j_s15226: Why did Tracy sit his only hot hitter in Doumit last night?

Bob Smizik: Greetings. This is Bob Smizik filling in for Jerry Micco who is on vacation. Fire away with the questions. I'm not saying Doumit shouldn't be playing, but there are other considerations. Tracy just can't forget about Nady. He needs to get playing time, too. He is part of the team's future. With a lefty pitching last night, that puts Doumit at a bit of a disadvantage. I have no problem with what Tracy did. I'm sure Doumit will play tonight, probably behind the plate to give Paulino a rest after catching 15 innings.

jimmy_g: A week ago, before they lost two to the Cubs, the Pirates were at .500. Now they seem to be in a tailspin. Is there any reason to hope that they can turn it around?

Bob Smizik: Like many, I have not given up on the Pirates. Once they start to hit, I think they'll improve. There's reason to believe LaRoche and Sanchez will pick it up considerably. The fact that it is a down year for St. Louis and Houston gives more hope for the Pirates. I honestly think they can stay close to .500. I expect Milwaukee to come back to the back.

MichelDion: Did the 4 game suspension for Capps surprise you? I think he meant to throw at Fielder but figured getting tossed would be the end of it.

Bob Smizik: It surprised me, but I thought it was deserved. You can't have pitchers throwing a batters head. If they want to send a message -- and I think that's stupid -- go after his legs or his butt. To end a career because of some silly baseball tradition is idiotic.

Ryan_Doumit: Will Curt Schilling ever shut his mouth?

Bob Smizik: The Curt Schilling I know -- never.

capt_jolly_roger: Should booze be banned from the MLB clubhouses? I say no. These are grown adults who can make their own decisions about whether and how much to drink.

Bob Smizik: Hancock was a grown man, too. He couldn't make the right decision. If the players want a beer or something stronger, there's usually a bar within a few minutes of the ball park. I don't think the team should be an enabler.

smpjcu: Hello Mr. S, I was at the Pirates-Brewers games this past weekend and you can just tell there is something about that team. I thought the same thing Dejan said in Q&A on Monday, Fielder is something else and until the Pirates find a game changer, they'll be stuck in the basement.

Bob Smizik: No question, the Pirates need more offensive help. LaRoche has shown the ability to be a ``game-changer.'' I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I think his track record is as good as Fielder's. Fielder probably has more of an upside than LaRoche, but he's yet to hit 32 home runs in a season. But the Pirates still need more. Sanchez is not a No. 3 hitter. They need one more power bat, someone similar to Bay and LaRoche (if he ever starts hitting).

Stabler: How many more bad games will it take from Maholm/Armas for Bullington to get called up?

Bob Smizik: I think Maholm is on a fairly short leash. If he continues to pitch as he has for a few more starts, either Bullington or van Ben. should be called up to replace him. I'd lean more toward van B. because he has a higher upside, in my opinion. Armas is doing well enough for a fifth starter. I don't see them sending a guy earning $3 million to the minors.

capt_jolly_roger: How do you plan to celebrate Barry Bonds being the MLB home run king?

Bob Smizik: I have great respect for Bonds as a baseball player. He's an all-time great. I have little respect for him as a person. He's an all-time jerk. Honestly, I don't celebrate major league records. It's inevitable so there's really not stance to take.

MichelDion: What's your sense---outside of moving to Phoenix, have we heard the last of Mike Lange?

Bob Smizik: The Penguins are eager to sign Lange to a multi-year contract as their radio announcer. If he doesn't get a TV job in the NHL, and chances are that are less than 50-50, he looks to have a long future in Pittsburgh.

Chuck: Why did the Post-Gazette not send a writer and/or columnist to the Kentucky Derby? You have one of the best horse racing writers on your staff in Pohla Smith.

Bob Smizik: You'll have to check with Jerry Micco next week on this one. I am not involved in those decisions.

smpjcu: I think the explanation of Capps pitch to Fielder is ridiculous. I mean, Capps is the same guy who owns a WHIP of .80, trust me, his pinpoint control did not just fail him for one pitch.

Bob Smizik: I agree. I think it was Capps intention to hit Fielder. I have no idea why since it was Hardy, not Fielder, who homered. As I said earlier, it's a stupid baseball tradition. My column in tomorrow's Post-Gazette will be devoted to this topic.

Stabler: What are your thoughts on Nady?I have mixed feelings about him because he shows you the potential he has like last night,then he goes into a slump.I guess he's just like his team:very inconsistent.

Bob Smizik: Nady is a guy they have to find out about, which is why he can't be just forgotten about during Doumit's hot streak. His numbers against right-handed pitcher are not good, but it's still relatively early in his career. If he continues to struggle against right-handers, he'll label himself as a platoon player. If he can pick it up against them, he could be the middle-of-the-lineup guy the Pirates are lacking.

emoneypitt: I'm not so sure about Milwaukee coming back to the pack. They sure looked like the class of the NL Central over the last weekend and seem to have enough tools, at least to wim this division. What other shortcomings, besides defense, do you see that would give the Pirates or another team in the division a chance.

