Year of Pittsburgh Pirates Rebirth? I’ll Believe It When I See It

The calendar reads early July, which means there’s plenty of season left in baseball. At any giving time now, the emerging Pittsburgh Pirates can stumble, go astray, and, well, drop out of first place in the NL Central, given the team’s prior history to only dominate their division for a few days before it becomes a total loss, in which they were inhibited from clinching an eventual playoff berth that was never plausible.

Friday night, the home crowd stood, and not one fan in the stands was wearing a paper bag over their head and protesting against a hapless franchise. And as much as there is reason to have firm conviction in Pittsburgh, nine games over .500 for the first time since 1992 with the fourth-best record in baseball, there is a sense that they may not last very long in October. As you probably know, when the Pirates were pertinent and inherited a winning season, Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke and longtime skipper Jim Leyland anchored Pittsburgh. If you can recall the mediocrity and unflattering criticism, which wasn’t too long ago, then you know fans in the Steel City used to relentlessly attack the Pirates and had turned their heart and soul to the Steelers. It will always be a football territory, but now the Pirates bask in an unvanquished season, finally returning to the very top and giving the fans every reason to boast about their baseball team.

A long time ago, Pittsburgh was so horrific, it was painful to stomach — not even Captain Jack Sparrow could spare the Pirates' lives. Fans felt they were robbed and viewed it as fraud, a marketing sham they thought was run brilliantly by owner Robert Nutting. And nothing was more startling than documents being obtained by the Associated Press that showed Nutting, like a bandit robbing a bank, pocketing a massive amount of money as fans endorsed the franchise. The saddest part of this charade, an inevitable crossroads that demolished the tenor of a once respected major league team and yet was close to falling into debt from a financial disaster, is that the Pirates earned $29.4 million in profits during a span of the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

There will forever be talk of the Pirates’ blockheaded decisions, which they shipped All-Stars Jason Bay, Freddy Sanchez, Nate McLouth and Jack Wilson away in trades, leaving every fan suspicious as no one quite understood their intentions. About 10 players, such as Tom Gorzelanny, Ian Snell, John Grabow, Xavier Nady, Adam LaRoche, Damaso Marte, Nyjer Morgan, Ronny Paulino and Sean Burnett, were arbitration-eligible before leaving Pittsburgh under free agency. The question as to why the Pirates traded slugger Jose Bautista comes back to haunt them, I’m sure, now that he has swung the bats exceptionally well since his arrival to Toronto. Today, I’m sure, the Pirates regret dealing a slugger with a home-run swing to drive in runs. The idea of them cleaning house was a bit fishy and strange when Pittsburgh had considerably possessed star power and almost eased into postseason mode. It was historic. Moves no one had ever seen in professional sports.

In fairness, aware of the mischances and bad decisions that set the franchise back — dismantling one of the hallmark franchises of baseball — it’s morally wrong to accuse a man of fraud when his organization encountered an economic disaster amid a wicked recession. What sure looks like a promising season happened sooner than expected, but winning or salvaging a division title is no guarantee in Pittsburgh. It’s a mentality to have as the Pirates so often blew division leads when fans actually felt it was their year, their moment to seize control and their moment to advance to the postseason, but the masses spoke too fast and Pittsburgh rapidly fell out of the pennant race. That could happen this season, as well, as you never know about the Pirates — you just never know — and yet the Pittsburgh population is building confidence in a team that relapsed a year ago.

The truth is, unless one believes the Pirates are capable of holding on to convince a long-suffering fan base that they are finally unwavering and strong, no one won’t take Pittsburgh seriously, ignoring the likes of Andrew McCutchen, Clint Barmes, A.J. Burnett, James McDonald and Jeff Karstens. It remains to be seen if the Pirates can keep riding the ship in the right direction and continue to be the best story in baseball, but Pittsburgh is know for captivating an audience and then eventually collapsing to miss the postseason. The crowd was behind the Pirates all the way last season, wishing for the very best considering the team’s fiascoes and struggles in the past, but it lasted no time.

It’s similar, to put it simply, to what the Pirates experienced last July, at a moment when winning seemed logical until Pittsburgh stumbled and lost a seven-game lead. So again, the Pirates have a chance to redeem themselves and erase the dreadful memories of a late-season collapse. There’s no reason for the Pirates to fall apart, but knowing them they probably will find a way to blow it and falter in the next few months, even if they have signed elite players and accumulated talent.

Burnett, who was acquired in a trade from New York for two inferior prospects after he struggled for three seasons in the Bronx, arrived from nowhere and has flourished in one of his best seasons since his days spent in Toronto. It’s been an incredible turning point for the right-handed pitcher, improving his mechanics and returning to form, with much more velocity on his fastball.

