Updates from Spring Training

[GiveHyzduashot]

Rather than a new thread every day for each update, everything will be under this thread. All updates are from Steve Novotney.

On Mackowiak:

Virdon has been and will continue working with both CW and Maco through ST. Virdon used Jim Edmunds as a gauge to rank some of the Pirate outfield. Edmunds (10) he ranks Giles "9" in LF and "8" in CF. Maco he ranks as a "6" right now but if he is allowed to just concentrate on CF he will shortly improve to an "8". He, according to Virdon, has the speed and arm and just needs to settle on one position.

[GiveHyzduashot]

On Bobby Bradley:

(paraphrasing here)

All four pitches were really good, he had a lot of bite in his curveball. Wants to start at Altoona but Graham has him at Lynchburg.

[GiveHyzduashot]

On Kendall:

When it comes to catching, Jason Kendall will point directly to his father, Fred Kendall, as to who influenced the Pittsburgh backstop the most through his seven-year haul with the Pirates’ ballclub. Fred Kendall, a 12-season big-league catcher with San Diego (1969-76, 1979-80), Cleveland (1977) and Boston (1978), taught his son the fine art of receiving pitchers ever since the 28-year-old could pack on the equipment as a youth.
As the Bucs entered their third day of workouts for both pitchers and catchers, however, the younger Kendall put his 143 games (140 starts) in 2002 with Pittsburgh aside and patiently hung on each and every word instructed by both former Pittsburgh backstop Mike LaValliere and John Russell, the club’s newest third base coach and catching instructor.
Kendall, along with all eight backstops invited to work out with the Pittsburgh arms this spring -- including Humberto Cota, Craig Wilson, Blake Barthol and J.R. House -- practiced four different catching drills for 45 minutes. All participants practiced glove placement -- moving it in a circular motion to get the ball to register in the middle of the mitt and pulling the ball in, up or down, and body movement around the dish.
As Kendall finished working around the plate, Russell immediately discussed how the catcher would benefit from centering his mitt instead of “edging” it with the outer portion of the glove. Kendall then asked a few questions before jumping right back down, which followed a, “ah ha, yep, that’s it,” by Russell.
Russell instructed all to “learn to receive each pitcher differently. You have to drop your tendencies and be able to pick up theirs. It just plays for a smoother ballgame that way.”
Barthol and Ryan Doumit also impressed coaches during the exercises.
The three-time All-Star followed the drills with 20 minutes in the batting cage, and Kendall then grabbed the attention of hitting coach Gerald Perry by driving the ball to all fields. Although he was unable to top the fences of Pirate City, Kendall was able to consistently flirt with the right field foul – three in a row and all fair balls. “That’s it. Right there. Right there,” hollered Perry, who had a short discussion with Kendall after his first run at PB on Saturday.

WHO THREW TODAY: Ariel Prieto, Ryan Vogelsong, Matt Herges, Mike Williams, Al Reyes, Dennys Reyes, John Wasdin, Jeff D’Amico, Mike Gonzalez, Brian Boehringer, Kris Benson, Chris Holtz, Pat Mahomes and Jeff Suppan.
While most of the media attention centered on Suppan and Benson, it was Prieto and Vogelsong who attracted the Pittsburgh brass and coaches. Prieto wowed everyone with his fastball and slider. “He’s tough. The way he follows with the action in his wrist disguises his pitches,” said farm director Brian Graham.
Pitching coach Spin Williams turned to the Cuban-born right-hander and said, “That’s nasty,” referring to his slider.
Vogelsong also turned heads his way as the right-hander, who rehabilitated his reconstructed elbow in High-A Lynchburg before finishing last season in Double-A Altoona, impressed with an extra zesty fastball during the 12-minute sideline session.

ANOTHER MILE: All pitchers who did not run the mile course around the warning tracks of the Pirate City fields yesterday, raced it today. Left-hander Scott Sauerbeck’s time of 5:40 yesterday proved to be the very best even though Vogelsong blew past all today to finish at 6:01. Mahomes (6:30) came in second with Wasdin and Prieto following at the same time (6:35).
Mike Williams, who skipped the run to stretch with trainers, immediately grabbed a water cooler and held it above his head to aid his fellow pitchers after their journey around. “See, teamwork. That’s what it’s about,” the closer joked.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Pirate Report – February 18, 2003

WHO THREW TODAY: Josh Fogg, Joe Beimel, Mark Corey, Saloman Torres, Melqui Torres, Brian Meadows, Kip Wells, Shawn Camp, Nelson Figueroa, Scott Sauerbeck, Jim Mann, Bryan Bullington, Bobby Bradley and Julian Tavarez all participated in the 12-mintue sideline sessions.
Spin Williams instructs all of his arms to “throw your first pitch for a strike and then take it from there. Every first-pitch has to be a strike.” The pitching coach also told pitchers to keep ball down in the strike zone. “You gotta get those pitches down there,” he said. “We want ground balls. Let Pokey (Reese) and Jack (Wilson) work.”
Williams also had his pitchers work on pitch outs – against both right-handed and left-handed hitters – and pickoff moves on Tuesday. “Don’t just bump and go,” Williams told them. “Check your runner, then go over to the bag. Forcing it over only causes for errors.”

Sauerbeck, who stands as one of the very few veteran southpaws in camp, steadily worked with both Williams and bullpen coach Bruce Tanner on specifics about the release-points and locations of all his pitches. The 31-year-old four-season reliever found that “while releasing the ball (early and from the side) might feel good, I don’t have the command I need.”
Williams and Tanner had the left-handed setup man release his fastball and curveball from two different angles – short with a little side action and straight over the top – allowing Sauerbeck to find a comfort spot with each throw. “I just got to release my curveball lower,” Sauerbeck told Tanner. “And you get better movement on it then,” he replied.

