Kevin Gorman stories, Page 128
Blake Cederlind making noise this spring, showing potential to be future closer for Pirates
Blake Cederlind is making noise for the Pittsburgh Pirates, from his grunting on the mound when throwing a pitch to popping the catcher’s mitt with fastballs that can touch triple digits. Derek Shelton called Cederlind one of the more fun things to watch in spring training after the Pirates manager...
Kevin Gorman: Duquesne’s season serves as reminder that there’s no place like home
The final stop of the season the Duquesne Dukes call their Tour of Pittsburgh was at the only home venue that didn’t require them to go through a tunnel or cross a bridge. Just Forbes and Fifth avenues. A seasonlong renovation of UPMC Chuck Cooper Fieldhouse, which will replace Palumbo...
Kevin Gorman: Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings showed leadership when no one was watchingVideo
As a former third-stringer who was designated for assignment last May, Jacob Stallings understands how unlikely it is that he’s slated to become the starting catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, let alone a leader. Stallings isn’t taking anything for granted, even though he was endorsed the starter in spring training...
Kevin Gorman: For Penguins, March playoff push not as simple as snapping losing streakVideo
Searching for answers to snap a six-game losing streak, Mike Sullivan’s pregame talk to the Pittsburgh Penguins was about simplifying the game by shooting the puck. It took only 99 seconds for that message to sink in as the Penguins turned a quick, two-goal lead into a runaway 7-3 victory...
Kevin Gorman: WPIAL should teach Mars star Michael Carmody lesson in sportsmanship
The WPIAL Class 5A boys basketball championship was a David vs. Goliath matchup that featured 6-foot-6, 290-pound senior Michael Carmody of Mars against 5-10, 150-pound freshman Rodney Gallagher of Laurel Highlands. How Gallagher handled his slingshot in leading Laurel Highlands to a 52-51 victory over the defending champions has been...
Kevin Gorman: Pitt safeties Paris Ford, Damar Hamlin return to finish businessVideo
Paris Ford and Damar Hamlin left their television on the NFL Network all week, watching the scouting combine without wondering whether they should have been in Indianapolis. It’s no coincidence Pitt’s starting safeties bypassed the opportunity to turn pro, so Ford and Hamlin were all smiles Monday that they are...
Pirates address spring training health concerns after 2 coronavirus cases found in Florida
The Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday advised fans, players and staff at spring training “to listen to and rely upon the advice and guidance of the public health experts” after two adults tested positive for coronavirus in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. The Pirates’ spring training stadium, LECOM Park, and minor-league complex...
Kevin Gorman: Development of No. 1 pick Quinn Priester paramount for PiratesVideo
With broad shoulders and a lean, muscular physique, Quinn Priester looked the part while mingling with the major league pitchers in the Pirate City clubhouse. Only nine months ago, Priester was getting ready to graduate from Cary-Grove High School in suburban Chicago. Now, the Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft pick is...
Pirates finally get first spring training winVideo
It took nine games, but the Pittsburgh Pirates finally got new manager Derek Shelton his first victory of spring training. That it came against the Minnesota Twins only made it sweeter for Shelton, who spent the previous two seasons as their bench coach. Jose Osuna’s RBI double in the sixth...
Kevin Gorman: Tarrick Brock pushing Pirates to be aggressive, smart on bases, in outfield
Tarrick Brock doesn’t flinch when informed the definition of his job description — outfield and baserunning coordinator — involves two of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ biggest problems. At times, the Pirates have looked like the “Bad News Bears” on the basepaths and the Keystone Cops in the outfield. It’s not just...
Kevin Gorman: Steven Brault wants to make music on the mound as a starter for the PiratesVideo
Steven Brault made a major jump for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, when he began working out of the bullpen and finished as one of their most consistent starters. Well, with the exception of one game. The left-hander went 4-6 with a 5.16 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 113 1/3...
Red Sox hit 3 homers against Pirates, win in rain-shortened gameVideo
The Boston Red Sox got a three-run seventh inning off Sam Howard for a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in a rain-shortened game at LECOM Park. The game was called after 7 1/2 innings. Jett Bandy broke a tie game with a sacrifice fly to center for...
