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Jim O’Brien: “Getting Warmed Up for Pirates’ Opener”

Jim O’Brien: “Getting Warmed Up for Pirates’ Opener”:

Pittsburgh sports author and Valley Mirror columnist Jim O’Brien

I have been doing a lot of traveling lately. Over the past six weeks I have spent a week in Los Angeles, a week in New York and a week in Phoenix. Sometimes you have to leave Pittsburgh to appreciate Pittsburgh, and you have to have comparisons to know its strengths and its weaknesses.

I spent eight days in Phoenix late last month with my buddy Alex Pociask, who flew in from Chicago, and we stayed in Sun City West at the home of his sister, Mary Alice, and her husband Gerry Rowley.

Phoenix is a nice place to be in the winter, even though the weather was actually better in Pittsburgh that particular week. Poor planning on my part, I guess. It was the first time I have been in Arizona for Cactus League action. I have been in Florida for Grapefruit League play, but that was long ago, so this was a refresher course on spring baseball activity.

It’s much more of a big deal than it was when I was starting out as a sportswriter back in 1969 at The Miami News.

The ballparks are bigger and brighter and it cost four times as much to see a game. Our tickets in Arizona last month ranged from $20 to $25, but we had seats in the shade behind home plate and by first base, and, for a pale Irishman, seats in the shade these days are priceless.

We saw three Cactus League games over a six-day stretch. We saw the LA Dodgers against the Texas Rangers at Camelback Park in Glendale. There were some good plays in the field, but the highlight of the day was watching former Dodgers’ manager Tommy LaSorda dozing off in the dugout. His chin hit his chest more than the Dodgers, now owned by basketball great Magic Johnson among other investors on the West Coast.

We also got to see Rangers’ owner Nolan Ryan, a Hall of Fame pitcher whom I first met when he was a young wild-throwing pitcher on the New York Mets in 1970 and 1971 (he was 18-25) over those two years when I was working for The New York Post.

The next day we saw the Rangers again, as the visiting team against the Arizona Diamondbacks, at Surprise Complex. The following week we saw the Los Angeles Angels play the Kansas City Royals back at Camelback Park.

I wanted to see Albert Pujols in an Angels’ uniform. Pujols might be the most productive player in baseball right now, and I hated to see him abandon the St. Louis Cardinals in favor of the Angels, no matter how much money the Angels were throwing his way. How much is enough?

He looked comfortable in the bright red uniform of the Angels – not much difference there – but he didn’t have a great day in the sun. He struck out looking on his first at-bat, and then went 0-for-4. He did hit a solid line drive to left field, but it went foul. He’s still No. 5 and the number still looks small on his broad back. He still looks like he believes he’s going to hit the ball – and hit it hard – every time he gets set in the batter’s box.

Two teams share most of the ballpark complexes in Arizona. The state has done a great deal to attract major league teams to the area.

I swear the only stretches of green grass I saw in Phoenix were at the ballparks and at the golf courses of retirement communities such as all the Sun City developments by Del Webb.

People forget that Del Webb was once one of the owners of the New York Yankees.

I did miss the green, green grass of home. Stone chips filling the yard just don’t do it for me even if it eliminates having to mow the lawn.

I didn’t realize when I made my plans for the trip to Phoenix that the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament would have some regional games there, or I would have included that in my itinerary as well.

I did watch the games on television and I was glad that the tournament came off so well in Pittsburgh, and the site of the basketball action on the floor at Consol Energy Center was a familiar one, and a point of pride to a Pittsburgher.

I met people from Pittsburgh and McKeesport and Beaver Falls and South Fayette when I was in Phoenix. I think they went there to get away from it all. “Too many negative people in my family,” moaned the man from McKeesport during happy hour at Sun City Festival, a brand-new community that is really in a remote location.

While there, we also toured the University of Phoenix Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals. I have only toured one other stadium, Heinz Field just before it opened, and let me say there is no comparison. The Cardinals, who were always thought to operate on the cheap side, really did it right.

Their stadium is definitely an all-purpose domed stadium. It’s the one where the football field slides on a tray in and outside the stadium so that real grass can get natural sunlight and thrive in the desert surroundings. The stadium can seat between 64,500 and 72,000 fans. A gun show was to open the day after our visit. It would be a great stadium to have in Pittsburgh.

The view of downtown Pittsburgh and the surrounding hills, green hills that is, would be the one aspect that is better at Heinz Field.

Former Pitt star receiver Larry Fitzgerald is the face of the Cardinals and his likeness can be seen everywhere one goes in Phoenix. That, too, was a point of pride for a visiting Pitt man.

Even before I traveled to Arizona, I kept thinking that the Cardinals and their stadium and Larry Fitzgerald would make it the perfect place for Peyton Manning to play when he was checking out his options.

Manning has thrived while playing in a domed stadium where conditions are always perfect, and Danny Marino can tell him there’s something to be said for practicing and pitching passes in a warm weather city like the one he enjoyed in Miami.

I also thought that Manning would be in good hands with head coach Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, who were part of the Steelers’ coaching brain-trust under Bill Cowher.

In addition, it was my opinion that the Cardinals would be wise to add Hines Ward to their receiving corps. They took a big hit in that respect two years ago when they lost Joachim Bolden and Steve Breaston (the former Woodland Hills and Michigan grad) to free agency. I thought Ward would be the perfect complement to Fitzgerald. They know each other well and respect each other’s talents.

I have a different view from most of the media in this town, or anywhere else for that matter, about Hines Ward. I believe he can still be a valuable component for a championship team in the National Football League. I think he’d be great again with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

He’s certainly a safer bet than adding Randy Moss to the mix. I think Harbaugh made a big mistake picking up Moss, who sat out last season and was a distraction for other clubs before that. Moss could ruin what Jim Harbaugh established in his first highly successful season with the San Francisco 49ers.

The media keeps pointing to the fact that Ward’s production went down last season. That’s true, but it happened because he wasn’t on the field as much as he had been in previous seasons.

For some reason, the Steelers’ coaching staff soured on Ward last season. They had three gifted speedsters at wide receiver in Mike Wallace – he’d be the first to tell you how great he is – and Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. When Mike Tomlin was asked about Ward, he never sounded too supportive, as if he’d lost faith in him.

I don’t think the Steelers owe anything to Ward – he has had 14 mostly great years with the team – but I think they are making a bad judgment on his ability. He can still help them.

They’re all much faster than Ward and they can beat you deep and he can’t. But Ward knows how to play the game, and how to contribute in other ways – such as blocking downfield – and he knows how to get open, how to separate himself from a defensive player.

That would have come in handy down the stretch last season, and especially in the Steelers’ one-and-done playoff game, when they had a wounded quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. Bruce Arians has Roethlisberger throwing fade passes into the corners of the end zone – the same play that won the Super Bowl against the Cardinals – after Ben had already demonstrated that he couldn’t throw the ball as accurately as he can when he’s healthy.

