The Pirates have decided to non-tender pitcher Jeff Karstens to make room on the roster for new catcher Russell Martin (we caught up with Martin earlier this morning, you can check out the interview here). The reason for the decision was due to, as GM Neal Huntington put it, “blotchy beard syndrome, or BBS”. “We pride ourselves on being a clean-cut and attractive organization,” said Huntington, “When we brought him over here in 2008, he couldn’t even grow facial hair.
Big Ben Injury Scandal Uncovered
by: Lee Hanyo Ben Roethlisberger left the Steelers week 10 game against the Chiefs early with what everyone was led to believe was a shoulder injury. Reports are now surfacing that the injury may not have actually been legitimate. November 13th was a big night for gaming fans. Call of Duty: Black Ops II was released at midnight and thousands of people lined up at stores nation wide to get their hands on the newest first person shooting installment in
Interview with Pirates new catcher Russell Martin
by: Jon Anderson The Pierogi was first on the scene after the Russell Martin signing, and got an exclusive interview with the Pirates new catcher. Pittsburgh Pierogi (PP): So Russell, what factors went in to your decision to sign with the Pirates? Russell Martin (RM): Ever since I was a kid I have really enjoyed bridges. Looking at them, walking over them, swimming under them. Pretty much everything about bridges I love. I couldn’t get a contract from any baseball
Pirates, Yankees to collude in 2013
by: Brandon Posa A report out of Pittsburgh has been confirmed that the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees will continually swap players throughout the upcoming 2013 season “without old Bud even knowing,” said an overly confident Pirates GM Neal Huntington. “I just got off the phone with Brian [Cashman, Yankees GM], and we laid the groundwork for a great partnership. Instead of just taking Tabata, Karstens, AJ, Martin, and all the others since 2008 via normal dealings, we are
Pirates to retire Kris Benson’s #34
by: Justin Dunio The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today their plan to retire, ex-Pirate, Kris Benson’s #34. Neal Huntington says Kris Benson was an integral part of the Pirate organization from 1999 to 2004. “In MLB standards, Kris was a sub-par starting pitcher,” said Pirates GM Neal Huntington, “but, in Pirates standards, Kris is one of the best we’ve had in the last decade. We’ve had some really shitty pitchers here, and Kris is one that stands out as sort of
Barajas knows why defensive numbers were poor
by: Brandon Posa Rumors have been swirling inside baseball circles that the Pirates’ 2012 “starting” catcher Rod Barajas recently had figured out why his caught stealing numbers were below average. When we visited Barajas in his Los Angeles home, and we asked whether or not he had come to a conclusion on why he played so poorly this season, he quickly snapped his fingers and one of his 18 children, Esmiralda, flipped on a light bulb behind his head. “I’ve
Russell Martin to host rave in celebration of talks with Pirates
The Pirates have reportedly been in talks with Russell Martin about making him their starting catcher for the 2013 season. Martin and his agent, Matt Colleran, are looking for a three or four year deal, and to their sheer shock, the Pirates are actually thinking about giving it to them. “Honestly, this is way further than I thought we’d get,” started Colleran, “when your client hits .211 in the most hitter-friendly stadium in the league, you aren’t expecting him to
James Neal shooting door-to-door for extra cash
by: Brandon Posa Residents of the South Hills of Pittsburgh reported that Pittsburgh Penguins winger James Neal has been going door-to-door for the past three weeks, asking if he can do small shooting jobs around their homes to bring some extra cash home during the NHL lockout. “As I was picking up my Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the other morning, James was standing there with his hockey stick and asked me if he could ‘use a wrister’ to get the paper inside
Pail and shovel campaigning for Pirates starting catching job
by: Patrick Reddick With much criticism of the 2012 Pirates directed at their lack of ability to catch base stealers, the team has made the catching position a focus of the off-season. Though it may take a few more years, the Pirates have been excited to see the progression of a Pail and Shovel who is making his way through the minors. “It is an area that we are always looking to get better in,” said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.
Crosby looks to rebuild reputation after being spotted at Bieber concert
Sidney Crosby recently purchased heavy metal concert tickets in a desperate attempt to rebuild his street-cred in the city of Pittsburgh. The Penguins captain took a big time PR hit after he was spotted at a Justin Bieber concert in late November at the Consol Energy Center. “I got a telegram from (Penguins center Evgeni) Malkin telling me that the lockout was over and that we had a home game that night, so I grabbed my tightest hoody and went
