Arrrgh: News of Ye Pirates

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Pirates released Craig Hansen today: He's the St. John's closer a lot of the mediots championed as a top Mets draft pick in 05 (we selected Pelfrey instead and Hansen fell to the Red Sox).

That leaves the Pirates with just one player (discipline-challenged AA hurler Bryan Morris) left from the Jason Bay-Manny Ramirez Megatrade of 2008. Brandon Moss and Adam LaRoche also came and went with no return.

Feel free to put additional Buc-related news in this thread (and to start others? Yes? No?). They are hanging in that Central race at 3-2.

[Guest Edgy DC]

They're playing the Pack of Cards right NOW!!!

You can also chat with team president Frank Connelly this afternoon here.

[dinosaur jesus]

I'm skeptical about that Kiner kid. He's got some power, but I think he's going to be exposed when all the pitchers back from the war are at full strength again. I do like that Al Gionfriddo, though. I'm not saying he's Paul Waner Jr., but he looks like the goods to me.

[seawolf17]

Maybe that Kiner kid should konsider a kareer in broadcasting instead.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Back goes Dinosaur Jesus. Back back back back back back back

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Coonelly says players are confident and fans should be in for a fun summer at PNC Park.

Also, minors are so stacked that hard decisions on the 40 are forthcoming and Pirates in a switch might be forced to trade some for Major League help.

Do you guys like the team thread idea?

[batmagadanleadoff]

For every team? I dunno. But on a personal level, in the now of MLB, the Pirates interest me more than any other team in baseball (other than the Mets, of course). I've been following the organization since the end of last season.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeah I'm interested too. Why do they interest you?

[Ceetar]

I'm sure I'll go long periods of time without thinking about the Pirates. or the Royals. I am interesting in hearing about them somewhat, but maybe a just general 'those other teams' or by division?

[batmagadanleadoff]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Yeah I'm interested too. Why do they interest you?

Because who's not interested in an underdog? Because with a reasonable amount of good luck (and the Pirates are sure due for some of that) they might be a dominant team in another year or two, and since they're no longer in the NL East, I'm fine with that. Plus, historically tasteful uniforms, at least during my lifetime of watching baseball. Because when I was a little kid, Willie Stargell used to scare the shit out of me like no other opponent -- in a good I feared him out of respect sort of way. The best ballpark in baseball. (I've never been there but everybody that I know that's been there thinks so.) And I harbor this odd curiosity for Primanti's -- is it quality or overly-popular schlock food? I don't know, but I'm hankering to find out first-hand.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Ceetar wrote: I'm sure I'll go long periods of time without thinking about the Pirates. or the Royals. I am interesting in hearing about them somewhat, but maybe a just general 'those other teams' or by division?

Like, "Pirates... and Friends?"

Buccaneers are up 1-nil behind a Ryan Doumit RBI double and a strong-so-far, worm-killing Correia (

) start.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That's a 3-1 final for the Buccos as Correia out-aced Carpenter.

[metirish]

Love it , my other fave team.....Hansen had all that hype but it never happened for him.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Correia (Korea! Career! Korea! ).

Nice touch.

[TransMonk]

I'm going to remember all of this Pirate-love when the end of May comes, you peg-legged, bandana-wearing friends of Polly.

[Theoldmole]

[Guest Edgy DC]

Plenty Planned Before Pirates Take On Rockies April 7, 2011 8:42 AM PITTSBURGH (KDKA) � In a sure sign of spring, the Pirates will take the field over at PNC Park this afternoon for their 2011 home opener. The Pirates host the Colorado Rockies at 1:35 p.m. Baseball fans are set to flood the North Shore as they head over to the ballpark for game time, and there is plenty planned before the first pitch. The gates open at 11:30 a.m. and all fans will get a 2011 Pirates magnetic schedule. The pre-game festivities include a tribute to late Pirates legend Chuck Tanner. Also, members of the military will be honored. Tanner, who passed away back in February, guided the Pirates to the World Series championship in 1979. Several of his family members and some former players will be on hand for the ceremony. Once the tribute is unveiled, it will be on display at PNC Park all season long. A video remembrance is also planned. For the military tribute, a color guard made up of local representatives from all five branches of the military will take the field. There will also be a moment of silence to honor members of the Pirates family who have passed away, as well as for those impacted by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The team is set to collect donations to help those natural disaster victims, with all proceeds going to UNICEF. The team will also announce the recipient of the annual Pride of the Pirates award. Then, the first pitch will be thrown out by Chuck Tanner�s son, Bruce, and caught by former Pirate Manny Sanguillen.

PNC is 10 years old.

[TransMonk]

Coming into gameplay on 04/07/11...the Pittsburgh Pirates are your NL Wild Card leader.