I don’t get it. Everyone has given up on Ward. When I was in LA and New York and Phoenix, I never saw Ward’s name appear in the national reports about who was out there and available in free agency.

Ward is a tad younger and certainly in better physical shape than Peyton Manning, less of a problem in the clubhouse than Randy Moss, and, while we’re at it, he’s younger than A.J. Burnett, the newest Pirates’ pitcher.

I think Manning is still a risk. Neck surgery is always a precarious deal. He could get re-injured real fast next fall. I don’t know why he picked Denver. I think John Elway talked him into it.

I’m not on the inside anymore in pro sports, but there are things I can recognize from being out there on the sports front for so long. I think John Elway still believes he’s the best quarterback ever to come along in the NFL, and that he will be looking over the shoulder of Manning from Day One.

I thought it was a bit odd at the conclusion of last season that Elway said that Tim Tebow would be the starting quarterback for the Broncos when they went into summer camp. I thought that decision should be made by John Fox, a former neighbor in Upper St. Clair who was an assistant coach at Pitt and with Bill Cowher’s staff on the Steelers. I thought head coaches made those decisions.

Now Tebow is gone, and I couldn’t think of a worse place for him to end up than playing for Rex Ryan and the New York Jets. When I was in New York in March I couldn’t get over how negative the newspaper reports are each day about New York ballplayers and celebrities and political figures. Who needs that? I thought Tebow would have been much better off going back to Florida and quarterbacking the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He might have been the savior for keeping the franchise in Jacksonville. I don’t care what all these experts, including ex-Steelers’ star Merril Hoge, think about Tebow not being an NFL-caliber quarterback. To me, he’s a winner and he will find a way to win. He proved that last year as a rookie in Denver. He certainly proved that when the Broncos beat the Steelers in overtime in the AFC playoff game.

Tebow and Mark Sanchez say they are great friends and Tebow said 30 different ways that he is “excited” to be with the Jets, but I think it’s a pairing that won’t work. The foul-mouthed Ryan will rub Tebow the wrong way and wear on him real soon.

Now back to A.J. Burnett, bouncing around like we have been in our travels the past two months. The New York Yankees do not get rid of a pitcher if they think he can still win. The New York Yankees buy pitchers who can win. I’ll repeat that. The Yankees don’t give away good pitchers; they buy good pitchers.

Some point out that the Yankees had too many starters, and the Pirates are paying Burnett just $13 million over two years, while the Yankees are still responsible for $14 million over the same stretch. So, he’s cheap for a starting pitcher in the major leagues these days. Don’t get sick to your stomach on that note.

The Pirates have gone down this road before – remember Matt Morris? – paying big money to pitchers who can’t win anymore.

We already know Burnett can’t bunt the ball. He’s going to have to do that in the National League where there are no designated hitters. He put himself in the hospital when he attempted to bunt a ball during the Bucs’ Bradenton stay and he’s still in the rehab process after bunting a ball into his eye socket during spring training.

I never liked the look of A.J. Burnett when he was pitching for the Yankees. Forgive me this one, but he doesn’t look like a winning pitcher. He’s got a weak chin. How’s that for an inside scouting report?

When I was in LA, I had breakfast with Bill Sharman, one of my all-time favorites as a player and coach in the National Basketball Association, and as a coach in the American Basketball League and American Basketball Association.

Sharman holds a distinction that sets him apart from the pack in Major League Baseball. He was once a member of the Dodgers’ organization – see they have a history of having Hall of Fame basketball players in their make-up or DNA – and he was called up to the Dodgers late one season.

He never got in a game, but he was in the dugout one day when an umpire tired of heckling coming from the Dodgers’ dugout and cleared the bench. So Sharman holds the distinction of being the only player to be ejected from a major league game who never played in a major league game.

I plan to be in the press box this Thursday for the Pirates’ opening game at PNC Park. I am looking forward to it. PNC Park is special – the Pirates got it right – and I enjoy being there.

A sports broadcaster friend of mine was in Bradenton for a few weeks and he tells me that Pedro Alvarez, the Pirates’ young third baseman who is supposed to be one of their saviors, appeared completely lost whether he was at bat or at third base during spring training.

See you at the ballpark.

Pittsburgh sports author and Valley Mirror columnist Jim O’Brien has a book called “Fantasy Camp: Living the Dream With Maz and the ’60 Bucs. His website is www.jimobriensportsauthor.com and he can be found on Facebook and LinkedIn.

E. Lee North, Author, Battling the Indians, Panthers & Nittany Lions: Washington & Jefferson College’s Century of Football, 1890-1990

E. Lee North:

First, can you tell readers a bit about your writing career and how you got started as an author? What about your time at Washington & Jefferson influenced your writing career, and how?

Well, I have said it was W & J that got me into writing, as I was editor of The Red and Black for a couple of years and did a lot of work on our old Alumni Bulletin. But not too long ago I found my diary for the year 1941; I was a senior at Bay Shore, LI, NY High School.

Why, I do not know, but I recorded just about everything from January 1st into September, 1941. That was one of the most critical years in US history — along with 1776, 1861, 1929, and 2001. Author House published the diary a few months ago as “The 1941 Diary of a Deaf Long Island Teenager.” But there is no question that the work at W & J propelled me ahead into the literary world.

Your new book “Battling the Indians, Panthers & Nittany Lions: Washington & Jefferson College’s Century of Football, 1890-1990” covers W&J’s football history – what inspired you to write this book and what are some lessons/stories about the program you were most anxious to get across to readers?

I was lucky to enroll at W & J, particularly since I was brought up in New York. My Dad, Lt. Col. Edward L. North, fought in both world wars but moved from civil engineering to management at Wheeling Steel in 1942–before he re-joined the Army for WW II..

W & J was close by, so I visited, and was accepted. I not only learned of some of the Presidents’ athletic and educational super-stars, I met some, particularly Wilbur F. “Pete” Henry, our athletic director. Although he was an all-time All-American football player, at W & J and in the pros, he was one of the most unassuming gentlemen I ever met. I had to put a whole chapter on Pete in “Battling” to tell his story.

Many may not realize how many modern day connections there are between this small school and today’s NFL. Roger Goodell, Dan Rooney, Dan Rooney Jr. all attended W&J, as did Green Bay’s former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. How did W&J end up having such an impact?

Going back to W & J’s early football years, despite an enrollment of under 500 students (and we were all-men til 1970), the Presidents competed with Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, and many other top gridiron elevens. I think Coach Bob Folwell (1912 to 1915) was one of the finest football coaches ever, anywhere.

