At least there's one!

Wandy Rodriguez was fabulous for six innings and rode the waves through a rocky seventh to earn his first win of the season and the same for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Rodriguez (1-0) allowed just two hits,but had to survive loading the bases in the seventh before escaping in his final inning of work.
Tony Watson finished the seventh and eighth as the setup man.

Jason Grilli pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.
Pittsburgh scored two runs in the fourth on an Andrew McCutchen double before a Starlin Castro error scored McCutchen and would score an insurance run in the seventh.
The series concludes today at 12:35 before the Pirates trip to Los Angeles.
James McDonald starts for the Pirates with Travis Wood taking the ball for the Cubs.

Pirate Hooks

1) Wandy Rodriguez allowed only two to the Cubs over six and two thirds and was generally brilliant,but one rap on Rodriguez in Houston was that he was truly a six inning pitcher.
From what I've seen that's justified,but if I can have six like last night,I can live with it.

2) Big play for Rodriguez-fighting off Brent Lillibridge in a long at bat and then freezing him with a curveball for strike three on a full count.
A veteran pitch thrown with confidence.

3) Scary moment came when it appeared that Rodriguez had drilled Anthony Rizzo in the head.
Rizzo went down hard,but replays showed that Rizzo had gotten his shoulder up and managed to take the blow there.Very fortunate for Rizzo and the Cubs...

4) Most of you know that I am more traditional in handling pitchers than the current fad of pitch counts,but even I wondered why Clint Hurdle kept a clearly tiring Rodriguez in with the bases loaded and just one out.
Lillibridge just missed a homer when it hooked foul and missed a shot down the line by about a foot.
I might have bought it with two out,but just one? I did have a few questions...

5) Finally,a small note-the Pirates tried to slide minor league pitcher Hunter Strickland through waivers.
Strickland was claimed by the Giants,so look for a post on our sister site on Strickland.

Photo Credit;AP Photo

Colt McCoy traded to 49ers

The controversial career of Colt McCoy in Cleveland ended Monday as the Browns traded the popular backup to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Browns traded McCoy and a sixth round pick in the upcoming draft and received a fifth and seventh round pick for McCoy.



McCoy was taken in the third round of the 2010 draft out of Texas and quickly became a popular figure with the fans in Cleveland,although he did not seem to be as popular with the two coaching staffs that he played for in his three years as as Brown.
Eric Mangini's staff did not want to play him at all,preferring the near-finished Jake Delhomme and Mike Holmgren favorite Seneca Wallace,while Pat Shurmur played him,he never seemed to truly have confidence in McCoy as he often threatened to use Wallace,despite the problems that move would bring.

McCoy's tenure truly ended on that night in Pittsburgh,with the Browns threatening to pull a huge upset when James Harrison slammed home a huge cheap shot that concussed McCoy and would end his season,despite Shurmur returning him to the lineup.
NFL Network closeups showed a clearly dazed McCoy being returned to the game and then throwing an interception that allowed Pittsburgh to hold on for the victory.
McCoy would miss the remainder of the season and would then never be given a chance to regain the job as Cleveland took Brandon Weeden in the first round during the following off-season.

I don't have an issue with the Browns moving McCoy at this time.
The offense that is being installed does not play to the strengths of McCoy,who does not have a huge arm to throw downfield,which is a huge part of the new offense.
However,I do think his skills fit much better in the Pat Shurmur offense,much better,in fact,of those of Brandon Weeden and McCoy was never given a chance to compete with Weeden.

Good for McCoy,who will be a clear backup for the 49ers and good for the Browns too as they managed to get something,albeit late round picks, for someone that they likely would have released before the training camps began.
Colt McCoy was a good man that never was given the chance to see if he was a good quarterback.
It's good for both parties that this was finally resolved.....

The Browns also released two of the previous regimes free agent signees as linebacker Chris Gogong and safety Usama Young were cut and therefore saved the Browns cap space.
Gogong had been a productive player in 2011,but a training camp Achilles injury forced him to the sidelines for 2012 and considering the Eagles had traded Gogong when Joe Banner was there and the hefty contract that Gogong had been signed to after 2011,this appeared to be a foregone conclusion to me.

Young was signed to start from the Saints in 2011,but quickly proved to be a less than adequate solution at safety,which shows in the Browns need to add someone at the position for this season.

I would not have minded giving Gogong a chance in camp,but understand the cap hit that would allow a player to do so,especially if a player is coming off an injury like an Achilles that hampers mobility.
Young,on the other hand,is a dime a dozen player that can be easily replaced at a lower cost...

On the signing front-Cleanup Edition

Before the season starts,I wanted to clean up the backlog for the signing front before the Sharpies start rolling again!