Kevin Gorman: Pirates need Gregory Polanco to be even better than before injuryVideo
Gregory Polanco was feeling the good energy at spring training and kept repeating the same words over and over: Happy. Healthy. Strong. Tough. The Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder is happy to be healthy and stronger after a tough season, one where his surgically repaired left shoulder didn’t respond the way...
Joe Musgrove throws 2 scoreless innings, but Phillies rally in 7th to top Pirates
Joe Musgrove made his spring-training debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates an efficient one, as the right-hander threw two scoreless innings in a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday at LECOM Park. Musgrove hit leadoff batter Roman Quinn with a pitch, but catcher Luke Maile threw out Quinn on...
Kevin Gorman: Future can’t get here fast enough for Pirates prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes
BRADENTON, Fla. Ke’Bryan Hayes is in his second spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates and, once again, looking like their third baseman of the future. Maybe even the very near future. The Pirates’ top position prospect has been dreaming about making his major league debut, especially since being snubbed for...
Kevin Gorman: Derek Holland makes a pitch as perfect personality for PiratesVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Derek Holland didn’t blink when the first batter he faced as member of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit the second pitch he threw for a home run over the right-field fence. When JaCoby Jones took the 33-year-old left-hander deep in a split-squad game against the Detroit Tigers on...
Newcomers make positive impact but Pirates lose twice
BRADENTON, Fla. — A split-squad game against the Detroit Tigers gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a chance to take a good look at three of their offseason acquisitions. The initial impressions were positive. Left-hander Derek Holland allowed two runs on three extra-base hits but struck out five. Catcher Luke Maile went...
Twins help make Derek Shelton’s spring-training debut memorableVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — The first spring training game as Pittsburgh Pirates manager was a different feeling for Derek Shelton, a first that was humbling and humorous. That the Pirates’ Grapefruit League opener ended in a 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins at LECOM Park did little to dampen a day...
Kevin Gorman: Travis Williams set to steer Pirates toward chasing championship
BRADENTON, Fla. — When the Pittsburgh Pirates finished their fourth decade without a World Series championship, it became obvious they needed a change in direction. Firing the highest-ranking members of the front office and coaching staff was but a start. Changing the clubhouse culture after a 93-loss season is the...
Mitch Keller throws 2 scoreless innings, Pirates lose spring training opener to TwinsVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Mitch Keller is competing for a spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation, so throwing two scoreless innings was a good start for the spring training opener. That’s especially true after the 23-year-old right-hander, the team’s top pitching prospect, allowed 10 runs in four games and had...
Pirates unveil starting lineup for Derek Shelton’s 1st game in spring training opener
BRADENTON, Fla. — Derek Shelton makes his debut as Pittsburgh Pirates manager and unveiled the starting lineup for the Grapefruit League opener at 1:05 p.m. Saturday against the Minnesota Twins at LECOM Park. Guillermo Heredia will bat leadoff and play center field, followed by Bryan Reynolds as designated hitter, second...
Kevin Gorman: Derek Shelton hopes Bill Mazeroski’s magic rubs off on PiratesVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Bill Mazeroski pressed his right fingertips against the palm of his glove hand, demonstrating the double-play pivot that he made so famous. The Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer shared the secret of the sleight-of-hand trick that allowed him to turn two faster than anyone who ever played...
Pirates to extend netting at PNC Park, LECOM Park
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates will extend the protective netting at PNC Park and LECOM Park to stretch nearly the length of the first and third base foul lines. A new netting system will extend to Section 1 down the first base line and to Section 32 down the...
After sitting out last spring, Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco excited for games to begin
BRADENTON, Fla. — Gregory Polanco is pumped about the start of spring training games, perhaps as much as or more than any member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The right fielder missed all of last spring while recovering from left shoulder surgery, so watching and waiting was one of the worst...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates cross paths in spring training, as foes become teammatesVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. – There is a big difference between spring-training stories and regular-season stories, and then there are times when they overlap and become unbelievable stories. Allow me to explain. A great spring training story last year was the return of Jung Ho Kang, who raised eyebrows (and hopes) by...