After graduating from Penn, where he was a star and football captain, he started coaching at Lafayette in 1908. As did W & J, Lafayette took on the grid powers. Coach Folwell led them (1908-11) to a 22-4-1 record and they were ranked with the top teams. Enter W & J’s great Graduate Manager Robert Murphy: he heard the rumors that Coach Folwell was not happy with the situation at Lafayette.

Somehow Manager Murphy convinced Folwell to switch to W & J. In his four years at Jay (1912 through 1915) , Folwell’s teams won 35, lost four, and tied three. But did they play anybody good? Well as examples, they beat Pitt three times in four games, and won two and tied one in three games with West Virginia.

Folwell went on to coach at Penn and Navy, and coached the NY Giants first football team in 1925. Health problems forced him out of football in the 1920s. Noted football statistician Tex Noel lists Folwell as one of the top five college coaches.

How did you go about researching this book – who helped and were you able to work with any of the people you wrote about in the book?

I received help from dozens of people in doing the Hundred-Year history… since we contacted every team W & J ever played (still extant), we managed to include inside information on many of the stars W & J played against.

From the W & J side, I have to salute then-Pres. Howard Burnett, Athletic Director Paul Reardon, and publicists Ed Marotta and Susan Isola. And Coack John Luckhardt provided tremendous help (see Ch. 17 and 18. I did list more than one hundred helpers in Appendix I (“Acknowledgments.”) BTW, I searched through many athletic histories in libraries, and believe ours has the most comprehensive index of all.

What were some of the biggest surprises you came across as you researched the book?

To be honest, it was one surprise after another, all the way from W & J’s season of 1890 thru most of the 1930s. How could this little college compete — and beat — so many great football teams? I think it was a combination of western Pennsylvania athletes; people who dedicated themselves to the Red and Black; and especially – Grad Manager Robert Murphy, so dedicated he mortgaged his house to get the funds to take his family to his own Rose Bowl game.

How can readers purchase the book?

Contact the Book Store, W & J College, 60 So. Lincoln St., Washington, PA 15301. Also, the publisher, Daring Books, Canton, OH. And it’s listed on the internet outlets.

There were dozens of NFL players from this small school that played in the 20’s and 30’s – why was this the case and who were some of the most notable players from that era?

Again, I think it was dedicated people— the coaches and administrators, who sought out and trained W & J’s football players. And the fact that western PA has always been a fertile ground for football talent.

Our most noted gridders would include Pete Henry, Clark Shrontz, John Spiegel (led nation in scoring in 1913), Britt Patterson, Bill Inglis, Forrest “Jap” Douds (blocked THREE punts in a West Virginia game), Burlieigh Cruikshank, Bill Amos, Russ Goodwin, Scrubby McCreight, Charles “Pruner” West, and — maybe the best of them all — Hal “Swede” Ericksen, played 1919-22 including the Rose Bowl.

Alas, there are really a hundred W & J players who could be added to the list, please see our Chapter 19, wherein we list the best players by position and list our top opponent players.

You were the Publicity Director at Washington & Jefferson for a while as well. What are some of the interesting experiences you had in that role?

There were many, but I’ll just mention four—

1/ that trip to Forbes Field and the press box with Pete Henry;

2/ W & J put forth plans for perhaps the first “green” study in the country. Our office got a lot of publicity out of it. It was to be an environmental program and would be funded mostly by the state. Plans were approved by the state legislature… BUT our Board of Trustees turned it down! I was a bit disappointed, but in retrospect, believe the Board did the right thing, they did not want the state to start running our school.

3/ President Jim Case asked me one day if I’d go to Pittsburgh with him to a Board meeting. Of course I agreed. It was in a nice old hotel as I recall, with one of those long oval tables. Purpose of the meeting was I believe for President Case to defend his “overspending.” Case was adamant in explaining “G D it, we have to go ahead, we cannot go back,” and more words to that effect. I was a bit of a 24-year-old neophyte, but I worried that Case would be gone. He soon was.

4/ Invited to speak at a youth affair, I walked up stairs to the meeting behind Honus Wagner, the Pirates’ Hall Of Fame shortstop. I’d heard that he was quite bow-legged. It was true, I could see people up ahead while looking up through Honus’s legs. What an honor!

Are you a Yankees fan as a New Yorker now? I know you are a big Pirates fan after living in Western PA for a while.What are your thoughts on the Pirates today – do you see real progress being made?

No, no, I am not a Yank fan, that was only in my teen years. Since I went to W & J and Pennsylvania, I’ve been for the Pirates. Loved those “Lumber Company” (Stargell and all) signs we used to see by the airport. Recent years have been terrible for the Bucs, but there’s always a next year. I do think they’ll improve a lot this year.

Any new books on the horizon?

Mentioned the new 1941 Diary above. In addition, I’m working on a wolf book. My “EYES THAT HAUNT” novel was published a few years ago, It’s a story of a man saving a wolf from a trap, and the wolf later returning the favor. We’ve gotten some nice reviews, but the best was from W & J President Tori Haring-Smith: “Thanks for your wonderful book, Eyes That Haunt.

As you may know, I am an animal lover, and the relationship between Trapper and Kai-No [our wolf] is beautifully drawn.”

In response to your question, I’m working on a sequel to “”EYES”… they’re shooting the wolves from airplanes and helicopters in Alaska, and I’m hoping my Trapper and his little wolf pack can put an end to it.

Any last thoughts for readers?

I hope they can find a copy of “Battling” — it’s in some libraries and last I knew, the College has more for sale.

Thanks, Pittsburgh Sports Daily, for having me.

Rum Bunter Blog

Rum Bunter Blog:

First, can you let readers know about RumBunter – what inspired the idea (and the name) and how you developed your unique approach in your coverage of the Pirates?

We wanted an original name. Nobody has ever guessed what it means which I think is really cool. We’ve had a bunch of people ask about it, and some have even ridiculed it a bit, cough John Perotto, but that just adds to the fun of the blog. The Pirates are our team and we wanted to create something that fans could stop in and maybe laugh a bit and at the same time learn something too.

What should readers expect in 2012 from RumBunter?

It’s an election year, so more moaning and groaning than ever before. Seriously, we have no idea, however we do have a much more talented roster than ever before.

We were lucky enough to land two great writers recently. Both come from well established blogs within the Pittsburgh sports scene. Jon Anderson from mceffect.com and Jeff Snedden from steelworldorder.com. Kurt Evans will be cranking a record number of photoshops when the regular season starts. C. Fortwo and A. Pendl have been tremendous in getting the highest level of guests for the RumBunter Podcast Show.

There seem to be an inordinate number of Pirates blogs compared to other Pittsburgh sports teams. How have you been able to differentiate yourself from other Pirates/baseball blogs – what do you think makes your blog a “destination site” for fans?

If RumBunter were a newspaper, we are the comics section. That is always the best part, so that is what we want to be. Sure there are somewhat serious posts, but baseball is still a game. Let’s have some fun.

