Former three-time All-Star and longtime manager Phil Garner passed away on Saturday at age 76. A statement released by Garner’s family praised the medical care given to Garner during his fight with pancreatic cancer, and said that “Phil never lost his signature spark of life he was so well known for or his love for baseball which was with him until the end.”
Debuting with the Athletics in 1973, Garner hit .260/.323/.389 over 6136 plate appearances and 1860 games with the A’s, Pirates, Astros, Dodgers, and Giants during his 16-year career as a big league player. He became Oakland’s everyday second baseman in 1975 and received his first All-Star nod in 1976, but he was dealt after that season as part of a nine-player trade with the Pirates.
Garner played both second and third base (with some appearances at shortstop) during his four-plus years in Pittsburgh. His best season in terms of both personal and team accomplishments came in 1979, when Garner had a career-best 3.9 fWAR while hitting .293/.359/.441 with 11 homers and 17 steals for the Pirates’ World Series-winning team, which remains the last Buccos club to win a championship. Garner was a huge part of that title run, delivering a phenomenal .472/.537/.722 slash line over 41 PA during the postseason.
The Pirates traded Garner to the Astros partway through the 1981 campaign, and he went on to have several more successful years in a Houston uniform before his production declined in 1987. The Dodgers acquired Garner in a trade partway through the 1987 campaign but the change of scenery didn’t spark his bat, and Garner then played 15 games with the Giants over his final year as a player.
Garner’s gritty and grinding playing style made him a fan favorite, and perhaps all you need to know about Garner is that he was known as “Scrap Iron,” a nickname coined by former Pirates announcer Milo Hamilton. The blunt and tough-but-fair approach stuck with Garner in his post-playing days, as he went onto a successful second career as a manager over 15 seasons with the Brewers, Tigers, and back in Houston with the Astros.
As a skipper, Garner posted a 985-1054 career record, beginning with a 92-win season as Milwaukee’s manager in 1992. This was the only winning record Garner would post in eight seasons with the Brewers and three seasons in Detroit (from 2000-02), but he broke through in 2004 after being hired to take over an Astros team that had a 44-44 record.
Houston went 48-26 the rest of the way under Garner, and fell just short of a World Series appearance after losing the NLCS to the Cardinals in a memorable seven-game battle. The Astros beat St. Louis in a rematch the next season for the first pennant in Houston franchise history, though the Astros were swept by the White Sox in the World Series.
We at MLB Trade Rumors extend our condolences to Garner’s family, friends, and many fans.
Loved that mustache back in the day! RIP.
Rest in peace, Scrap Iron.
That was a great nickname.
Pancreatic cancer is tough. My brother lost his battle with it last year on Father’s Day after 4 1/2 years. 51 years old.
That’s a long time to fight and battle that vicious disease!! Your brother must have been a tough and fearless warrior, may his memory be a blessing.
It’s been a rough last 12 months for some of us old Bucco fans. Cobra, Maz and now Scrap Iron!! RIP Mr. Garner.
Out – You must not have heard, Elroy Face also passed away just a few days prior to Maz.
let’s not forget Dave Giusti, the NL league leader in saves for the 1971 WS Pirates championship who also died recently
Very rough years for those of us who grew up watching all of those guys……
Saw him play for Phoenix Firebirds in ‘88
I don’t recall why he was at AAA then
Rehab from serious back surgery. Played a bit for SF but couldn’t play to his expectations then retired.
RIP Phil Garner.
Phoenix was the Giants AAA team in 1988. He played in 15 games for the big league Giants as per the article, but also 17 for the Firebirds per Baseball Reference.
RIP PG…you’ll always be remembered as being part of some great Pirates teams!
Good Ballplayer- The nickname fit. RIP sir!
Remember Phil Garner well. Sad to see him pass so young. RIP. Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Scrap-iron
My memory isn’t what it used to be but didn’t he used to dig graves with Richie Hebner to keep in shape in the off season? Or am I totally off base on that one? Thought somebody used to do that with Hebner.
You might be right about another player, but I don’t think that Garner and Hebner ever played together so I would be surprised if he was who you were thinking of. Phil’s first season as a Bucs was ‘77, and he essentially replaced Hebner at 3B; Richie left the Bucs in free agency for the Phillies after the ‘76 season.
