The life of real politics and fake baseball

Yes folks, its my turn to try this "blogging" thing. Here, we'll chat about OOTP, baseball, football, things in politics that drive me nutty, and my 2008 run for Congress, representing my home district, Pennsylvania's 14th.

Today, we're going to talk about what I hope will be the Pirates next year. As I was watching the closeout of the ALDS between the Tigers and the Yankees, I realized that it could be us. Maybe next year. Mired in year after year of losing, with a rich history of great players and titles, but nothing to show for it since Carter was in office.

Could this happen here in Pittsburgh? The first George Bush had his war in Iraq the last time we won a division. Good grief.

Detroit built around youth, combined with giving out some hefty contracts to solid veteran rejects like Pudge Rodriguez, and Magglio Ordonez. Would Pittsburgh ever do such a thing? Not likely. Around here, we get the Reggie Sanders, Joe Randa, Derek Bell, Pat Meares, and Jeromy Burnitzes of the world.

Alas, we do have some solid pitching prospects in the form of Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, and Paul Maholm. Mike Gonzalez has proved himself to be a steady if unspectacular closer. Our bullpen has played very, very well in recent memory.

What do the Pirates need? Hitting, and lots of it. Currently, Jason Bay is pretty much our only proven hitter. Ronny Paulino looks good, but as in the case of Warren Morris, rookie seasons can sometimes be flukes. Jack Wilson is a fan favorite, but his career .674 OPS and only 35 RBI despite 142 games this season....kind of stinks. Jose Castillo is very inconsistent, and tends to loaf quite a bit. Xavier Nady hit well, but not for much power since we got him from the Mets. Hopefully, he can put up some decent numbers as a full-time starter at either first or right field next year. Our only power prospect at AAA broke his wrist in preseason and missed all of 2006, and when he was here in the majors, suffered from Pedro Cerano syndrome. "I no hit curveball"

I can't wait to see Vinny Castilla in a Pirates uniform next season.