What have been your favorite and most interesting stories you’ve covered so far, and why?

When the Pirates were winning ballgames in the first four months of the 2011 season, it was by far the best story imaginable. Hands down. It was a blast.

Have you had the opportunity to meet any of the players? if so, who and how did that go – and if not, who would you most like to meet and have a beer with, and why?

Yes, we’ve met most of the players and it has been enjoyable. We’ve been fortunate in that regard. We still haven’t met AJ Burnett. Having a beer with him would seem like a really good time. It might need to be a few beers, actually.

How important was the McCutchen signing for your perspective – and do you think this plus the Burnett trade starts to finally make this team more attractive to other free agents?

Signing McCutchen was absolutely a must for the organization. It makes the organization legit. AJ Burnett having success will make the team attractive for free agents a little bit, but Erik Bedard, a lefty in PNC Park performing well could open the door even further.

Who do you think will be the biggest surprise/breakout players in 2012 for the Pirates?

I have been on a jinx stretch during the first part of spring training, so I must be very careful in my selections. I mentioned a lefty in the question above, that is one and on offense El Toro will surprise.

Do you get the sense of a renewed optimism on the team for 2012? What should fans realistically expect from the Pirates in 2012? And is that enough of a jump from 2011?

I worry about the insanely challenging schedule in April. It appears that Clint Hurdle is pushing the team to focus early on which will be very important, but I am not sure it will be enough.

I believe fans can expect a more sound defensive team which will keep them in more games. The team will be more competitive, without a doubt.

The question I have is will the offense be enough? The pitching was very strong in the beginning of 2011, if the offense could have been better the team would have won even more games, so the balance will be key.

Who are the Pirates prospects you are most excited about seeing in the next couple of years in the majors?

In the immediate future: Kyle McPherson. Starling Marte. Justin Wilson. Rudy Owens. Tony Sanchez.

In the distant future: Josh Bell. Jameson Taillon. Gerrit Cole. Josh Poytress. Robbie Grossman.

The talent is in the system. We are really looking for some big years from the 2009 draft class. The pitching talent in that 2009 class should really take a step forward this year. When that happens the entire Pirates organization makes a big shift inside the top ten farm systems in baseball. A move like that can open up some serious trade partners to fill some offensive holes the Pirates have.

If you had one day to take over as GM of the Pirates, what do you do, and why?

Kick a few kids in the ass from some of our more recent draft classes. Especially a few from the 2009 class. The team is starting to look better and perform better, but it really needs quite a few more prospects to turn the corner to be a solid team.

I would want a copy of the internal valuation system and how it was developed. Great question.

Any last thoughts for readers?

Thank you for reading the blog. God bless all of you. This losing has to end sooner or later. (Right??)

Virginia Montanez – That’s Church Blog

Virginia Montanez – That’s Church Blog:

First, can you tell readers about your blog That’s Church – what you cover, what inspired you to start the blog and what readers should expect in 2012?

I started my blog on a whim, really. Back in 2006, I just wanted a place to put down my thoughts about Pittsburgh, so I started The Burgh Blog thinking it wouldn’t ever become anything. Little did I know.

I mostly like to draw attention to the things that make Pittsburgh great, the news stories that make Pittsburgh quirky, and the sports teams that make Pittsburgh rabid. I’ve been doing that since 2006, and 2012 will be much the same.

“That’s Church” – ok … are you a Snoop Dogg or Monk fan – and is Snoop Dogg being a Steelers fan a good or bad thing?

I’m not really a Snoop Dogg fan, but I am a huge Monk fan. It was my sister, however, who drew my attention to the fact that Snoop Dogg used “That’s church” in a Monk episode. She used the phrase in a family email and I just stole it and made it my own.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing that Snoop is a Steelers fan, but let’s remember he’s been spotted in a Patriots jersey and has attended Ravens camp, too. I just don’t see how you can be a Steelers fan AND a Patriots and Ravens fan. Not possible!

You also write for Pittsburgh Magazine. What stories of yours are you most proud of so far, and why?

I’m most proud of my column about my experience flying home one Christmas with my children, and how Pittsburghers made the trip much more bearable. I’m also proud of my letter to Roberto Clemente. I wish more than anything that he could read it.

If you could ask any Steelers and Penguins player one question each, who would you interview, what would you ask them, and why?

First, can I add in the Buccos? I realize they suck, but I’m a huge fan. If I could, I would ask Andrew McCutchen and Mike Wallace if they would agree to a foot race to settle once and for all who is the fastest runner. My money is on Andrew.

As for the Penguins, I’d probably ask Matt Cooke about how he felt about his reputation as a dirty player and what was the single biggest thing he did or change he made that allowed him to alter his game to fix that reputation.

You have covered Pittsburgh extensively, expressing a deep appreciation for the city and it’s sports teams. From your point of view though, does Pittsburgh place too much of it’s identity in the hands of it’s sports teams? Why/why not?

Maybe there was a time when we did, but I don’t believe we as a collective whole do that any longer. We have way too much to be proud of and to identify ourselves with outside of sports.

We have technology and world-class education and a vibrant, active outdoors lifestyle. We’re greener than we ever were, more Hollywood than we ever were, smarter than we ever were, and more innovative than we ever were. I think now more than ever, when you tell someone you’re from Pittsburgh, their brain might first call up the image of one of our sports teams, but then I think they’ll go to all the OTHER wonderful things they’ve heard about us lately.

What makes Pittsburgh special?

We’re a little big city made up of true neighbors that value our blue collar past in such a way that we continually “keep it real” no matter how successful we become or how many accolades we garner as a city.

It’s like when you meet a famous person and you’re worried he’ll be pretentious or standoffish, and you fret about putting your elbows on the table or saying the wrong thing, and then you get to know him and he’s the most down to earth, normal, unaffected person you could ever meet. THAT’S what Pittsburgh is.

What’s next for you? Are you looking to further parlay your writing career/blog to radio or other media?

I’m a writer. I use my words … my written words … to profess my love for the city. I don’t particularly have much desire to branch out into other media. I’m shy. I’m not exactly the most extroverted girl you’ll ever meet, so, no, I think I’d like very much to just stay a writer.

What Pittsburgh athletes have you met (if any) – and how was that experience? If you haven’t met any, which would you most like to hang out and have a beer with, and why?

Well, I met Mario Lemieux at a fundraiser and chatted with him for a short bit and the experience sort of blew my mind. He was tall and gentle and kind and soft-spoken and perfectly normal. I don’t remember what exactly I said to him, but whatever it was, I know I sounded flustered and ridiculous and probably a bit worshipful, and that’s fine with me.

He’s a Pittsburgh icon and if I ever meet him again, I will probably be just as awkward. He fries my brain or something.

If you could be the GM of one Pittsburgh team for a day, what team would you choose and what would you do as GM?

