Official Game Thread - 9/26 - Bucs vs Brewers

[Surgnbuck]

I honestly expected to get home and find out Shelton was fired after this embarrassing display for the final home game of the year. If you were watching on television, what you didn't see after Cruz gets picked off second, is he just stayed there on his knees for the longest time. Tarrick Brock came over and spoke with him. The boos were raining down on him.

He looked all the part of someone who didn't want to be here anymore, meaning, playing big league baseball. I'm sure he'll get over it. Maybe, just maybe, it's starting to sink in with him. His talent only goes so far. He isn't a baseball player. It was without a doubt the worst individual game I've seen anyone on the team have all season, excluding pitchers.

I'm no fan of De La Cruz either. However, I did say before it happened, "I'd love to see this guy hit one HR while I'm here at the park. He's only hit 2 for the Pirates since they acquired him." The very next pitch.....

I got the foul ball on a ricochet. There was a young kid near us earlier, but he had left long ago, he never realized me and Mister Man had already tagged him for any foul balls. So these two guys behind us ( I was with my nephew and his fiance also) took our picture, and he jokingly said, "Only if I get the game ball." So we said sure, and we tried to give it to him, because it was his first baseball game. He couldn't believe it, but didn't take the ball in the end. It was a foul ball from Bryce Turang, for the record.

Other than someone getting two home plate club tickets to a game next season, the fan give aways that weren't bat/baseball/jersey related were reminiscent of the stuff you find in the baskets at a Chinese auction at a youth sporting event. Coupons for a facial.Coupon for a restaurant. I remember when they used to give away partial season ticket packages, 10 game plans, televisions, etc.

It was a pleasant day, it was overcast, not very humid, not a drop of rain. The crowd was pretty small, I remember when the last home game would bring in about a half full park.

I can't wait till next year.

[fjk090852-7]

Mitch Keller goes 1-7 with an ERA over 6.60 to finish August and September. Laying the foundation for next year.

To be serious I hope he isn't injured.

I know he hasn’t pitched well lately, but 1-7 is very concerning. I sure hope he isn’t injured. We will see how he does next spring.

[Wildwoodcoach]

I honestly expected to get home and find out Shelton was fired after this embarrassing display for the final home game of the year. If you were watching on television, what you didn't see after Cruz gets picked off second, is he just stayed there on his knees for the longest time. Tarrick Brock came over and spoke with him. The boos were raining down on him.

He looked all the part of someone who didn't want to be here anymore, meaning, playing big league baseball. I'm sure he'll get over it. Maybe, just maybe, it's starting to sink in with him. His talent only goes so far. He isn't a baseball player. It was without a doubt the worst individual game I've seen anyone on the team have all season, excluding pitchers.

I'm no fan of De La Cruz either. However, I did say before it happened, "I'd love to see this guy hit one HR while I'm here at the park. He's only hit 2 for the Pirates since they acquired him." The very next pitch.....

I got the foul ball on a ricochet. There was a young kid near us earlier, but he had left long ago, he never realized me and Mister Man had already tagged him for any foul balls. So these two guys behind us ( I was with my nephew and his fiance also) took our picture, and he jokingly said, "Only if I get the game ball." So we said sure, and we tried to give it to him, because it was his first baseball game. He couldn't believe it, but didn't take the ball in the end. It was a foul ball from Bryce Turang, for the record.

Other than someone getting two home plate club tickets to a game next season, the fan give aways that weren't bat/baseball/jersey related were reminiscent of the stuff you find in the baskets at a Chinese auction at a youth sporting event. Coupons for a facial.Coupon for a restaurant. I remember when they used to give away partial season ticket packages, 10 game plans, televisions, etc.

It was a pleasant day, it was overcast, not very humid, not a drop of rain. The crowd was pretty small, I remember when the last home game would bring in about a half full park.

I can't wait till next year.

In regard to the give aways, I am not surprised.

