2010 Spring Training Thread

[Borski]

Pedro just hit an RBI single, 10 - 7 Buccos lead top of the 9th, 0 out

[Borski]

Middle of the 9th

Pirates 12
Yankees 7

Edit, Pirates win, 12 - 7

[Borski]

Spring training: Dotel has ... pennant fever?
Even while rehabbing, new Pirates closer's enthusiasm easy to see
Friday, March 12, 2010
By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette



Pirates closer Octavio Dotel makes his bullpen rehabilitation session Thursday at McKechnie Field. Pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and pitching coach Joe Kerrigan are among those watching.

BRADENTON, Fla. -- If anyone on the Pirates' 2010 roster is going to get dragged down by the franchise's miserable recent history, it surely will not be Octavio Dotel.

In the span of a half-hour Thursday morning ...

He pitched a spirited bullpen rehabilitation session, firings fastballs and kicking the rubber as if he were facing ... well, not a plastic dummy. When he threw one wildly inside, he shouted out, "I was trying to scare him!" And when he was done, he granted an interview to a Hispanic TV crew that he capped by crooning a song into the microphone.

"I'm having a great time," Dotel said shortly after that. "The players are great. The coaching staff. Everybody. I like what I see. When you see players who want to prove something, to show everybody, that's good."

Dotel is one of those in the proving category: He is 36 and aiming to show he is still capable of closing after two years as the Chicago White Sox's setup man.

But, in an interview Thursday, he seemed far more focused on the Pirates as a whole. And his daily enthusiasm carried over into the expectations he expressed.

"I hope it goes the way we're looking at it now," he said. "I think it's going to be something good for the city, for the fans and for everybody here to look forward to the Pirates being in the pennant race."

Pennant race?

It was mentioned to Dotel that Pittsburgh has not seen one of those since 1997 and, of course, has not seen a winner since 1992.

"Yes, I know what the history is here. But I think we're starting over. We're going to change how people on the outside think about this team. There's talent here. And I believe in the people at the top, too. That's what I see since I've been here. They're not looking to trade players. They're looking to keep players as long as they can, to win, to be in the pennant race. That's good. When you have that mentality and the bosses have that mentality to prove themselves, they're going to bring in anyone we need to go to the next level."

He paused, then repeated: "That's what I see since I've been here. I don't see the past. The mentality here is about winning. And it should be that way. This is a major league team. It should have been that way a long time ago."

Dotel's 35-pitch bullpen session -- including 10 offspeed pitches -- was his second while recovering from a strained left oblique. He will have another Saturday and a live batting practice Monday. After that, he will pitch an inning of a minor league game.

"I feel really good that I'll be ready," Dotel said of the opener. "But I don't want to push it."

[steelerdude15]

I'm happy to see this. Too bad we lost today though.

[Borski]

Does anyone know when the first round of cuts are in Spring training? I Iooked around a bit but I couldn't find it.

[Borski]

Pirates lose by hitting into a triple play in the 9th, sloppy baserunning

[steelpride12]

Bucco's ahh I have loved these guys since my uncle got me into them when I was 6 win or lose. It has been tough, but every season they look promising and falter!

[Borski]

Pirates beat CC and the Yanks again in a homer fest 10-5

HRs: Iwamura 1, Crosby 2 , Young 1, Pearce 1

[pittsburghp8baller]

Originally Posted by Borski

Pirates beat CC and the Yanks again in a homer fest 10-5

HRs: Iwamura 1, Crosby 2 , Young 1, Pearce 1

watched the game, impressive showing by the Pirates. Charlie Morton was lights out, one of the things they stressed in the broadcast booth (other than season ticket sales) was how all that is holding Morton back is confidence and the ability to bring together all his stuff. He by far has the best stuff on the staff, he just needs to put it together. Hopefully a start like this against the world champions will push him in the right direction.

and im happy to say that even though he has played over 100 games in the majors im still wowed at McCutchen's speed, stealing third without a throw is something not many can do

[pittsburghp8baller]

Originally Posted by Borski

Does anyone know when the first round of cuts are in Spring training? I Iooked around a bit but I couldn't find it.

they cut there first few after the game yesterday, none surprises

G Hernandez, A Diaz, Brandon Jones, R Uviedo, Ramon Aguero and Brian Friday

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/ne...=.jsp&c_id=pit