At one point toward the end of the sideline workouts, Williams turned to Tanner and asked who was missing. “I only got 14,” he said out loud. “Who’s out?”
Right-handers Mike Lincoln and Rolando Arrojo sat out from today’s throwing session, but both are believed to be back throwing by Thursday. Lincoln, who slipped on a golf ball during the weekend while jogging around the fences of Pirate City, has been experiencing tightness in his throwing shoulder.
Arrojo, who reported to minicamp out of shape and unable to run a mile completely, has suffered from a pulled hamstring muscle since the first day of camp. The Cuban-born righty has skipped out of practices early to have trainers stretch the muscle before riding a stationary bike for up to 45 minutes.

Right-hander Duaner Sanchez, who has been excused from the first four days of workouts to be at the side of his ill father in his native Dominican Republic, is scheduled to dress and practice Wednesday morning.
GM Dave Littlefield wasn’t too concerned with the youngster missing the few days. “He threw all winter in the Dominican Winter League,” the general manager said. “So he’s only had about 10 or 12 days without throwing. He should be well-rested and prepared when he gets in.”
Sanchez participated with Gigantes in the Dominican this offseason, registering a 4-1 record with a 1.31 ERA over 20 innings (16 games). The Pirates kept a close eye on the right-hander, who is running for a spot in Pittsburgh’s bullpen.
Littefield’s scouting department also reported that the fireballer, who has registered triple digits on the radar guns, worked on command to support his velocity.
“We want him to realize that he doesn’t have to throw 100 mph to be effective,” Littlefield explained. “Those are things young players like himself go through, but he has a very good fastball and the stuff that has the potential to do a lot.”
The Pirates’ pitching coach also understood that some work would still be needed with the right-hander.
“He can throw,” Williams said. “We’re really going to have to put the reigns on this guy. All I want to see is good pitches out of him.”

[GiveHyzduashot]

PIRATE REPORT – February 18, 2003

Weather: Partly cloudy, highs in the mid 70s.


• Manager Lloyd McClendon did not alter his pitchers’ and catchers’ workouts on Tuesday, but he did say that every member of the Pittsburgh organization were with heavy hearts for the family of pitcher Steve Bechler, and the Baltimore Orioles.
“Dave (Littlefield) addressed the pitchers before the start of practice and reminded everyone here that there’s no need right now to try and do too much,” the manager said. “Plus, (new head trainer) Brad (Henderson) has been very close by at all times.
“We have to depend on communication with our players to be sure everyone is feeling fine and healthy throughout spring training,” he continued. “And that’s exactly what we’ve been doing.”
The 23-year-old Baltimore prospect died Monday – one day after complaining of dizziness. Team physicians explained that Bechler appears to have died of multiple-organ failure due to heatstroke. The autopsy results, however, may not be complete for several weeks.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers will have Wednesday off to ready themselves to toss live batting practice to teammates during the club’s first full workout on Thursday. Half the hurlers will debut on Thursday and the other half will be available for BP on Friday.

• Bryan Bullington, the Pirates’ top pick and the amateur draft’s first overall selection was much more relaxed today while throwing his second bullpen session in big-league camp. The 22-year-old admitted that when taking the mound on Sunday – in front of pitching coach Spin Williams, GM Dave Littlefield and McClendon … not to mention his mother and father – he was very nervous.
“You hear everyone say not to throw too hard or worry about it, but how can you not when you have those kinds of people watching every move,” the young prospect said. “Today was much better. It didn’t feel like everyone was staring me down.”
Bullington’s parents also returned to their Indiana home. “My dad’s never made me that nervous, but my mom does sometimes,” he said with a smile. “You know how mothers can be some times.”
Farm director Brian Graham said he expects to start the former Ball State hurler’s pro career in short-season Williamsport this year. “Hopefully, he can get an inning or two in (during the big-league exhibition season) before moving over to minor-league camp to join his team in March,” he said. “And then we’ll work with him and get him ready to take on the next level.”

• McClendon joined hitting instructor Gerald Perry in watching third baseman Aramis Ramirez take batting practice at Pirate City on Tuesday. “It’s very easy for me to say at this point that I’ve liked what I have seen so far from him,” the manager said. “He’s fit and trim, hitting the ball hard and he’s in good spirits – and that’s something we didn’t see much of last season.”
Ramirez now acknowledges that the altercation he experienced with Milwaukee pitcher Ben Sheets last April was unnecessary. Ramirez charged Sheets after the right-hander plunked the infielder, but the third sacker limped his way off the field following the fight with a severely sprained ankle.
Ramirez missed a week of action while suspended by MLB for the fight, and then two more weeks while recovering and rehabilitating the ankle. At the time of the injury, Ramirez was hitting .348 – the infielder completed the 2002 season with a .234 average and just 18 homers. “We’ve talked about it a lot since it happened, and he knows now that he has to think about his team before doing anything like that again,” McClendon said.
Before being pushed the ground, Ramirez hurled his batting helmet at Sheets -- the second time he has tossed equipment in the direction of a pitcher who beaned him.
“It was just a reaction both times,” Ramirez said. “But I know not to do that again. I can’t play and help the team win if I’m on the DL.”