From the mailbox

Baseball
Former White Sox and Oriole outfielder Don Buford,who signed his 1967 "SOX SOCKERS" with the already autographed Pete Ward.
An all time favorite card of mine!
Former Cubs pitcher Glen Hobbie
Former Cardinals pitcher Tracy Stallard
Former Giants pitcher and current broadcaster Mike Krukow


Football
1969 Heisman winner Steve Owens

Hockey
Devils winger Harri Pesonen signed his Finnish league card

Golf
Former Masters and U.S.Open champion Billy Casper


Thanks to:

Blog favorite Eric Krebs,who sent me a signed card of his from his season with the Sugar Land Skeeters

Mark Bailey,who got Devils Stephen Gionta,Alexander Urbom and Keith Kinkaid for me,but more importantly got Rachel's photos of her with Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson signed for her...

Mike Oravec,who keeps me in his loop for Pirates,Indians and Giants cards.
Too many cool things to count,but standouts were Gene Freese (1959!) Andre Thornton,Charlie Spikes,Rick Manning and Dave Dravecky along with a 1969 Braves rookies card signed by both Gil Garrido and Tom House!
Thanks for the help and friendship,Mike!

The Superfan helped with a trade,but more importantly he did most of my sets for Aberdeen,Lowell and Tri-City.
Cool stuff from the trade included the late Ryan Freel,the Cardinals Allen Craig,Cleveland's Chris Perez and Nick Hagadone,Tampa prospect Taylor Guerrieri and former Indians pitcher Aaron Laffey,who knocked out my Halfway All-Star team in the 2001 district finals.Grr....
I also added a few football players including former Saints running back Wayne Wilson.Seattle wideout Doug Baldwin,49ers pass catcher Anquan Boldin (Cardinals uni) and Lee Evans in the neat Buffalo throwbacks!

Adding tonight's work at meet the Suns,where I was able to get every card signed of players there in the Auburn team set and a few others and that straightens up things here until this week when things kick off.

I still have Altoona to talk about and Colt McCoy moving on,so I might be back soon or later in the week with those things...

Thanks to all my helpers and looking forward to getting things started!

Pirates drop opener

A day late,but a freebie short as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell behind in the first and were never able to get into the game as Anthony Rizzo's first inning homer gave the Chicago Cubs all the runs that they needed in a 3-1 Cubs win at PNC Park.
The Pirates would score their only run in the ninth as Andrew McCutchen was hit by a pitch,stole second and then would score as Pedro Alvarez had the teams only RBI when his single brought McCutchen home.
A.J. Burnett allowed all three runs in five and two thirds,striking out ten in dropping the decision (0-1)
The Cubs will be in town for the next two days,when the Pirates then travel to Los Angeles..

Pirate Hooks

1) Is it possible to fan ten,allow just six hits,walk one and still not impress?
I felt that way about A.J. Burnett's start.
Perhaps I am a tough grader and the numbers show differently,but I just have a funny feeling....

2) Anthony Rizzo's first inning shot to right center was crushed.
Considering the cold made the hammer blow even more impressive and I bet warmer weather might have sent the ball another ten -twenty feet with ease..
I told Battlin' Bob via message that I thought I heard the ball drop in my front yard.....

3) I was surprised at the number of empty seats.
I know it was a sellout and I know the weather was less than cooperative,but considering the relatively high expectations,I was figuring that fewer people would spend time impersonating seats....

4) Pedro Alvarez batted cleanup and that decision,assuming that it stays that way for a period of time,could go a long way in the lineup getting to be a reasonably good one.
Alvarez strikes out a lot (180 times last season) and if he repeats last years .244,this may not be a great decision,not that Clint Hurdle has an abundance of options.....

5) Rachel: Dad,why do you watch the Pirates?
Me; They've been my team for a long time.
Rachel: What about the Indians?
Me: I love them too,but I like National League baseball better.
Rachel: What's the difference?
Me: I explain
Rachel:Ok,what league do the Giants play in?
Me; National
Rachel: Let's watch them then,the Pirates stink.
Me: Begins to flip back and forth on the TV,unable to argue.....

Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Admission time

Just a quickie as I'll be on later this evening from the road office with a look back at the Pirates opening day defeat against the Cubs.
I took my one day off in stride as I had plenty of things to get finished and watching both the Pirates and Giants games without going to bed,took its toll.

That is why I have this admission-I slept through most of the Devils 3-1 loss to the Islanders.
Sorry,but you can always call a cop :)
From what Rachel tells me,I missed little as I did see the two first period Islander goals.
Alexei Ponikarovsky scored the New Jersey goal (4).
The Devils are in Boston Thursday.

