The Outrage That I don't Understand Continues

So fans are really mad about this McClouth trade. The P-G interviewed fans about it before the game. I've said what I have to say about it. But I really would have to like to have read some fan interviews from after the game. I mean as long as fans are going to be so fickle let's at least capture the transition over the course of a few hours. Anyone still mad about the trade after McCutchen put on his show is either a moron, or someone who just likes to complain. I think the morons were outnumbered.

This was my favorite part of the P-G's fan reaction article.

"I've been a Pirates fan long enough to see it every year," Jeff Bennett, who walked up to the game with his son and purchased tickets, said yesterday about the seemingly annual trades of promising players. "Who's next?"

OK buddy, so you're outraged... but you're still buying tickets. Way to send a message to management about what a terrible job you think they're doing.

I say if you're mad don't spend the money. So that means don't buy a McCutchen jersey. You'll have to tape over the V-O-G-E-L-S-O-N-G on the #22 jersey you bought in 2005.

And here's something else for the complainers to chew on.

One more thing worth pointing out. It looks like the Pirates Single A squad the Lynchburg Hillcats are holding a "Trades that Infuriated Pirates Fans Bobblehead Series This Summer." On July 17th it's Aramis Ramirez night, followed by Nate McClouth on August 15th.

They're Shitty

I looked for a picture of the Japanese turf crew guys, but this is the best I could do.

Eight in a row. And the last three weren't even close. I told a friend the other day I'm amazed at how bad this Pirates team is. He asked if I was really amazed. My response was for them to start the way they did, (great pitching, solid hitting) and then for it all disappear the way it did, yes I am amazed. Just a few weeks ago they were four games above .500 and I was looking at the standings on an off day just to see if other teams would lose and maybe they could get a taste of first. Today, they stand seven games below the .500 mark and are dead last. My solution, time to start focusing on the Royals.

Murderers' Row

Murderers' Row if you're a Pirate fan watching these guys that is. What is it about this current line up that can make some average pitchers look like this year's Cy Young candidate. I posed this question to Dejan this week for his Q&A, but since I wasn't one of 20 people whining about pitch counts it didn't make it. So look out... I did some research on my own. So far six guys have thrown some gems. And look at the names, Chris Carpenter, Mike Hampton, Aaron Harrang, Yovani Gallardo, Bronson Arroyo, and Johnny Freaking Cueto. Carpenter hasn't pitched another game since, Hampton is 1-2 with a 4.88 era, Harang 2-3 3.09, Cueto, well that was his first win of the year. Both Gallardo & Arroyo are having good seasons, Gallardo 3-1 2.86, and Arroyo 4-1 with a nice fat 4.32 era. Bucs face Gallardo again today, my prediction, Gallardo 4 Pirates Nothing.

No Breaks on the Off Day

Every NL central team except the Bucs and Astros had an afternoon game today. Giving the Buccos a chance to taste a little first place without doing a thing. Alas, Albert Pujols screws them again. Two dongs for that guy, while the Cards blast the Mets. Bucs share second with the Cubs. Brewers Dave Bush damn near threw a no hitter. Former Pirate great Matt Stairs blew it with a ball off the foul pole for the Phils.

Wehnerless

Following your favorite teams from the other side of the country can be a little tough. But I have already found one perk of the MLB extra innings package... road announcers calling Bucco games.

Now instead of listening to John Wehner ramble on about the gout in John Russell's elbow while Zach Duke is in the process of giving up one hit during five innings, I get to hear the take on the Bucs from the other side.

During Wednesday, final game against the Marlins I realized I was hearing more about the Pirate players than I ever have during an FSN Pittsburgh broadcast.

On top of that it's been interesting to hear the different tone those opposing analysts have taken with the Pirates in this short season. In the opening series the Cardinals' guys talked about the Pirates like someone would talk about a gnat that's been bothering you. One of the guys even talked about how the Pirates can be dangerous early in the season, because the guys don't realize they don't have a chance yet. Wednesday, a different story. The Marlins' men in the booth raved about the defense, and timely hitting from the squad that was showing the red-hot Fish how it's done.

Well, if those guys think these Pirates aren't too bad, maybe there is hope is this year.

Or maybe we're just waiting for Russell's gout to flare up.