Pirates/MLB category, Page 221
Tim Benz: Patchwork Pirates, odd MLB season deliver as advertised over first weekend
The first weekend of Major League Baseball in the coronavirus era was exactly as advertised — not just for the local team but league-wide. From an MLB perspective, viewers across the country quickly got used to cardboard cutout fans, manufactured crowd noise and runners beginning extra innings at second base....
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates manager Derek Shelton had a ‘pretty good’ day with first win
Derek Shelton entered the Zoom room for the postgame interview following the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, his first win as a major-league manager, shook his soaking-wet silver hair and slicked it back. “How was your guys’ day?” Shelton said. “Mine was pretty good.” The first...
Pirates plan for Gregory Polanco to start out as designated hitter when he returns to playing
When Gregory Polanco returns to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup, the right fielder likely first will be used as a designated hitter. Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that’s the plan for Polanco, who has been working out at PNC Park this weekend after being cleared to return from a positive covid-19...
Pirates pitcher JT Brubaker shares a special moment with Derek Shelton in MLB debut
The magnitude of the moment of his major league debut didn’t cross JT Brubaker’s mind until he set foot on the infield dirt at Busch Stadium to face the St. Louis Cardinals. “As soon as I stepped on it, it hit me: the adrenaline, the nerves, the excitement, everything that...
Pirates win eventful game for Derek Shelton’s 1st victoryVideo
The Pittsburgh Pirates debuted their gray road uniforms with “Pittsburgh” in cursive across the chest, classic throwbacks to the early 1990s, and that wasn’t even the most prominent script change Sunday. Derek Shelton shuffled the starting lineup, a move the Pirates manager insisted was scripted before the start of the...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates can’t wait to get Gregory Polanco’s bat back in lineup
The news that Gregory Polanco has been cleared to resume workouts and could return to play soon couldn’t come at a better time for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Manager Derek Shelton was careful to remind us not to get reactionary because it’s only been two games, but the first three batters...
Cardinals cruise past Pirates behind 38-year-olds Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina
The St. Louis Cardinals turned to the tried and true Saturday afternoon with Adam Wainwright on the mound and Yadier Molina behind the plate, a battery with a combined three decades in the majors. The 38-year-old pitcher and catcher combined to keep the Pittsburgh Pirates in check as the Cardinals...
With no fans allowed at PNC Park, Pirates to launch virtual fan initiatives for home opener
When the Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park, it will be without fans in the stands because of the coronavirus pandemic. So the club is launching a virtual fan experience, starting with Monday’s home opener. The Pirates are encouraging fans to follow online at Pirates.com for in-between innings staples such...
Pirates’ Steven Brault will start home opener; Gregory Polanco cleared to return
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced left-hander Steven Brault will start the home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night at PNC Park and confirmed right fielder Gregory Polanco has been cleared to return after testing positive for covid-19. Shelton said Polanco is going through the MLB health and...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Derek Shelton’s debut was memorable in the most important waysVideo
When Derek Shelton was introduced first, the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie skipper took in the moment that was a half-century in the making and nothing like he had envisioned for his MLB managerial debut. Shelton wore a protective mask covering his face from the coronavirus, and beautiful Busch Stadium was otherwise...
Cardinals spoil Derek Shelton’s managerial debut, beat PiratesVideo
Derek Shelton finally made his long-awaited debut as Pittsburgh Pirates manager, only for the old hitting coach to find his team in a pitcher’s duel. In a battle of right-handers, Jack Flaherty outdueled Joe Musgrove to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a season-opening 5-4 win over the Pirates on...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton stands behind a kneeling Jarrod Dyson before season openerVideo
As Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals players held black fabric during the national anthem as a symbol of their unity in combating racial and social injustice, Jarrod Dyson took a knee and bowed his head. Before his MLB debut as Pirates manager, Derek Shelton showed support for his starting...
Mark Madden: Fauci’s symbolic 1st pitch and other storylines surrounding start of unprecedented MLB season
“Opening day — or Opening Day. Depending on how you feel about it.” — Jim Bouton, “Ball Four.” Major League Baseball season is upon us, even if it probably shouldn’t be. Dr. Anthony Fauci threw a first pitch at Nationals Park in D.C. that made Baba Booey look like Greg...