Still was a great day as I continue to teach Rachel about baseball as we watched the Giants-Dodgers game together.
She's learning,as she said as she sat in her Tim Lincecum t-shirt "It's not hockey,but it's not bad".

Thanks to my dad for trying to make me Mustard Eggs and dropping them off for me.
I found a recipe Friday night for them and posted on Facebook about them.
Sure enough,my dad and the lovely Cherie made them for me!
Dad's were very good and I'll trying Cherie's soon!
Thanks to both of you!


I do have lots to do over the next few days,so stay tuned as I have the Browns trading Colt McCoy, regular coverage,my Altoona trip,tonight's meet the team with the Hagerstown Suns ,some signing front to post before the real work begins and perhaps a little more...

Cleveland Indians Season Preview

The Cleveland Indians were a dull,bland team that lacked in personality and showing little hope for an imminent arrival from the farm system to change anything soon.

The Tribe front office attempted to change that with a few splashy free agent signings and holding onto shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera when it was thought that the team would trade him elsewhere and as a result,Indians fans have a season to look forward to that may be unexpectedly exciting.
The hiring of Terry Francona has jump started Indians interest and having Francona wanting to be in Cleveland is an asset....

Rising star Carlos Santana continues his development behind the plate.
Santana's bat will carry him,although I have reason to believe improvement defensively is more than possible.
Santana will see the occasional start at first base to keep his bat in the lineup without the demands of catching.Defensive specialist Lou Marson backs Santana up as the reserve.

Nick Swisher signed as a free agent when other teams backed off for either financial reasons or an unwillingness to sacrifice a first round draft pick under the new draft system.
In any case,Swisher brings a switch hitting power bat to a team in desperate need of power.
Swisher was signed to play right field,but a later signing moved Swisher to first base by a decision that I have some questions on.
Swisher's bat would be well above average for a corner outfielder,but ranks in mid pack among first basemen.I would have rather kept him in right field.
Mark Reynolds will be the regular DH and backup Swisher at first.
Jason Kipnis returns at second after a up and down rookie season.
Kipnis is expected to improve off the campaign,the Indians hope,but just in case ,Terry Francona favorite Mike Aviles is available if needed.
Aviles will also backup Asdrubal Cabrera at short,who it was thought had played his final game in Cleveland.
Cabrera's numbers dipped from his breakthrough 2011 year as expected,but still finished with 16 homers.
Lonnie Chisenhall won the third base job in Tucson after a injury riddled rookie season.
If Chisenhall can offer an average bat at third,the Indians would have to be thrilled.
Aviles,Ryan Rayburn and Mark Reynolds all could see the occasional start at third.

The Indians outfield should be a tremendous defensive group,but the bats all have questions.
Michael Brantley will start in left.
The Indians have always thought more of Brantley than I have and he always strikes me as a player that looks to have more ability than he shows in game play.
Michael Bourn was signed as a free agent when the same procedure that hampered Nick Swisher limited the marker for Bourn.
Because the Indians first round pick was inside the top ten,only the Indians of suitors for Bourn did not have to give up a first rounder,therefore giving them the inside track in signing him.
Bourn will leadoff and add excitement to the lineup,but strikes out more than I would like from a leadoff hitter.
Drew Stubbs was part of the three team trade over the winter that saw Shin Shoo Choo sent to the Reds.
Stubbs strikes out a ton,but does have power.
Considering the strikeouts and low average,Stubbs has to hit twenty or more homers to be of value in the lineup.
I see him as more of a fourth outfielder.
For now the Indians are not carrying a true fourth outfielder as Nick Swisher and the backup infielders can all play the outfield.

Major problems with the rotation.
Justin Masterson reverted to previous form after an excellent 2011.
Masterson is very erratic and had a increase in walks last season.
If Masterson is the same pitcher as last season,Cleveland has problems.
Ubaldo Jimenez has never been the pitcher in Cleveland that he was in Colorado as his velocity has decreased and his command has never been a strength.
The issues do not get better as the rotation follows.
Brett Myers was signed to give stability at the three spot,but concerns over a awful spring after a year spent relieving are troubling.
Zach McAllister showed flashes last season in his starts,but still has plenty to prove.
Former All-Star Scott Kazmir was solid in Arizona after being signed from independent baseball,but I'll still believe an Atlantic League with a five plus ERA can be successful when I see it.
Carlos Carrasco is on call as the spot starter and long man from the bullpen....

I feel better about the bullpen.
Chris Perez is solid as the closer and I like Vinny Pestano as the setup man.
Sidearmer Joe Smith fills his role well and Cody Allen was effective last season in his opportunities.
Power armed Brian Shaw and journeyman Matt Albers were added from Arizona in the Choo trade,with Francona favorite Rich Hill and the returning from injury Nick Hagadone finishing the corps.
The bullpen should be a strength all things considered.

