TWB: The Pittsburgh Pirates

[canadiancreed]

The Phillies, crafty veterans and former champions, showed their Pennsylvania partners what it meant to be a contender, hanging a 3-game sweep on the Pirates.

Now I see why you're not a fan.

Cincinnati has been the Pirates' nemesis all season long,

A team that is supposed to finish seventh beng a nemesis? that doesnt sound right

With so many players swapping back and forth between these two teams recently, it had the feeling of a reunion. Between two sides of a family that have to lock up the knife drawer.

This had me laughing, good quote :d

[ifspuds]

The Hometown Nine Hit the Wall
by Jack McKinley
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

You could hear the buzz around the city. For the first time in countless summers, people in Pittsburgh were talking about the Pirates again. The young team, finally clicking under the steady hand of Slap Hertzog and his band of irascible coaches, had somehow found a way to climb into the upper division of the National League and stay close to the top. A tough July tempered the dream, putting the hometown favorites 8 games back of first to start the dog days of summer, but the team wasn't giving up: an interleague trade with the St. Louis Browns brought in veteran backstop Frankie Bowers. The 5-time All-Star catcher, though slowing down at the age of 34, brought his powerful bat and his game-calling acumen to a team that hadn't had a standout catcher since Reggie Woodson in the mid-40's. There was a newfound energy starting the month of August, a dream that even 8 games back, the Pirates could make a go at the pennant.

You could hear the moment the dream died.

August 1st took the Pirates to St. Louis to face the Cardinals. If the Bucs were going to stay in the race, they almost had to sweep this series, a monumental task to be sure. They didn't have to concern themselves with it for long. The Cardinals smacked the fading Ron Fleischmann like a batting practice fastball, to the not-so-merry tune of 10 runs before Hertzog could get out to the mound to pull his pitcher after just a single out was recorded. The Pirates made a surprisingly close game out of it, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 9th on Ike Walker's 3-run bomb to make it 15-11, but that came with 2 outs, and there weren't any more runs left in the offense. Frankie Bowers, the newest Pirate, took the blame after the game. "Ron and I sat down before the game and thought we had a pretty good game plan for these guys," said a dejected Bowers. "I don't know these guys that well, so Warrin (Sauls, backup catcher) and the rest of the pitching staff, we all sat down and they caught me up to speed. It was pretty obvious it wasn't working, but I just... I don't know. I didn't change it up fast enough, and I left Ron out there to get bombed. I feel awful." In the end, the series was a sweep, but in the wrong direction, and the Pirates hopes were as much as gone.

After a series-opening win against the league-leading Giants, a 6-game losing streak followed, including an embarrassing showing against the cellar-dwelling Dodgers in which they managed only two runs. The Pirates closed out the first half of August with 2 of 3 against the Phillies, but the damage was already done. At 54-62 and 14 games back, it's time to start looking toward another offseason in Pittsburgh and hope that another season of experience will propel this team into greater heights in 1952. We're likely to see Will Miller Jr. join the big club in September, to see what the kid can do in the majors after pasting AAA pitching with another 30-homer season. Kenneth Whitt might finally see some big league action in 1952 as well after another solid season at AA, but it's more likely he'll spend the year at AAA.

Hope is a fragile thing in Pittsburgh, but in spite of the late-season fade, there just might be a glimmer of it on the horizon after the early success in 1951.

[canadiancreed]

ouch that's harsh

but it does show what your team is capable of with some improvement. I dont think the Pirates are going to be kept down for long.

Then again I've been saying that since 1947

[Matt from TN]

Again, a very fun read. I enjoyed the part about Bowers taking the blame. Very fitting. I've always been a big fan of Frankie's, so I'll be watching the team closer the rest of the season and again next year to see how you all do. Without a doubt, now that he's on your team, Pittsburgh will be who I'll be rooting for next season.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

Again, a very fun read. I enjoyed the part about Bowers taking the blame. Very fitting. I've always been a big fan of Frankie's, so I'll be watching the team closer the rest of the season and again next year to see how you all do. Without a doubt, now that he's on your team, Pittsburgh will be who I'll be rooting for next season.

so that explains the 6th place projection

serisouly though, the Pirates shoudl be a very intresting team to watch. with their rapidly improving pitching and good offense, they'll be a handful

[ifspuds]

With the minor league season ended and the Pirates playing out the string, I'm going to take a long look at the expected roster for 1952 and take stock of where we're at. First, the starting lineup. I'll look at the pitchers, the bench and the farm system next.

