February 18, 2015

Column: For Pirates, fresh chance at real ‘flag’

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC BRADENTON, Fla. — Starling Marte got a new glove. Tony Watson got a new child. A.J. Burnett got a new chance to be with his old team. Kent Tekulve got a new heart and, as the rebounding Rubberband Man put it through a smile as bright as the endless, sunny skies over

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91 Comments Newest to oldest

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JMo
2-18-2015, 6:42 pm
If this lineup plays to its potential...it could be scary good. The combination of power and speed is unmatched not only in the division, but the NL. Go Buccos!!!

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Macchamp74
2-18-2015, 6:44 pm
Looking forward to spring training coverage.
Can't wait for opening day!
Good stuff about Teke...missed him on Root post game show.

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r_adical1
2-18-2015, 6:51 pm
Yea

It is encouraging that Pedro made an effort

Let hope spring eternal

Let's go Bucs

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Dave G
2-18-2015, 7:15 pm
Agreed on Pedro. Just needed to see some kind- ANY kind - of extra effort from him to show he's serious about being a responsible person.

Call me impressed. And surprised, actually...

Dave G
2-18-2015, 7:17 pm
Now... somebody handcuff him to Kevin Young for the next 5 weeks...

NMR
2-19-2015, 9:19 am
Good lord...

Arriba Wilver
2-19-2015, 12:02 pm
Good to see you are in midseason form already, NMR. ;-)

Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
2-19-2015, 1:44 pm
National Mart of Records sometimes reminds me of an old man walking gingerly down the sidewalk, muttering to himself . . . . . .

It makes me want to utter something outlandish to hear him mutter again . . . . .

NMR
2-19-2015, 2:23 pm
Irascible!

Groat2Maz2Strangeglove
2-19-2015, 2:25 pm
Made me smile!

JAL
2-18-2015, 6:57 pm
ahhh, can smell the grass and feel the excitement of a new season. May be snow on the ground for many but the big thing about reporting day is that it is the true first sign of spring.

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Rico
2-19-2015, 5:41 am
Ahhh is right. . .

Arriba Wilver
2-19-2015, 12:03 pm
+1

Kristofer Abt
2-18-2015, 7:02 pm
Damn Strait

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Randy Steele
2-18-2015, 7:02 pm
I'm truly excited for opening day. I mean, the last couple years have been great for Bucs' fans, but this season might be special, and reading this column doesn't make me think I'm crazy to be hopeful.

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bpn8pitt
2-18-2015, 7:06 pm
Not always a fan of ballplayers packing on muscle, but Polanco's frame needed it. Hopefully he did his squats too. Get the weight transfer in the hips.

I would love to hit that weight room.

Pound protein, Gregory. Looks good.

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Nick Powers
2-19-2015, 12:08 am
Definitely would not put a wild card flag up but at least the wild card win is a postseason thing that advanced. As opposed to say a winter classic banner that the Capitals put up.

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Dejan Kovacevic
2-18-2015, 8:38 pm
That's true? Really?

Nick Powers
2-18-2015, 9:00 pm
At least at the practice facility there was one at one point. Still not necessarily the best reflection on an organization

BAd
2-19-2015, 1:09 am
I thought you were trolling your 3 new fans from DC when you made that comment about the banner, DK. You really hadn't heard the put up a Winter Classic Winner banner?

bryanhajos
2-18-2015, 7:17 pm
Thanks for the story DK!! Needed a bucos fix. It's hard not to get all fired up after reading that AJ quote. Looking forward towards all your spring training coverage.

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C. Stone
2-18-2015, 7:19 pm
It's very nice to be seriously discussing division titles. It won't be easy, but it is attainable. Let's get past Spring Training soon! Ready for the real thing already.

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LuckyNKentucky
2-18-2015, 7:40 pm
Excellent column. Let's play two!

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pattonbb
2-18-2015, 7:44 pm
Amen.

Karen22
2-19-2015, 6:59 pm
patton beat me to it, Lucky. AMEN! And nice to see you! PLAY BALL!! :)

Cindy
2-18-2015, 7:46 pm
DK, Enjoyed the article. If I'm not careful, you are gonna turn me into a baseball fan :D

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Dejan Kovacevic
2-18-2015, 10:21 pm
I love hearing that kind of stuff. I always say, Pittsburgh is the only city in the world where all the teams have the same first name and wear the same colors.

hairymoosejew
2-19-2015, 10:43 am
DK

What do you mean, "same first name"?

ImEasyEd
2-19-2015, 11:24 am
"Pittsburgh"

aglebagel
2-19-2015, 1:16 pm
As opposed to some cities whose teams go by different geographic names, like Denver with the "Denver" Nuggets and Broncos and "Colorado" Rockies and Avs.

Dan16
2-18-2015, 7:59 pm
Earn that flag. Then we really can "raise it." Love it. I'm so psyched for this season.

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Brocklanders
2-18-2015, 8:07 pm
"Welcome to Sunny... Spectacular...Bradenton Florida". Step aside Michael Keaton, Pittsburgh has a new master thespian

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aglebagel
2-18-2015, 8:14 pm
I'm somewhat surprised at the optimism that surrounds the 2015 Pirates despite the loss of Russell Martin, particularly given the doom and gloom when it began to appear that his departure was inevitable.