• Perry replaces Dave Clark as the team’s hitting instructor, and McClendon – the Bucs’ batting coach for four seasons under former manager Gene Lamont – says Perry’s approach is very similar to his own.
“He and I have had a lot of conversations about what we need to do to improve the offense this season, and we’ve had a lot of the same ideas for different guys,” the two-season skipper explained. “His main message was the same as mine – stay on top and swing through the ball, and cut down when you need to cut down.
“It all relies on the preparation of our hitters. They have to do their homework as far as the pitchers are concerned. We can talk to our players until we are blue in the face, but it’s up to them to take what we tell them and better hitters.”

• On Sunday, Jason Kendall welcomed a crowd of young fans and signed autographs for more than 10 minutes following the Pirates’ practice. On Monday, he did the same.
On Tuesday, however, the 28-year-old Kendall offered one child one of his rose-colored bats following his batting practice session. “I’ve always said that it’s about the kids for me. They means everything to this game,” the three-time All-Star said. “It’s easy to get into bad moods during the course of the season depending on how the team is doing or how you are feeling about yourself.
“But when you see the kids – the way they look up to you – who can help themselves?”
Access to Pittsburgh’s players is far better in Bradenton than in Pittsburgh. The only chance autograph seekers receive during the regular season is before or after games. At Pirate City, however, the camp’s participants must, at times, split the crowd in order to travel from one practice field to another. “I don’t think that bothers anyone on the team,” Kendall said. “These are our fans, and you have to appreciate that. I know it doesn’t seem like we always do – for whatever reasons – but when it comes down to it, it’s the fans that make this game go ’round.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

The Pirates’ medical director, Dr. Patrick DeMeo, completed his busiest year ever with scalpel in hand – his 850 surgical procedures performed in one year is a statistic, which stands tallest in the United States. Shortstop Jack Wilson’s reaction? “Well, hey, I had the most of sacrifice bunts in the United States last year. Does that count for anything?”

[GiveHyzduashot]

PIRATE REPORT – February 19, 2003

• WHO THREW TODAY: Dennys Reyes, Jeff Suppan, Brian Boehringer, Al Reyes, Pat Mahones, Matt Herges, Mike Gonzalez, John Wasdin, Jeff D’Amico, Ryan Vogelsong, Mike Williams, Kris Benson, Mike Holtz, Ariel Prieto and Dauner Sanchez all hurled for 15 minutes in the bullpen this afternoon. Those who threw today will have tomorrow off but will return to throw live BP on Friday, as those who threw yesterday will pitch BP tomorrow.
The Pirates’ brass were all out to get their first look at Sanchez this spring, and most seemed to like what they saw – a fearless fastball.

• Gonzalez, who is bidding for a spot in the Bucs’ bullpen through his left wing, also received some attention. Dave Littlefield made sure to look at “Gonzo” this fall at the Arizona Fall League when the general manager was in the desert for the annual GM Meetings.
In 13 games with the Phoenix Desert Dogs this offseason, the southpaw registered no record with to saves and a 1.06 ERA through 17 frames of work.

• First baseman Kevin Young and right fielder Matt Stairs were among a handful of position players who reported to Pirate City this morning. The Pirates’ first complete team work out is slated for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow morning with a total of 64 participants.
Infielder Abraham Nunez was in uniform today – his new No. 7 – and worked out with the man whom he gave his No. 10 to --Alavaro Espinoza. Espinoza worked with both Nunez and third baseman Aramis Ramirez, and while the conversations were without a hint of English, the infield coach instructed each to line up and confront ground balls.

• Catching instructors Mike LaValliere and John Russell had their eight backstops work on blocking and stopping exercises before hitting batting practice. “Never expect a ball to go into the dirt,” Russell said. “You have to attack it and stop it.”
Each catcher set behind the dish and dropped behind three balls -- one at a time --placed one foot apart in front of the plate. “Remember your five hole,” LaValliere instructed, as each moved back and forth like a hockey goalie between the posts. “If it goes in the five hole, you’re just telling me your lazy.”

[GiveHyzduashot]

PIRATE REPORT – February 19, 2003

Weather – Partly Cloudy, highs in the low 70s.

• As word of the signing of Reggie Sanders spread throughout the Pirates’ clubhouse at McKechnie Field on Wednesday, one player sat near his locker with his head down – Rob Mackowiak.
It was Mackowiak who was expected to receive the first shot in center field this spring, but one day before position players will join the club’s pitchers and catchers on the fields of Pirate City, his focus now must return back to a utility role. “Well, of course I’m disappointed because I thought I was going to get the shot,” he said. “But what can I do? It’s a good thing for the team – it makes us better, right? So I have to be happy.”
The 26-year-old Mackowiak was positioned in five different spots in 2002, and is prepared to do much the same this spring. “I guess I go back to fighting for a spot on the big-league team,” the outfielder/infielder said. “And that’s OK with me. That’s how I got here in the first place.”
Mackowiak, in fact, was a 53rd-round draft pick in 1996 – the same summer pitcher Kris Benson was the first overall selection and received $2 million to sign on the dotted line.
The Sanders signing – reportedly for one year, $1 million and a spot on the 40-man roster -- is expected to push All-Star outfielder Brian Giles to center field to allow the former Giant to play left. A platoon situation with new acquisition Matt Stairs sharing time with Craig Wilson was expected when spring training first opened on Feb. 15, but Mackowiak now hopes to figure into that decision. The left-handed hitting Mackowiak appeared in 76 games in right field last season.
“It’s obvious to me now that someone didn’t want me to play there or they wouldn’t have gone out and signed (Sanders), but maybe this means I can move over (to right) and get a lot of playing time there,” he said. “But the same thing is true all of the time – it’s out of my control. All I can do is go out there and play as hard as I always have and see what happens.
“I think that approach has worked so far,” he added, “so why change now?”
Team officials refused to comment on the agreement and will not until Sanders passes a physical. The outfielder may not arrive to Bradenton until early next week so that is when GM Dave Littlefield will have to decide who he will remove from his current protection list.

