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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07/30/10
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Pharmer
12:41
you still awake Jason? You haven't typed in a while
Jason Mackey
12:41
I am indeed awake.
Adam in Boulder
12:41
By what year do you think the Pirates will win another division title? It's been 27 seasons since they last won it.
Jason Mackey
12:42
I get this every week, seems like. I can't put a year on it. Would it matter if I say 2027? What does that mean? I think they're a long way off, which is sort of stating the obvious, I understand.
Peter
12:42
Will Polonco be shit down for the rest of the year, unless this has been discussed already?
Jason Mackey
12:43
I don't know what sort of process you're describing, but I hope for Gregory's sake that doesn't happen. I mean, his shoulder stinks, but that's the only issue of which I'm aware.
Dave
12:43
Do you think ownership might be able to somehow nudge Hurdle into a voluntary retirement this year if they won’t outright fire him? Maybe a separation payment?
Jason Mackey
12:43
Yeah, I think that's a reasonable thing. Maybe a different role in the organization. And I think that might make sense, too. I think Hurdle could have a lot of value to a team, but I'm not sure right now, with this group, that it's on the field. They aren't playing for him.
GhostOfIvanToncic
12:44
The Mt. Rushmore of Pittsburgh announcing has Cope, Lange, Bob Prince and [?] on it.

Hillgrove? Frattare? Rowswell?  My vote goes to Hillgrove, due to his body of work with Pitt as well as the Steelers, but I am open to other options.
Jason Mackey
12:44
I would probably go with Hillgrove, too, for the reasons you mentioned, but I also think Stan Savran deserves to be in the conversation.
Kramer
12:45
So why you taking shots at me? Middling?  I am supposed to have some talent. Second rounder if I’m not mistaken.
Jason Mackey
12:45
You're hitting .258 this season at Triple-A. Career in the major leagues, you're hitting .135.
Nosmo King
12:45
Jason, thanks for all the reporting and chats. Sounds like you are enjoying your new baseball gig. Since BN won’t fire GMNH and mgr CH the only other option is to trade as many players as possible and maybe the new guys will listen to CH and inject some needed fire into the locker room.
Jason Mackey
12:46
More than injecting life, I think they need to be stockpiling more prospects than they are. If the MLB club is this bad -- I'll be the first to admit I didn't think it was actually this bad, and I was wrong -- then they need to be figuring out a way to make it better for years to come, not put a Band-Aid on a rather large scratch.
Al Martin’s wives
12:46
The pirates will come out of tomorrow with which of these players still on the roster, Melky, Kang, Dickerson, Frankie, Marte, Vasquez?
Jason Mackey
12:47
I say Kang, Dickerson, Marte and Vazquez. ... Kang potentially DFA'd at a later date.
Stef
12:47
With Bell’s amazing first half and periodic defensive lapses, do you see the Pirates’ opposition to the designated hitter lessening?
Jason Mackey
12:48
I'll be honest, Stef, I don't know their stance on a DH. But yeah, I could see them being a little more for it because of Bell's fielding issues. Especially that throw last night. That was bad.
Ryan
12:48
Can N Wilborn please explain the nuances of asking questions you want to ask but knowing you are not going to get an answer and maybe not another question to mgmt.
Jason Mackey
12:49
I think what Nubs was getting at was, as beat reporters, we can't just go screaming in peoples' faces asking, "Why do you suck?" the way fans may want. We see these people every day. Yes, we should be asking questions of their work. That's our role. But there's a respectful way of doing that and a disrespectful way.
Todd
12:49
What are the odds that Hurdle is fired?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Not very good, Todd.
Chris
12:49
If Hurdle steps down, is the team still on the hook to pay him?
Jason Mackey
12:50
No, if he would quit he couldn't still command a salary. Same as any place of employment.
Todd
12:50
You say the players aren't playing for Hurdle. I read that they will run through a wall for him. Which is it?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I don't know where you read that, but what are the results since the All-Star break? Maybe they should run through walls less and play baseball more.
Burkle, Ron
12:51
Think the time might be ripe to request another sitdown with that West Virginia newspaper guy?  He is as popular as Trump is with the women’s soccer team.
Jason Mackey
12:51
For you or me, Ron?
Jock
12:51
you're both wrong. Rushmore is Mark Madden, Stan Savran, Lange and Hillgrove. Cased close
Jason Mackey
12:51
I like Mark, but I'm not taking Bob Prince off the Mount Rushmore of Pittsburgh broadcasters. I don't think Mark would, either.
Jake in DC
12:51
I know it must be frustrating to get the same questions repeatedly, but it's kind of difficult to focus on anything but the trade for Vazquez or firing of the front office. What is something you wish Pirates fans cared about or asked about more?
Jason Mackey
12:52
Not up to me to tell you guys what to ask. I'm happy to answer whatever, honestly. My only wish is if you see a question has been asked, there's no need to ask it again.
Ryan
12:52
If nothing drastic changes and we have another year next year where they stay average to slightly above average is that a worse outcome because they believe towing the middle line of future and now is the best strategy?
Jason Mackey
12:53
I think so. The worst thing you can be in pro sports is caught in between. I usually use the Flyers as an example. They're always in the middle of the pack. Where does that get you? What does that get you? The problem with the Pirates is they've torn it down, what, five times in the past 25 years? Rough numbers, of course. But you get my point. Still, baseball has proven the best thing you can do is get really bad for a couple years, make some solid decisions (still a question mark with this group, I know) and then try to compete. The Astros method.
Jock
12:54
Pirates can be brought back, maybe......even to new heights of success and glory.  But not with King Neal and his crew
Jason Mackey
12:54
It certainly seems like fan sentiment has run its course with Huntington. I like Neal. I think he's a decent guy. I think he's done a lot of amazing things here, like snapping the streak and getting them to the playoffs/legitimacy again. But I also think all good things run their course. We're flirting with that happening here.
Adam in Boulder
12:55
9-game losing streak and counting. 2.5 games out of first at the break, and then a total collapse. What would it take for the Pirates to fire the head coach if this isn't enough?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Manager, Adam, manager. And I don't think the chances are very good of the Pirates firing Clint Hurdle.
Kramer
12:55
That hurts. My man Mitch has an ERA of ten in the bigs, yet I see no cheap shots sent his way. Love the chats, though.
Jason Mackey
12:55
He's pitching better than you're hitting in Triple-A. Leading the IL in ERA and strikeouts.
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