I’m not sure about Garner digging graves. Hebner did. That’s well documented. Not necessarily to keep in shape, though Hebner stated that. His family owned a funeral business back in the day. Hebner prepared the grave sites to help the family business and earn extra money. Back in those days lots of MLB players had side gigs and off season jobs. Hebner was a former Cub as many old guys like myself remember.
Yeah it’s something just stuck in my head. I knew Hebner was a Pittsburgh guy and lived there and as far as I know still does. He said he used to do it to keep in shape in the off season because he did it by hand and didn’t use the digging equipment all the time unless the ground was frozen. So it wouldn’t have mattered if they played together or not because it was the off season and like I said he lived there his whole life but thanks to both you guys for the shout outs. Not sure about the other guy but I thought somebody said they used to do it with him, Thought maybe it was Garner. Anyway not that important, Thanks guys.
Hebner was born in Massachusetts where his family owned a cemetery
During the offseason, he would dig the graves, but not by a shovel but with a machine
Back week for former Brewers managers.
The ’92 Brewers were one of my favorite teams in history. RIP Scrap Iron.
Baseball lover. I only remember him as a manager.
He lived a life he loved.
RIP.
Scrap Iron was a 1979 World Champion.
As a Tigers fan, he’s one of my favorite managers regardless of the level of success achieved in Detroit. He didn’t have much to work with here but did it with class and confidence. Rest in Peace.
Rest in paradise Phil.
One of my favorite players from back in the 80s. He put up solid numbers and always gave it his all when he was playing.
One of my all time favorites!! He was fun to watch and I loved his years coaching Houston! RIP Scrap Iron!
One of the first favorite Pirates, one of the best nicknames ever, and a seriously great mustache to boot. Good player and IMO underrated manager; he did a lot with the talent he was given, just like as a player.
R.I.P.
Tremendous competitor. RIP Phil
Scrap Iron was a hard nosed BALLPLAYER.
Rest in peace
One of my favorite players on a special 1979 Pirates team. Gone way too soon. RIP Scrap Iron
RIP scrap iron. One of the members of WE ARE FAMILY, 1979 world champion pirates.
RIP Scrap Iron, have fun playing ball up there.
RIP
One heck of a player who knew how to hustle and play the game the right way.
The Pirates traded a lot for him but he was the missing piece on that World Series team.
RIP Scrap Iron.
The missing piece on the ’79 Pirate team was Bill Madlock…Bucs traded for him at the trade deadline that year and moved Garner from 3B to 2B because to get Stennett to the bench. Offense took off after that ..trade deadline was in June back in those days.
Agree 100%. Loved Garner. But Mad Dog was the missing piece
Can anyone tell me why Kelly insists on pitching Lawrence?
Because Kelly doesn’t know how to handle a pitching staff. Especially the bullpen.
Very apparent after this weekend.
Yesterday they almost gave the game away
Today, they handed it to the Cubs.
Sickening loss
same reason why he continues to not use Gonzalez against a lefty in a pinch hit role or why Bart is still on the team
He’s been horrible offensively and his arm is too weak at the catching position
Give Endy a chance, he can’t be any worse than Bart
Agree about Endy and here’s a thought. When you’re up in late innings, get Mangum into left field. Get Reynolds out. And not for Cooke. Mangum can play anywhere in the OF.
Kelly can’t figure out how to use him
The catching position here is a big hole in the lineup. But yes, send Bart packing.
Horwitz and Ozuna aren’t much better at the plate right now
But let’s be serious. You’re pulling starters out when they haven’t hit 90 pitches yet. They pulled Ashcraft yesterday and Bubba today.
And Lawrence is just awful. Every time out it’s the same story. Maybe Kelly is listening to Wehner and his “untouchable sweeper” BS too much.
You nailed it about pulling the pitcher before even hitting 100 pitches. Kelly even does it in a middle of an inning by pulling a starter. He micromanages too much. He’s cost the pirates 3 games with his mishandling of the pitching staff.
Barco is a starter,too much talent to waste in the bullpen. Carmen M.is a relief pitcher. People shouldn’t get excited about his early success as a starter.
As for reynolds, he’s a top candidate for DH. I think ozuna is done. They can call up Garcia to play left and I se reynolds as DH. Overall its a great start. But overall Kelly is mishandling the pitching. You can’t pull starters after 85 pitches. Your bullpen will be toast by the all star break.
I am not sold on Barco either. Has he yet pitched when he hasn’t given up a run?
