That Other Team to the East

Here is the continuation of my preview of the 2012 NL Central.  I had actually wrote the bulk of this about three weeks ago. Didn't publish it until now (obviously). What can I say for myself, besides the fact that I'm lazy?


The Pittsburgh Pirates have a rich history. One of the original sixteen baseball franchises, they have won five World Series--more than twenty-two other MLB clubs. Their last postseason series victory was a world championship in 1979.  They made the postseason in 1990, 1991, and 1992,  failing  to advance past the first round each time.

The Pirates, with nineteen sub par seasons, hold the North American record for the most consecutive losing seasons. (Think about how that streak probably started: longest streak in Pirates history, longest streak in baseball, longest streak of a US professional team (which was the same as longest streak in baseball, since the Phillies held it I believe), longest streak of a North American team.... what team holds the world record?)

THE (RECENT) PAST:

I don't think there has been any  recent dust ups or feuds between the Cardinals and Pirates.  In 2009, the Cards played the Pirates so often in early in the season that my sister and I learned their entire roster-- something I bet Pirates fans can't claim.  When the Cardinals and Pirates met again late summer, all the players we knew (and loved, in the case of Freddy Sanchez) had been traded.  Such is the life of a Pirates fan, I guess.  They can't get to attached because the ownership has no clue where to steer the organization.  They make "five year plans," only to discard them in two years for a plan completely different in philosophy.

THIS YEAR:

On July 15 and July 18 last season the Pirates were in first place and fans showed up to beautiful PNC Park to root them on.  The Pirates probably won't reach first place this year, but they can definitely finish ahead of the Cubs and Astros again.  Who knows, maybe they'll have a winning season in the process-- they will need to win 10 more games than last year to accomplish this feat.

This year, the Pirates are all about changing their image and finishing the season strong  They added two starting pitchers who have had success in the major leagues. Erik Bedard is a left-hander with a career 3.70 ERA, which is pretty decent considering he pitched in the American League.  Right hander A.J. Burnett helped the Yankees win their 27th championship in 2009 before completely frustrating Yankee fans and ownership in 2010 and 2011.  Pittsburgh's most exciting player is center fielder Andrew McCutchen.

The Pirates are 2 games under .500 right now, good enough for 4th place in the division. Their offense wasn't  too hot in early April, but their pitching has been pretty good. 

That Baseball Team to the North

...No, not the Cubs, they are hardly a baseball team these days, I am speaking of the Milwaukee Brewers.

THE (RECENT) PAST:

Last year, the Cardinals and Brewers had a very volatile relationship. 

"T-Plush", the annoying alter ego of Nyger Morgan, tweeted after the Cardinals and Brewers nearly brawled in a September game  that "Where still n 1st and I hope those crying birds injoy watching tha Crew in tha Playoffs!!! Aaaaahhhh!!!"

The almost fight started because Chris Carpenter yelled after striking Morgan out.  Morgan took offense, and spit his wad of tobacco (yeah, gross) towards the mound.  During a game in August, the umpires issued Morgan a warning after he kept yelling at Carp from the dugout. (As an aside, the Cardinals and Morgan had issues when he was a member of the Washington Nationals). 

The great thing about Nyger Morgan is that he plays with heart-- a lot like Carpenter.  However, players should always respect their opponents.  This means you keep your mouth shut and let your game do the talking. Some people think that the exuberance Carp shows on the mound is disrespectful-- that he is trying to show up his opponents.  He isn't.  He is in the moment, competing, and his celebratory yells aren't usually aimed at the opposition.  Plus, he does not disrespect his opponents when interviewed-- he acknowledges their ability and congratulates great plays.

Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke said this about Carpenter before the NLCS: 

"They think his presence, his attitude out there sometimes is like a phony attitude," Greinke said. "And then he yells at people. He just stares people down and stuff. And most pitchers just don't do that. And when guys do, I guess some hitters get mad. Some hitters do it to pitchers. But when you do that some people will get mad.
"There's other pitchers in the league that do it, but, I don't know," Greinke said, "a lot of guys on our team don't like Carpenter."

So, they hate Carpenter because he is "old school"... tough.

I can't find the exact quote, but I believe it was said by a Brewers player last year.  The player spoke about how at spring training, the team they hate with a passion and think about beating is the St. Louis Cardinals.  What a compliment-- I mean, no one in the division has a vendetta against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

THIS YEAR:

Prince Fielder signed with the Detroit Tigers this off season.  The Brewers replaced some of his offense by signing former Cub, Aramis Ramirez, to play third base.  