Oh, man. I’d choose the Buccos, of course. But honestly, what can you possibly do in one day to fix twenty years of losing? I’d probably bring a priest, a voodoo doctor, a scientist, a witch and Anthony Robbins with me to see if they could maybe put their heads together and figure out a way to remove the curse that has clearly been a pox upon our team since that day Sid Bream destroyed our 1992 World Series dream.

I’m pretty sure it all started there.

Jay Reisinger, Sports Attorney

Jay Reisinger, Sports Attorney:

First, can you let readers know how you and your firm got involved in sports law – was this an intended focus for you all along?

Since I was a student at Allegheny College, the field of sports law had interested me. After my first year in law school, I was fortunate enough to land an internship with Sam Reich (brother of famed sports agent Tom Reich). Sam handled a number of sports-related matters for Tom and his clients.

After law school, I joined Sam’s firm full-time, and handled a number of sports-related cases, from high school eligibility matters to MLB salary arbitration. I eventually moved to my own firm in 2008, where my focus is almost entirely sports-related.

You’ve handled a number of large cases, including working with Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte and their legal issues concerning performance-enhancing drugs and hormones. Which of your case(s) have you been most proud of, and why?

I am proud of all of them, because I feel we served each of them well with respect to their individual matters. However, I am most proud of the work that we did for Andy Pettitte. We were able to extract him from the circus-like atmosphere that surrounded the Roger Clemens matter and put him on his own path, which certainly inured to his benefit.

How do you deal with the immense media presence around these cases – how do you prevent them from being distractions?

It is our general policy and practice to refrain from making public comment in on-going legal matters. We have found that, in general, it does not serve a client’s legal interests to speak with the media.

There is a balance between an athlete’s public persona and his legal interests, and we attempt to strike that balance, however, an athlete’s legal interests always take precedence, and most often, public comment does not serve those legal interests.

How has being in Pittsburgh helped your practice?

Initially, I was mentored by two of the finest sports lawyers in the business, Sam and Tom Reich, who are both Pittsburgh natives.

Pittsburgh also has a significant number of nationally known sports attorneys, and my interaction with them has played a large role in growing my practice. On a personal note, my entire family lives in Pittsburgh and I enjoy a great deal of family support in my professional endeavors.

A good deal of your work is as an attorney in salary arbitration – including representing Pirates players. How do you prepare for these hearings- what data do you use and how heated can these hearings get?

Salary arbitration hearings for MLB players take place in February each year. I usually begin preparing my cases in September, and then continually revise my analysis in the following months. On behalf of players, we utilize a proprietary statistical program that allows us to compare even the most obscure statistics in an effort to determine a player’s proper place in the salary structure.

The negotiations leading up to a hearing can often get quite heated as each side gets entrenched in their respective positions. The hearings themselves can also get quite heated, but are always professional.

How do you avoid these negotiations getting so personal that they permanently taint the player-organization relationship – and how have you found the Pirates to be in these negotiations compared to other teams – I know you had some good battles with Pirates Counsel Larry Silverman in the past.

I have never been involved in negotiations or a hearing where it became so personal that it permanently tainted the player/organization relationship. As a player representative, you have to check your ego at the door, and act in the best interest of the player, and part of that process is to maintain the player/organization relationship.

A player’s representative has to be that buffer between the player and the organization, and take the heat for the player, and conversely, apply pressure on the organization from the player’s perspective in such a way that it comes from the representative, not the player.

I have always found the Pirates to be extremely professional in these situations. I have always had great battles with Larry Silverman (also a Pittsburgh native), they were always spirited, but professional. In almost every instance, both Larry and I left the bargaining table a little disappointed with the result, which really is the hallmark of a good deal for both sides.

Any thoughts on the issue of concussions with players in the NFL and NHL? There are a couple of lawsuits now against the NFL and the NHL could be prone to the same. What is your take on the whole concussion issue?

The concussion issue has been ignored in professional sports for far too long. Leagues and the players unions need to do a better job in evaluating the problem and creating solutions, to the extent they can be created. At the end of the day, there are always going to be concussions in professional sports (especially in the NHL and NFL), it is a risk that players assume. However, the treatment of concussions falls to the teams and their medical staffs, and that treatment needs to evolve as more research is conducted.

I also have a personal interest in the concussion issue. I have a son who plays Mite hockey and a daughter who plays travel soccer. Concussions are increasing at the youth sports level (most likely a result of increased awareness and diagnosis), and as a father, I am paying close attention to concussion issues in youth sports. I am hopeful that with increased awareness and research, concussions in youth sports can be reduced and the treatment of concussions will continue to progress.

What Pittsburgh athletes have you represented in non-arbitration type cases? Any interesting (and repeatable) stories from these?

I have represented a number of Pittsburgh-based athletes in both civil and criminal matters. Unfortunately, the attorney/client privilege prevents me from commenting, but needless to say, it’s always been an adventure!

What would surprise readers most about your work?

I think my clients would surprise readers. Many people have a misconception that professional athletes are, in the main, arrogant and selfish. I have found it quite the contrary.

In most of my dealings with professional athletes, I have found them to be considerate and appreciative. Many of them are different in person than they are on the field.

You write consistently for the Sports Agent Blog as well (//www.sportsagentblog.com/tag/jay-reisinger/) – what issues do you find yourself discussing most with your peers now and what are the biggest concerns behind those issues?

I often blog about labor issues in sports. I believe that the leagues, in the main, have taken the upper hand in labor negotiations (especially in the NFL and NBA), and it is detrimental to players and players’ rights.

For example, the personal conduct policy in the NFL is a sham. Without the ability to appeal league discipline to a neutral third-party arbitrator, the players are at the mercy of the Commissioner. It’s these types of issues that concern (and interest) me. I also have a personal blog in which I discuss sports issues (//www.jayreisinger.blogspot.com/).

Jack Bogut, Pittsburgh Radio

Jack Bogut:

Can you give readers a quick idea on how you decided to enter into broadcasting and what made you decide to pursue this career – and how you landed in Pittsburgh in 1968?

A friend got a job at a brand new radio station in Dillon,Montana and when I heard his voice coming out of the radio in my Mom’s car, I wanted some of that fame for my self. (The whole story is contained in track #2 of my storytelling CD, “Mental Movies” entitled – “Failing Your Way to Success.”)

While working at KCAP in Salt Lake City, I was asked to do a pro bono recorded presentation sampling all the radio stations in the market for The National Association of Broadcasters convention being held in our city. It was heard by the National Program Manager for Westinghouse Broadcasting who stayed in town to listen to my show and ultimately offered me a job at KDKA.

What have been the favorite – and least favorite – parts of the job?

Favorite: the chance to be accepted by a large audience, useful to the community, have fun, and get paid for it.

Least favorite – Negotiating contract renewals.

