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ifspuds · 03-10-2006, 12:19 PM

Pirates Jump to Early Lead in National League
by Langford Thomason
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

When Pirates manager Vic Gorin stated this spring that the team's goals weren't yet accomplished after winning the 1966 World Series, some thought him boastful, or at least a little shaky in the head. As April comes to a close, the Pirates seem hellbent on proving the doubters wrong. With a sparkling 13-4 record, the Pittsburgh nine currently hold a 2.5-game lead over the second place Cincinnati Reds. No one knows just how long the season is better than a Pirates fan, but the early success is encouraging to those that might have feared a letdown after last season.

The pitching staff, as in seasons past, has carried the majority of the load. The first four starters in the rotation have all pitched a shutout already, and fifth starter Mike Olinger, who struggled badly upon joining the team last season, threw eight innings of scoreless ball in a sparkling 1-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals just two days ago. Olinger's two starts have been completely unlike his efforts in 1966, allowing 3 earned runs in his 7-inning first outing, an 8-7 Pirates win over the Mets. If the youngster -- remember Olinger is still just 25 years old -- can right himself and provide these sorts of efforts the majority of the time, it might be hard to imagine a better rotation.

On the offensive side of the game, Asa Booker is off to a blazing start, reminiscent of his Batter of the Year season of 1962. Cannonball is hitting .382 with a pair of homers, but has already smacked five triples. Before you attribute that to Forbes Field's generosity toward the three-bagger, consider that two of those triples have come on the road. Had it not been for the otherworldly Jed Williams of San Francisco, Booker almost certainly would have won Batter of the Month honors in April. Tim Crusher has been Booker's sidekick in pitcher destruction. The Pirates shortstop, who turned on the offense last season, has taken it one step further so far in 1967, hitting .295 in the earlygoing with three home runs, three doubles and three triples. Perhaps the most encouraging sign from the lineup, however, is Cap Marcrum. The 26-year old has always shown tremendous promise, and has put up numbers to match that promise in the past, but a little more has always been expected of him. His power game might be returning after a two-season hiatus, as he's already got four longballs on the young season.

The Pirates face an uncertain schedule in the upcoming month. After finishing their series in St. Louis, they'll come home to Pittsburgh for a 13-day homestand, hosting the Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals and Braves. The Dodgers, who lost ace Wesley McGee for the season in a frightening incident this spring when he was shot twice in the arm by his wife, are not as formidable a foe as they once were, though they are far from pushovers. The same can be said for the Giants, who still have one of the top offenses in the game, and the Cardinals have reloaded for another run at the National League pennant. The second half of the month will see a pair of matchups with the Reds, so the fortunes of this incarnation of the Pirates will likely be much clearer at the end of this month.

-----

May 1, 1967
Overall Record: 13-4, 2.5 games ahead of CIN

Top Hitter: Asa Booker wins that honor this time around. I certainly don't expect him to post an 1.102 OPS for the whole season, but I'd be very pleased with a mark of .900 or better. He's certainly got the talent to do it, but he's never quite lived up to the very high expectations placed on him.

Top Pitcher: George Adkison picked up 1967 where he left off in 1966, tossing a 2-hit shutout of the Mets in his second start, winning all 4 of his starts in April despite a rocky outing against the Cubs in his 3rd start. He's currently 4-0, 2.43 with 6 walks and 33 strikeouts in 33 innings.

Injury News: Nothing of note.

Development News: Kenny Bluel just can't seem to decide what kind of hitter he is. He's one of the more volatile prospects I've had in a while, losing some plate discipline talent in the past sim.

High Points: We're in first. The highest point there can be.

Low Points: Outside of the guys mentioned above, the rest of the offense is sluggish. I'm sure some of those guys will pick up eventually. I hope.

03-10-2006, 12:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
ifspuds Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 2,117 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4x in 3 posts	Pirates Jump to Early Lead in National League by Langford Thomason Pittsburgh Post-Gazette When Pirates manager Vic Gorin stated this spring that the team's goals weren't yet accomplished after winning the 1966 World Series, some thought him boastful, or at least a little shaky in the head. As April comes to a close, the Pirates seem hellbent on proving the doubters wrong. With a sparkling 13-4 record, the Pittsburgh nine currently hold a 2.5-game lead over the second place Cincinnati Reds. No one knows just how long the season is better than a Pirates fan, but the early success is encouraging to those that might have feared a letdown after last season. The pitching staff, as in seasons past, has carried the majority of the load. The first four starters in the rotation have all pitched a shutout already, and fifth starter Mike Olinger, who struggled badly upon joining the team last season, threw eight innings of scoreless ball in a sparkling 1-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals just two days ago. Olinger's two starts have been completely unlike his efforts in 1966, allowing 3 earned runs in his 7-inning first outing, an 8-7 Pirates win over the Mets. If the youngster -- remember Olinger is still just 25 years old -- can right himself and provide these sorts of efforts the majority of the time, it might be hard to imagine a better rotation. On the offensive side of the game, Asa Booker is off to a blazing start, reminiscent of his Batter of the Year season of 1962. Cannonball is hitting .382 with a pair of homers, but has already smacked five triples. Before you attribute that to Forbes Field's generosity toward the three-bagger, consider that two of those triples have come on the road. Had it not been for the otherworldly Jed Williams of San Francisco, Booker almost certainly would have won Batter of the Month honors in April. Tim Crusher has been Booker's sidekick in pitcher destruction. The Pirates shortstop, who turned on the offense last season, has taken it one step further so far in 1967, hitting .295 in the earlygoing with three home runs, three doubles and three triples. Perhaps the most encouraging sign from the lineup, however, is Cap Marcrum. The 26-year old has always shown tremendous promise, and has put up numbers to match that promise in the past, but a little more has always been expected of him. His power game might be returning after a two-season hiatus, as he's already got four longballs on the young season. The Pirates face an uncertain schedule in the upcoming month. After finishing their series in St. Louis, they'll come home to Pittsburgh for a 13-day homestand, hosting the Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals and Braves. The Dodgers, who lost ace Wesley McGee for the season in a frightening incident this spring when he was shot twice in the arm by his wife, are not as formidable a foe as they once were, though they are far from pushovers. The same can be said for the Giants, who still have one of the top offenses in the game, and the Cardinals have reloaded for another run at the National League pennant. The second half of the month will see a pair of matchups with the Reds, so the fortunes of this incarnation of the Pirates will likely be much clearer at the end of this month. ----- May 1, 1967 Overall Record: 13-4, 2.5 games ahead of CIN Top Hitter: Asa Booker wins that honor this time around. I certainly don't expect him to post an 1.102 OPS for the whole season, but I'd be very pleased with a mark of .900 or better. He's certainly got the talent to do it, but he's never quite lived up to the very high expectations placed on him. Top Pitcher: George Adkison picked up 1967 where he left off in 1966, tossing a 2-hit shutout of the Mets in his second start, winning all 4 of his starts in April despite a rocky outing against the Cubs in his 3rd start. He's currently 4-0, 2.43 with 6 walks and 33 strikeouts in 33 innings. Injury News: Nothing of note. Development News: Kenny Bluel just can't seem to decide what kind of hitter he is. He's one of the more volatile prospects I've had in a while, losing some plate discipline talent in the past sim. High Points: We're in first. The highest point there can be. Low Points: Outside of the guys mentioned above, the rest of the offense is sluggish. I'm sure some of those guys will pick up eventually. I hope. __________________ Jeff Watson Former dynasty writer and online league player, now mostly retired