• Pokey Reese stood behind the same batting cage at Pirate City for the fourth straight day. He held the same conversation with hitting instructor Gerald Perry – again – and explained – “For the millionth time,” he said – how the index finger on his glove hand was injured.
“I was loading my dog into my car,” he said with a smile. “I wasn’t looking, and I slammed the door on it.
“My dog’s name is ‘Beans’ because that’s what he likes to eat the most – and he sure does stink up my apartment.”
The digit is still splinted but no longer bruised. The damage was not to his fingernail area, but instead to the top joint of the finger. “It’s just going to be a couple more days, and then I’ll be able to get out there and show everybody what I can,” Reese said.
“Good,” Perry said with a laugh. “I’m gettin’ tired of hearing about it – I want to see it.”
Reese, who hit .264 in 119 games in 2002, refused to set goals for himself this season – officially, that is. Unofficially, the two-time Gold Glover has set his sights pretty high. “I think I can hit .300 and get 50 steals, but to do that, I have to play 162 (games).
“That’s my real goal – maybe not 162, but I want to be out there for 150, for sure.”
The second sacker missed days because of an ailing right hamstring (two weeks), an injured right index finger (five games), a strain left oblique muscle (five games) and to attend to child custody hearings in his native South Carolina (four games).
“I’ve started this spring on a bad note, but I’ve still been working hard on my legs and the rest of what I can work,” he said. “I’ll be ready – if it weren’t for this finger thing, I’d be ready already.”

• Much promise preceded right-hander Ryan Vogelsong’s arrival to Pittsburgh after he was involved with the John Vander Wal-Jason Schmidt trade to San Francisco in July 2001. Vogelsong was initially shipped to Triple-A Nashville for continued conditioning while the hurler prepared to start instead of relieve for the Pirates.
Following six starts for the Sounds, Littlefield summoned Vogelsong to the big-league roster for a September stint, but two games and six innings later the pitcher was sidelined and in need of reconstructive elbow surgery. He spent 12 months rehabilitating and ended last year with Double-A Altoona with hopes of competing for the fourth and fifth spots in skipper Lloyd McClendon five-man rotation.
Vogelsong, however, is just one hurler in a huge crowd of competition collected for the spring session. “I feel a little forgotten,” he said. “But I guess I have to make the most of the opportunities I get down here.”
Darold Knowles, a veteran of 17 big-league seasons on the mound and presently Nashville’s pitching coach, said Vogelsong needs to employ better pitch location and change speeds more often. “He’s had a tendency to get the ball up in the hitter’s zone, and that’s the area a guy who wants to make that next step has to avoid the most,” he said.
“You never know, he could show that this spring and surprise everyone,” Knowles continued. “But now, before any of the games, I expect him to be in Nashville to start the season.”
McClendon does not believe inviting 33 pitchers to spring camp will allow any of the candidates to be overlooked. “I’m not going to apologize for trying to make this team better, and if any of the guys are feeling left out, I’d tell them to catch up.
“This is about taking your best 25 guys north with you, and that’s what I plan to do,” the manager said. “My job is to win baseball games, and that’s what I plan to do. I like everyone of these guys, but I can’t take all of them with me.”

• McClendon and Littlefield will address the entire ballclub for the first time tomorrow before their scheduled workout at 11:30 a.m., and Littlefield explained that his speech will sound a lot like the one he delivered last spring that insisted on “accountability.”
“I just want to make sure everyone is on the same page, and there’s not going to be much change in the message I try to deliver to our guys. It’s the same message because it’s still very true and always will be.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

After confirming with McClendon that Pittsburgh hitters will face live pitching tomorrow during their first batting practice sessions of the spring, the manager said, “Yeah, unfortunately, the hitters won’t be happy tomorrow.”

PIRATE REPORT – February 19, 2003

• WHO THREW TODAY: Dennys Reyes, Jeff Suppan, Brian Boehringer, Al Reyes, Pat Mahones, Matt Herges, Mike Gonzalez, John Wasdin, Jeff D’Amico, Ryan Vogelsong, Mike Williams, Kris Benson, Mike Holtz, Ariel Prieto and Dauner Sanchez all hurled for 15 minutes in the bullpen this afternoon. Those who threw today will have tomorrow off but will return to throw live BP on Friday, as those who threw yesterday will pitch BP tomorrow.
The Pirates’ brass were all out to get their first look at Sanchez this spring, and most seemed to like what they saw – a fearless fastball.

• Gonzalez, who is bidding for a spot in the Bucs’ bullpen through his left wing, also received some attention. Dave Littlefield made sure to look at “Gonzo” this fall at the Arizona Fall League when the general manager was in the desert for the annual GM Meetings.
In 13 games with the Phoenix Desert Dogs this offseason, the southpaw registered no record with to saves and a 1.06 ERA through 17 frames of work.

• First baseman Kevin Young and right fielder Matt Stairs were among a handful of position players who reported to Pirate City this morning. The Pirates’ first complete team work out is slated for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow morning with a total of 64 participants.
Infielder Abraham Nunez was in uniform today – his new No. 7 – and worked out with the man whom he gave his No. 10 to --Alavaro Espinoza. Espinoza worked with both Nunez and third baseman Aramis Ramirez, and while the conversations were without a hint of English, the infield coach instructed each to line up and confront ground balls.

