Logan's Run and Baseball

Years ago when I was like 12 or something I was devastated to learn that Logan's Run had been canceled. I could not understand why the networks would cancel such an interesting show. It was years later that I learned somewhere that a certain number of TV shows have to be canceled in order to make room for the new shows that are in the pipeline.

When I first heard this I wondered, why kill off a successful show that people really like to introduce something completely new. I mean, isn't the show still

scoring in the ratings? Well, apparently, to ensure that the networks always have good programs in development, they are always pumping money into new projects to produce pilots.

This way, when they need a new show to air, they already have something in development and they can just plug it into the prime-time lineup. Sometimes they have something really good in development that they have to bring along or they risk losing it to a competing network.

There are only so many days in the week. There are only so many time slots. Each network might be able to hand onto 40 or so shows, but the core 25 shows take up the bulk of the budget and all the choice time slots.

So what to they do when a new show has to come out of development or be lost? In these situations, they kill a West Wing, saying the show had gotten too expensive anyhow, or that freeing up the money for this show allows the network to start filming on three pilots, and perhaps on a pilot to be named later.

Now some TV markets have more money than others, and some networks have more money than others. They all have those 25 core time slots, but not all of the can afford the most expensive programming to fill those slots. This is why there is always a certain amount of stupid stuff on TV.

Sometims networks just decide that the entire lineup needs to be scratched because they have finished last in the rating for the sixteenth season in a row and they want to try something different.

So Logan's Run would not be the last time evil television networks and their advertising cohorts would frustrate my television viewing pleasures. In the ensuing years I would be robbed of Sports Night, News Radio, Ed, Firefly, West Wing, Life on Mars, The Unusuals, The Unit, The Agency, and Star Trek Enterprise, to name just a few.

Just when you think you really love a show, they yank it away from you. However, once in a while you can still see it in reruns on TBS or WGN, though it is never really the same.

Now, granted, some of these shows you might think about and say, 'hey, they could have gotten rid of that show a long time ago.'

I would live to have all my favorite shows on one after the other, all during prime-time, from Monday to Friday, but it is just not in the cards.

This is an ugly truth of the way the game works. We can get upset about it all we want and blame this network owner or that program director, but very seldom doeas any complaining every matter. If we ever want to se the next Lost, then we have to accept theat something we alrady love is going to be lost.

Now, let's talk baseball...

Take This Hypothetical Scenario

You are 75 games into the season. You have an aging team with largely mediocre numbers, except for a couple of quality performers.

Your three outfielders have 31 homers on the season, and a fourth outfielder, a regular starter, has been out most of the year on the DL.

Your left fielder is hitting .279 with an OBP of .404. He is leading the outfield with 19 homers.

You center fielder his hitting .259 with 12 homers and 45 RBI, but you just had to sit him due to a sore hamstring.

Your right fielder is is hitting .191 with 2 homers and paltry OBP of .279.

At third is one of your offensive stars who is near the end of his career, hitting

.364 with four homers and and OBP of .417. He is solid. However, he had been out most of the season. he has only played 18 games and he is still two weeks away from seeing any play time.

You have your utility man filling in, though not so ably. He is hitting .250 with 1 homer and .387 OBP.

You second baseman is a former batting champion and his hitting .315 with five homers and 25 RBI on the season and his OBP is .357.

Your short stop has been arond the block and is one of the top at his position. He is no offensive juggernaut. He is hitting .285 with three homers on the year.

Your first baseman is streaky at times. He is just starting to come on, but is hitting .264 with 11 homers.

You catcher is experienced but is also aging. He is as solid as they come on defense and an veteran of many years who helps your young pitching staff immeasurably. His numbers are down over the last couple of years and he is hitting just .227

Now ask your self if this starting lineup, not even talking about the pitching staff, is worth $68 Million?

Let's see...

The hypothetical lineup consists of player already traded in past years, or rumored to be on the trading block. It is an expensive team, that is not at all bad, but given their numbers, they might not even be a contender which is bad when you consider the price tage.

