Newest Bucco Studs

$8,000,000 First Rounder Gerrit Cole

$5,000,000 Second Rounder Josh Bell

Tribe Pics, 5/16/09

Andrew McCutchen walks back to the dugout, dejected after being picked off first. The crowd was really giving the pitcher a hard time for what felt like a dozen consecutive checks to first. It paid off. Cutch didn't look very good, as he lazily didn't slide when he had a chance to break up a double play earlier in the game. Another dejected Indian (they actually won the game 3-1), this time Mr. Strikeout Brian Bixler after taking a called third strike. Brian had another really tough outing in PA covering for Captain Jack, having K'd 18 times in 25 at-bats. He was pinch-hitting for Luis Cruz.

2.63 ERA

Nearly 7% (11 games) into the 2009 season, and yes, the Pittsburgh Pirates have the best ERA in all of baseball. Of course, the Mariners and Royals are #2-3, so there should be a huge grain of salt taken with that news. But Maholm (0.87) is looking like an ace, Ian put up another promisingly good performance Saturday, and ZaDuke (0.59) takes the mound today looking for a sweep of the Braves. The bullpen has been good too, as Capps, Grabow and Hansen have yet to give up a run in 14+ innings. Ollie at 4 and Karstens at 5 still have something to prove, especially against with the 10-1 Marlins coming to town. Go Buccos!

Indianapolis Indians (0-2 attended games) Tribe Pride!

Brian Bixler, (?), Steve Pearce, Andrew McCutchen, Shelby Ford and the Magician Neil Walker doing his famous bat levitation trick - clowning around last Friday night before losing 4-3 to the Louisville Bats. (photo by me)

21 Games!

BP (needs a nickname) and I went in on 21 games at Victory Field to see The Future in 2009. After splitting up for wives/vacations, I hope to have at least 14 games to report from. Here's a good spot to find some bio, and organizational depth. Links updated. Opening Day: 68 days. Pirates pitchers and catchers: 13 days.