Who's Staying?
C Frankie Bowers: Bowers is getting older (34) and is on the downslope of his career, but catchers who hit .302 with 14 homers aren't easy to find. He'll be around for another year or two at least.

Ratings (Contact/HR Power/Eye): 6/6/3
Talents: 6/6/4

1B Ben Giordano: Ten years after "Samoan Ben" was made the 3rd overall pick in the amateur draft, he's finally coming into his own. He leads the Pirates with 22 homers after hitting 24 in 1950, and he won his first Gold Glove last season as well. He's hitting his prime at age 27 and could contend for a batting title next season.

Ratings: 9/7/4
Talents: 9/7/5

2B Herm Vardaman: He's been in the majors full-time since 1948, so it's hard to remember that the former #1 overall pick is still just 25 years old. Possessed of an uncanny eye at the plate, he's finished in the top 10 in walks in each of his 3 full seasons and won a Gold Glove last season. Despite a .252 career average, he's gotten on base at a .372 clip, and he's on pace for a career high in average at .290. He's only getting better.

Ratings: 6/4/10
Talents: 9/3/10

3B Ike Walker: Walker, after an All-Star season in 1949, has struggled mightily in the two seasons since, though he's showing signs of turning it around. Hitting coach Bud Breckenridge, a former teammate of Walker's, has been working hard with the 26-year old and there are plenty of indications he's turned a corner. The Pirates can sorely use his bat next season.

Ratings: 6/6/6
Talents: 7/5/8

SS Moses Bottoms: Bottoms has done everything the Pirates asked of him when the 32-year old infielder signed before the 1951 season. He's a little error prone at shortstop, but he's got good range and you can't argue with a .281 average and 61 walks with only 20 strikeouts. He's got a few years still ahead of him, giving the Pirates time to let Kenneth Whitt come along slowly.

Ratings: 6/1/5
Talents: 6/2/6

LF Ed Monchak: The Monster's had a down year for batting average (.257) but he's still got his discerning eye at the plate and the power in his bat: 66 walks and 20 homers. His struggles in left field are well-documented, but the Pirates are willing to accept them in exchange for his big bat. At age 28, he's a rock in the lineup for several more seasons.

Ratings: 5/7/8
Talents: 4/7/8

CF Albert Huschke: When you've got Immobile Ed in left field, defense in center field becomes a little more important, and Huschke has provided that. The Pirates hoped for a little more out of his bat, which has been up and down all season: .325 in April, .206 in May, .297 in June, .223 in July, .327 in August for a .269 season mark. He's just 27, and the Pirates don't have many other options for center field, so he's going to be given every chance to play.

Ratings: 5/3/4
Talents: 6/4/5

RF Harold Perry: One of the best stories of the 1951 season is the emergence of William "Harold" Perry as a force in the lineup. After an April in which he was named Batter of the Month for hitting .470, he's done little else but pepper the ball ever since. A second straight All-Star appearance and a .345 season average, .410 on-base percentage and .524 slugging percentage are all career marks, and he's just 25 years old. Unquestionably one of the bright stars on the team.

Ratings: 7/6/6
Talents: 7/6/6

[ifspuds]

On to the pitchers...

Who's Staying?
SP Walt Gajan: Obtained in a midseason trade with the Reds, Gajan didn't pitch nearly as well for Pittsburgh as he had in Cincinnati. July was particularly rough, as the 37-year old veteran posted a 4.99 ERA while the Pirates fell off the pace in the National League. But he's still useful for at least another season, so he stays. Not a whole lot will be expected of him, though.

