From: jw5f+@andrew.cmu.edu (John Wayne Weber)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: PIRATE FAN MUSINGS-EMAIL YOUR RESPONSE (NO BRAVES FANS, PLEASE!)
Date: 8 Oct 92 17:28:32 GMT
	<1992Oct8.041801.3054@ncsu.edu>
Organization: Sophomore, Civil Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

DERRELL E. LAROCQUE@eos writes:

>I am a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, disgusted by the Pirates' postseason
>performance.
>I cannot believe that Bonds stated on National T.V. saying he had no slump.
>Based upon his lackluster performance so far, I disagree with him.
>I have a few questions for Pirates fans around the U.S. (and world) to answer.
 
 
>1. Why do you think Andy Van Slyke can't hit anything all of a sudden? First,
>   Andy is an awesome wonder during the regular season, and now he's mush?

Van Slyke is not a "true" .324 hitter.  Hitting like he did during the
season is not something that he does all the time.  Don't worry, he'll
get his hits.
 
 
>2. Why did Barry Bonds whiff 1-2-3 yer out on his first at-bat? What is he 
>   trying to prove, that he wants to hit a home run, ball or strike???

All this Bonds "choking" stuff is getting to him.  He is trying to do
everything.  Bonds should ignore the press and focus in on doing what he
did in the regular season.  Until then, he is not a true "professional"
ballplayer.
 
>3. What's the deal with the stats about the Pirates on T.V.? They didn't even
>   mention Atlanta's ability to choke in the World Series (+ they have never
>   won one, either!)

Personally, after watching CBS the last two years, I choose not to
listen to the boobs they put up there.  McCarver is a Mets fan, and will
never show respect for any NL East team that beats out the Mets.  As for
the stat guys who put the stats up on the screen, I guess its their
little game to always put down the loser.
 
>4. Why did almost every pitcher for the Pirates walk a hitter with a 3-2
>   count, and they proceed to give up at least two runs?

Pirate pitchers are not power pitchers, they finesse their way through
the game.  This can get you in trouble, though, if you can't get a
certain pitch over.  Its also a little bit of luck on the Braves part.
(They have some established RBI men in that lineup.)
 
>5. Why did the pitchers in Game #2 give up so many hits after 2 outs?

It seemed like everytime there were two outs, the Braves got a hit and
then the meat of the order came up and drove in some runs.
 
>6. Why even watch the next few games if the Pirates are going to be this
>   pathetic? (Sorry, I am in crisis stage).

DON'T PANIC!  The Pirates have not played their last card yet.  They
have to take 2 out of 3 in Pittsburgh (or all three), but this is not
impossible.
 
>7. Do you think Wakefield is the savior of the Pittsburgh bullpen?

He's no "savior", just a pitcher.  Atlanta had tremendous problems
against Wakefield in the regular season.  The knuckleballer just goes up
there and throws, so their shouldn't be too much added pressure on him. 
Wakefield will start Friday & I think he will pull the Pirates out of
the fire.
 
>8. WHY DID I MISS LIND'S HOME RUN? AARRGGHH!  (Sorry, frustration.....)

Don't worry, I missed it too.

Don't abandon ship.  The Pirates were coming back in Game #2 until
Neagle decided that the game had gone on long enough.  Atlanta is
playing as good as they will ever get, but the Pirates are obviously not.

Friday is the last chance, if they lose (or unconvincingly win), it
probably will mean elimination for the Pirates.

There is hope:
    - If Bonds brakes out of it, the whole team will be lifted, and the
Pirates could go on an offensive tear. (They scored 4 runs in the 7th of
game 2-a lot for the Pirates in the playoffs)
    -With Pena out of the bullpen, Atlanta's only pitcher close to
reliable is Reardon.
    -With a good performance, Wakefield will get the players and the
fans back into the series.
    -Glavine has struggled lately, this could help the Pirate offense.

"It ain't over till its over." -Yogi Berra

jww

Remember the 1960 World Series. (How many runs did the Yankees score?)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball