[ifspuds]

The Games

The Pirates made it through the first two weeks of the Time Warp Baseball season with a 7-6 record and sit in 4th place, 3.5 games back of the 10-2 Phillies. The season started off as good as it possibly could, with a 3-game sweep of the Giants in New York by scores of 7-4, 7-4 and 10-3. It was then that the defending champion Reds reminded the Bucs just how far they had left to go, taking the first 3 games of the 4 game set in Pittsburgh. The bright spot in that series was Ron Fleischmann, who won the final game and pitched well into the 7th inning.

With their record sitting at 4-3, the Pirates welcomed the Boston Braves to town. In game 1, they rode James Bajofer's fine start to a 3-1 win, but dropped game 2 by a 6-5 tally. They bounced back with an 8-3 win in game 3 and took a much-needed day off to get ready for a rematch with the Reds. Game 1 was a thriller, was Wayne Brady and Rudy Young drove in runs in the top of the 9th to snap a 2-2 tie, but Cincinnati turned the tables in games 2 and 3, winning both in their last at-bat.

The Bright Spots
Some wondered if the rookies were ready to handle the pressure of the big leagues. If the first two weeks of the season are any indication, they're not just ready, they're ready to be stars:

RF Harold Perry: .341/.408/.500, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB.
3B Herm Vardaman: .320/.382/.480, 2 HR, 9 RBI.

Elmer "The Jeweler" Menard is hitting well also, as expected. The stellar shortstop is batting a robust .340/.421/.420 with a homer and 6 RBIs.

Ron Fleischmann is the anchor of the rotation right now, winning 2 of his 3 starts and posting a 2.70 ERA. He would likely be 3-0 had he lasted long enough to earn the win in the 4-2 victory over the Reds. Even still, he earned Player of the Game honors in that start for 7 innings pitched with just a lone earned run allowed.

The Lowlights
Who took Rudy Young's bat? The outfielder, who hasn't hit below .300 since 1942 (when he hit .291), is struggling along at a .240 clip so far. He's still getting on base (.350) but the Pirates could sure use his bat at the top of the lineup against right-handers.

Dick Presley has already announced this will be his last season, and the reasons why are showing. After a .302 season last year, he's off to a .225 start in 1948.

The rotation is struggling, after Ron Fleischmann. Bill Tschetter is 2-1, but has a 4.68 ERA, while Stephen Dzurik and James Bajofer are pulling down ERAs over 5. It's still early, of course, but if the Pirates want to contend, they'll either have to get better work out of these veterans or find another pitcher to come in and help out.

Other News
Pittsburgh manager Tike Kaufman was awarded a vote of confidence by Pirates ownership. "We like what we've seen from the club so far this season. After last year's fine effort and fine early returns in 1948, we believe Mr. Kaufman is the man to continue leading this team," said general manager Jeff Watson.

In addition to Dick Presley announcing his impending retirement, reliever Ron Staver and minor league vet Reggie Woodson have both announced they'll be hanging up their cleats after 1948 comes to a close. Staver told reporters, "I'm going to miss this team. It's been my family away from home for 11 years. But it's time to be with my real family and see what I can do outside of baseball."

Down on the farm, "Samoan Ben" Giordano and Ike Walker are tearing up AAA. Giordano, who figures to spend plenty of time with the big league team this season, is hitting .434 with 3 HRs, while Walker, who may end up at the hot corner this season with Herm Vardaman shifting back to second, is hitting .326 with 4 HRs. Newly drafted Kenneth Whitt, just 17 years old, is hitting .286 but is drawing walks left and right, posting a .444 on-base percentage.