Let’s go Bucks: Gov. Wolf’s tweet to Pirates wished good luck with gaffe
Gov. Tom Wolf wished the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies good luck for the MLB season. Or at least tried to. Wolf tweeted the message Thursday afternoon, but included the wrong spelling of the Pirates’ nickname, writing “Bucks” instead of Bucs. @GovernorTomWolf That’s a swing and a miss, sir! But...
VideoChart: All-Time Pirates Home Run LeadersVideo
Our latest VideoChart ranks the Pittsburgh Pirates with the most career home runs in the franchise’s history. Which player’s rise in the charts surprised you the most? Want to see more animated stats? Check out all of our VideoCharts here....
Fantasy podcast: Baseball is back! Mookie’s millions. Missing out on PNC Park may hurt Blue Jays.
Baseball is back! So that means fantasy sports players have their hobby back as well. What better day to have Jeff Erickson join us from RotoWire to look at the start of the Major League Baseball season. We talk about how crucial it is for fantasy owners to watch teams...
‘Burgh’s Best to Wear It, No. 38: Jason Bay jammed way to history for Pirates
The Tribune-Review sports staff is conducting a daily countdown of the best players in Pittsburgh pro and college sports history to wear each jersey number. No. 38: Jason Bay Jason Bay remains the only player in Pittsburgh Pirates history to win the National League Rookie of the Year award, achieving...
First Call: Antonio Brown is actually 100% right about something. Lyke on gambling. Fitzgerald on Blue Jays.
Friday’s “First Call” tackles three big topics before we hit the weekend. College sports gambling. Why the Toronto Blue Jays were snubbed in Pittsburgh. And Antonio Brown — for perhaps the first time in his life — may have a point. When Himmothy is right, Himmothy is right Here’s something...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Nik Turley took long road to making Pirates’ Opening Day roster
What might have seemed but a footnote when the Pittsburgh Pirates finalized their Opening Day roster is actually an incredible comeback story for relief pitcher Nik Turley. That the 30-year-old left-hander, a non-roster invitee to spring training, made the 30-man roster for Friday’s season opener at St. Louis was Turley’s...
Primanti Bros. offering free french fries to Pirates fans on Opening Day
Pittsburgh-area Primanti Bros. locations will be giving away free french fries to Pittsburgh Pirates fans on Friday. The promotion is part of the Opening Day celebration of the coronavirus-delayed start of the 2020 MLB season. Opening Day for the Pirates is July 24, at St. Louis. (The first home game...
Derek Shelton ready for his delayed MLB debut as Pirates manager
The Pittsburgh Pirates wanted a new voice, and they found one who is as quick with a compliment as he is a wisecrack, one who isn’t afraid to delegate or deal with criticism that comes with sitting in his chair, one whose two-decade wait to manage a major league game...
Pirates finalize 30-man roster for Opening Day by adding infielder, 2 pitchers
Now that the Pittsburgh Pirates have finalized their 30-man roster, Derek Shelton is ready to fill out his Opening Day lineup for the first time as a major-league manager Friday at the St. Louis Cardinals. It won’t be the memento Shelton waited two decades for, starting in the minor leagues...
‘Burgh’s Best to Wear It, No. 39: Dave Parker brought lumber to Pirates in 1970sVideo
The Tribune-Review sports staff is conducting a daily countdown of the best players in Pittsburgh pro and college sports history to wear each jersey number. No. 39: Dave Parker He has the hardware — two batting titles, a National League MVP award, an All-Star MVP trophy and, most importantly, a...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Derek Holland earns starting job, but will he pitch home opener?
Derek Holland was dressed in black and gold from head to toe, with an emphasis on the Pittsburgh gold spikes that stood out when the left-hander took the mound Wednesday night for the Pirates at PNC Park. Holland looked like someone who was auditioning to start the home opener, catering...
Pirates preview: Outside circumstances cover bullpen with questions
Neal Huntington knew the value of a strong bullpen in an era when starting pitchers are typically pulled after six innings. The former Pittsburgh Pirates general manager made what appeared to be good trades for closer Felipe Vazquez and setup man Keone Kela, hoping they could nail down tight games...