Ratings (Stuff/Movement/Control): 5/6/6
Talents: 5/7/6

SP Ron Fleischmann: Will the real Ron Fleischmann please stand up? Is it the talented pitcher with the dazzling stuff that hung around the top 3 in NL strikeouts and made the 1951 All-Star team? Or is it the chuck-and-duck artist that fooled no one en route to an 8.06 ERA in August? There's perhaps no more frustrating player on the Pirates roster, but he's talented and young (28) enough to keep getting third and fourth chances.

Ratings: 9/4/5
Talents: 9/5/5

SP Martin Gwaltney: Together with Harold Perry's breakout season, Martin Gwaltney's rookie campaign is the story of the season. Called up at the end of April, the 25-year old Gwaltney turned in very good numbers: 187 IP, 3.67 ERA, 12-8 record, and that in spite of rather nondescript August numbers (2-3, 4.56). Gwaltney is no longer the future ace of the staff: he is the ace of the staff.

Ratings: 7/8/5
Talents: 8/8/9

SP Carl Maloney: A pleasant surprise in 1950, Maloney improved his numbers once again, going 11-14, 3.84 in 232 innings so far. He doesn't have great stuff, but he makes up for it with excellent control and a lot of movement on his pitches. Also hitting the prime of his career at age 27, Maloney should be in the rotation for years to come.

Ratings: 3/7/7
Talents: 4/8/8

P Russell Toledo: The 4th starter until Walt Gajan joined the team, he pitched relatively well until a poor August. If Gajan goes into a rapid decline, Toledo is likely the top candidate to rejoin the rotation. He's got great stuff, but struggles with his control, which has hampered his ability to become a more dominant pitcher. He's only 24 years old, however, and has plenty of time to improve.

Ratings: 7/4/3
Talents: 8/4/2

P Clyde Eakes: As bad as the Pirates bullpen has been in recent years, that's how good midseason acquisition Clyde Eakes has been. Since joining the team, he's allowed just 5 earned runs, 4 of those in a disastrous 18-10 Pirates loss to the Cubs. He'll go into 1952 as the team's closer.

Ratings: 4/3/7
Talents: 4/2/7

P Porter "Buzz" Helms: A 1950 pick in the Rule 5 draft, Helms has had an up-and-down career in the Pirates bullpen. But then, who hasn't? A 4.74 ERA in 23 games isn't cause for a whole lot of confidence, but Helms has some talent.

Ratings: 3/5/6
Talents: 4/5/8

P Matt Faughan: The team's only left-handed reliever, Faughan is more suited to long relief or mopup duty. But with few other options around, Faughan and his 5.93 ERA will stick around for another season in the Pirates' pen.

Ratings: 4/6/4
Talents: 5/7/3

[Matt from TN]

I'm really enjoying this player-by-player rundown. I hope others are too!

[ifspuds]

The great thing about doing this is that I realized Ben Giordano had bumped up his ratings.

Even if Bowers continues to decline into 1952, the offense is going to be even better next season. Vardaman's contact rating is going up, Giordano's ratings are rising, Walker's ratings went up, and no one else outside of Frankie should experience a decline.

I'm about ready to toss Fleischmann into one of the three rivers, though. The deepest, nastiest, fastest-moving one I can find. He's been absolutely maddening. It's S.O.P. for the Pirates. Big offense, struggling to find pitching. Or at least find a full solid rotation... Gwaltney's ratings went up last sim too, so I'm expecting great things from him next season if he can avoid the Pirates Curse.

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by ifspuds

Vardaman's contact rating is going up

I still remember when you brought him up. Wasn't it a 3 or 4? Knew he'd improve, but it must be exciting to see his talent still a 9!

It's S.O.P. for the Pirates. Big offense, struggling to find pitching.

True, but I never realized just how true until I read your Pirates history. After the 1908-12 dynasty with Podlasek & Brown, they had offense & no pitching. In the 20s/30s with Kass, Young & Breckenridge, same thing. Now it's happening again? Very interesting.

