there on the field. From healthy battles going on between the wide receivers and defensive backs, to relentless linemen who will stop at nothing to get better and prove that they belong here in Pittsburgh. The team is looking great, and we are challenging each other more and more each day and really noticing the young players grow right before our eyes.

Every year at camp, I sit and reflect on what an incredible opportunity I have been given, and what a blessing it is to be a part of this organization. I am really excited to see what this team will bring to the 2012 NFL season.

Don't forget to check back every Friday throughout the season, and you can keep up with me on Twitter during the week at @Ike_SwagginU. I'll make sure to post training camp photos for you all.

Steelers cornerback
Ike Taylor is a contributor
for Trib Total Media. His column appears Fridays.
He also hosts
a talk show Tuesdays from 2-3 p.m. on TribLiveRadio.

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Posted in Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

03 Aug

If you are Injured, Don

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, August 3rd, 2012 – 8:53 am

Ben Roethlisberger came out the other day claiming he has a slightly torn rotator cuff in his right throwing shoulder. He came out saying the injury was not serious and will need a few days off. So why did I see him throwing a forty-yard pass in the background while watching Sportscenter on ESPN the next day?
I was at St. Vincent College for the President's Athletic Conference Media day and decided to stay a little bit after the Media Day was over for Steelers practice to see if Ben is really throwing again already. I only had to stand there for ten minutes when I saw Ben on the field throw a beautiful, 38-yard strike to Antonio Brown. No signs of injury at all.
Also in the news was safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu came out and said he played most of last season with a concussion. Now that blew my mind even more. Why are players playing seriously injured? Is this a new form of leadership? That is where the statement of "don't play injured" comes into play.
Players play hurt all the time with minor injuries. They do not play with major injuries usually. Polamalu was an exception to that rule. But when it is only training camp, they should not be playing. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are both currently sitting out due to minor injuries. Casey Hampton and Rashard Mendenhall are both recovering from off-season surgeries and are not practicing. But the one that really blows my mind is Ben. If Roethlisberger is hurt and his arm is hurting him at all, he should not be practicing right now. He does not have to be on the field to show that he is a leader. He can lead off the field. He can also learn the new playbook still and get enough reps later in camp. Roethlisberger is the player that makes this offense go. Without him, the offense is one of the worst in the league and the worst without Ben and Mike Wallace, who still has not shown signs of life. If Ben's arm falls off during the middle of the season and he cannot throw at all, the Steeler's season is over. So if the Steelers are smart, rest your star quarterback who makes the offense go, because the running game sure does not.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

01 Aug

Reviewing the Trade Deadline by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, August 1st, 2012 – 9:01 am

Buying at the trade deadline has become an objective for Neal Huntington in back to back seasons now. Last year, he swung two deals bringing in Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick for cash and a few low level prospects. Everyone knows how the season ended despite getting significant gains from Lee in particular.

This season, the Pirates were labeled as buyers yet remained conservative throughout the final hours of the deadline. Justin Upton, Ryan Dempster, James Shields, Shane Victorino, Juan Pierre, Hunter Pence and Zack Greinke were all on the block, but the Pirates were unable to acquire any of their services for the final push. Instead, Huntington opted to trade for Travis Snider, Wandy Rodriguez, Gaby Sanchez, and -to a lesser degree- Chad Qualls.

The Pirates certainly had the resources to acquire the best players on the market, with three elite pitchers and a few blue chip hitters as well. And yet, they went with high risk high reward players at a lower cost; players retainable for 4-5 years instead of two months.

Why?

I'll give you a hint. It's not because the Pirates are cheap, and it's not because they think this team will fall apart like it did last year. It's because they realize that the window of success, despite what many have argued, is only starting to open.

The Pirates have had a very successful season so far and many of the key pieces -McCutchen, Alvarez, Walker, Burnett, McDonald, Marte, Rodriguez- are all coming back next year with most of those players having contracts stretching beyond 2013. In the minors, they have Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Justin Wilson and Jeff Locke to bolster the pitching staff within the next two years, and they have several prospects in lower levels screaming for a promotion. Why is the window to win only open to this year? Yes, the division is weak this year, and it will automatically get stronger when the Astros leave next season to go to the American League. But this year's team -despite facing the toughest first 40 games of the season- battled against the best teams in baseball. Their record is certainly not a shell based on winning against bad teams, alone.

Neal Huntington is also not an idiot when it comes to trades. The Phillies wanted Brad Lincoln for Shane Victorino, a free agent at the end of this season where he is hitting a meek .261 with nine home runs. The Indians wanted Starling Marte for Shin Soo Choo, a 30 year old who has only played in 100+ games in two of his seven major league seasons. Huntington even voiced after the deadline on 93.7 the Fan that some of the asking prices were so high for players like Victorino and Pence, that he would have been foolish to accept a deal. If you refuse to believe him, ask the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals why they made very little noise at the deadline despite having strong ties to every major player on the market.

To go further with that point, would one player make the difference between winning and losing this division? The Cincinnati Reds are a better team and will probably win the division. That means, to make the playoffs, the Pirates will have to go in as a wild card where they will most likely compete against the Dodgers or Giants. That means the Pirates would likely face Matt Cain or Clayton Kershaw in the postseason. Would the addition of a .270 hitter like Hunter Pence put the Pirates in a position to take that game, alone? Doubtful. Obviously, these are hypotheticals, but they are worth exploring when you consider the sensitivity in packaging a bunch of top prospects for one season.