This is also happening when McDonald, who ranks sixth in the NL with a 2.45 ERA, is a young player emerging into an ace in the Pirates pitching lineup. Sometimes you have to play behind a veteran because of his expertise and flair, for which McDonald can grasp a better sense of the game and find out what it takes to pitch in the majors. And now, he serves an apprenticeship as a strikeout pitcher with his team, who can build a sound pitching rotation around him. There are turning points in the Pirates’ bullpen with the likes of Juan Cruz and Jason Grilli, who has been a lights-out reliever, managing the setup role. And, no less surprisingly, McCutchen is having an MVP type season and had three hits for the Pirates to lift his batting average to a National League-leading .360 in a 6-5 loss to the Giants in San Francisco that snapped Pittsburgh’s four-game winning streak. The play of the 25-year-old McCutchen is flawless, riding a wave of dominant hitting and compiling monster numbers in his breakout campaign.

It’s funny how this is one of the hottest teams in baseball, and how we are so fast to jump onto the bandwagon, failing to realize this is a team that disappears and cannot ever salvage a lead to qualify for the postseason. Then again, maybe this is their year, thanks to the expansion of Major League Baseball’s playoffs with the extra wild card round. This season, unlike last summer, Pittsburgh is hopeful and reigns as the favorite to dominate the NL central. My first instinct — beyond the realm of possibility — is to believe it when I see it.

The Pirates can make it to the postseason with the addition of a few veterans in Erik Bedard and Rod Barajas. It’s hard to buy into the hype, but as of now Pittsburgh is atop the standings in its division, under the direction of manager Clint Hurdle. The fact that he was part of an improbable run the Colorado Rookies had in 2007 is amazing, as the Pirates are on a tear after Hurdle changed the disposition and gave them optimism. The question, as the Pirates have a reputation for faltering late in the season, is can the Pirates keep a commanding lead and surge in September?

They have been here before, with a chance to make it to the playoffs for the first time in 20 years, the last time Pittsburgh finished above .500 and nearly won Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series at Fulton-County Stadium in Atlanta. And through it all, the Pirates led the Braves 2-0, but then went on to lose 3-2 and Atlanta advanced to the World Series and lost to Toronto. I know. I can recall everything that happened on that night. I was a seven-year-old kid and remember watching that game with my late father. And ever since, I was immersed into America’s Pastime, the great game of baseball, just by watching an instant classic between the Pirates and Braves.

These Pirates are back, certainly, but can we truly believe in them? These Pirates are winning, but how long can it last and will it last? These Pirates are good, but just how good?

If they are still in this current state and winning by September, I’ll start believing.

A.J. Burnett Comes to the Yankees' Rescue

When he ran down, pulled back and leaped near the warning track, and then made a retreating, sensational catch with the bases loaded and two outs in the first inning, Curtis Granderson not only saved the Yankees but saved the derided A.J. Burnett.

Had the ball flown over Granderson's head it could have finished as the worst baseball game in franchise history, and by the end of the night, the Yankees would have faced much scrutiny. Now, it seems, Burnett saved the Yankees season, throwing 81 pitches on a beautiful night at Comerica Park.

The expectations were largely an element and, if there were ever anything less than a phenomenal performance, Burnett would've been ridiculed and bashers all over the urban cities in New York would've talked badly about him in Time Square or on the subway ride to the workplace.

The creativity from the local tabloids would've had comical headlines with photos of Burnett dropping his head helplessly, and each newspaper would've been at the nearest newsstand. But all the ineptitude that came from the disappointment, inconsistencies and even the point when he was mentally baffled for nearly every start was erased when Burnett probably rescued the Yankees from forever being described as the worst ballclub to ever fail built with so much talent.

The theory behind the Yankees is that the Steinbrenners are the wealthiest owners in baseball, and inherits the highest player's payroll in Major League Baseball, squandering millions to bring together a repertoire of high-profile pitchers and sluggers. If the Yankees lose in the postseason, and denied a World Series appearance, then the season is considered a failure.

It's certain Burnett would've been considered a pathetic bust had he not pitched consistently as the Yankees were on the brink of elimination. So meanwhile, he's the hero and so is his outfielder Granderson, who contributed with his amazing defense. It may not be the equivalent to the team's batting power, but Burnett certainly may have saved the Yankees season.

When it was all over, the Yanks thrashed Detroit in a 10-1 romp. They can sigh relief and live on another day, keeping postseason hopes alive and traveling back to New York tied 2-2 for Game 5 of this fascinating division series on Thursday. The rookie sensation Ivan Nova, called on for the biggest game of his life with the burden of heavy pressure, is set to pitch against Tigers' Doug Fister.