If the rotation holds up,the Indians could be a real contender.
I don't know think that they are to the level of the Tigers,but could be a solid second and a wild card contender.
I can also see major issues with the rotation and tons of strikeouts from the lineup occurring.
Split the difference and call it 86-76.....

Pittsburgh Pirates season preview

I'll be back later in the week with a look at my day in Altoona for the Pirates exhibition game and I hope to post an Indians preview as well as the week goes on.

The Pittsburgh Pirates still are looking for that elusive winning season after a historic late season fade turned an almost certain snapping of the streak into another extension of losing.

The Pirates and Neal Huntington made a few moves to improve the team.

The biggest was the signing of free agent Russell Martin from the Yankees to bolster the catching position.
This was supposed to be addressed with last off seasons signing of Rod Barajas,but Barajas was simply terrible and was allowed to leave after the season.
Martin's power picked up in his two years in New York,if he can post similar numbers along with his defensive prowess,the signing will prove to be a good one.
Michael McKenry returns as the backup.
McKenry is the perfect backup-good enough to play well as long as he is spotted properly...

The infield is filled with returning starters.
Garrett Jones will start at first base against righthanded pitching with Gaby Sanchez platooning against lefty hurlers.This could prove to be a productive platoon as Sanchez hit well after being acquired from Miami at the trade deadline.
Neil Walker and Clint Barmes return in the middle of the diamond.
Walker offers a solid bat at second and is good for 15 homers a year.
Barmes brings a tremendous glove and a weak bat to the lineup.
Barmes is such a liability at the plate at this stage of his career that his .229 might be the highwater mark of his Pirates time.
Pedro Alvarez brings the opposite as he brings a power bat and a less than average glove.
Alvarez smacked thirty homers,but hit just.244 on the season and looks to be an all or nothing hitter,which on the Pirates is at least something.
Josh Harrison can fill in at three positions and John McDonald was added from the Diamondbacks late in the spring to offer the same.
Why the team needs two light hitting infielders to backup is more than I can figure out,but I fail to see why both of these two are needed.
Gaby Sanchez could occasionally see some spot action at third as well.
Brandon Inge will see time after he recovers from an injury that placed him on the DL.

The outfield features the budding star that is Andrew McCutchen.
The centerfielder put up MVP like numbers before a mild slippage late in the season.
McCutchen will have to have a similar season in order for the Pirates to have a chance of contention.
Starling Marte will start his first full season in left.
Marte could be McCutchen light in a year or two,which would give the Pirates quite an outfield combo with the bat and glove.
Travis Snider will be given the rightfield job,although Jose Tabata will see lots of at bats against lefties.
Both have been somewhat disappointing since being one time hot prospects,so both have plenty to prove..

The rotation has questions to be nice and gaping holes if you prefer honesty.
A.J.Burnett had his best season in years with 16 wins,but he has always been erratic and there has to be questions if he can put together a similar season for a second season in a row.
Wandy Rodriguez slots in well as the number two starter as he adds a lefty presence to the top of the rotation.
Rodriguez put his typical numbers up after being traded for from the Astros and seems a safe bet to win 10-15 games.
James McDonald was the breakout pitcher of the first half and was terrible in the second,so one must wonder about which pitcher can be counted on in the third slot.
Former Giant Jonathan Sanchez made the team as a non-roster free agent after an awful 2012 that Sanchez spent with the Royals and Rockies.
Sanchez has always had good stuff,so putting it all together would not be shocking,but it would be surprising considering his control issues.
Jeff Locke beat out Kyle McPherson for the final spot,sending McPherson back to AAA,Jeff Karstens
and free agent signee Francisco Liriano both start the season on the disabled list,so  Locke and/or Sanchez could have a short stint in the rotation.

Jason Grilli will be the closer after Joel Hanrahan was traded to Boston.
Grilli had an excellent 2012,but is untested as a closer.
Mark Melancon was part of the Hanrahan trade and will share the setup role with Jared Hughes.
Tony Watson returns as the top lefty in the pen,but strong armed rookie Justin Wilson could take that role from him.
Chris LeRoux and former Indian Jeanmar Gomez will be the long men  and the final pitchers on the roster....

This team looks better in spots.
Russell Martin is a major upgrade at catcher,but other than Martin,the lineup is pretty much the same.
Travis Snider or Jose Tabata could be a huge factor if either can breakthrough.
The rotation has only Wandy Rodriguez and (maybe) A.J. Burnett can be counted on.
The bullpen will need Jason Grilli to be a strong closer in his first attempt in that role.

I'm just not sure this is a team to break the string.
It's very possible and it would not surprise me to see it happen,but my best guess tells me they are just a player or two short.

Projected record 77-85