It might be time to send him back to Indy and bring up Sisk
Every time I hear the broadcasters claim how good Bart is against lefties I want to laugh
Over the past 8 plate appearances between Bart and Davis, they collectively struck out 6 times
while I agree with you about Ozuma at $10 million dollars, Cherington isn’t likely to cut him this early in the season
A fact emerged yesterday during the game, in 2023, the year he hit 40 homers, Ozuma started that season 4-51 then turned around his season
Why won’t Kelly allow the bullpen pitchers to throw more than one inning?
Other than Barco and Ramirez, every other pitcher only throws one inning or less
Horowitz actually thrived last year batting lead off. Batting him in the 7 spot might be hurting his swing
I dont think the pirates ever had any thoughts about searching for a manager in the off-season. They were happy with Kelly’s work and ridiculously hired him full time. Big mistake by the pirates for not even looking. As for Bart, he’s a total waste of a roster spot. Endy is on the 60 day I believe. Time to call up the young catcher that they got from the Yankees. Can’t recall his name.
Kelly has got to let these starters go longer. Otherwise the second half will be a disaster. And with all the expectations going into this year,that would be a total disaster.
Flores is the catcher that you’re referring to
Agree with all of your thoughts here.
Lowe talked about winning 2 out of 3 every time equating to a lot of success
Sure. It’s been a nice start. They are an exciting bunch. But you can’t give away games as they have.
Starting pitchers have to be afforded some leeway in working out of jams and while I get the modern approach about not “over working” them, 90 pitches? Might as well just call them bullpen starts
The last two games are perfect examples
Agree with TheMan3’s thoughts about Barko
And Lawrence? Jeez, how much do you have to see?
Agree with the note about Reynolds but at the price they paid for Ozuna, you know they won’t give up on him until mid summer. I don’t get the usage of Mangum, their best defensive outfielder, late in games where you have a lead.
And I’ve seen enough of Bart to say his 2024 season was an aberration. (But admittedly, Davis isn’t much better. He’s lost at the plate)
Pirates broadcasters are always team players. They repeated this stat during all three games
Look, I get that at this point in the season it’s all akin to extended spring training for managers
They’re still searching for answers and rationalize that it’s a long 162 game season.
Ok. But when a few losses can dictate whether a team like this can get a WC berth, this kind of approach reminds me of the Shelton era.
You’re wasting a great start by Cruz and the contributions of guys like Lowe and O’Hearn and the strength of starting pitching. And you’re not putting your best defenses out there to tamp down wins, from position players to relievers.
I think Horwitz will be ok, actually.
But Davis, Bart and Ozuna look entirely lost at the plate.
Love the idea of bringing Garcia up from the minors but Kelly seems enamored with York, who’s had a hot bat, and Cooke.
But that throw from Reynolds, jeez.
Ty man3.
Kelly must have been reading these comments
Today, Barco was sent back to Indy and Sisk took his place here
I liked the Pirates farm update in the PG today
Garcia is struggling.
Seth has been dominant on the mound
Harrington not so much.
And Valdez continuing to show power.
I’m not surprised about Barco.
Let him get some reps as a starter on the farm
Reason why Lawrence is here is that they have no depth in AAA.
Cherington gave it all away.
Barco needs to start and will get that opportunity in AAA.
Carmen needs to go to the bullpen when Jones comes back.His 2 or 3 good innings as the long man is extremely valuable and negates the need to use some like Oquidy to for sure lose the game.
I have been impressed with Soto but said all along that they need another solid reliever.
I think that Kelly is clearly better than Shelton but that is damning with faint praise.
The young starters need to be treated with kid gloves like they are doing but he has no long reliever with Carmen starting.
They are stuck with the catchers that they have at this point.
Does anyone else hate the broadcaster Greg as much as I do?
Finally,when is the over/ under date when the clearly overmatched Griffin goes back to AAA to regain his confidence?
I don’t hate anyone but Greg Brown is easily the worst broadcaster this franchise has. I’m not too fond of Joe Black either
Brown’s laugh is sickening
I would rather they use Soto as the closer than Santana
something no one has touched on for the beginning of this season
Strikeouts
Yesterday as a team they struck out 14 times
There’s a few people who post here that don’t view strikeouts as a bad thing but that’s less balls in play that a strikeout causes
You can’t win games when the bottom of your order can’t get on base
Strikeouts are a very bad thing unless your pitchers are getting them.
Too many called third strikes.Flick the bat and foul it off.
Brown is sickening with his hyperbolic sayings and faked enthusiasm.
They are touting Griffin every time that he dives for a ball.
I miss the Gunner.
Kelly is using them both in pressure situations not always at the end of the game.
This is the smartest thing to do but they need another reliever then who can pitch the ninth inning.
The Gunner was the best broadcaster this team ever had
Yorke struck out looking already in tonight’s game so I expect another double digit performance by this lineup
3 called third strikes so far 1 by Davis which has become a standard plate appearance for him
I thought that that pitch was low and he should have contested it.
I usually stick up for young players but at this point with Henry what you see if what you will get.
Yorke should have also contested a pitch that was seemingly out of the strike zone
HOU 2B Phil Garner is on my team as the best 2B in MLB in 1982.
Every team needs a spark plug type player. The 1979 Pirates had two in Phil Garner and Tim Foli.
Rip
Scrap Iron was an integral component of the Pirates World Series Championship but more importantly, he was a great human being and friend to everyone in baseball
He was by far my favorite player outside of the late Dave Parker during those late 70’s teams
He hustled with every play, whether on offense or defense
RIP Scrap Iron
RIP Scrap Iron.
Turned the Brewers into a contender for one season then later on guided the Astros to back-to-back NLCS appearances and a World Series. R.I.P. Phil
RIP
Astros legend! Rest in peace Scrap Iron.
A true “gamer” both as a player and manager. RIP Phil.
An all time favorite for multiple franchises! That sums up his baseball career. RIP
RIP Phil…..
RIP Phil Garner. Also F cancer.
RIP
A good player and great overall baseball guy. He just loved the game.
My best friend’s mum passed from pancreatic cancer last year; it was vicious.
Nice writeup. Particularly commendable is in the 3rd paragraph choosing the word “phenomenal” rather than the gag-inducing “incredible”. I think there is hope for mankind. Congratulations, Mr. Polishuk!
Man, it always hurts when popular people in baseball pass on. RIP Scrap Iron
RIP Scrap Iron
“9 player trade”…ok. So I looked it up. Phil Garner, Tommy Helms (purchased by the A’s from the Pirates, before this trade just months before) and a AAA pitcher for the 1977 RoY runner up Mitchel Paige, starting CF Tony Armas and 2 starting pitchers and 2 key bullpen arms. The A’s did pretty good.
Of course they would have a revolving door at 2B for a while.
One of the great old-school, hardnosed players.
RIP Phil.
Always had respect for Garner as a Phillies fan in that era. Pirates and Astros had the type of teams that would fight you tooth and nail…Garner was the epitome of that style…
Great player. Glad he escaped Charlie Finley. 1979 will always be memorable. Where does his perm rank amongst other 70’s greats like Carter or Sutton?
Mets fan here, this dude was a dawg in his days. RIP.
I remember him from his time as manager of the Astros, he was a decent guy from watching him during the 2005 World Series. May he rest in peace.
Super nice guy. I remember when he was with Pittsburgh in 1979 in spring training he would buy some cookies from the store i worked for and ate them while sitting on the sidewalk and talked to everyone like a totally normal guy. RIP thanks for that memory
Some random thoughts on your random thoughts:
As broadcasters go, Brown is a lot like Lanny was. These guys are employed by the Pirates. You’re not gonna get objectivity too often
No fan of Joe Block or Wehner. I guess I’d say I like Matt Capps most of all but he’s only an occasional broadcaster.
-I wasn’t much of a Prince fan, either. Too often, he talked about a thousand things other than the game.
Jack Buck. Harry Kalas. Thom Brenneman. The old superstation TBS broadcast team with Skip Caray. There ya go
-Sorry, not buying about Lawrence. Soto. Montgomery. Santana. Ramirez. Even Mattson. You have the pieces
If you’re gonna pitch Lawrence it should be in throw away games.
-Yeah, they’re gonna have to swallow hard with their catchers and Ozuna. But big zeroes in the lineup
-I’ll agree that Kelly is an improvement over Shelton, but there are college and legion managers who would have been better
I have to agree with jgio—he’s got a lot to learn
Prince was as much of an entertainer as he was a broadcaster.But you always knew the score.He would give shout outs to shut ins and I always thought that that was a great gesture.
Jack Buck and Vin Scully were probably the best broadcasters that I have heard.
Good teams have deep bullpens and depth in the minors.Urquidy should be short on time.I don’t know whether he could pass through waivers unclaimed but they should try to send him to AAA if he continues to pitch this badly.