• Catching instructors Mike LaValliere and John Russell had their eight backstops work on blocking and stopping exercises before hitting batting practice. “Never expect a ball to go into the dirt,” Russell said. “You have to attack it and stop it.”
Each catcher set behind the dish and dropped behind three balls -- one at a time --placed one foot apart in front of the plate. “Remember your five hole,” LaValliere instructed, as each moved back and forth like a hockey goalie between the posts. “If it goes in the five hole, you’re just telling me you're lazy.”

[GiveHyzduashot]

PIRATE REPORT – February 20, 2003

Weather – Mostly Sunny, highs in the mid 70s.

• First baseman Randall Simon was not permitted to participate during the Pirates’ first full-squad practice because the teams’ medical staff transferred the results of his EKG test to a cardiologist in Pittsburgh for re-evaluation.
Simon, who avoided arbitration on Feb. 11 by agreeing to a one-year, $1,475,000 contract, is coming off a season in which he set career highs in home runs (19), RBI (82) and slugging percentage (.459). He has a career batting average of .305 with 30 homers in 321 games.
An EKG test reviews the workings of the electrical system associated with the heartbeat. Any electrical disturbance discovered by team doctors is immediately re-evaluated.
That is also why minor-league prospect Walter Young did not take part in drills. Both players will be re-tested in the morning, and both are expected to return to active duty no later than Sunday.

• Drill sessions during Thursday’s workout were shortened by two minutes due to the increase in temperatures in the Bradenton area. “In light of what has happened this spring training, I’m sure everyone understands,” McClendon said. “But it’s something that we’ve done as long as I’ve been with this organization.”

• Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski reported to on-field duty along with the ballclub’s position players on Thursday – and baseball’s all-time greatest second baseman stayed on the field as much as possible.
“If I walked down that sidewalk and into the middle of that crowd, I could be there for hours and be no help to anyone,” Mazeroski said with a grin. “Sure, you get tired of it sometimes, but it’s really hard to say no.”
“Maz” estimated that he signs as many as 300 autographs each day at Pirate City. “It’s gotten a lot worse since the Hall of Fame thing,” he said. “Before, it was just my name, but now they all want that H-O-F stuff.”
Mazeroski will remain in camp until March 7, and then will return to his Florida home in Panama City and assist his son, Darrell, who serves as head coach for Panama City Community College. In May, he and his wife, Milene, plan to return to their Greensburg, Pa., residence and remain until the end of September.

• The hitters’ first trips to the plate of the spring came against live pitching – and batters held their own while others went down swinging.
All-Star outfielder Brian Giles stepped in against right-hander Salomon Torres and roped a few gap shorts on fastballs, and made contact with all other breaking pitches.
Outfielder Tony Alvarez, however, left his encounter with Torres with a pair of broken bats and begging for a little help from his friends.
“No way, Tony,” first baseman Kevin Young said. “You done broke two already. I’m not giving you any of mine.”
Alvarez then taped the two sticks tightly with white athletic tape, completed his turns in the cage, and then gave the two bats to children in attendance.
Catcher Jason Kendall made good wood against righty Jim Mann; third baseman Aramis Ramirez took starter Josh Fogg deep; and shortstop Jack Wilson stroked a homer off of non-roster invitee Nelson Figueroa.

• The club’s first full workout began with a 20-minute meeting during which Littlefield and McClendon addressed the 65 players in camp. Littlefield said his only goal was “to make sure we are all on the same page as far as what we wish to accomplish this season.”
The general manager also encouraged the players to interact with the public present each day at the training facility, and to attempt to sign autographs whenever possible.
McClendon, however, wished not to discuss his words to the Pirates’ 40-man and non-roster invitee listings with media members. The manager, soon to enter the last season of a three-year agreement, was heard saying, “We are not rebuilding, and there are no more excuses. I expect us to win this season. It’s been too long and it’s time for us to get back to our winning ways.”
In a post-practice press conference – staged at a four-seater picnic table next to the indoor batting cages at Pirate City – the manager said, “I’ll be honest with you guys, I didn’t want you to hear anything I was saying to my players. You know me by now … if I wanted you to hear what I had to say, I would have invited you out there to join us.
“What I had to say this morning was between me and my players,” he continued. “I think it’s safe to say that everyone knows where I’m coming from.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Reliever Scott Sauerbeck was in the group of pitchers to face the new arrivals on Wednesday, and while warming up catcher Blake Barthol noticed that the southpaw had cut the long mane with which he arrived to camp.
The non-roster backstop said, “You look like your four or five years younger today.”
Sauerbeck replied, “Visa problems.”

[GiveHyzduashot]

One thing that caught my eye ...

Drill sessions during Thursday’s workout were shortened by two minutes due to the increase in temperatures in the Bradenton area.

I'm sure Mac was trying to be cautious, but to cut short practice by two minutes out of what was scheduled to be a four and a half hour practice? It doesn't seem to me that any severe problems could've been prevented because practice was cut short by two minutes.

[BPBlueSox]

Wow, Mac...how generous of you...:hmm:

[GiveHyzduashot]

PIRATE REPORT – February 21, 2003

Weather – mostly cloudy with highs in mid-70s.

