Here’s a look at what’s in the news and what is coming up on the site.
Today we had an update on the search for a manager. If you saw the article when it was first posted, we have added to it with another update from Jon Heyman.
We have put up two articles on the recent proposed changes to the minor leagues. The first dealt with some of the major changes, while Wilbur Miller added his own thoughts on the subject. There will definitely be more on this subject in the future.
Later today we will have Saturday’s AFL game recap. The fall season is winding down and Peoria still has an outside chance to win their division. Jared Oliva could make a run at the league MVP with a strong finish.
Tomorrow morning will be an update on winter league ball, with a bigger name being added to the Dominican coverage soon (teaser!). Edit: To clarify, I meant bigger than what we have seen so far this winter, which is off to a slow start.
In the late morning, we have something very special. Sundays are usually slow here during football season. Very little news comes out on Sundays in the off-season and while it seems (at least to me) to be a day that more people have time to check the site, it’s never been a good day for page views unless something major was happening. You’re going to want to check tomorrow though for something a little different, but I think everyone will enjoy it.
Next week we will have some season recaps by position, AFL coverage and anything out of winter ball, plus the usual news items. Our Player or the Year, Pitcher of the Year and Breakout Player articles will be posted Tuesday through Thursday.
If you didn’t bookmark this page, explain why in the comments below…or just bookmark it now.
I get the choice of music today. This isn’t my preferred style of music, but I like it a lot, along with other pieces from the great Sonny Boy Williamson
This Date in Pirates History
Ten former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, including a plethora of recent ones and two who were part of the 1971 team. Starting with the oldest first:
Tom McCreery, outfielder for the 1898-1900 Pirates. He was a .303 hitter in 215 games for the Pirates, and batted .320 in three years with Louisville. Finished as a .289 hitter over nine seasons in the majors.
Tom Lovelace, pinch-hitter for the 1922 Pirates. On September 23, 1922, Lovelace hit for pitcher Hal Carlson in the ninth inning and lined out to second base. That ended up being his entire big league career. He played 11 seasons of minor league ball.
Don Leppert, catcher for the 1961-62 Pirates. He debuted mid-season with the 1961 Pirates and hit .267 with three homers in 22 games. In 1962, he hit .266 with three homers in 45 games. After two more big league seasons, then two minor league seasons, he became a minor league manager for one year. From 1968 until 1976 he was a Major League coach with the Pirates.
Rimp Lanier, late season pinch-hitter for the 1971 Pirates. In six big league games, he pinch-hit five times and pinch-ran once, going 0-for-4 at the plate with a HBP. He was a 37th round pick in 1967. He played seven seasons in the minors for the Pirates.
Jose Bautista, utility player for the 2004-08 Pirates. He was a .241 hitter with 43 homers in 400 games for the Pirates. Ended up with 344 homers over his 15-year career, spent with eight different clubs.
Rajai Davis, outfielder for the 2006-07 Pirates. Hit .242 in 44 games for the Pirates before being traded for Matt Morris. Davis has played 1,448 games over 14 seasons in the majors, seeing time with eight clubs. He has a .262 career average and 415 stolen bases.
JA Happ, pitcher for the 2015 Pirates. After being acquired at the trade deadline, he went 7-2, 1.85 in 11 starts with the Pirates. Happ has won 121 games over his 13-year career, seeing time with six different clubs.
James McDonald, pitcher for the 2010-13 Pirates. In four seasons, he had a 27-24, 4.21 record in 435.2 innings. He was acquired from the Dodgers at the 2010 trade deadline, after posting a 4.11 ERA in 76.2 innings over three partial seasons. He did not pitch in the majors after his time with the Pirates.
John Holdzkom, pitcher for the 2014 Pirates. Signed out of independent ball, he worked his way to the majors for nine late season innings, giving up two runs and striking out 14 batters. That turned out to be his only big league time.
Jordan Lyles, pitcher for the 2019 Pirates. In his ninth big league season, he had a 5-7, 5.36 record in 17 starts before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. Now you know why I used the Lyles photo up top, though it worked with the title as well.