Gwaltney's ratings went up last sim too, so I'm expecting great things from him next season if he can avoid the Pirates Curse.

I think he may have avoided it simply by becoming a full-time major leaguer. Seems like the curse likes to strike those top prospects still in the minors.

[ifspuds]

Vardaman was a 4 when I brought him up, but he'd been drawing an average of 119 walks a season in the minors, so there wasn't much point to leaving him down there. I'm thrilled he's still got a 9 potential.

True, but I never realized just how true until I read your Pirates history. After the 1908-12 dynasty with Podlasek & Brown, they had offense & no pitching. In the 20s/30s with Kass, Young & Breckenridge, same thing. Now it's happening again? Very interesting.

It's funny about the Pirates. Even during the Brown/Podlasek years, the good pitching they had wasn't expected to be that good. Callery, maybe, but Dave Zike was one of the top pitchers on the team those years and it's mentioned at least once, probably more, that he was pitching way over his head. But ever since then, it's been pitching that's been the Pirates' downfall. Which is kind of funny, since Forbes Field plays as a pitcher's park.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

I'm really enjoying this player-by-player rundown. I hope others are too!

Definately

[ifspuds]

Pirates Welcome New Amateurs
by Jack McKinley
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

If hope springs eternal, the annual amateur draft is one of the mystical forces that keep it springing. The Pirates have fared relatively well in the amateur draft in the last several years, with picks including Ben Giordano, Ike Walker, Ron Fleischmann, Harold Perry, Herm Vardaman and Dave Lemmings, who was later traded for ace-in-waiting Martin Gwaltney. Last year's first round pick, Duke Richardson, struggled in his first season in the bigs, but spent a lot of time refining his pitching motion and is young enough to regain the movement he lost on his fastball. With so many former first round picks anchoring the Pirates lineup, Pittsburgh fans have learned to look to the March draft to get a glimpse of the future of the team.

So what did they see this year? Something of a surprise, as it turned out. After trading away one member of the Allen clan (center fielder Scotch Allen) last season, they welcomed another to their organization in 1952: Vodka Allen. The youngster can play all three outfield positions, but what really makes the scouts' eyes pop out is his power potential. Very few hitters with his prodigious home run stroke have graced the league, and some say that if he's able to reach his potential, he could challenge one of the most sacred records in the league: Oscar Vancini's home run record. But if he's going to reach even partway to those lofty heights, Allen will need to learn how to make better contact at the plate, one of the biggest knocks on his game. The pessimists in the league think he'll struggle to hit .250 in a season, but the Pirates will have their coaching staff working with him long and hard in the minors to improve his skills in that area.

With their second round pick, the Pirates selected catcher John Provenzano. As eye-popping as Vodka Allen's home run potential is, that's how impressed the front office was with the 20-year old backstop's arm behind the plate. Provenzano's got some skill with the bat as well, and could hit .270 with a bit of power in the majors some day. With the catching corps aging rapidly in the majors, Provenzano's got a clear track to the majors if he can perform well in the minor leagues.

Pirates fans once again have something to look forward to, as the bitter taste of last season's August swoon fades and the new talent of spring begins to bud. Will these players become the Ben Giordanos, Herm Vardamans and Harold Perrys of the future? Stay tuned to this space, Pirates fans, and remember that hope indeed does spring eternal.

[ifspuds]

Continuing with the Who's Going and Who's Staying, here's the bench.

C Warrin Sauls: He's 38 years old and can't hit a whole lot anymore, but he's suitable for a backup spot. If Allan Charbonneau isn't picked in the Rule 5 draft and Sauls collapses totally, there could be a change here. A trade is also a possibility.

UIF George Gambrell: Gambrell couldn't hit water if he fell out of the proverbial boat, but he's got a bizarre ability to get on base. Despite hitting .167 in limited action in 1951, his on-base percentage was .386. He's around for his glove, though. He can play 2B, SS and 3B well, and has a cannon for an arm.