• A defense that produced the most double plays in baseball last season showed off a little on Friday at Pirate City of what to expect in 2003, and perhaps in the near future.
The morning’s opening drill featured work on pulling off the deuce, and despite the absence of second sacker Pokey Reese, the camp’s infielders were impressive – especially one prospect known in name, but not actions, in Pittsburgh.
Middle infielder Jose Castillo joined third baseman Aramis Ramirez, shortstop Jack Wilson, utility infielder Abraham Nunez and first baseman Kevin Young in the exercise, and the youngster made many ponder on the future.
“I have to admit to you, Castillo looked very impressive to me today,” the manager said. “Everything the scouts have been telling us is now coming true on these fields.”
Castillo did experience some difficulty with completing the goals of the “situational” batting practice during Friday’s workout. “That kind of batting practice is something I have always used, starting back to when I was the hitting instructor,” McClendon said. “And it’s been interesting to watch as some of these guys get better at it over the years.
“Young guys have troubles with it because all their lives they’ve just been asked to hit the ball hard somewhere. Most of the time it didn’t matter where the ball went worked,” he said. “The good ones learn – that’s part of what starts to separate them from others.”
Castillo, who worked at both shortstop and second base during the morning drill, will begin the 2003 season with Double-A Altoona after batting .300 with 16 homers, 81 RBI, 25 doubles and 27 base swipes for Carolina League-champion Lynchburg last season. The All-Star infielder was guilty of 33 fielding miscues in 134 games, but was still named the best defensive shortstop with the top infield arm in the circuit.
Castillo’s presence in Pittsburgh, however, may soon become a necessity if the Pirates decide not to trigger the $5 million option they own on Reese’s contract for 2004.
The team has yet to approach Reese concerning the option or about extending his contract. “But if they do, the first I tell them is that I want to stay here,” the two-time Gold Glover said. “I like the team and the fans are great.
“All I know,” Reese said, “is that the people in Pittsburgh gave me a bobblehead, so why would I want to leave?”

• Farm leaguer Walter Young joined the action on Friday at Pirate City as the first baseman was cleared for all drills after team doctors shelved the prospect for Thursday first full-squad workout because of an irregularity on an EKG test.
Offseason acquisition Randall Simon, however, was limited to batting practice and long toss while waiting to take additional tests at a Bradenton hospital after the practice.
“It’s nothing serious,” Simon said. “Once I get these tests out of the way, I’m be cleared and ready to go tomorrow.”
McClendon reiterated the lack of seriousness surrounding Simon’s situation. “Now, if there are more problems that show up at a later time, then we’ll be very concerned,” he said. “But Walter Young was out there after further tests, and we expect Randall to be out there tomorrow – at the very latest, Sunday.”
Young explained that he was asked to run on a treadmill for 20 minutes as part of the additional testing. “They had my shirt off and wires going everywhere,” he said. “And then I had to run for 20 minutes. It was tougher than what we have to do out here.”

• Outfield prospect Tony Alvarez had his season end prematurely this winter in his native Venezuela, but explained that while playing he attempted “to care” for the young fans in the stands.
“During each game I was playing, I made sure that every kid at the game got a hot dog and a Coke,” he said. “I thought it would be a good thing to do whatever I can do for the children of my country.”
Alvarez admits he was pleased to exit a country that has been plagued by political unrest for the past six months. The countrywide situation worsened in December, prompting league officials to cancel the remainder of the season.
“I was happy to get here, yes, because that meant that my career could continue,” said Alvarez, a September call-up last year who is expected to begin the upcoming season with Triple-A Nashville. “But I had to leave my family there, and I’m not happy about that.
“I have talked to my parents to see if they wanted to come to America, and I think they are interested,” he continued. “But we have to see what happens (with baseball) first. If I fail, there’s not reason for them to come here. If I fail, I will go back there and work to support them.”

• Littlefield has added four “B” games to the Pirates slate this spring to make sure all the pitchers in camp get a fair shot on the mound. Pittsburgh will line up against the Hyundai Unicorns for seven innings on Feb. 27, the Indians for nine frames on March 4, the Duquesne Dukes for seven on March 5 and a complete contest against Tampa Bay on March 9.
All games are set for Pirate City, and each game owns start times of 10 a.m.


QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Position players were greeted with live pitching for a second straight day, and Friday featured a face-off between right-hander Kris Benson, and two-time All-Star Brian Giles. During one round, Benson snapped one of Giles’ bats with a fastball, and during the last round Giles smacked a line drive up the middle.
Benson, already protected by a netted screen, ducked as the ball struck the metal support guarding Benson’s head. “That’s a wake up call, huh, Pea?” Giles turned and said to hitting instructor Gerald Perry.
The hurler’s next two pitches were knee high and inside, provoking Giles to say to Benson, “Get ’em inside in the game, dude, not a against me.”

[GiveHyzduashot]

Pirate Report – February 24, 2003

Light wind, but mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 70s.

Manager Lloyd McClendon addressed all 65 players prior to their three-hour workout today. The skipper issued that his players at least wear rubber-based cleats while running and shagging in the outfield, after noticing some players changing from spikes to jogging shoes during practice.
“We’ve already had too many nagging injuries,” McClendon told his players. “We can’t have this anymore. It stops now.”
Toward the end of today’s workout, McClendon became extremely frustrated at one group during batting practice. Mike Gulan, Tomas de la Rosa and J.J. Davis were among the pack stopped by the skipper. “You guys are rushing to hit. Why?” McClendon questioned. “Quit rushing through it. See the ball and then react. You’re not accomplishing anything by just swinging.”
Moments later, McClendon pulled Davis aside and appeared to tell the outfielder to follow through with his elbow in. “Travel to it and make contact,” he said. “You’re chopping at it. My mother can chop at the ball. Just hit the thing.”
After another run of swings, McClendon summoned Davis back to the side for another lesson. “You don’t listen do you? You’re moving your back leg,” McClendon said, as he showed the 24-year-old to use his back leg as leverage and power when making contact.
Davis then went back in and followed his instructor’s direction. “Yeah, but two days,” McClendon said. “In two days, you’ll be back doing what you do again.”
Davis tried to make an argument, but McClendon replied, “I don’t want to hear it.”
Once Davis moved on to join the rest of the team for conditioning, the manager turned to his fellow coaches and pleaded his frustration with the youngster. “When he was at PNC last summer, he was crushing the ball like you wouldn’t believe,” he told them. “He was making the others look silly at times.
“I was there. He can do it. He showed me that.”


