Silver Linings
You never want to see any player get hurt. That can be especially true if you are a fan of a small-revenue team like the Pirates. Clubs that don't spend much money on their payrolls can ill-afford to lose starting players because, in most instances, the bench is the weakest part of the team's 25-man roster.
Toward the end of June this season, Pirates starting pitcher Oliver Perez kicked a laundry cart in the St. Louis clubhouse and broke his toe. He won't pitch again until at least August. Perez had not been the same consistent pitcher he was much of last season when he became the first Pirates hurler to strike out 200 in a season since Bob Veale in the late '60's but was showing signs of returning to his 2004 form when he was placed on the disabled list.
Enter Zach Duke. The 22-year old lefthander was 
called up from the Pirates' AAA afffiliate in Indianapolis to replace Perez in the rotation. He has been nothing short of brilliant in his first few outings. There is a good chance he'll remain in the rotation even when Perez is due to come off the disabled list. The experience he is getting this season can only pay massive dividends to him and the club for the 2006 campaign (when the Pirates MUST win more games than they lose!)
Again, you hate to lose one of your players but the silver lining is the fact that Duke would still be pitching in the minor leagues had it not been for the injury to Perez.
Now Craig Wilson is back on the disabled list with a broken bone in his hand. Centerfielder Chris Duffy has been recalled from Indianapolis to take Wilson's spot on the roster. Duffy was up very early this season but sat on the bench during his two week stint before he was returned to the minors. I hope the Pirates don't make that mistake again. Here is another golden opportunity to allow one of your prospects to get his feet wet and perform at the big league level when it counts. September is too late. Playing in those games doesn't compare to playing in July and August when teams are still putting out their best lineup to try and win games.
Who knows, the Pirates might just find out that Chris Duffy is the answer in centerfield. From what I'm told by those who have watched him play in the minor leagues, he can save you at least a run a game with his defense. The Pirates desperately need to improve their defensive play. Routine fly balls are constantly falling in for hits and that can be demoralizing to a pitching staff.
Two injuries that, on the surface, might appear devastating; instead, might actually be silver linings.
I believe that Zach Duke is the "real thing". I live in Indiana, PA and go to many Altoona Curve games. I watched Zach pitch there last season and was truly impressed. He has poise.
I read today (July 22) that Brad Eldred was promoted to the Pirates. He is another player who can make a difference. He will probably start out slow as he did in Altoona and in Indianapolis, but once he "gets his legs", he will shine. I saw him hit a "Stargell-type" blast to left in Altoona last season that landed half way up the slope behing the left field seats. He is juat awesome.
Enjoy the show!
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Hey Greg - enjoy your work- have followed you since your days in Buffalo.
Sorry to bother you with this but I cannot figure out how to e-mail Steve Blass so if you could pass this laong i would appreciate it.
Heard the guys talking about Batavia NY tonite and the "muckdogs" - I grew up in batavia (live in new castle now) and ball players used to live next door to me every summer - Steve may have been my neighbor on Bank st - I was only four in 1960 but do remember many players coming thru like Manny Sanguillen-
The team has been around since the 30's and has been known as the clippers, pirates, trojans and the now the muckdogs- probably something else too
Lanny was right - the "muck" is the fertile soil around elba where they grow lots of onions -
At any rate - sorry again to bore you but tell Steve and Lanny it was good to hear some talk of batavia
go bucs
Mike McGee
New Castle
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Hey Greg!
It might be time to update the blog there buddy! I'd like to see and read your comments about the team this year.
Take care,
~a loyal fan, John
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What is the best way to get a note to Steve Blass? I am also looking for the best way to get ahold of Mr. Mazeroski (Bill to his buddies).
Long time, old time Pirate fan trying to get some teammate autographs on a nice 15-yr old woodbacked poster of Roberto Clemente. I live in Hawaii so it has been kind of tough. Have MR. Sanguillan and Mr. Stargell and Mr. Oliver on it so far, and looking for a few more choice teammates. Have a feeling it will take me the rest of my life, but I loved Roberto so much, it will always be my prize possession, no matter who I get to sign it. Mr Hebner and Mr. Robertson would be cool.
Who else should I get on it...who played with Mr. Clemente??????
Thanks Again,
Douglas Ferguson
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You are right, and when Xavier Nady was out of the lineup with a hamstring injury, the Pirates could have been in serious trouble. We are fortunate that the team was able to pull off enough runs to win as many games as we have during Nady's absence. Also, when are you going to start making more entries to this blog?
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