Bob Smizik: You could be right about the Brewers. I doubt, though, they will continue to play .700 baseball. They are in the midst of an especially easy schedule, which, I think, went something like this: Cardinals (following Hancock's death), Pirates, Nationals. They are a good young team that could win the division. I just don't think they're a .700 club.

MichelDion: Any early word on whether Faneca will be at mini-camp this weekend?

Bob Smizik: No word. I think he'll show as a sign of good faith. He's a dedicated team guy but, like everyone else, he has to think of himself first. The longer he has to wait for a new contract, the older he gets. The older he gets, the less money he's worth. He wants the deal now with the Steelers, not after the season with someone else.

smpjcu: How much longer are they going to stick with Duffy and his sparkling .300 OBP? I'd willing to try the McClouth/Nady experiment in CF and leave Doumit in RF since he is the only guy on the team hitting right now.

Bob Smizik: Like Nady, they have to find out about this guy. It's not like they have a viable option. McLouth is not one. The could move Nady to center and play Doumit in right. That would significantly short-change them defensively. I think you have to give Duffy a lot more time. He brings a lot to the team -- but only if he can get on base.

capt_jolly_roger: Which of those Sunday night sports shows at 11:30 do you prefer?

Bob Smizik: I think the KDKA show is significantly better. I think they mostly have better panelists and the show is better produced. There's something about the WTAE set that bothers me -- all those guys squished in there together. It looks like Wayne's World. I enjoy both shows, though.

Stabler: DeMarro said he will rebuke your comments about him tonight that he is a stathead. Are you going to listen?

Bob Smizik: I usually listen to Rocco. It depends on what time the game ends. I think he relies too heavily on stats. As I said in my column, he tries to take small samplings and make them mean something, when they usually don't. He tried to make Eldred's increased walls in spring training as a big deal. They weren't. That said, I like the show. He does a good job.

Stabler: How about trying to acquire Chris Duncan from the Cards since they desperately need pitching help now?

Bob Smizik: Duncan is weak defensively. I suppose the Pirates could play him in right and forget about Nady and Doumit. I would not give up Snell or Gorzelanny for him. I'm not sure the Cardinals would take Duke. I know they wouldn't take Maholm or any of the pitchers at Class AAA.

capt_jolly_roger: Who do you like in the NBA playoffs?

Bob Smizik: I'm pulling for Golden State but I doubt they can do it. The San Antonio-Phoenix winners looks to be the best team. I'll take the Spurs.

MichelDion: Bob, what drives the scheduling of your TV columns? When Finder had that beat, it seemed much more regular. Now it disappears for a few weeks at a time.

Bob Smizik: The decision on when I write the TV column is mine. My primary responsibility is my general sports column. During the NFL season, I write four general columns and that, combined with travel, really doesn't give me a lot of time to do the TV columns. Off-season, when I do three general columns a week, I try to do three TV-radio columns a month and keep up with the news.

Ryan_Doumit: Will Kevan Barlow sign with the Stillers?

Bob Smizik: I don't think he's the answer. I'm not sure he's much better than what they have.

Stabler: Will you be attending the US Open at Oakmont?

Bob Smizik: I believe I will be assigned to cover that. I'll probably be there all four days.

jimmy_g: As one of the elder statesmen at the P-G, who is your all-time favorite Pirate?

Bob Smizik: That's a tough one, because I liked a lot of those guys, particularly the ones I covered as the beat writer. In no particular order: Phil Garner, Al Oliver, Jeff King.

jimmy_g: What are your thoughts on the continuing mental errors the Pirates are making?

Bob Smizik: It's pretty sad. It's almost like a disease that can't be cured. I'm of the belief that players must take the blame for their actions. However, when a team is as unfocused as the Pirates often are, some of the blame must fall to the manager and the coaching staff. I'm not sure what they can do about it, but they have to start sending out a different message. Punishing people by benching them, as many suggest, is not the answer. There are only five bench players and some of them are not ML ready. Just another reason why the team is so bad.

Stabler: I hope the Steelers don't sign Barlow.They already have Davenport and I think Gary Russell will be a steal in time.

Bob Smizik: My sentiments exactly. He looks to be little more than another Davenport. No question, his career is in decline.

Ryan_Doumit: Mineo's Pizza or Aiello's?

Bob Smizik: I've been a Mineo's man for decades. Vincent's on Ardmore Blvd, if it's still open, also is excellent. My latest favorite is Il Pizzaoila in Mt. Lebanon. Their pepperoni is the absolute best.