SS/3B Victor Boudet: No one thinks Boudet can hit, but he's done a decent job of proving the doubters wrong in his short career as a backup and spot starter. His value is in his power -- when he gets hold of a ball, he can drive it a ways -- his defense and his basestealing instincts. All of which make him a decent bench player and pinch hitter/runner.

2B Gil Beeding: It says something that since 1940, Beeding's played in 267 games... and logged 248 at-bats. He's a backup second baseman, which is Gambrell's worst position, but the fewer games he gets into, the better.

LF/CF Cecil Reed: At 35 years old, Reed is coming to the end of an unfortunately short career (he entered the league just 6 years ago), but he's a reliable defensive backup and he's thrilled Pittsburgh fans with some clutch pinch-hit game-winning homers over the years. He's got enough skill at the plate to be a good 4th outfielder, and it's always helpful to stick him in left field in the late innings when the game's tight.

[canadiancreed]

LF/CF Cecil Reed: At 35 years old, Reed is coming to the end of an unfortunately short career (he entered the league just 6 years ago), but he's a reliable defensive backup and he's thrilled Pittsburgh fans with some clutch pinch-hit game-winning homers over the years. He's got enough skill at the plate to be a good 4th outfielder, and it's always helpful to stick him in left field in the late innings when the game's tight.

I kinda wish I had gotten him into this earlier, would have been intresting to see what he coul have done with a full career. Unlike Slater, I dotn think he went to war when Canada joined in 1939, so he woudlnt have missed any time.

If only.

I'm glad to see that he is serving a use in SteelTown, giving fans hope in the late innings.

[ifspuds]

A New Home for Cotton Simson
by Jack McKinley
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The announcement shocked the world, or at least this little corner of it. The city of Pittsburgh clicked on their radios en masse today as the rumor spread through the Steel City: Cotton Simson is a Pirate!

An announcement from Pirates general manager Charles Bradley made it official: the five-time American League Pitcher of the Year will be calling Forbes Field home in 1952 as a result of a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Browns. "There is no more dominant pitcher in this league than Mr. Simson, and perhaps no other pitcher that can change the complexion of a pennant chase in such fashion," said Bradley, amid the pop of countless flash bulbs at the hastily-assembled press conference. "We had a chance last season, and we fell short. We intend to see that the Pirates remain competitive all season in 1952 and beyond."

Nearly lost in the excitement over the prospect of Cotton Simson in a Pirates uniform were the details of the trade, some of which will bring great joy to disheartened Pirates fans. Pittsburgh sent top prospects Vodka Allen and Kenneth Whitt to the Browns in exchange for Simson, former Pirates farmhand Alan Scharf, shortstop prospect Davey Bateman and a familiar face: Elmer Menard. Jim Anderson, a lifelong Pirates fan among those gathered out Forbes Field to celebrate the news, said this: "Sure, Cotton Simson is fantastic. But they did a fine, fine thing to bring back the Jeweler so he could end his career here."

Among the Pirates players, the buzz was palpable. Young ace-in-the-making Martin Gwaltney was beside himself. "I've tried to model my game after his ever since I first saw him pitch. To have him in the same clubhouse... golly, I can't even begin to tell you what a thrill it is." Former battery mate Frankie Bowers called his old teammate when the rumor hit the Pirates clubhouse. "Cotton's gonna like it here. I told him that when I talked to him. He feels sad to leave St. Louis, sure, but like I told him, this is a team on the rise. He's got a chance to end his career in epic fashion. I couldn't be happier that he's going to be out on that mound."

Has there ever been excitement like this for an Opening Day in Pittsburgh? Possibly not since the glory days of the last pennants. Optimism runs high in Steeltown for the first time in over forty years. Whatever happens this season, on this day, Pirates fans are dancing in the streets."

[canadiancreed]

That's big big news. Most posts I ever saw on a trade thread and making the Pirates an instant contender (although he's 0-1 agianst the Reds hey i need my few glowing moments)

Actually GM, i'm jsut wondering, and my reasons are selfish, but what is your plan for Cecil? Will he end his days as a Pirate? IN an odd way i'm kidna hoping he does. I dont really know if you had plans for him after he retires or not, but if it helps to have a look into how he was, i'd be willing to help out.