[Surgnbuck]

Surprised no comments on how awful a game O'Neil Cruz played today. He singlehandedly gave the Brewers one and possibly 2 runs with poor outfield play and throws. He singlehandedly killed two rallies being picked off first and second ending both innings.

Bryan De LA Cruz also helped contribute to a couple of runs dovetailed on Cruz. He also had an opportunity to make a diving/sliding catch instead just pulling up.

Yesterday's hero Liover Peguero was awful at shortstop and should have been tagged with at least one error, and he was completely overrated at the plate.

I have seen enough to know that going forward, IKF and Gonzales should be starting at SS and 2B. Triolo is the new Alika Williams. Go with either him or Peguero as the utility guy and cut bait with the other. Termarr Johnson is at best 2026 away, and likely IKF replacement.

Still in the market for a first baseman. Maybe Endy can do it, but they need a bat. FA anyone? Not Vogelbach, Tellez types, an actual guy.

Still don't know about Cook and Yorke. That will have to sort out at ST.

A lot of STH disgruntled by the increase in price coupled with decrease in perks. Travis is running the Coonelly model, as the team shows some promise, their most loyal fans get squeezed.

But in the end I just care about the team assembled, warts and all. Management comes and goes, but being a Pirate never changes

[Doc]

Surprised no comments on how awful a game O'Neil Cruz played today. He singlehandedly gave the Brewers one and possibly 2 runs with poor outfield play and throws. He singlehandedly killed two rallies being picked off first and second ending both innings.

Bryan De LA Cruz also helped contribute to a couple of runs dovetailed on Cruz. He also had an opportunity to make a diving/sliding catch instead just pulling up.

Yesterday's hero Liover Peguero was awful at shortstop and should have been tagged with at least one error, and he was completely overrated at the plate.

I have seen enough to know that going forward, IKF and Gonzales should be starting at SS and 2B. Triolo is the new Alika Williams. Go with either him or Peguero as the utility guy and cut bait with the other. Termarr Johnson is at best 2026 away, and likely IKF replacement.

Still in the market for a first baseman. Maybe Endy can do it, but they need a bat. FA anyone? Not Vogelbach, Tellez types, an actual guy.

Still don't know about Cook and Yorke. That will have to sort out at ST.

A lot of STH disgruntled by the increase in price coupled with decrease in perks. Travis is running the Coonelly model, as the team shows some promise, their most loyal fans get squeezed.

But in the end I just care about the team assembled, warts and all. Management comes and goes, but being a Pirate never changes

De La Cruz has certainly been a disappointment. Hard to say if he's just trying to hard to impress of if he's just not that good. I wouldn't complain if they parted ways with him or if he were brought back to try again. But I wouldn't give him more than 4-6 weeks next season to prove himself.

Peguero has been a disappointment because he had to see, or even be told, that there was an opportunity for him to play short in Pittsburgh because of how Cruz was butchering the position. He did little in Indy to show he belonged up here. For that reason I'm not sure he's worth keeping around. With Gonzales, IK-F, Yorke, Hayes, and even Triolo, there's little use for him. That still leaves the team without a superior defensive player at short but IK-F doesn't hurt the team if he's forced to play there. He's at least steady, he catches the ball, and he knows what to do.

Alika Williams should not be employed by the organization for even one minute after the last out on Sunday. Having him is just an indication that they don't care even a little bit.

You said the team still needs a first baseman. That's been the case, and we can also include right field and third base, since before PNC Park opened. Those three positions have been black holes, and there's no reason to dig deep to discover why: they're typically manned by power hitters, players who cost money. As for Endy, when the best we can say is "maybe he can do it", that's not a winning formula. I'm not expecting much from him. He didn't show a whole lot with the bat last year and he had ample opportunity.

I still don't know the purpose Travis Williams serves. Competitive organizations have a president who's a baseball guy, kind of a super GM. What does Williams even know about baseball? If he disappeared into the jungle for a year no one would know he was gone. There would be no difference in the performance or success of the team. He's completely useless in the pursuit of wins and the postseason.

Other than all of that, things seem to be going fine.