That is not to be read as a complaint, but merely an observation. I understand the reasons for optimism, mainly being that this team is still young enough to hope for improvement from several key players. Unfortunately, that improvement may need to be significant to make up for the loss of Martin, not mention Volquez.

Despite that nagging reality, it remains an exciting time to be a Pirates fan. We're likely to see a full season with our "dream outfield" in place, it will be entertaining, if nothing else, to have Burnett back, and I suspect that this team will score more runs than we've seen in a long time in Pittsburgh.

Even though snow and ice here in North Carolina scream anything but spring, hope indeed springs eternal!

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bpn8pitt
2-18-2015, 8:50 pm
Neither the '13 or '14 Bucs, had the finality of that 92 team. There are still many good pieces under control for the foreseeable future with a few more on the way. Depending upon what happens with a few guys, their 2016 payroll commitments could be lower, allowing them to add pieces again.

But I agree with a lot of what you said. Told NMR yesterday, not sure what 2015 Volquez does, but they will certainly miss the 2014 edition.

NMR
2-19-2015, 9:45 am
I admittedly don't know much about the other major sports, and arguably even less about baseball if you ask bpn, but I think the sport is somewhat unique in that a club can have a completely different look year to year. The '13 club won games literally in a completely opposite manner than the '14 club. The Giants have alternated as World Series champs and non-playoff team for each of the last five years. The Red Sox pulled off the worst-to-first-to-worst feat, and now look to be the best team in their Division once again.

About the only constant is that the Cubbies still stink, and even they manage to find different ways to stink over the years.

While it's easy and convenient to look at last years club, add/subtract from that and decide that is how this years club will be, I just really don't think that's how it works. Part of why this game is so beautiful.

bpn8pitt
2-19-2015, 11:32 am
Oh man. I can't wait for the Kang arguments, NMR. You and Dejan's boy Dunlap is licking his chops to write him off by mid March.

Arriba Wilver
2-19-2015, 12:55 pm
Not sure "doom and gloom" is right. To answer the question is this team better with Russ Martin, it is, this year and the last 2. BUT, hopefully they've limited the downside. We'll see. I've heard some of the talking heads talking about a potential return to Barabbas/McKenry. That's silly IMO.

Arriba Wilver
2-19-2015, 12:57 pm
Well, unless Tony Sanchez is our starting catcher.

NMR
2-19-2015, 1:01 pm
@bpn - Lost me on that one. I doubt you'll find many guys *more* excited for Kang than I am.

NMR
2-19-2015, 1:14 pm
@AW - good points. FWIW, I don't think a return to Barajas/McKenry *offense* is at all out of the question. Very real possibility. But the two catchers heading into camp this year are so, so much better defensively that I don't think it'll matter all that much.

bpn8pitt
2-19-2015, 1:20 pm
NMR, no I know u are okay with Gong. I am too. I can just see you losing it on yinzers who write him off by St Pattys day.

I actually think Kangs issue will be stamina. They play less games and have more days off in the Asian leagues.

NMR
2-19-2015, 1:30 pm
Haha...yeah, for better or worse, I guess I've earned that one...

Never thought about the stamina issue but it makes sense to me. I don't think there's any question that even guys who are used to the longer schedule have been wearing down more since the league started cracking down on amphetamines.

I think he'll need to adjust to the speed of the American game, defensively, more than anything. Ball gets to you a lot faster on turf, and Major Leaguers are also presumably faster.

Robert
2-18-2015, 8:32 pm
There's nothing like the first sounds of baseball in the spring. I can't be the only one watching all the batting practice clips with anticipation. If I am, oh well.

Given the direction of MLB and how getting 6 innings is a "quality start", the bullpen is the most important part of the team. I like the composition and the depth. They just need to do their jobs.

I also think Pedro will have another 30hr-80rbi season. The key with that guy is comfort. He was starting to get comfortable before getting hurt. Look at his last week of games and you could see 2013 Pedro sneaking in there again.

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joeygasior2007
2-18-2015, 8:34 pm
Can't wait to get this thing started!

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mdoughty
2-18-2015, 8:44 pm
Great column! There is nothing quite like the optimism of spring training. A respite from the grind of hockey season and the "beautiful" weather here in Ohio. Let's Go Bucs! (and Pens). Thankful to be a contender in all major sports!

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Matt n@
2-18-2015, 9:10 pm
No DK we do not call 58 "nippy", it's flat cold here and we may even see a freeze tomorrow night. But the ball players have come to Florida which means one thing, the Snow Birds head back North.

I am really excited for this season.

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AJS
2-18-2015, 9:28 pm
Totally psyched for some hardball. Dejan reporting on baseball just makes it feel like all os right in the world. Love the Steelers and Pens coverage but Bucco Baseball was the beat where most of us first fell in love with Dejan's work.

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Stephen Petrilli
2-19-2015, 12:56 am
True that!

Rich from Louisville
2-19-2015, 4:02 am
Well said

Column: For Pirates, fresh chance at real ‘flag’

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