Ryan_Doumit: Should we be worried that Andrew McCutcheon is hitting .180 at Altoona?

Bob Smizik: Not until July.

jimmy_g: Bob, we are up to 15 in the room, but I promise I won't tell Jerry.

Bob Smizik: I have nothing to compare that with. Jerry will read this so your promise is meaningless.

Skills: The Cubs have been trying to move Jacque Jones for a year and a half ... good salary too ... Pirates have any interest?

Bob Smizik: I'm not sure of his age. I don't think he'd be much of an improvement over what they have. He would not interest me if I were the GM>

Ryan_Doumit: Will the Yankees be able to find a cap to fit Clemens' enormous head?

Bob Smizik: I understand they have a deal with Barry Bonds' personal cap tailor. Isn't it amazing how little scrutiny Clemens gets compared to Bonds. His accomplishments are every bit as amazing as Bonds and never a whiff of steroids about him.

capt_jolly_roger: Has there been any word out of PSU about whether or not Joe Paterno's leg has healed and if he will be back on the sidelines?

Bob Smizik: Now that Paterno is doing most of his work from home, as Ray Fittipaldo reported and Ron Cook commented on, a friend of mine, who is in the journalism business and a Penn State grad, said: "Now if they could only get him to stay home on Saturday." I think it is pretty well understood that Paterno will be on the sidelines during the season.

Skills: Are they really going to have Castillo ride the pine all year? At the All-Star break, they should bring up Bixler and cut Castillo to start getting Bix in the mix ...

Bob Smizik: I can't recall a Pirates team with three players -- Castillo, Kelly, Eldred -- who got so little playing time. I don't think it would make much sense to bring up Bixler and have him play once a week. I think Bixler would benefit more with full playing time at Indy.

Ryan_Doumit: Have you seen Bob Nutting lately? He's like Punxsatawny Phil.

Bob Smizik: Bob will not be making a lot of public appearances, a few more, though,than Phil.

jimmy_g: With only two performing starting pitchers and a weak fielding, once sent down catcher-right fielder-first baseman as their leading hitter, what do we have to look forward to?

Bob Smizik: As I have written before, I think the Pirates have a window of opportunity in 2008 and 2009. They have some players who need to get better (Duffy, Nady) and they need to add another hitter. But this team should be together for two more seasons. I think there is some reason for optimism. Of course, much depends on what the Cardinals and Astros do to improve themselves in the offseason.

Gene_Collier: Bob, do you need any help?

Bob Smizik: Yes.

Stabler: What are your thoughts on Paterno working from home?

Bob Smizik: I don't think it's the best idea. He needs to be in the office interacting with his players and coaches. If he thinks he's better off working at home, he should think about retiring.

dave: Why did the Cards cancel the game after the pitcher got killed? This is not how real life works. Someone dies at the PG there still has to be a paper the next day.

Bob Smizik: Not an apt analogy. We can't reschedule a day of publication. The Cardinals can. I have no problem with what they did. I think it was the right thing.

Ryan_Doumit: If you weren't a sportswriter, would you pay $21,000 for PSL's at Heinz Field? What an idiot that guy is. I watch them at home for free.

Bob Smizik: As I always say, the most overrated thing in sports is being in the stands at the game. The most underrated is being in front of your TV at home. I would not pay $100 for a PSL.

capt_jolly_roger: Does Tyler Palko have a shot at making the Saints' roster?

Bob Smizik: I could see Tyler sticking in the NFL. He'd probably never be a starter, but with his intangibles and his knowledge of the game, I could see him having a career as a backup. A lot of that, though, has to do with being on the right team as the right time.

Gene_Collier: Bob, when this Hancock story came out I was shocked to hear teams have beer/alcohol in the clubhouse. Isn't this equivalent to you having a mini-fridge ay the PG stocked with Jagermeister?

Bob Smizik: How did you know about that?

jimb056: It was either Bobby Bragan or Murtaugh who had a system of fines for doing anything stupid on the field. I think the fund went to charity. Something like that for the Pirates could solve the National Debt

Bob Smizik: Not the way Bush is running it up.

jimmy_g: It's hard to imagine Joe Paterno retiring willingly.

Bob Smizik: Not hard -- impossible.

Ryan_Doumit: Lanny Frattare refrenced Cialis last night around the 13th inning. Isn't it time to find a replacement?

Bob Smizik: I will need documentation of that. The Pirates are quite happy with their announcers. Sometimes they annoy me quite a bit. On radio, I just wish they'd call the action as it happens, not after it happens.

Gene_Collier: You don't even know what Jagermeister is, Bob!

Bob Smizik: Yes, I do, Gene.

Gene_Collier: By The Way, I know about it because I work with you!

Bob Smizik: But you're NEVER in the office. With that, this session will draw to a close. It's been a blast. Jerry Micco will be back next week. Thanks to the hundreds who contributed.