So let's saya final fairwell to the Pirates of old. Let's not send Sanchez and Wilson packing until it is time. I longingly wonder what it might have been like to have you all on the field together.

Would it have made much of a difference in the standings over the past decade and a half? Who knows.

For today, I would like to suggest that we collectively stop all the caterwauling. TV shows come and go. Is it always the right decision? Probably half the time it is and the other half not.

But, what's done is done. Belly-aching about this seven-year-old TV show being canceled, or this three-year old show, or even the most recent show, won't bring them back. What is even worse, is gribing about the show being canceled that has not even been canceled yets.

I miss Logan's Run to. Who wouldn't. But it is gone. If I want to see it again I have to turn over to the Sci-fi Network and try to catch it in reruns.

LEFT: the 1913 Homested Grays at Forbes Field, "Champions of Homestead & Vicinity, 1913."

The Pirates kicked of African-American Heritage Weekend by donning the uniforms of the Homestead Grays, one of the greates teams to gever take the filed.

The Pirates and the Kansas City Royals will wear the throwback uniforms again for tomorrow's game. The Royals wore the uniforms of the Kansas City Monarchs.

The Grays were one of the more storied teams to play in the Negro Leagues of the first half of the 20th century. After years of independent play, the team formed by Cumberland "Cum" Posey, joined the Negro National League and after a two-year rough start, would dominate the league for a decade.

Posey, part of the group that formed the team in 1910 from a group of steel workers, started as a player for the Grays in 1911. Eventually he became manager and later owner. The original team, Blue Ribbons, an industrial league team, had been formed in 1900. Ten years later they became the Murdock Grays, and two years later the Homestead Grays.

His team would win nine consecutive Negro National League pennants between 1937-45, has well as three Negro World Series. The Grays played most of their games at old Forbes Field in Pittsburgh and at their home away from home, Griffith Statium in Washington D.C.

The Grays were real "barnstormers" as they traveled around playing against teams in hundreds of small towns across the Eastern United States.

The team was lead by such players as catcher Josh Gibson who was known

as the "black Babe Ruth." Some who saw him conversely descried Babe Ruth at the "white Josh Gibson."

In 1934 he hit 69 home runs including barnstorming (no league) games, including 11 in 53 league games. In 1933 he batted .467 with 55 home runs in 137 league and non-league games. His lifetime batting average is .359. Some suggest he hit as many as 972 career homers.

He was voted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. The plaque reads, "Almost 800" homers hit in his 17-year career.

James "Cool Papa" Bell, a switch-hitting lout fielder, was described by his contemporaries as the fastest man on the base paths. The great Satchel Paige summed said of of the speedster, "If Cool Papa had know about colleges or if colleges had knows about Cool Papa, Jesse Owens would have looked like he was walking." In hi obituary the New York Times described him as the "fastest man to every play baseball."

In the Pirates game against the Royals, lighting fast Nyjer Morgan reached first on a 'sacrifice' bunt that moved Andrew McCutchen over to third. It was the speed of Bell that first turned sacrifice bunts

into hits.

The same obit recounts a Major League All-Star game Bell appeared in two years after his retirement in 1948. Reaching first base, Bell later took off on a steal after the pitch to Paige. Reaching second without a throw, Bell noticed the third baseman had not retreated after charging to cover the bunt, and he headed for third. When the catcher ran toward third with the ball, Bell turned toward home and adeptly sidestepped the tag, scoring on the play.

The story is also recounted in Ken Burns documentary, Baseball.

Another story says he stole two bases on a single pitch. Believability certainly stretches the imagination, but he was clearly fast. He stole 137 bases in his career.

Bell twice batted better than .400 in his career, his first and final seasons, and had a lifetime average of .337. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

Another player was one of the Gray’s star pitchers. Smokey Joe Williams pitched for 27 years, his last two for the Grays. Highlights of his career include a 20-7 exhibition record against Major League teams. In 1917 he struck out 20 batters while no-hitting the New York Giants, losing the game 1-0 on an error. In a game his first year with the Grays, in a game against the Kansas City Monarchs, he struck out an inconceivable 27 batters in at 12-inning game, giving up one hit.