When a team is in almost every game there are few opportunities to put them in blowouts either way.I thought that Kelly did well seeing what Urquidy could do and then Sisk for two innings.He probably should have brought Lawrence in in the eighth inning to see how well he could do with no pressure on him.
I remember sitting in my back yard with my transistor radio listening to THE GUNNER,PRINCE,AND THE POSSUM, JIM WOODS. Those were days that I could relive. Listening to his stories while he broadcast the game. Closer than a gnats eye lash. There’s a bug lose on the rug. You can kiss it goodbye. Chicken on the hill with will. And he c was the only one to call THE GREAT ONE, Bobby Clemente, and get away with it.
Memories of a childhood.
Woods actually worked for five teams other than the Pirates.He worked for them between 1958 through 1969.
The Gunner was truly a character but I liked him as some games are boring but he knew how to entertain.
I also liked his saying that you win a third of the games,you lose a third,it is the third in the middle that means something.
And,you got a round bat,and a round ball,and you have to hit it square.
Remember his “can of corn” call on a Matty Alou fly ball that he consequently dropped in Wrigley—was in 1970–that I believe cost them the division.
I turned on the game late tonight. Did I really see Kelly bat for Lowe with the bases loaded and one out in the 7th?
Yes you did see Kelly make a blunder. How can you pinch hit a guy who went 0-6 for a guy who has 7 home runs and back to back 5 rbi games?. Then he hits into a double play on a 3-1 count. Then he comes up in the ninth with 2 on and pops out to end the game.
Unbelievable stupid decision by a Unbelievably stupid manager. Can only imagine lowe cussing him out under his breath. And I don’t want to hear about lefty on lefty. This clown is going to cost the pirates a lot if games with his stupid moves. Reminiscent of another clown who got fired.
I really couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Lowe is one of their hottest hitters and you hit for him. I figured maybe he was hurt or sick.
Shelton Ball 101
This is what happens when you dont want to pay for an experienced manager.
Fire this clown.
Especially after Lowe had earlier hit a homer and drew a walk off of a lefty
Kelly later defended his decision but it was clearly the wrong decision
Outrageous. Really. Had he been here during the Leyland era, he’d have hit for Bonds too, I guess. I mean, that is about the impact Lowe has had here. The camera panned over to him after being pulled and yeah, he looked a bit shocked
And about the Pirates broadcast team…not a peep that questioned it
I wonder what the other players are thinking?
Both papers here talked about this move “backfiring”. LOL. Think so? Talk about over-managing.
I also questioned Kelly’s decision to allow Cruz, who had already struck out twice to bat against the same lefty that Kelly used Yorke to pinch hit for Lowe.
Cruz then struck out on pitches no where close to the plate
Cruz is undoubtedly having a great season so far but if Kelly was really trying to win, you don’t pinch hit for the hottest run producer in baseball and allow the guy who’s already struck out twice to hit
Agreed 100% and glad I wasn’t alone in wondering about yet another decision.
Were a handful of games in and while he might not be Shelton, it seems to me Kelly’s decisions have played a huge role in at least half their losses so far.
I read about this and Lowe said that he was not surprised because he has troubles against lefthanders.
I would have done it too- if I had Willie Mays on the bench to pinch hit.
I generally stick up for Kelly because in some respects I thought that he was Earl Weaver compared to Shelton.
But this was just a stupid move in thinking too much.He probably should have said as much after the game.
Some have said that managers do not win games.
And quite frankly hindsight is twenty twenty.
But sometimes managers can lose games.
And this may have been one of those times.
As TheMan3 pointed out, Lowe homered off a lefty in his first at bat. As jgio related, he’d had consecutive 5 rbi days. This was eerily reminiscent of Shelton routinely giving a day off to his hottest hitters last year. It just lacked all sense
I add this kind of move to games where he has a late lead and his best defensive outfielder is on the bench. Or bringing in a reliever who twice before has been wild or hit hard
Yeah it’s early. And again, it’s like extended spring training in that managers are looking to see what they have. But it’s gonna be a dogfight to get into the playoffs. The manager can’t lose games via stupid decisions
My other beef with Kelly is still trying to determine who plays third base
True that they were counting on Triolo but neither Gonzalez or Yorke will get consistent playing time to make that decision
Keep one of them at third and use the other for utility purposes
Kelly is an albatross that cherrington and nutting and especially pirate fans will have to out up with. Unless they cut ties with this unprepared clown.
