Monday, July 23, 2012

There's plenty to like about the Pirates, so just enjoy the moment

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez put the Miami Marlins out of their misery Sunday with another monster home run, then attempted to school the many in the team's fan base who still are having a hard time believing their little ballclub is 54-40 and playing as well as anyone in baseball.

Enjoy the moment.

Please allow Alvarez to expand.

Don't keep asking when Starling Marte is coming up from Class AAA Indianapolis.

Don't keep wondering if general manager Neal Huntington is smart enough or has the guts to make a bold move before the July 31 trade deadline to bring in another bat or a starting pitcher or a leadoff man or a veteran bench player.

Don't keep thinking the team automatically will get rid of hammer Joel Hanrahan because he's going to make too much money next season and for many years to come.

Don't keep worrying that any trade involving Class A pitcher Jameson Taillon will blow up the 2015 season.

C'mon, people, something special is happening here. Savor it. Revel in it. Live as if you can't wait for the next game because you just know your team is going to win, not as if you're expecting a loss that will start another collapse like last season's.

OK, so Alvarez didn't actually say any of those things. That was just one man's interpretation of his observations after his two-run home run -- his 21st -- in the seventh inning completed the Pirates' 3-0 win. He made it clear he and his teammates aren't sitting around waiting for Marte to come riding in on a white horse. If anything, they are hoping Huntington doesn't make any roster moves.

Can you say unnecessary?

"I love every guy on this team," Alvarez said.

"I think we have all of the components to keep succeeding. I think we have great chemistry right now. We have pitching. We have defense. We're doing pretty well hitting the ball. I just love the dynamic we have on this team."


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/ron-cook/theres-plenty-to-like-about-the-pirates-so-just-enjoy-the-moment-645833/#ixzz21RMPIgpO

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