Everyone, as we know by now, thought Burnett was done forever but he stunned the world with an amazing performance. The population in New York had given up on Burnett for a reservoir of misfortune and inferiority over the last two seasons with his pitching woes, and his $82.5 million contract that had almost went to waste.

Before he came alive at perfect timing, he transformed into -- after all -- from an overpaid athlete to otherworldly hero. It was at one point that he used to just collect a large paycheck, and was evidently comfortable underperforming for a franchise that makes an effort to capture perfection and world championships each season if possible.

It's about time that he delights and not disappoint fans in New York and helps baseball's most storied franchise win games, particularly in a series where the season was over had the Yankees lost to the Tigers. Against Detroit, he never toppled, he never stayed on the mound too long and he never gave up a bevy of hits in a single inning that could have turned it into a nightmare for Burnett.

Through it all, he survived 5-2/3 innings and gave up one run Tuesday night. And then, for once, he wasn't pressured and seemed composed and, early on, Burnett forced hitters into pop outs and groundouts. When it comes to Burnett, he's never been a strikeout pitcher, and has always relied on the defense to bail him out of jammed innings or the toughest situations, and nobody is asking him to strike out hitters.

If there's one way to pacify people, he can't pitch inconsistently and need a stronger effort. Because the Yankees are obligated to pay Burnett $16.5 million yearly through 2013, it was hard for the most hated baseball team to cut him loose. And even though he struggled and had a poorly awful ERA, Joe Girardi juggled his rotation and wasn't hesitant giving Burnett the start with much at stake.

There's no need to talk about his horrible 5.15 ERA that killed him during the season. At long last, he delivered and came to his team's aid when it was truly needed in order to keep all the World Series dreams alive, at least for another game. For once, however, he wasn't taking more criticism and instead he was being praised after a redemptive tale may have restored aplomb as New Yorkers probably trust in Burnett, more confident that he can prevail in the critical moments and get it done for the Yankees.

He's managed to throw his breaking ball that almost turned the night into a disaster by his first inning mortality, but eventually he began to release the breaking ball effectively. It almost felt as if he was getting ready to give the game away, with another hellish inning to go down as the worst pitcher in Yankees history. It felt like that in the first inning, and it was a pattern everybody was accustomed to seeing.

So early on, he walked leadoff hitter Austin Jackson, and then Burnett stayed with the breaking ball, although with two outs Jackson stood on third and Girardi ordered Burnett to intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera. When he faced the next hitter, which was Victor Martinez, he walked him as well. It seemed like his night was over.

It was time to summon Cory Wade from the bullpen, but Burnett finished the first inning without giving up a run, after Don Kelly drilled a line drive that drifted to center field, where Granderson misjudged the ball and took a step in and then turned and stepped back.

On a play where the ball almost went over his head, he leaped and extended his glove to catch the ball that ended the inning. Had the ball dropped back at the wall, the play would have given the Tigers a 4-0 lead and Burnett would have been criticized for blowing it.

When it was all said and done, Burnett, 34, had redeemed himself of his prior failures. The thing is, nobody believed in him. The actions spoke louder than words. And Burnett certainly brought the action.

Hate All You Want, but Yankees Are America's Franchise

After a gratifying night at the new and colossal Yankee Stadium, the futility for the long-suffering New York Yankees had finally come to an end, throwing away misfortunes that ultimately stained the essence of one famous ballclub.

The traditional pinstripes, instead of symbolizing a prominent team, epitomized baseball's dysfunction and laughingstock, a franchise failing to reach expectations and shunning financial blunders, which severely hurt the Yankees -- known for foolish spending as much as compiling titles.

And now, an incredible joyride in a town where a massive crowd is faithfully committed to pinstripes and humongous ribs at the newly venue, winning a world title is normally a priority on their agenda. The Yankees renewed normalcy and returned to prominence, which was a trait New York was missing for years as America dismissed the wealthiest franchise and had forgotten the capitalists of baseball.


On a spectacular night in the Bronx, it was a year for the Yankees to virtually celebrate as legitimate champs. But also, it satisfied long-awaited fans who endured agony and scarcity for nine consecutive years before the wildest celebration erupted on Wednesday night. The Yankees’ faithful uncontrollably poured onto the streets dancing and rooting for their home team, en route to a 7-3 victory to clinch their 27th title in 40 tries, the most in major league history among any franchise.

Hate all you want, but the Yankees are America’s team. Whether arrogance describes a selfish and greedy organization that squandered $1.5 billion in stadium creation, including a staggering $432.5 million during a revamping stage in an unhealthy recession, New York captured a title adding a banner to their uttermost collection because the dauntless Steinbrenner family wasn’t hesitant in spending billions on CC Sabathia, A.J Burnett, and Mark Teixeira: three profile superstars who quickly emerged and earned popularity.


So logically, Hank and Hal Steinbrenner felt spending was a solution for rejuvenating a contender, and was a clever conception given that the Yankees were built with tremendous talent. They had all the necessities to reestablish assurance and poise, overpowering antagonist on an incredible journey and brought back familiarity. The $210 million payroll was an advantage, which was useful in their rebuilding project and turned them into businesslike geniuses.

There’s not a franchise in this country that suffers from more scrutiny and criticism, especially residing in an environment where modern media constantly heckled and lambasted the Yankees in local tabloids. Early in the year alone, they’ve taken more criticism than any team in baseball, and never shied from inevitable queries. Beginning the season, fittingly it seemed the Yankees weren't aiming to seek a title, or anywhere near the grandest prize, as conversations were negligible with all the unnecessary tumultuous amid a steroid crisis.

Doomed with staggering adversity, mostly pertaining to Alex Rodriguez, who average baseball devotees trusted in, the Yankees were disrupted with all the uproars of A-Rod’s deceptive lies that revealed when his name appeared on a list of 104 players who contaminated the wonderful game. Needless to say, he avoided more Madonna hell, confessed and apologized for steroid revelations, and fittingly found a lovable relationship with starlet Kate Hudson.

After overcoming a distraught start to the season, he suddenly arrived and took on the nickname Mr. October by changing the complexion of the postseason, depositing homers and batting in runs, a problem he struggled with mightily in a pinstriped uniform. He quickly was a huge part to the most polarizing team’s emergence in the postseason, escaping burdens and dysfunction without having to mention the C-word.

It’s gratifying to see a team suffer with much chaotic letdowns, and keep a tough-minded, driven mindset to dethrone Philadelphia in Game Six, conquering respect as the world’s most lovable franchise. They prevented the Phillies from pulling off an historical sequence. If Game Seven was forced on Thursday night, they could’ve became the first team since the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970’s to win back-to-back titles.

But unfortunately, Cole Hamels, the Mr. October legend and World Series MVP a year ago, emotionally lost composure and turned into a distraction, rather than a heroic left-hander who threw exceptionally efficient, in which it was impossible to make contact against his dominance a year ago. It wasn’t much of a worry, when the series belonged to any team.

Before the non-waiver trade deadline, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, shockingly pulled off the marquee blockbuster deal acquiring an unhittable Cliff Lee, whose outstanding performance by throwing the outrageous breaking ball was indescribable and could have qualified for the World Series MVP award if the Phillies were victorious. Even Chase Utley, a cool California native who drenched his hair with too much gel, joined legend Reggie Jackson with five homers in a single World Series.

Of course, it wasn’t enough to beat the Yankees, the richest franchise in the world. A loss this year would’ve been considered a failure, as mostly every postseason or World Series loss is. And on this night, much praise goes to Hideki Matsui, the Japanese-born player who everyone knows as Godzilla, drove in six runs with a two-run homer to excite fans as the Yanks had inched steps closer to triumph.

As a result, Matsui became the first designated hitter to win the World Series MVP, a privilege when his other teammates could have been presented with a prize, normally given to a play whose eye-catching deeds were immensely momentous. Some will admit Sabathia was a deserving candidate for the series MVP, while others will say A-Rod deserved props.

Throughout the postseason, Sabathia was an essential piece to New York’s fundamentals on the mound, rectifying pitching deficits of previous seasons. The radar gun accurately read his speedy fastballs that most hitters faltered on, retired on strikes. Although, he struggled a bit, Burnett contributed and managed to avoid troubles with his indecisive command. And in the offseason, the world’s most powerful agent ensured Teixeira was offered an enormous deal. Sure enough, the Yankees offered enough pleasing the first baseman to sign an eight-year, $185 million deal. But even greater, he won his first ever title, partly for his walk-off homers and critical shots in desperation moments.

The intelligent offseason acquisitions incorporated a fundamentally sound and cohesive group, starved for a title and earned it with their hard-driven attitude. In addition, Joe Girardi is a classy and charismatic manager, mentoring and molding them to have a positive outlook. Remember, there were talks that his job was on the line, if he had failed to guide the Yankees to the national stage and win it all. This definitely relieves all burdens, even tension on general manager Brian Cashman.

But now, job security is the least worry as rejoicing and jubilation is well-deserved after vindicating they’re America’s champs. Certainly, a large payroll paid off as the Yankees rises back to the top, recognized as America’s premier franchise.