WHO THREW TODAY:
Kris Benson, Jeff Suppan, Brian Boehringer, Al Reyes, Matt Herges, Jeff D’Amico, Pat Mahomes, Mike Williams, Ryan Vogelsong, Ariel Prieto, Mike Holtz and John Wasdin all threw 12 minutes worth of live batting practice this afternoon.

Left-hander Dave Williams threw 30 pitches off the mound in front of team trainers and bullpen coach Bruce Tanner this morning. “He threw the ball very nice,” Tanner said. “His last 20 pitchers were thrown so free and easy. He’s coming along nicely.”

Pokey Reese, still hampering his right index finger, partially participated today, taking ground balls from infield coach Alvaro Espinoza. “He’s been cleared to go at a slow pace,” McClendon said. “Hitting-wise he’ll continue soft toss and off a tee before facing live pitching.”

The Pirates first exhibition game is Wednesday, Feb. 26, against Manatee Community College. McClendon released his list of who to expect to go against the college kids: Salomon Torres, Bobby Bradley, Nelson Figueroa, Shawn Camp, Jim Mann, Joe Beimel and Bryan Bullington are all slated to throw during the nine-frame contest.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
When asked by members of the media his thoughts on Walter Young, and the young first baseman’s long ball demonstration during batting practice, McClendon replied, “When that kid hits the ball, huh … ball goes far.”

[GiveHyzduashot]

PIRATE REPORT – February 25, 2003

WEATHER – mostly cloudy, highs in high 70s

• The “Reggie Show” officially arrived here to Bradenton on Tuesday.
Although the signing of Reggie Sanders was reported first by some wanna-be baseball hack on Pittsburgh’s ESPN Radio 1250, the arrival of the outfielder caused quite a stir at Pirate City.
Manager Lloyd McClendon not only called the Sanders’ addition an automatic upgrade, but also referred to the 35-year-old as a “fantastic human being.”
“ He makes us a better team on the field, and a better team in every other way,” the skipper said. “He’s a class act who takes care of himself physically and mentally for every game.”
GM Dave Littlefield hopes Sanders’ veteran status will translate into clubhouse leadership, but insisted the acquisition took place primarily for offensive production. “Everyone has told me about how great of a guy he is, and I’m sure he’ll be a good clubhouse guy, but the reason we acquired him was to increase our run production at a price that would fit in our budget.”
McClendon said his outfield alignment remains unsettled, but explained that he and two-time All-Star Brian Giles have discussed possible moves. “Brian and I had a very candid conversation about the situation, and he’s told me that he’s willing to do whatever makes our team a better team. The only request he has made is not to be moved from one spot to another.
“To me, that’s a reasonable request,” McClendon continued. “Those decisions will be made soon.”

• As far as Littlefield is concerned, Giles may stay put in left field where he belongs.
Littlefield said Tuesday that Kenny Lofton is dribbling the ball, and the Pirates are waiting to see what the veteran outfielder is going to do with it. Littlefield explained that Pittsburgh has made its offer – reportedly a minor-league deal, but one with a huge major-league promise – and are waiting for an answer.
“The guy is a grown man who has been a major-league player for a lot of years,” the GM said. “I’m sure he thinks things out for himself, and when he’s come to a decision, he’ll let us know. We’ve shown interest and he knows it.”

• McClendon continued his close observation of the drills at Pirate City on Tuesday, and also sent hitting instructor Gerald Perry to watch Triple-A prospect J.J. Davis take practice.
McClendon was critical of the 24year-old on Monday and wished for Perry to review the slugger’s mechanics today. “By no means am I singling out J.J.,” the manager explained. “I wanted to see if he was employing what we told him or if he did go back to what he thinks is the best.”
Davis explained today that he feels the new approach will increase his power to the opposite way. “I was starting in a position too low to the ball and having to come for high pitches,” the outfielder said. “By starting higher, I’m able to take the high, outside strike stronger to the right side.”
The manager said 11 days of the same ol’-same ol’ is enough. “And it’s not J.J. The spring has reached a point to where the guys are tried of doing the same thing every day,” he said. “I had to make sure we were ready to move forward to playing the games.”
Pittsburgh will line up against Manatee Community College on Wednesday, and then welcome Philadelphia to McKechnie Field for the first contest of the exhibition season. “ The games arrive at the right time every year, it seems, and this is the right time for these guys to start going out there and showing me and everyone else where they belong.
“We’ve cautioned these guys to pace themselves during the drills, but all the competition we’ve been talking about is about to begin. That’s when it’s going to get more interesting.”
McClendon is also looking forward to working with his new coaches in game-time situations. “There’s a lot of stuff that we have to figure out amongst ourselves,” the manager explained. “It’s all about communication – how I’m going to communicate with my base coaches, and them to me … the signals to the catcher … things like that. It’s going to be nice to have this game to break the ice.”