In 1914 he had a record of 41-3. Ty cob described him as a “sure 30-game winner” had he been able to pitch in the majors. If you ask people who it the greatest Negro Leagues pitcher half will tell you it is Leroy (Satchel) Paige. The other half will tell you it is “Cyclone” Joe Williams.

Paige and Williams met once at the beginning of one career and at the end of another’s Paige one out 1-0 in the contest between the Baltimore Black Sox and the Grays. Paige said "Smokey Joe (Williams) could throw harder than anyone."

The Cyclone was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Larry Tye, author of Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend is the Pirates guest for the Heritage Weekend.

The stars of the Homestead Grays made them arguably the best baseball team to every play in the Negro Leagues. Though history will never let us know, as many have said, they could have been the among the very best in the Major Leagues has the color-barrier not been in place at that tiem.

These men were successful because they loved the game first and foremost. The lasting mark they have left on baseball in irrefutable, changing the game with their talent and their contributions.

After the disbanding of the Negro National League in 1948 the Grays struggled to survive until finallyfolding in 1950.

Photo of Homestead Grays is in the public domain, courtesy of Mrs. Cumberland W. Posey.

Photo Source=[http://www.clpgh.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/hill/hill_n218.html Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh] |Date=1913 |Author=Unknown, Courtesy of Mrs. Cumberland W. Posey |Permis)

Other photos are assumed to be in the public domain, used from websites that also made this assumption.

Nyjer Morgan: One Reason for Pirates' Early Success

Nyjer Morgan is one of the big reason the Pirates are enjoying some success this year.

He has added some real spark to the top of the lineup, and been pivotal in the field.

In preparing this story, I was reading a lot of fan comments on the blogs, so many of them blasting Morgan.

Some said things like, “We are half way through ST (spring training) and Nyjer Morgan has not shown one single reason to deserve a starting job, to be frank, if it wasn't for the fact that we do not have anyone else to play CF, he doesn't deserve a spot in the bench.”

In fact, at the start of the season most described the former hockey player as nothing more than a placeholder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, until somebody better could get some minor league at bats and be called up. These comments seem sorely empty at this point in the season.

Now with a tight hamstring and a couple days off, John Russell and the Pirates were hoping that his absence would not slow the team down.

The funny thing is you don’t usually hear these folks apologizing for their comments. Morgan has impacted the team in all facets of the game—including hitting and fielding, to add to his base-running. If Morgan could hit for power, some might suggest that he is on track for an All-Star bid.

Morgan started the season off well and has not let up. His batting average just recently dipped down to .290, but there is no reason to believe it will not come back. He has 23 runs, 17 RBIs and 10 stolen bases on the young season. He has four three-hit games on the season. He also has five doubles and three triples.

If he has a weakness at the plate, it is that he does not walk enough for a lead-off hitter. But even his walks are up from last year, and it is making him a better hitter overall as he grows more patient.

“I’m a lot more comfortable," he said recently. "I’ve tried to slow the game down.”

In April he had just eight walks. There is evidence he is improving. He has 11 in May with six games left to play.

Perhaps very notable is that Morgan has added Gold Glove-type performances to left field as well. He has made so many over-the-shoulder catches taking away what are normal extra-base-hits, that they have come to be routine.

It is hard to think of another Pirate beyond Nate McLouth that can field like Morgan does. The Pirates have been playing Morgan well forward, and in from the left field line, because they know Morgan has the legs to get to balls that are hit over his head and can prevent doubles on hits up the line.

Morgan is actually taking hits away from Pirate opponents on a regular basis because of where they can place the speedster in the field—however, this does not always show up in the box scores.

Consistant Standout Plays by Morgan

On April 9: A hard shot by the Cardinals’ Ryan Ludwick that would have landed in foul territory was snatched out of the air by a leaping Morgan. With the catch made just before Morgan reached the wall, he raised a leg to brace himself for impact and preserve the out.

