Milledge, Huntington Step Up, Go Deep
1. In general manager Neal Huntington and president Frank Coonelly, the Pirates have two professionals that know their stuff, what they want to accomplish and how to go about it.
Does that mean their master plan will be a success eventually? Sure, if the ‘Burgh imports one million residents to increase its market size, it will turn out just fine.
Until then, if I were a Pirates fan, I would have more confidence in this management team than any in recent memory.
2. There were reports of hostile crowds at the question-and-answer session with team management. Sorry, but I didn’t hear much of that at all, and I may have been the only media member in attendance from start to finish both days.
A query about payroll triggered a few jeers and catcalls in the back rows on Saturday night. Otherwise, I considered the crowds to be well-behaved and reasonably optimistic at both events.
3. Huntington and outfielder Lastings Milledge scored major points with their accountability in public.
At PirateFest, Huntington took complete responsibility for the failure to sign Dominican Republic sensation Miguel Sano last summer. Personally, I think the guy was a bit too hard on himself -- his biggest mistake was that he expected an agent to be honest and trustworthy.
Milledge conceded he had taken his natural talent for granted early in his career but learned from the oversight. Before I pass judgment, I want to see how Milledge handles himself at this level in an entire season, but I sense he gets it now.
4. Was there a more uneventful story than one about the Penguins interest in the Pirates franchise? I mean, what parts of "not for sale" are difficult to understand?
I spoke with numerous fans at PirateFest and the name of Mario Lemieux wasn't mentioned once.
5. This appears to be a close-knit group of players that is fully intent to give fans something to cheer about in the months ahead. The players mentioned the word “hungry” several times, and no, it had nothing to do with their per diem, either.
Now here’s what would concern me: This bunch may be too nice.
Other than pitcher Octavio Dotel and catcher Ryan Doumit, I don’t see anyone that can turn up the volume. And Dotel pitches every two or three days, while Doumit has yet to play more than 116 games in a season.
Note to GM: Add to wish list.