I also never understood the prone rating, as i've been told by many folks that knew him that he was as hard as nails, farmed all his life and only farmers lung (and an incompetant doctor), would finally stop him. Guess that's OOTP for ya

[ifspuds]

I've actually been thinking about Cecil a little bit lately, and I'm pretty well committed to keeping him until he hangs 'em up. I see him as sort of the clubhouse glue: the guy that puts his team before his own glory, and makes sure all the youngsters around do the same. I can picture him as a future 3rd base coach and eventually manager somewhere down the line. Whether that's in Pittsburgh or not, I'm not sure. He'll certain start down that road in Pittsburgh.

Any insights you've got, I'd be happy to hear them.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by ifspuds

I've actually been thinking about Cecil a little bit lately, and I'm pretty well committed to keeping him until he hangs 'em up. I see him as sort of the clubhouse glue: the guy that puts his team before his own glory, and makes sure all the youngsters around do the same. I can picture him as a future 3rd base coach and eventually manager somewhere down the line. Whether that's in Pittsburgh or not, I'm not sure. He'll certain start down that road in Pittsburgh.

Any insights you've got, I'd be happy to hear them.

WEll the glue thing is pretty spot on. I didnt really knwo him in person as he passed away by the time I was 4, but from my dad and those that knew him, he was a quiet, strong fellow. Someoen that was good on his word, and expects that of others. To those that treated him well, he'd bend over backwards for ya. To those that crossed him.....well lets just say the dimituitive stature hid the ferocity of a lion after havign it's ntus whipped.

And I also got the improv that he loved the country life, so dotn know if that helps any, but there you go

[ifspuds]

The Pirates pull into mid-May at 19-18 after a sluggish start in April, and sit 5 games back of the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals with the Cubs and Giants tied for 2nd at 2.5 games back. After a losing record in April, the Pirates appear to have woken up with the spring, and having a winning record through the first half of the month. Who are the culprits behind this resurgence? Look no further than Walt Gajan and Ike Walker, Pirates fans.

After Ed "Monster" Monchak was sent to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for all-world outfielder Chester Munch, Ike Walker admitted that it was far past time for him to shape up. His hard work last season and throughout the offseason appears to be paying off, as he's been obliterating National League pitching so far this season, after two straight disappointing campaigns. Walker hit .296/.414/.494 in April, with 4 home runs, but that was just a warmup to May: .327/.389/.776 with 7 homers in the first half of the month alone. "I'm seeing the ball so much better this season," said Walker. "Coach Breck (Pirates hitting coach Bud Breckenridge) had me open up my stance a little, get my shoulder out of the way when the pitcher starts his windup. I'm picking up the pitch a lot sooner now."

You may remember Walt Gajan from a deadline trade in 1951 as the Pirates fought to remain in contention. The cagey veteran, who had pitched outstandingly for the Reds in the first half of '51, didn't quite duplicate that performance in a Pirates uniform, but he was far from the only player that went cold. After announcing he would retire at the end of the season, he began 1952 in the bullpen, and pitched very well, not allowing a single earned run in 4.2 innings pitched, and allowing only 4 baserunners in that time. But when Ron Fleischmann started the season 0-5 with only a single good outing, the Pirates swapped the two hurlers, thrusting the 38-year old Gajan back into the rotation. He's done nothing but shine in that role: in 3 starts (22.2 IP), he's allowed 2 runs, 13 hits and 8 walks, picking up 3 wins and earning player of the game honors in each start. Correspondingly, Fleischmann has taken relatively well to his bullpen role, going 7.2 innings with 2 runs allowed, 5 hits, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts.

The Pirates now rank 4th in TWB in runs scored and 3rd in runs allowed, and appear to be climbing back toward the position some league observers predicted for them at the start of the season: contending for the pennant.