On April 15: Against Houston, Morgan showed just what he can do when the team plays him deep in the gap between left and center. Charging left at a flat line drive to left, Morgan dove face first making a sliding catch perfectly intercepting the ball and keeping Houston from rallying in the ninth.

On April 22: Against the Florida Marlins, Morgan sparked a comeback with a single and then in stealing third, the throw got past third base and Morgan scored to put the Bucs up in the game.

On May 2: Against Cincinnati, Morgan reached on a fielder’s choice. Then on a wild pitch, he showed just how fast he is, as he took two bases moving all the way from first to third, beating out the throw from the Red’s catcher Ramon Hernanez. “I just saw them slacking a little bit—I just figured that I had an opportunity to go so I just figured I’d take it,” Morgan said following that game.

On May 3: In a game against the Reds, Morgan made a leap to snatch a line drive right out the air in mid field robbing Hernandez of what was an almost sure hit.

A recent problem with a tight hamstring took him out of action for a couple of games, the first games he has missed all season. Whether many of the spring training naysayers are right has yet to be seen as Morgan has become a big reason the Pirates fans still feel hopeful this late in the season. Looking like he had returned back to form after the injury layoff, Morgan was part of the Buc bat resurgence on Sunday, going three-for-five and scoring the go-ahead run.

To this point, Morgan has been nothing short of reliable, productive and exciting from start to finish. He is a natural athlete with blazing speed, the toughness of a hockey player and has shown himself to be teachable as he tunes his game. His on-the-field awareness has allowed him to make some great plays. His consistency from in the batter's box has lasted nearly two months and there is no sign it is letting up.

You do not hear people today saying, "I wish we had a solid leadoff hitter." You don't hear it because Morgan has that position locked down—and it doesn't look like he'll lose it anytime soon.

McLouth one of Many Recent Pirate Moves

This Week

The Pirates have been making some moves lately, one big one at least, and a few not so big.

The most recent move is the huge one sending Nate McLouth to the Atlanta Braves for three high-level prospects. A lot of people were surprised to see this move, but it makes a little bit of sense if the players turn out to be worthwhile in the long run.

What is frustrating about the move is perhaps what it says the Pirates think about their chances during this season. Can this still be he year the Pirates turn things around or is it yet anoher year of just building for the future.

If the Pittsburgh can effectively replace McLouth's bat in the order, then the long-term advantages of getting the three prospects into the Pirates organization could be tremendous, and this could still be the turn-around year the Pirates fans are looking for.

For now, the move means the Bucs' No. 1 draft pick from 2005 will finally be called up, likely taking McLouth’s position in center, or seeing Nyjer Morgan slide over to center with Andrew McCutchen in left.

"We're excited about Andrew McCuthene, the opportunity that he's now going to get going forward. Granted he may not replace Nate McLouth's bat in the middle of our lineup but he's going to step in and we believe play above average defense right away," said Neal Huntington, Pirates General Manager.

The 22-year-old McCutchen was hitting .303 with 10 doubles, eight triples, four home runs, 20 RBI, and 10 stolen bases with Indianapolis.

McCutchen was two-for-four with three runs and and RBI in his debut in center field for the Pirates in their win over the Mets on Thursday.

For the McLouth trade, the Pirates acquire three top-Braves prospects in outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, righty-pitcher Charlie Morton, and rookie south-paw pitcher Jeff Locke.

Hernandez is considered to be a strong prospect as a potential leadoff hitter with great base stealing ability. The 2007 Midwest League MVP was hitting .316 with 19 RBI, 11 doubles, and 10 stolen bases. Hernandez has been assigned to Double-A Altoona.

Morton is expected by some in the Pirates organization to be called up to take a spot in the starting rotation before the end of the year.

AUTHOR POLL RESULTS

What do you think of the McLouth Deal?

• If the players the Pirates got pan out then fine.

  46.7%

• The Pirates have shot themselves in the foot again.

  20.0%

• McLouth had peaked and was over-rated anyhow.

  6.7%

• A gutsy, genius move by the organization.

  26.7%
• TOTAL VOTES: 15

"Charlie Morton is not too far away from helping our major league team if we have a need in the rotation," said Huntington.