• “It feels good, it feels good,” said Pokey Reese during his second day of limited workouts. “It’s good to finally quit running and running and running.”
Reese has sprinted, over and over, and everything from stepping and ducking under hurdles – not to mention jumping over them – to being tied to a giant rubber band and to run like the wind the other way since losing on-field privileges after smashing his left index finger in his car door.
Reese quickly made his presence known this morning at Pirate City. Following the club’s opening infield drills, the 65 campers broke down for batting practice on the facility’s four fields. As the first hitter on Reese’s field performed the mandatory two bunts, a pair of non-roster invitees attempted to swat the bunted balls back toward the batting cage in slap-shot fashion.
Reese said, “Hey, if you want to play hockey, go to hockey camp. This is baseball. Baseball.”
Reese then turned and said, “Gotta be me.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

McClendon, when asked what he thought of a Houston Chronicle column that referred to the Pirates as “the darkhorse of the Central Division.”
“That’s just a bunch of bull they write to take the pressure off their hometown teams,” he said. “I don’t care about that stuff anyway.”

[GiveHyzduashot]

PIRATE REPORT – February 27, 2003

WEATHER – Overcast with sprinkles, high of 70 degrees

• All of a sudden, Jose Castillo is making a case for a Triple-A assignment instead of the expected duty in Double-A Altoona.
The 22-year-old middle infielder logged a doubleheader on Thursday, playing the entire game against Hyundai in the morning and manning shortstop for six frames after taking over for starter Jack Wilson in the afternoon. He was perfect in the field and collected a single against the Unicorns and a single in two at-bats and scored a run versus the Phillies.
“I am trying to make the regular plays (while) working on my mechanics,” Castillo said following the Pirates 6-3 loss to Philadelphia. “I feel good, and I’m here to play and show (the coaches) what I can do.
“When I’m hitting, I’m just being me,” said Castillo, a .300 hitter for the Carolina League champion Hillcats last year. “
Pittsburgh bench coach Pete Mackanin, who was Castillo’s manager last season, said the infielder is very capable of making the spectacular plays, but now must concentrate on learning the proper positions in certain situations. “Some of the plays he made last year were unbelievable. He would get to the ball and then somehow make the throw to first – you really wanted to have the JumboTron there so you could watch it again and again.
“But he did commit a high amount of errors and a lot of those came on the routine plays that an infielder has to make for his pitcher,” Mackanin explained. “It wasn’t his fielding or his throwing, it was both, so that’s why he’s taking his time when he gets his hands on the ball to make sure his legs are in the proper position to make good throws.”
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez suffered from a similar problem when he arrived to the majors, and the club’s infield instructors continue to offer him individual instruction. “At first,” Ramirez explained, “I depended on my arm to make the plays because that’s what I always did. I had to learn to take my time.”
Castillo has worked at both shortstop and second base this spring -- at McClendon’s request. The club holds an option on Pokey Reese for the 2004 season, but pulling the trigger will cost the Bucs $5 million. Could Castillo be a more affordable option?
“All I can tell you is that I’ve been very impressed with him this spring. He’s taken quite a few steps since last year at this time,” McClendon said. “Everything the scouts have told us about this young has come true this spring,” the manager continued. “He’s got the arm, the range and the eye – and the best thing is that he’s a competitor. He’s out on that field to win every play.”
Castillo could care less about which position he plays. “I’ve always played where they need me, so I have played there before,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to me.”
The infielder does believe, however, that he’s now capable of making the jump from Class A to Triple-A Nashville – and such a scenario would need to take place if GM Dave Littlefield is indeed thinking Castillo could be ready for the majors by next spring. “I don’t know. I think I will be going to Altoona,” Castillo said. “But I think I could play for Nashville if that’s where they tell me to go.”
Brian Graham, Pittsburgh’s development director, said during the offseason that he expected Castillo to take the one-level step with several of his Lynchburg teammates. “He’s a very good player, there’s no doubt. But it’s hard to say this early.”
That’s because that decision will not be made until Castillo is demoted to minor-league camp during the second week of March. “That’s when you will be able to tell how much he’s learned by being here and playing with the big-leaguers,” Mackanin added. “And that’s when everyone will know what level he belongs on.”


• Two frontrunners for the last spot in McClendon’s five-man rotation hurled against the Phillies in right-handers Jeff D’Amico and Ryan Vogelsong, and their manager said he came away impressed with both hurlers.
“I thought they both had good days; they both kept the ball down; and they both worked hard and made the pitchers they had to make.”
D’Amico surrendered one earned run -- a Thome home run in the slugger’s first plate appearance as a Phillie – and an unearned tally in two innings. Vogelsong blanked Philadelphia in the third and fourth frames, surrendering two hits. “It was a good first outing, but it was nothing spectacular,” Vogelsong said. “I threw strikes and got ground balls. That’s the kind of pitcher I am.”
Vogelsong also recorded the team’s first hit of the exhibition season. “I should get some kind of trophy for getting the first ‘knock’ of the spring,” he said with a smile. “It was a first-pitch fastball and I rolled (my wrists) and got it down the line. Wish I could do it every time I’m up there.”
The 25-year-old, acquired in 2001 in the John Vander Wal-Jason Schmidt trade with San Francisco, spent the 2002 season rehabilitating in Altoona from elbow reconstruction until July, and then completed the season with the Curve. “My goal is to get back to where I was before I got hurt,” the pitcher said. “That’s all I want. I want to believe that the whole experience has made me a better pitcher, but that’s not going to be the case until I get back to the big leagues.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Mike Gulan, a non-roster invitee infielder who hails from Steubenville, Ohio – located just 50 miles west of Pittsburgh -- also played a doubleheader on Thursday and performed flawlessly at third base and also stroked a homer against the Phillies’ Hector Mercado to give Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning:
“I’ve always dreamed of a day like today as a Pittsburgh Pirate.”