AUBREY BRUCE
Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future. Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future. I want to fly like an eagle, to the sea. Fly like an eagle let my spirit carry me. I want to fly like an eagle till I’m free, oh, Lord, through the revolution. (Steve Miller Band) Oh Lord the 2013 Pirates are at 1-5 with a winning percentage of .167. Now let’s see. Can we blame pitching? H’mm Pittsburgh has played 6 games, with a 1-5 record with a 5th best E.R.A of 2.82. So it is not the boys’ on the hill that we should be yelling and screaming at. Hey but wait the “slumber company” is dead last in the NL in hitting with a .119 batting average with 8 RBIs and 1 homerun in 6 games. Lord, Lord, Lord if this atrocious offense does not pick up in the next 6 games, someone somewhere had better bring out their microscope and begin seriously evaluating talent in the minors. Although in some circles that might be cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face because the present day Pirates are considered by many baseball aficionados as just another minor league team. A few of my associates have adopted what they consider to be a “revolutionary spirit.” They say things like; “I will not go to the ballpark just to sit and watch the Pirates lose.” My response is always; “Well if you stay at home and watch them lose on “ROOT” Sports they may still lose but if they win you have blown the opportunity to take the family on an outing to witness the beginning of a possible Bucco’s winning streak. See boys’ and girls’ if your squad is fifth in pitching and dead last in hitting the chances of the team being at or near the top of the leader board in any baseball league whether it is little league, pony league, rum league or the big leagues is slim to none. Pirates starting pitcher James McDonald lost a 3-2 heartbraker to the Chicago Cubs last week and was very benevolent about the Pirates hitting or lack thereof.
He said, “It’s not frustrating, those guys play hard behind me every day. It’s only a matter of time until we start scoring four or five runs a game … 12 runs. You’ll see us put up runs soon.” McDonald being the team player that he is spoke highly of a Pirates offense that has been up to this point in the season, should I say less than stellar. Cleanup man Pedro Alvarez, who went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, struck out on three pitches with no outs in the ninth inning with the tying run at third base and the winning run at first. Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future. All this talk about we are gonna win soon, well the formula does not seem like it will be discovered or rediscovered in 2013 or any year, anytime soon. Well I must admit the last sentence might have been a bit too cynical. Plus I really, truly believe that in spite of their atrocious start the Pirates still have a chance even though you might not be able to tell by some of the comments of the current crop of players or their manager. As of the writing of this column, the Pirates were preparing to face the Arizona Diamondbacks who were sporting a 5-1 record, exactly opposite the 1-5 albatross that the Pirates were dragging around. The Diamondbacks will be facing Wandy Rodriguez (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who helped the Pirates (1-5) to their only win, 3-0 over the Chicago Cubs last Wednesday. Rodriguez surrendered two hits, one walk and struck out six over 6 2/3 innings. After the masterful shutout Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said; “He’s a pro.” Well what is that saying? Are the rest of his pitchers, not pro’s. Rodriguez who sported a 12-12 record in April before his start against the D-Backs must have been a pro 50 percent of the time and not a pro the other 50 percent of the time. The Pirates have to find and get on a high horse and ride it until it collapses. They may not make it to the finish line but they have to “ride their pony, get on their pony and ride” either to victory or oblivion. Let’s forget all of the talk about big markets, small markets, free agency, salary caps, rich owners or not so rich owners (show me a rich or not so rich owner). Baseball like any other sport has to be about desire and heart; and taking responsibility. Although there has been season after season of the Pirates standing in the “losers circle” now is the time to put up or shut up. The infielders have to dive and do a few cartwheels attempting to stop a ball from leaving the infield. Outfielders have to run over, around and through hail, sleet and rain and scorching sun to track down balls within and oftentimes balls on their way to the stratosphere. The time for woe is me is past. These guys get paid like everybody else and should be expected like everyone else to perform above and beyond their ability. Don’t boycott the team, go to the games buy a hotdog and a soda. Boo them into the next galaxy when their play is less than expected and cheer them to Valhalla when they play well…..nuff said
(Aubrey Bruce can be reached at abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-583-6741.)