The Pirates management already sees Morton as being ready for the majors, but for now he has been assigned to Indianapolis.

The righty throws a 95 mph fastball, as well as a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. This season he was leading the International League with seven wins and has an ERA of 2.51.

Last Week

The rough patch the Pirates hit a short time back—eight game skid—exposed for all to see some real weaknesses in their bullpen. Perhaps with this in mind the management made a couple of moves to acquire two pitchers out of the Yankees farm organization, pitchers that Joe Kerrigan knew something about.

The Pirates claimed right handed pitcher, Steven Jackson off waivers May 27, and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis, but the budding start did not stay there very long.

He was called up on Monday after four appearances in Indianapolis and was instrumental in the Pirates first win over the Mets this week, pitching one shutout inning in his debut. He also pitched two innings of shutout ball in relief on Thursday and picked up his first major league win.

Second, the Pirates swapped minor league pitchers with the Yankees, picking up Eric Hacker, who had been designated for assignment by the Yankees who did not have room for him on their 40-man roster.

The Pirates send Romulo Sanchez in the deal.

Hacker was 1-2 with a 6.03 ERA and 20 strikeouts in six starts with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The former 23rd round draft pick was assigned to Indianapolis after the trade.

Hacker has very respectable career numbers and he could be a solid acquisition for the Pirates who give up very little in Sanchez.

Sparking rumors of possible further trading, the Pirates in a non-move have not extend the contracts of three starters, Jack Wilson, Adam LaRoche, and reliever John Grabow.

The 31-year-old Wilson certainly has a few years left him him and is a great asset on defense. Having a Brian Bixler at shortstop is clearly not the same thing as Wilson and one has to wonder if economics are driving this decision.

Wilson has offered to renegotiate his contract at a lower rate to continue playing for the Bucs, but he has not heard back from management. The short stop is scheduled to make $8.4M next year.

LaRoche is hitting .243 with 23 RBIs and seven homers while earning $7.05M. It is hard to know whether the Pirates might try to trade the first basemen with his brother holding down things at third. Both the LaRoches are peforming well deffensively and their offensive numbers could be worse. Having them together seems to make them each better.

The 30-year-old Grabow is making $2.3M with a 4.30 ERA in 23 innings this year and is not looking particularly stunning this year.

The Pirates could be trying to make room under their own market-imposed team salary cap with next weeks draft upcoming. Economics is always a concern in the smaller markets who cannot simply buy a winning team.

Next Week

The Pirates are expected to make further waves in the upcoming first-year-player draft on June 9. The Pirates turned heads taking pitcher Pedro Alvarez last year, and the Pirates are expected to go for more pitching this year with the fourth pick in the draft, not necessarily worry about which agent represents the player.

Early on some thought the Pirates might go after USC shortstop Grant Green, but it has been reported lately that Pitching would be the focus again this year. Some pitcher's names being thrown around are

Some possible pitchers are Aaron Crow, Alex White or Kyle Gibson or high school pitcher Jacob Turner. If Dustin Ackley or Donovan Tate somehow drop to number four you might still see the Pirates for a hitter.

Some teams are scared away by a prep player who is saying he will go to college. The Pirates are not afraid to throw a high signing bonus at a high school player to persuade him to skip four years of college ball and start right away in the minors.

Building for the Future

The Pirates are making definite moves to build their organization, getting young, capable players through the draft, the waiver-wire and through trades. Whether the moves payoff, only time will tell.

The Pirates are getting some young talent into the organization; now they need to keep them long enough to make a difference in Pittsburgh.

"We're certainly going to keep moving forward and compete every night but at the same time we need to continue to accumulate talent and accumulate good players, " said Huntington.

Building up the organization is absolutely the right way to go. Still, for Pirates fans who have endured the departure of numerous solid players, all in the name of building, and have further endured too many consecutive losing season, the McLouth move has some faithful wondering.

For now it seems the organization will try to make the best of this year, but might be perfectly happy to accept a .500 year, and know that the future will be brighter.