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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 08.09.24
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PrinceBob
12:22
In the spirit of giving you something other than Pirates' questions, here's something different. Do you have any idea what international sports do about langage and officiating? Do Olympic basketball officials,let's say, make their calls in their native languages? Is there an agreed upon language, most likely English (umpires at the French Open make their calls in English even in matches where no players are from English speaking countries), that all officials need to learn to qualify for an international event? If so, is there someone to translate the calls to the languages of players and coaches who don't speak English? In tennis this doesn't seem to be an issue. I've yet to see a tennis player who can't speak English at least reasonably well but I can't imagine everyone on South Sudan's basketball team knowing English..
Jason Mackey
12:23
This is a great question. But I would imagine officials make calls in their native language and individual teams have someone there capable of translating any issues. Also think there's probably a universal language of sport that takes over.
Justin
12:23
you have your crystal ball.  Is the steelers 2025-26 quarterback currently on the 2024-25 roster?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Yes.
PrinceBob
12:23
Do you think the US will continue to own Olympic basketball for much longer or is the rest of the world nearly caught up. And do you think Jason Tatum will drop 50 or 60 points against Golden State next season to punish Steve Kerr for having as much bench time as he's gotten in Paris?
Jason Mackey
12:24
I was actually thinking about this earlier ... no, I don't. I think the USA will always be top 1-2, but it does seem like internationally, the gap is shrinking fast. And, no, on Tatum. Might drop 50-60 because he's a good player, but not sure he'll be taking out Olympics grudges.
PrinceBob
12:24
I have to do at least one or two questions about the Pirates even though you're flooded with questions about their bullpen. Is it time to make Chapman the closer and hope Bednar can sort himself out  as the set up guy? Do you think Bednar isn't fully healthy?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I find it hard to believe Bednar is 100%, but who is this time of year? If he's healthy enough to pitch, he's healthy enough to be judged on it. He would tell you that. And yesterday, to me, was more about fastball command than anything. In other words, I don't think he struggled because he's potentially banged up.
Jason
12:25
Hey Jason! Do you think it might be time to part ways with Shelton? I know the players take blame but the buck is supposed to stop with the Manager. Much better coaches have been fired in the past. Do you think it would send a strong message not only to the players but to the fans as well?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I understand why everyone is upset with Shelton. It hasn't been his best stretch. However, it's hardly all on him. What about players underperforming? Answered a version of this earlier, but I don't think they're going to do anything with Shelton. Barring something crazy, anyway.
Ryan
12:26
Good afternoon Jason with Steelers season starting tonight who will you have your eyes on i will have my eyes on Bishop Frazier Wilson Troy and a few others tonight go Steelers
Jason Mackey
12:27
Yeah, I'm right about in the same place. Assuming you mean Payton Wilson? I wanna watch the young OL more than anything. But Payton Wilson is right up there. He's gonna get a huge opportunity. I'm actually excited for this game tonight, oddly enough.
PrinceBob
12:28
In the fairly likely event that when the Pirates get back from the west coast they're out of wild card contention how do you think how they approach the rest of the season will compare to what they'll if they're still in reasonable contention?
Jason Mackey
12:29
I think the biggest thing involves Skenes. They want to keep using him. He wants to keep pitching. But if they tumble way out, I think you will see a shutdown. That said, it would have to be definitive that they're out of it. Maybe ending Hayes' season if he's dealing with something? Not sure I see much else changing, aside from injuries that we may not know about.
Justin
12:29
Noticed they gave Nick Yorke at least one game in CF earlier in the week.  Any insights here?  Think thats a long term plan?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I think it's more versatility. Could be long-term, but I would imagine it's more of a just in case sort of deal. They do that with minor leaguers a lot.
Justin
12:30
What's your take on what's happened with Henry Davis?  Seems like he can hit AAA and every time he comes up to MLB he struggles.  Just a tough adjustment?  Has his MLB time coincided with times he's had nagging health issues?
Jason Mackey
12:31
Yeah, all of it. It's also been circumstance. They changed a bunch with his swing earlier this year. He went down. Reverted back. Found it. Got on a roll. Came up, then got concussed without ever getting much of a chance. Now you're seeing that process repeat. ... People seem to want to formulate an opinion on Henry. I think he's still very much TBD. (And I'm not giving up hope or thought that he could be really good.)