I predict that the pirates will be a .500 team if Kelly continues to make these outrageous blunders and w I th him handling of the pitching staff.
They would win their division if we HAD A REAL MANAGER,not one who has gut feelings and relies on analytics. They can’t let this season get away with the talent they have. The pirates just have a unprepared clown running the team.
Shelton, err excuse me, Kelly is doing a bullpen game tonight, using Mason Montgomery as the starter
With, counting tonight, 5 games in a row, does Kelly want to wear down the bullpen?
Inquiring minds want to know
One more question, Griffin had his first 2 hit game in the majors last night including a double
He’s being benched in tonight’s game
So my question is simple
Why bench a player who is showing signs that he can hit major league pitching now
and what does Cruz do in his first two plate appearances in tonight’s game
strikeouts on pitches no where close to the plate
Bases loaded, 2 outs, Yorke hits a weak grounder to first base
He’s now 0 for his last 13 plate appearances but don’t play Griffin who was 2-4 in last night’s game
Cruz is 0 for his last plate appearances including 5 strikeouts. It’s time to either move him down in the order or give him a day off
Yorke is 0 for his last 16 plate appearance. It’s time to just bench him period in favor of Gonzalez at third base
Otherwise, a superb pitching performance by all involved in last night’s game, especially Carmen
Hopefully Ashcraft will continue his dominance in this afternoon’s game and the offense will score more than 2 runs
Today Derek Kelly or is it donny Shelton, RESTS Reynolds and o’hearn. 17 games and clown is resting guys. Im going to say ot again. With kelly/Shelton the pirates are a .500 team.
I don’t have a problem with them being easy on pitchers but these fielders get paid big money to play and be in shape.
I am beginning to wonder about Kelly too.
I have never seen a major league infielder spike a ball like Griffin did today.I was going to say it was a little league move but I never saw it there either.The four errors easily cost them the game.
And why did Kelly pitch to Woods and have Mangum hit in that situation?
Mendoza. Because Kelly is not a fundamental manager. He and cherrington rely too much on analytics.
And Kelly is a garbage manager just like Shelton
With Griffins speed why wasn’t he either on the move when Mangum was swinging the bat or steal second before the pitch?
Or why Mangum didn’t try and lay down a bunt?
Wasted speed all the way around, not to mention Cruz’two base running blunders
J-I apologize.
You are incorrect though.
Kelly is actually worse than Shelton.
And Cherington’s love of statistics and pitching speed caused them to lose bullpen depth in AAA so that the Cam Sanders of the world who are barely AAA material but throw hard and walk more suddenly become needed.
Chase Shugart and Kyle Nicolas are doing just fine in the majors and minors respectively.
It is a shame that Nutting does not have the gravitas to get these two knuckleheads in the same room and read them the riot act.
These games count just as much as those at the end of the year.
Incompetence has not left the building.
Paul-I am beginning to think that these are the same old Pirates but just a slightly better version with some good players from other teams.
Cherington basically had a good off season for the first time ever and did his usual fine job of drafting but the fundamentals of this team are still sorely lacking.The offense is clearly better but the defense is worse even from mediocrity.
Griffin is not a pitcher and should never have been called up this early.It was pure and simple a marketing technique and one that could backfire.
Kelly has some strong points although the best one is that he is not Shelton but he may very well not be any better.
After yesterday’s game I realized once again the hard way not to put too much emotional stock in this team.They never are going to meet the level of a good team.They are better overall,but Washed is correct when he says that a 500 year and hustle is all that he is hoping for.
You and any other long time Pirate fans friends may want to face that reality so that the disappointment is not too strong.
Mendoza. After yesterday’s game,you and Washed are correct. These pirates are fundamentally awful. The blame goes to Kelly. A marginal, at best idiot. He is nothing but a Shelton clown. I guess we will have to wait this year out and see. But I dont see anything better than 500. Unless changes are made. Another thing is that I feel thst the bench is increasing awful. And then they call up these scrubs as bullpen replacements. So as good as the starters are and as dumb as Kelly is at pulling them,the starters accomplishments are nothing
How long are they going to go with Bart and Davis as catchers? How many interference calls will Davis have? You trade bednar to the Yankees for their best catching prospect and he’s in Indianapolis. You trade for 1 of Bostons best prospects, an outfielder and he’s at Indianapolis. Hes got to be better than cook or magnum,who shows nothing in the clutch. Again mismanagement of player personnel by cherrington and donny shelton.