You’ve been in the broadcasting business for over 50 years now – how has the business changed over the years – and has it been for the better?

The number of radio stations competing for listeners is much greater today, to the extent that we all “narrowcast” to a specific age and gender niche instead of “broadcast” to a general audience of men, women and children of all ages. We were also encouraged to be personalities on the air and develop a personal relationship with the audience.

It is the nature of things to change so radio is no better or worse than it was, just different.

You’re so well-known for your on-air storytelling. How did that begin for you – and how hard is it to come up with so many new story ideas?

Listening to music always creates mental images for me. Playing that music on the air and extemporaneously verbalizing what I see or feel over it became a form of word jazz I called “Home Movies (or videos) on Radio.” Sometimes I would have an ending in mind and make up a story to fit, or have a beginning in mind and have to find a way to end it before the music ran out.

It was a little scary but great fun to do.

Is oral storytelling becoming a “lost art”?

I think people are becoming reluctant to tell stories because of the need to be politically correct. Society has become very territorial about individual space and rights and seems to look for ways to be offended. A wise person once said that adversity brings us together; prosperity pushes us apart. What happened on 9/11 is a good case in point.

What sports and teams have you enjoyed most – and why?

I have long been a fan of The Steelers, The Pirates, and The Penguins. All of these teams are metaphors for the rest of us. When they work totally together as with no thought about individual achievements, they are unbeatable. When they don’t, individual players still shine but other teams can win.

Who have been some of the most enjoyable athletes and coaches you’ve met – and what made them so?

Steve Blass, Dave Guisti, Kent Tekulve, Chuck Tanner, Dan Rooney, Chuck Noll, Andy Russell, Jack Ham, Mike Wagner, Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Mel Blount; all were great leaders and team players first, and individual stars, second. They were also outstanding members of the community with their support of local charities and organizations.

What have you experienced that you think would surprise fans most about Pittsburgh and/or any of it sports teams?

When it comes to giving, Pittsburgh is one of the most generous communities per capita in America.

Any last thoughts for fans?

All of the athletes and owners I have met and known say essentially the same thing. “Fan support can be the difference between a championship and “almost…”

Go Steelers! Come back Pirates! Thank you, Mario! And return safely, Sid!

William Dagen, President of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame

First, how and when do the Beaver County HOF get started?

The Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame had its first banquet in 1976 and has been running yearly ever since. The organization originally consisted of 13 sports-minded figures in the county. One of those happened to be Tito Francona, by the way. The first President and generally known as the founder of the BCSHOF was Alex Scassa, Sr. It was always Alex’s goal of writing a history of sports in Beaver County. An annual banquet basically took the place of detailing Beaver County’s rich heritage in sports.

Continue reading “William Dagen, President of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame”

Donnie Iris – Pittsburgh Rock Icon

Donnie Iris:

First off, can you tell readers what you’ve been up to lately and about your new album and upcoming gigs?

Starting sometime after the first of the year, we will start working on a new CD.

You’ve been a stalwart of Pittsburgh’s music scene for many years. How did you get started and what advice would you give other local musicians who want to make it as well?

I started singing at a very early age. My mother played piano, and she taught me how to sing.

You’ve been a stalwart of Pittsburgh’s music scene for many years. How did you get started and what advice would you give other local musicians who want to make it as well?

My advice to people who would like to get into the music scene would be to work hard and long, whether just singing or playing or writing. And don’t quit.

Many see the life of a musician as all bright lights and glamour, but it’s a tough business. What’s been the most difficult aspect of the music business for you and how have you been able to overcome it and stay active for so long?

The toughest part of the business has been the financial aspect. It sometimes can be very difficult to make a living in music. Many artists give up because they can’t make ends meet just doing music. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to follow my heart and make a living at music, VERY fortunate!

Who influenced you most in terms of your approach to music and how have you been able to use that influence to create your own sound as opposed to just “copying” another’s?

My influences have been varied. People I looked up to and influenced me most were Marvin Gaye, Tony Bennett, The Beatles, and many more.

The Pittsburgh music scene has been growing in prominence but hasn’t launched that huge local artist recently. Is anything missing from the local scene to foster more musical talent?

I think the Pittsburgh music scene is alive and well. Many wonderful artists occupy this area. Whiz Khalifa is a prime example.

On to sports….are you a sports fan – and if so, what teams to you follow most and just how avid a fan are you?

I am a huge Pittsburgh sports fan! Steelers, Pirates, Penguins. It don’t get no better!

Have you had any experiences playing for/around some of the area athletes or hanging out with them? If so, what were those experiences and players like?

I played at Deisel acouple of times and hung with Big Ben, Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith. Great guys.

Any last thoughts for readers?

Parting words for my Pittsburghers: We are really lucky to live here! My take is that Pittsburgh is truly a special place.

Cory Giger, Altoona Mirror – On Pirates, Penn State

Cory Giger, Altoona Mirror (August 8, 2011)

First, the Pirates were fielding a patchwork team with so many players out with injury. Which of these players can come back soon and start helping this offense – and will they return in time?

It is remarkable the Pirates were able to hang around in the division race as long as they did playing so many backups, including going seven deep at catcher with Eric Fryer.

The losses of Alex Presley in particular and also Chase d’Arnaud were big because those guys brought speed and a spark to the top of the order. Will they return in time? No.

The swift and utter collapse of the pitching staff has killed the team’s chances. They allowed 8.2 runs per game during the 10-game losing streak, which makes it virtually impossible to win. Everyone knew the pitching would come back to reality at some point after being so good for this long, but it has to be maddening to Pirates fans to see all of the starters fall apart like they have at the same time.

How frustrating was it for the players knowing that as good as they’ve been, they could have been so much better with those injured players in the lineup? Have those injuries served as a rallying cry/furthering of the underdog role for this team?

No doubt everyone is frustrated about the team’s potential had there not been all the injuries, but let’s face it: They were still right near the top of the standings before this collapse by the pitching staff.

The club probably would have won a few more games up until the Phillies series had the offense been better, but with the way the pitching has fallen apart, it wouldn’t have mattered because the wheels still would have fallen off like they are now.

How excited were you about the Pirates’ recent acquisitions of Lee and Ludwick? Can these two realistically help this offense in a significant way?

They were decent moves. I gave Neal Huntington a B- for the deadline because everyone knew he needed a couple of bats, and he got a couple of veterans without having to give up much.

The acquisitions really haven’t had much of a chance to be difference makers because, again, the pitching has been so bad. It’s incredible how baseball works sometimes. The pitching carried the team all season, and just when some moves are made to bolster the offense, the offense really doesn’t have much of a chance because the pitchers suddenly fall apart.

In your opinion, did the front office over-rate their own prospects as they dealt with possible trades? What trades did they turn down to retain prospects?