Mr Ed
12:33
I think Dubas made a pretty decent upgrade in the bottom 6. Lizotte and Beauvillier bring speed and some scoring touch, Hayes a solid vet, seems quite better than the likes of Jansen Harkins and over the hill Jeff Carter. I think David Quinn is key this year if he can help the PP and Graves. What are your thoughts on this? thx
Jason Mackey
12:35
Oooh, hockey. Nice. Let's go. ... Yeah, I like the Lizotte signing. Solid, pain in the butt player. He could fit here, though I would prefer some toughness more than pest-ness. David Quinn is a huge, huge key. To the power play, to Karlsson, to Ryan Graves ... a lot riding on his impact.
Mike in CA
12:35
Cruz is the worst defensive SS in the MLB by any measure this year.  He was the same in 2022.  SS defense is very important to teams that want to win. He has demanded that he stick at that position, but he’s no Derek Jeter.  His offensive statistics scream “pretty good.”  When do you think the Pirates will take control of this situation and move him off of SS.
Jason Mackey
12:36
I don't disagree with you, but I said before this season I would give him 162 to show me. That still holds true. If he can improve over the final 48, I'll consider keeping him there. But if he doesn't, I would have a conversation with him this winter about right field. He's not been good enough defensively, and I would like -- giving the pitching the Pirates have -- to field a team with better up-the-middle defense.
Luis
12:36
Jason were you able to attend any of the Dead and Company shows in Vegas? I was not and I deeply regret it!
Jason Mackey
12:38
I was not. And same. I was talking with Randy Baumann and Wes Uhler at Steelers the other day about this, and it hurts (not seriously) to hear about how much I missed.
PrinceBob
12:38
I'm glad to see that you used words like "arrogance" and "conviction" to describe the Pirates in an earlier answer. For ages now it's seemed to me like they think they're the smartest organization in baseball with almost nothing in terms of results to support that idea.
Jason Mackey
12:40
It's a tricky balance. And again, I think some of it is a good thing. They had a heavy lift coming in here. If they listened to fan sentiment all the time, who knows where they'd be. They carved out a plan and stuck to it. There's some good stuff there. But I always thought one of the best things Jim Rutherford did during my time on Penguins was admitting he messed up -- publicly and with his actions -- and then moving to address them.
Tom M.
12:40
I keep hearing the rookie OLs won’t start right away since that’s not the Steelers way of doing things. If they want different results, isn’t it about time to change their ways?
Jason Mackey
12:41
I wrote this for today. I don't know why they wouldn't, Tom. Provided those guys can play, of course. Not gonna start someone who stinks. But with Dan Moore Jr., Nate Herbig and James Daniels on expiring contracts, I'd rather use this year to set myself up for the future, turn it over to the young guys and live with some growing pains.
Ryan
12:41
Yes Jason i Mean Peyton Wilson and also i want to see what Logan Lee does and how the new punter and looks
Jason Mackey
12:42
No doubt. Bill Burr has been incredible in camp.
I'm sorry. Being told his name is actually Cam Johnston.
Greg
12:42
Have to believe that time is running out for Shelton to prove his mettle as Manager. Granted he hasn't had much to work with the first few years, but his decision making has left plenty to be desired this year. Unless he can get the ship righted in a hurry, Cherrington should consider bringing in a new face who may be able to get better results from the roster he assembled in order to save HIS job.
Jason Mackey
12:43
I understand the frustration, but that has not been the vibe I've gotten. Now, in-game decisions carry a different weight than they did in '22. If Shelton butchers those from now until mid-September, maybe Cherington does change his mind. But there has been a lot of faith from Cherington, Williams and Nutting that Shelton is the guy.
Drizzy
12:43
Crosby plays for how many years? They make the playoffs at all during those years?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Enough that I'm not comfortable putting a number on it. Seriously. I don't think Sid is anywhere near retiring. He loves it too much.
Drizzy
12:52
Retool on the fly, with cap space I believe they can contend again in 1-2 years. Agree or disagree
Jason Mackey
12:52
I think they could theoretically contend this year. Provided they start playing better. They're not far off. But the bullpen has been really bad lately, and the offense needs to be more consistent.
Guest
12:53
Yogi says bucs season ocer
Jason Mackey
12:53
Thanks, Yogi. I think there's still another push/flirtation with something. I predicted 84-85 wins & falling just short of the playoffs. I still feel good about that.
Anything else, gang? Last call.
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