Despite their success, the Pirates are still in a small market. Regardless of ticket sales, revenue sharing, or Bob Nutting winning the Powerball, the Pirates will always have a small base to generate TV revenue. When your TV market is smaller than Portland, Oregon, you miss out on the multi-billion dollar TV deals that make teams like LA, New York, and Texas so successful. The process to construct this year's winning team had to include a well thought-out plan with minimal errors. Now that the team is successful, the last thing the Pirates needed to do was make a bunch of irrational trades by shipping high-priced prospects out for players who are easily recognizable on a baseball card. Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino and Justin Upton are all big names with All-Star appearances and playoff experience, but this season, they have all been disappointments with risks and prices high enough to tear down what the Pirates have spent the last five years building.

The moves Huntington made were good moves, for the most part. Travis Snider has a lot of talent and could project to be a corner outfielder with some pop. The risk of him becoming another Jeff Clement is worth worrying about since he has been bounced between the big leagues and AAA for the last four seasons. However, the price for his potential is worth taking a minor gamble on. Brad Lincoln has been excellent this season but, he is also 27 years old and, at best, projects to be a closer down the road. As I've stated before, relief pitchers are a dime a dozen in baseball and with the depth of relievers in AAA, the Pirates would be foolish to keep a 7th inning reliever when they have the opportunity to gain a power bat in the outfield.

Gaby Sanchez is a player the Pirates are hoping to resurrect with a change of scenery. Sanchez has hit 19 home runs in back to back seasons and was an All-Star last year. He is a career .298 hitter against left-handed pitchers and could become a solid platoon player at first base with Garret Jones in the final months of the season. In return, the Pirates gave the Marlins Gorkys Hernandez -a 24 year old outfielder who cannot hit major league pitching and only has one option remaining on his contract- and a bonus pick. Does this deal make the Pirates worse? Absolutely not.

The Casey Mcgehee for Chad Qualls trade is insignificant, in my opinion. Qualls has been horrific this season and I would be shocked if Hurdle used him in high leverage situations. This move was more about clearing Casey Mcgehee off the books to make room for Sanchez. The $250k sent to New York, in addition to Mcgehee, is hilarious given Burnett's complete game shutout and 13th win of the season. Maybe the Yankees should've asked for more.

The Pirates did not fall into the trap the now-rebuilding Milwaukee Brewers did when they mortgaged the system for CC Sabathia and Zack Greinke. Instead, the Pirates aimed at a more successful, small-market model used by the Tampa Bay Rays. The goal is not to pour everything into one season with the belief that the window for success if short, but rather to expand the window to 2012 and beyond. Did these moves hurt the team? Not really. Did they significantly improve the team? Only time will tell. The Pirates are hoping to see future success from Sanchez and Snider, rather than assuming success from a proven All-Star. If they fail, the Pirates have sacrificed nothing to keep them out of the hunt for 2012 and the future. If they work out, the team becomes even stronger and the window of success widens even further.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

31 Jul

Justin LaBar Wrestling Reality T-Shirts

published in category: Uncategorized on Tuesday, July 31st, 2012 – 4:32 pm

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Posted in Uncategorized

 

30 Jul

Pirates' International Pool Growing by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, July 30th, 2012 – 12:56 pm

Starling Marte crushed the first pitch he saw in a major league uniform, sending the ball off the train tracks in left-center field at Minute Maid Park for his first career home run. As a Pirates fan, the drama of seeing your top hitting prospect contributing to a winning team on the first pitch of his career was magical.

And yet, for the organization, Marte's home run symbolized so much more.

For the Pirates, the home run symbolized the beginning of what hopefully will be a strong Latin-American pool of talent in the future. Marte has the potential to become Pittsburgh's biggest home-grown, latin star since Aramis Ramirez over ten years ago. Compound the five million dollar Dominican Academy that opened in 2009 with the aggressive international signings over the last four years, and the Pirates look like an organization loaded with potential impact players.

Those efforts over the last four years have just now started to bear fruit for the Pirates. The low-A affiliate, West Virginia Power, boasts two hitters in the top five in batting average in the South Atlantic League; both players signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2009. Those players are shortstop Alen Hanson and outfielder Gregory Polanco.

Hanson showed a lot of potential when he hit .324 in the DSL two years ago, however, his stock has really taken off this season. In his first full season playing in the US, Hanson is batting .319/.382/.556 with 15 home runs and 27 stolen bases. His 34 errors seem to leave considerable doubt that he'll stay stick at shortstop, but his hitting shows a lot of promise.

Meanwhile, Gregory Polanco has used his time in West Virginia to be a breakout prospect, batting .324/.389/.517 with 13 home runs and 39 stolen bases. Standing 6'4 170 pounds, Polanco certainly has room to fill out and become a potential power hitter at a corner outfield spot.

Then there's Luis Heredia, the 17 year old $2.6 million investment that is currently dominating college draftees for the State College Spikes. Heredia is 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. His 7 walks in 34 innings are especially impressive given how young he is.

Hanson, Polanco and Heredia all have the ultimate goal of reaching the major leagues and with Starling Marte's arrival to Pittsburgh, they all have someone to look to as a reference. At the same time, these aren't the only international signees with the potential to play in Pittsburgh as the list of prospects goes far deeper. Harold Ramirez, last year's $1 million signee, is off to a fast start in the GCL. The list of prospects is expected to grow as the Pirates signed top-20 international prospect Julio de la Cruz last month.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are finally tapping into a market of young players that was previously overlooked by the organization. Ironically, it will be the previous owner's $85,000 player, Starling Marte, that jump starts what hopefully will be a long tenure of international success in Pittsburgh.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 



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