I don’t think so. There was no reason to trade a Jameson Taillon or Stetson Allie or Starling Marte unless the return was tremendous, and there didn’t appear to be any deals like that out there.

Maybe they could have gone hard after Hunter Pence, but it probably would have taken Taillon and Marte for that, and given that the club was already starting to fall back in the race, that wouldn’t have been a good move.

Alvarez is still struggling at the plate. What’s the issue there and can this get resolved this season?

Pedro is overmatched right now at the major league level. That’s obvious to everyone.

The organization needs to tread very carefully with him right now. As long as he can at least stay afloat to some degree, then it’s best to keep him in the majors for at-bats so he can get the experience.

However, if he keeps flailing at pitches and striking out a ton and drops into the .170 range, it can do a lot of damage to his confidence. We’re getting closer and closer to September, so I’m not sure what good it would do to send him to Triple-A for a week or two and then call him back up. I can see, though, platooning him so he doesn’t have to face lefties or pitchers with pinpoint control who can eat him up on the inner part
of the plate.

Marte seems to be a player without a position when it comes to the Pirates, as a centerfielder, as he’ll always be stuck behind McCutchen. Should they consider trading him for other positional talent?

Marte is a very good player with a lot of skills who looks like he can be a solid everyday big leaguer.

But he probably will never be as good as Andrew McCutchen, so the Pirates have a very big decision on their hands at some point. I think McCutchen will be moved to a corner spot as his power continues to develop, which can save his body some wear and tear, and that would open up a spot for Marte in center.

But Marte also is behind both Alex Presley and Jose Tabata, so those will be tough decisions dividing up playing time. I would expect one of the three to be traded at some point.

In order, I’d keep Marte, then Presley and then Tabata. I’ve long questioned how effective Tabata can be as a corner outfielder until he develops some kind of power, plus he’s not as good of a pure hitter as Presley.

How have the pitching phenoms looked – Taillon, Allie and Heredia so far? Any cause for heightened optimism or concern yet?

There should be major concern for Allie, even though it’s just his first year.

People I trust have told me he doesn’t know where the ball was going when it left his hand for the State College Spikes, and he doesn’t have a long history of being a pitcher to fall back on to give him confidence.

The Pirates fell in love with his power arm and gave him a big contract, and that is highly suspect given that he had not pitched much as an amateur. Just because a guy throws 100 mph doesn’t mean he can do anything as a pitcher. It’s way, way too early to give up on Allie, and he will be given every opportunity to improve his command for several years.

As for Heredia, he’s so young and it’s so early in his career that he still has a ton to learn about being a pitcher and facing professional hitters. Stats don’t mean anything for him at this point given that he only turned 17 on Aug. 10.

Looking at this team next season, what does this team look like to you? What changes can you see that can help this team further improve, and who will be ready to contribute from the minor leagues next season?

The easy answer is that the team will be better, based on improvements from this year.

But I don’t think it’s that simple.

Can Kevin Correia match what he did the first half of this year? Can Jeff Karstens or Charlie Morton?

I doubt Paul Maholm will be around because the Pirates should not spend $9.75 million on his option.

The point is, there’s no telling what will happen to the pitching staff next year or if all of this we saw this season was a one-time blip that provides false hope. Now, the offense should be better, and it’s unlikely there will be as many injuries as there have been this season. So the younger players will still be developing and coming into their own. Also, Pedro Alvarez simply can’t be any worse than he’s been this year, so that’s somewhat of a positive.

As far as minor leaguers being ready to help, I’d say Brad Lincoln will have to be given a shot in the rotation, and maybe Rudy Owens can make a push, although he hasn’t been as good as everyone hoped this season in Triple-A.

Changing gears a bit, you’ve also written a book – “They Know Joe: Behind-The-Scenes Paterno Stories From Those Who Watched His Legend Grow”” – what inspired you to write the book and how can readers purchase it?

I co-authored the book with my colleague at the Altoona Mirror, Neil Rudel, and we had a blast.

It’s a collection of personal stories from all kinds of sports figures about Joe Paterno. We reached out to people from across the sports world who have known Joe for a long time and got them to share their favorite memories and personal anecdotes about the Penn State coach.

We have forewords from President George H.W. Bush and Bobby Bowden, plus chapters on people such as Dan Rooney, Lou Holtz, Kerry Collins, John Clayton, Johnny Majors, Vince Dooley, Beano Cook, Chris Fowler and many, many others.

The book is available at AltoonaMirror.com and by calling 1-800-222-1962.

What surprised you most about Paterno as you researched and (co) wrote the book?

It wasn’t exactly a surprise, but everyone — and I mean everyone — has a story they enjoy telling about Joe.

The man has been a legend for so long and has touched so many people that they all appreciate the opportunity to share their memories. It was fun contacting big-name people around the country and have them be willing to take part in our book.

Tim Williams, Pirates Prospects

Tim Williams, Pirates Prospects (August 11, 2011):

First, can you tell readers about your Piratesprospects.com web site – how it got started and what your plans are for it moving forward?

I started Pirates Prospects in January 2009. At the time it was called BUCCO Fans. I was writing for a company called AccuScore, providing content to ESPN, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and Versus on the NFL, NHL, and MLB. For obvious reasons, I didn’t get a lot of opportunities to talk about the Pirates.

I also noticed a lot of the same questions being asked on Pirates forums: how many options does Player A have? What’s the contract status of Player B? And then there were the general questions about the prospects.

At the time, I lived close to Lynchburg, which was home to the high-A team. I figured I could provide some first hand reports on the players coming in to the system, and answer all of the contract questions, since I love researching the rules of baseball.

Going forward, I’ve got big plans for the site. It’s already a credentialed media outlet with every level in the Pirates’ system, but my goal is to make it the top outlet for all Pirates news.

I’m planning on covering the MLB Winter Meetings this off-season from Dallas, and I’ll be down in Spring Training next year for the entire month of March.

When I started the site, I didn’t think there was any way it would be a full time job. We’ve seen over a million hits in the last two months, and at this point I’m not putting any limitations on what the site can one day be.

I always say thank you to the readers, and that’s not just a token thanks. I can’t really express how much the support shown to the site has meant to me.

How do you think Clint Hurdle has handled what might be his first big challenge as the Pirates manager – i.e. the big losing streak?

I think the real impact will be displayed over the next few weeks.

They rebounded well in the last few games, taking the series against the San Francisco Giants on the road. They have a very tough schedule coming up, and a lot of people have pretty much written them off because of the losing streak.

They can make a big statement with how they rebound from the losing streak over the next few weeks. They’re off to a good start.

How has the team dealt with it – do they seem to be playing with the same fire/energy -was .500 a rallying cry?

When you think about it, what this team has gone through this year has been pretty impressive.