For years, the Brewers offense-- carried by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder-- had always been top-notched, but their pitching kept them from being a consistent contender.  Last year, the Brewers finally acquired capable pitching, and made it to the NLCS.  This year, starters Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum, and Yovani Gallardo will probably make pitching the strongest point of the team, especially with Prince Fielder's production gone.  The Brewers also have a good bullpen.

Reigning MVP Ryan Braun had a difficult off season (he tested positive for steroids during the playoffs, but does not have to serve the 50 game suspension due to a technicality in the way the sample was handled) and it remains to be seen whether he elevates his play, or suffers from all the ridicule he'll hear on the road this season.

The Brewers have solid offense and solid pitching, but suffer on defense.  And, ultimately, it was their defense-- those seven errors in Games 5 and 6 of the NLCS-- that ended their season last year.

That Eastern Team I Dislike

In the coming days, I am going to write about the NL Central teams-- not to actually analyze their chances of winning the NL Central but to become reacquainted with the exact reasons why we dislike them.

First up... the Cincinnati Reds. 

THE (RECENT) PAST:

There was not much animosity last season between the Reds and the Cards, mostly because the Reds finished under .500.  But in 2010, when the Reds and the Cardinals were fighting for the division, there was plenty of animosity.

The hatred looked to continue in 2011 when Adam Wainwright underwent Tommy John surgery and a Cincinnati reporter wrote that  (now former) Reds outfielder Jonny Gomes celebrated Wainwright's surgery by singing a song,  "Wainwright's gone, Wainwright's gone" in the clubhouse.

Of course, Jonny apologized and denied the charge, but I am more inclined to believe the reporter than the ballplayer.  The reporter took down the original article that spoke of the incident, but he wrote in a later article, that he was not the only one who heard Wainwright's name in the song.

Jonny obviously is not the kind of competitor who enjoys winning bragging rights by beating his opponent's best team.

Of course, after this incident, you can only surmise that it's their clubhouse culture-- extreme cockiness to the point of disrespecting opponents.  This is the same clubhouse that houses Brandon Phillips, the second baseman who insulted the Cardinals and proceeded to feign friendliness with Yadi the next day. Yadi wasn't having it, preliminary punches were thrown, ultimately leading to the best Cardinals brawl in recent memory.

You know, I have actually grown to like Brandon Phillips-- or, should I say, admire him.  I appreciate the fact that he's a  really nice guy who loves to visit with fans.  

I just won't ever forgive him for calling the Cardinals what he called them.  Ever.  I support those at Busch Stadium who boo Phillips to this day. 

During the brawl, Jason LaRue and Carpenter were kicked in the back (Carp) and head (LaRue) by Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto, who suddenly forgot how to comprehend even a little English when interviewed about the matter, claiming through a teammate/interpreter that he was scared.  LaRue retired after the season due to post-concussion syndrome.

Another issue the Cardinals and Reds have-- slick baseballs.  Anytime Bronson Arroyo pitches at Great American Ballpark, the balls are slick. Cardinals pitchers DO NOT like this. (For those who don't know, baseballs are rubbed down with mud, so pitchers can get a good grip on the ball and batters won't have to worry a 95 mph pitch slipping and hitting them on the head.)  Carpenter, in particular, will toss back ball after ball because the slickness prevents him from gripping the ball properly. (John Smoltz also had a problem with Cincinnati's slick balls when he was with the Redbirds).  Needless to say, the Reds don't like that the Cardinals have a problem with this.

THIS YEAR:

The Reds are definitely going for it this year.  Last year's top two teams (Brewers and Cardinals), lost large contributors (oh, man, there's a Prince Fielder joke waiting there, but I'll leave it be).  Plus,  with Joey Votto closer to  testing the free agent market, the window of opportunity is closing.

The Reds made aggressive moves this off-season, shipping the future (typical of Jocketty-- depleting the farm system for large acquisitions. SEE: St. Louis Cardinals under his tenure.) to San Diego for starting pitcher Mat Latos. They acquired Cubs reliever, left-hander Sean Marshall, to serve as the bullpen's set-up man.  Former Phillies closer Ryan Madson signed to handle to ninth inning.  Unfortunately, they will be paying him $8.5  million to undergo Tommy John surgery.  Even worse (for whoever owns the Reds), is the fact that that $8.5 million puts a strain on the purse strings.  If the Reds are in the race come the trade deadline, how salary will they be willing to take on in a trade?

All in all, the Reds look to be a solid all-around team-- a good defense and offense, to complement improved pitching.

EDIT (April 3, 2012):  Joey Votto will not become a free-agent after 2013. Yesterday night it was announced that he and the Reds had agreed to a contract extension worth $225 million over 10 years.