I took nearly 50 pictures at Opening Day, this one is my favorite. Bucs win 11-5!! I can't remember the last time I saw three Pirate homers in the same game.
Pirates players helped collect money for the families of Pittsburgh's slain police officers. Here's pitcher Jeff Karstens at the Home Plate gate. You can contribute to the Pittsburgh Fallen Heroes Fund at the Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union, 1338 Chartiers Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.
Steve Blass tossed the ceremonial first pitch to his old battery mate, Manny Sanguillen! Blass has been with the Pirates for 50 years now. I have an old glove around here somewhere that Blass signed for me when I was in the third grade.
Nice job! A complete game, four hit shutout for Zack Duke! Complete games used to be pretty common, not anymore. I'm suprised that Russell let Duke throw close to 120 pitches, especially once the one-hitter was gone in the 7th.
The guy who pitched a no hitter while on LSD has died.
Ellis died in California from a liver ailment, former agent Tom Reich said. "I've been in this business for 40 years and there was never a more standup guy," Reich said.
Yes, the Pirates are still in last place, but are only nine games back with a month of baseball still to play. One of the advantages of playing in the Comedy Central I suppose.
Its improbable, but if the Bucs continue to play well, we could be talking contention THIS year.
UPDATE: Pirates sweep double header from Reds, pick up a half game on the Cubs, and are no longer in last place.