Their expected top hitter, Pedro Alvarez, has had an extremely disappointing season. Their other top hitters,Neil Walker, Jose Tabata, and Andrew McCutchen, have had periods of inconsistent play. Their top starter from the last two seasons, Ross Ohlendorf, struggled early on and has been injured all year. They played a third of the season with catchers six and seven on their depth chart. Two of their big free agent additions on offense were big disappointments. They’ve lost Ronny Cedeno twice due to injury, which is a big loss considering his defense, and considering that the pitching staff has been carrying the team.

It’s impressive that the team has managed to overcome all of that, while plugging in replacements from AAAwith little to no major league experience, and keeping things together until late-July/early-August.

I don’t think .500 was really a goal, and it shouldn’t be, but it would definitely be nice to see for the fans, and I think the team has a good shot with a lot of their injured players set to return soon.

Do you feel the All-Star break hurt this team in cutting short the momentum and focus it had?

I think you could make that argument for some players. Andrew McCutchen has certainly struggled since the break. However, the team won four out of five coming out of the break, and took sole possession of first place for the first time all year.

I think a better focus point would be the injuries to Alex Presley and Chase d’Arnaud. They were providing a spark at the top of the lineup that really seemed to disappear during the losing streak.

In discussing prospects, which “under-the-radar” prospects do you think will surprise fans next season and make it to the big leagues?

I always have a hard time figuring out who is “under-the-radar”, mostly because no one is under the radar to me.

I think if we’re talking about someone who is under the radar to casual fans and national media, it could be Matt Curry. He dominated the South Atlantic League, and after some early struggles, has done well in the Eastern League at the AA level. Curry is a left handed hitting first baseman who gets his value from his bat, hitting with power to all fields. If he continues hitting in the upper minors like he has been over the last month, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as the starting first baseman by mid-season 2012.

Curry definitely isn’t under the radar for anyone following Pirates Prospects. A guy who might be under the radar, even to my readers, could be Jared Hughes. He’s been quietly putting up a strong season out of the bullpen this year, recently flashing a 96 MPH sinker in AAA.

I saw Hughes a lot in 2010, mostly as a starter, but also saw him hitting 94 as a reliever. He’s a guy who could provide strong depth out of the bullpen next year, and with a 96 MPH sinker, he might even emerge as a potential late inning reliever.

Indianapolis’ Hague seems to be hitting well again. Could he be the Pirates 1B of the future? If not, why? And if so, what does he still need to work on?

I’ve always seen Hague as having the ceiling of an average major league starter. He’s hit for average at every level, gets on base at a strong rate, plays great defense at first base, and has good gap power, with 15 HR a year potential.

The downside is that he struggles against left handers, which might limit his average in the majors. You also want to see more power from your first baseman. Hague does have power, but it’s shown more as gap power, with a lot of doubles.

I’ve already mentioned Matt Curry. He’s got home run power, plus he’s left handed, which might play better at PNC Park. Hague would have been an upgrade this year over Lyle Overbay, but he ranks third or fourth on our depth chart for first base prospects in the Pirates’ system.

How does Sterling Marte fit on this squad? Is he a man without a position with McCutchen in center field?

We came in to the season higher on Marte than anyone else, having him as our number two overall prospect. He’s got the defensive skills – speed, range, arm strength – to move McCutchen over to left field. That wouldn’t be a bad thing for McCutchen, as left field needs a guy with his range.

The question for Marte is really about his bat, and whether he can hit for average and add some power. He answered a lot of questions this year by hitting for average in AA, and even showing some power.

The biggest concern comes with his low walk rates, and high strikeout rates. We’re not as concerned, since he’s lowered his strikeouts to an acceptable rate, and his speed allows him to bunt his way on base and beat out infield singles, keeping his average high and making up for the lack of walks.

There seem to be conflicting reports on Taillon. Is his record/ERA indicative of his play, or is there more to that? Some reporters say he’s widely inaccurate, others not….

I’ve seen Taillon several times this year, and have spoken with a few scouts about him. His stats don’t Really tell the story.

I talked about this last week on the site. I spoke with an American League scout who said Taillon has the best curveball in the game, Major Leagues included. Combine that with his upper 90s fastball, and you potentially have one of the best combinations in the game.

The key for Taillon will be whether he can drive the ball down through the zone. He’s been leaving his fastball up, and even a 98 MPH fastball is going to get hit when it’s coming in chest high. If he can learn to put the ball low around the knees, he could become a very dangerous pitcher.

He’s still young, and is working on some minor adjustments to make these things happen. Those adjustments might hurt the stats now, but they’ll help down the line when it matters: in the majors.

Sanchez is still struggling in the minor leagues. What’s the issue behind his hitting woes – are the past injuries still affecting him?

At this point I think the biggest issue is that Sanchez is pressing.

It’s hard to say what made the struggles start up. The jump to AA is the hardest for hitters, but Sanchez was also coming off of an injury. The biggest concern is the total lack of power. Ultimately Sanchez will be valuable because of his defense behind the plate, which hasn’t struggled nearly as much as his offense has.

However, his power and hitting skills will determine whether he’s an average catcher with strong defense, or a potential All-Star catcher. It would be nice to see him get his hitting back on track, as the Pirates don’t have any other starting options in the upper levels.

Do you think the Pirates sign their first and second round picks Cole and Bell? How are the odds l ooking for both prospects to sign?

I think they will definitely sign Cole.

As for Bell, I don’t think anyone really knows. In either case, we won’t know until August 15th around midnight. I’ve always been skeptical about Bell and the talk that there’s zero chance of signing him. If that’s the case, why hire Scott Boras as an adviser? Why not see if MLB can remove you from the draft?

I don’t think he’s a guaranteed sign by any means, but if he does sign, I won’t be surprised.

And is there more PR pressure to sign them now in the midst of the team’s downward spiral?

I think the biggest PR pressure will be with Bell.

From what I’ve seen, people understand that if they don’t sign him, it will be because he truly didn’t want to go pro right now, and wanted to go to college instead.

The issue, and it’s something we’ve already started to see, is the talk that it was a mistake to draft Bell in the first place. I don’t see it as a mistake. It’s a high risk/high reward type move. It’s the same approach the Pirates have been taking the last few years with guys like Stetson Allie, Zack Von Rosenberg, Robbie Grossman, and Colton Cain. They’ve been going after guys with strong commitments to college, and trying to lure them away with over-slot bonuses. Bell just happens to have the strongest commitment yet.

Any other thoughts for readers?

Having seen pretty much every player in the system over the last few years, I really think things are starting to look up for the Pirates. We’re starting to see that this year with how the team has performed, even with all of the obstacles they’ve faced.

I think we’ll start to see more prospects make the jump to the majors in the next few years. The highlight will be Jameson Taillon, and Gerrit Cole after he gets in the system. But I think we could also see some good things from people like Curry, Marte, and Robbie Grossman.

It’s definitely a fun time to be covering the minor league system.