Don’t hate: It’s all about traditional pinstripes.

New York Yankees Rain on Pedro Martinez's Parade: Who's Daddy Now?

In case you’re wondering, “Who’s Your Daddy!” chants rained down in a hurry on a villain still wearing Jheri curls and bearing frightening fastballs. His return to New York wasn’t too lenient, including an unbearable crowd that had waited to avenge cruel remarks that dated back to the days when Pedro Martinez faced the New York Yankees as a member of the archrival Red Sox.

In Game Two of the 2009 World Series, attention turned immediately to Martinez as rebellious media personnel dwelled on animosity that developed when he derived fame pitching for Boston. More than anything, in a much-maligned rivalry, Martinez articulated antipathy, which initiated buzz entering the second game of a series written in epic proportion.

He was definitely anxious to beat the much-scrutinized organization. Trust me, it makes sense, if spectators will remember the abrasive chants that impetuous Yankees’ fans originated, then it’s understandable. Late in the 2004 regular season, repugnant drama intensified a chaotic rivalry as continuous disasters escalated between the Yankees and Pedro.

Does that mean last night's game was more Phillies vs. Yankees or Pedro vs. Yankees? I insist that Game Two, in general, strictly revolved around Pedro vs. Yankees.

He’ll feel bitterness towards the Yankees for the remainder of his career, and whenever he faces the pinstripes in pitching duels. To this day, Martinez hasn’t yet shaken off his resentful emotions, still seeking an epic performance to deprive and send the Yankees into monstrous spending collapse.

If Pedro amazingly pitches to the Yankees in a pivotal Game Seven, illusions suddenly become a reality. He’d definitely be empowered, and a valuable arm relied upon to force New York to self-destruct. Just like that, an embattled organization would be considered a failure, literally squandering $432.5 million on three high-profile players.

By now, ideas are formulating in Pedro's mind, wondering if he could have another shot at suffocating the Yankees.

Mostly in New York, a large percentage of the populace despises Pedro and holds grudges. From most people's perspectives he’s a villainous, arrogant jerk, when in fairness, a perturbed crowd provoked additional troubles, fuming Martinez in the aftermath.

It’s almost proper to fault Yankees fans as much as Pedro, when, back in 2004, he was on the hook for a distasteful 11-1 loss and a humongous crowd chanted unpleasantly. That prompted the woeful Martinez to emphatically speak out, impetuously pronouncing, “I tip my cap and call the Yankees my Daddy.”

Ever since, issues have arisen, despite the fact that he has displayed superb pitching for much of his career, especially in big games where he’s usually flawless and unbeatable. Of course, seeking an advantage over an antagonist doesn’t oftentimes perpetuate as intended.

Sometimes a night isn’t an excellent one, but it is a typical night until late in the sixth inning. What occurred was that the Yankees' star power knocked around Martinez, who gave up three runs.

Once Charlie Manuel summoned Martinez's replacement, a rude and obnoxious chorus sounded as Martinez walked to the dugout and pointed skyward. Near the visitors’ dugout, he wore a sarcastic smirk mocking a bad-mannered crowd and eyed a return later in the series to avenge a 3-1 loss to the hated Yankees.

Playing for the Phillies doesn’t renew likability, but overshadows an impressive performance typical of Pedro in critical games. But he gave up a fourth-inning homer to Mark Teixiera, who broke out a slump when his at-bats were desperately needed to avoid a possible 0-2 skid starting the World Series.

Another player coming from out of nowhere was Hideki Matsui, depositing a home run and the craftiness that describes the Yankees as Bronx Bombers to rain on Pedro’s show, a widely watched showcase in the second game of the World Series.

But we should have turned our attention to A.J. Burnett. The Yankees couldn’t afford two consecutive losses, and were fortunate to tie the series at 1-1. It seems whichever club’s rotation lasts longest will win a title, and by far, the Phillies have an advantage.

The night before, Cliff Lee was a famous celebrity, but last night, it was Burnett earning all the glory. Anyone should when earning $82.5 million to revive pinstripes of failures in prior years. His pitching performance avenged memories of a gruesome outing against the Angels, now taking attention away from Pedro's getting the start.

The formidable nights are downplayed. Nobody is dwelling on the foolish on-field melee of the past, which turned repulsive, revealing a sinful side of Martinez. To this day, everyone can explain in detail how badly he pushed 72-year-old Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground.

But now, everyone is talking about today’s issues. Pedro’s start against the Yankees drew publicity for previous episodes.

Technically, it only rained on Pedro’s parade.