Phillies sign Pittsburgh Pirates to minor league deal
Updated: February 16, 2011
By Zaki, PhillyGameday.com
The Phillies announced the signing of the Pittsburgh Pirates to a minor league deal on Wednesday and invited the veteran franchise to Spring Training.
The signing gives the Phillies additional infield, outfield, pitching and catching depth, though general manager Ruben Amaro does not anticipate the 126-year-old club to make the major league roster.
“No, are you kidding? Oh, God no,” Amaro said to reporters on Wednesday. “We signed them because they’re hilarious. I mean look at how happy that poor guy is just for catching the ball. And batting practice? Ooooh man, don’t leave here until you’ve seen batting practice.”
The Pirates hit .243 in 5,386 at bats last season.
Hahah… that was hilarious! Almost like an Onion Sports Dome post, but better.
Thanks Swift!
Pittsburgh doesn’t deserve a Major League Franchise. Even when they had the three Bs and were making the playoffs they couldn’t sell-out their ballpark.
Which ball club had the better head to head record last year? Now that’s hilarious!
This cracks me up! Thank you! I’d actually like to see Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, and Neil Walker in a Phillies lineup. Good. Young. Talent.
Gerald, I was hoping no one would bring that up. Good job…ya jerk.
Zaki, truth of the matter is….you’re right (not that I’m a jerk) but the buccos dearth of talent couldn’t even audition for the Phils 5th starting pitching spot. If the bucco ship ever sinks and never rises again from the three rivers, I’m going down with it.
Ha, yeah I’s just messin with ya…I’ll give you all the credit in the world for sticking behind a team that has lost as much as it has recently, with absolutely no decent drafts picks to show for it outside of McCutchen. That ain’t easy to do.
TommyT regurgitated, “Pittsburgh doesn’t deserve a Major League Franchise. Even when they had the three Bs and were making the playoffs they couldn’t sell-out their ballpark.”
Three Rivers Stadium had a capacity of 48,000 for baseball. That’s about 5,000 more seats than Citizens Bank Park in a metropolitan area that’s about one-third the size of Philadelphia.
TommyT - The tarping of outfield seats for baseball at three rivers stadium occured in 1993, after the the playoff run. Three Rivers Stadium originally had 50,611 seats (1971). Most of the playoff games (and there were a lot) in the 70s were sold out. The stadium had a couple expansions adding seats to 59,000, which we can agree were for the Steelers. 1990 play off games 48,221, 50,461 & 45,611); 1991 four games 46,932, 54,508, 57,533, 57,347: 1992 52,929, 56,610 & 57,164.
5-2 World Series record
All post season games sold out at Forbes Field.
Throughout the franchise years - the Pirates have been above the yearly National League Attendance Average 44% of the time. Could be better - Could be worse.
I think the city of Pittsburgh is well deserving of the franchise and has the most beautiful park in all of baseball to host it.
Time are tough now and sell outs are few and far between but this too will pass.
Once again philly fan likes to churp. Look up the stats and those lowly Pirates beat those so called world beaters 4 of 6. Lets see 2 series wins in 150 years is a great ratio-ha ha .Lets see if they can get to 5 like the pirates. Im guessing that might take another 225 years! P.S.- WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE THE EXPRESSION ON YOUR FACE WHEN BRIAN WILSON K-ED MR. STRIKEOUT RYAN HOWARD.
It’s amazing after 18 straight losing seasons there’s still Pirates fans left to defend their Triple A ball club.