SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier
A10
JULY 11-17, 2018
LOOKING OVER THE SHOULDER
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon not happy with quick hook by manager Hurdle by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier
On July 7, the Pittsburgh Pirates were in the thick of a very nasty losing streak. They were facing a Philadelphia Phillies team with a nasty disposition, a nastier offense and one of the nastiest pitching staffs in the National League. I could spew a few stats to back up my claim. However, in many cases, stats are just footnotes to the passion, spirit and the psyche of any game. Any leader or star in any sport, rookie or veteran, high-priced draft choice or lowly free agent, will never be relaxed or be able to perform at their optimum, if he or she thinks
Inside Conditions
AUBREY BRUCE
that “the captain’s hook” is always somewhere just over the horizon. On this perfect afternoon for the game that was invented by Abner Doubleday, Pirates’ starting pitcher Jameson Taillon seemed to be pitching the sort of game that even Ol’ Abner would have admired if he would have had the opportunity to witness such a gem of a game. I don’t want to play “Rainman” and spew a bunch of stats at you because this game, this one game was based on confidence, spirit and heart and uncertainty. Taillon displayed confidence, spirit and heart. I never thought I would say this because professionally and personally, I regard Pirates manager Clint Hurdle as one of the managers in the NL that can play the baseball “chess game” with any of the them. But on this day, this very day, did Clint Hurdle unknowingly unleash the “pitbull” of uncertainty on the “three Chihuahuas” of Jameson Taillon—confidence, spirit and heart? During the first six innings, Taillon appeared as if he were a composite of Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, and David Blaine. Taillon caused the Phillies to appear as if they were batting with toothpicks in-
JAMESON TAILLON (AP PHOTO) stead of 32-inch MLB standard issue baseball bats. Taillon did not even remotely seem to be pleased when he glanced to the rear and saw someone warming up in the Pirates’ bullpen. Taillon had reason to be concerned about getting the win, based on the most recent performances of the Pirates relievers. However, the idea of Taillon notching a win, based on his performance through the first six innings, would have been an excellent wager by anyone
looking to snatch a few dollars out of the pockets the “Vegas” bookmakers. The Pirates eventually lost the game, 3-2. Let’s check out Jameson Taillon’s insight regarding the game. “It’s pretty unfortunate, that’s the human element of it, pitching looking over your shoulder and someone’s warming up, that’s tough.” I don’t care how much money these players earn, diluting their self-esteem and negatively impacting their confidence, especially
Taillon had shut down the Phillies for 6 1/3 innings, then got annoyed with manager Clint Hurdle when he saw Pirates pitcher Edgar Santana warming up in the bullpen.
when they could be in the midst of self-inflicted doubt is not recommended even if you didn’t complete the final course of MLB Manager 101. Jameson Taillon was not positively affected by the proactive and provocative strategy of his boss. “I know I haven’t been pitching the greatest, so I understand maybe the trust isn’t there. I was, again, looking forward to being the guy to give the bullpen a rest and go even deeper and end the streak,” Taillon told reporters after the game. “Today was one of the better total-package games. It was one of those days where everything was rolling together.” There have been many instances that baseball mangers have been jus-
tifiably and unjustifiably criticized for leaving a pitcher in too long or having wielded a leash that was far too short. Until the seventh inning offensively, the Phillies looked as if they were playing baseball on an almost pitch black field with black baseballs and white baseball bats, with lights focused only on home plate. The Phillies offense spent most of the day, second-guessing the pitches of Jameson Taillon. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle may have spent the remainder of the evening wondering if he made the wrong decision to pull Taillon out of the game in the seventh inning. I, for one, thought it was the wrong decision. (Aubrey Bruce: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
‘You hear me but you’re not listening!’
PROTESTERS BLOCK ELECTRIC AVENUE in East Pittsburgh, even as the rain falls, June 20. It was one day after the shooting death of Antwon Rose II by East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld. (Photo by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)
The objective of protests is…to…DISRUPT!! by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier
:10—As my “man among men” grandfather used to say, “You hear me but you’re not listening!” So from my pulpit and to all the good White folks out there that hear us, but just aren’t listening—the objective is to disrupt!!! If the protests were not disruptive there would have been no alarms going off in your head to signal to you that there’s a problem you need to pay attention to. History will tell you that the Boston Tea Party…clearly a protest…was not held in a dark alley somewhere. It was right up front for all to see, and correct me if I am wrong, but if memory serves me right, damn
near every college in this country, and nearly every highway and byway came to a standstill when young White America brought an end to the Vietnam War!!! History, it’ll keep you honest. :09—To that point, but deserving of its own byline—I am extremely proud of young Black Pittsburgh for taking a stand and forcing the issue. “And still we rise!” :08—“Ya’ll”…can keep with the back and forth and this and that, but if Magic Johnson has his golden hands on it there’s nothing you can do. LeBron James is a Laker now, and Hollywood is in for quite a ride. :07—Paul George resigns with Oklahoma
City for the max, four years for $137 million— leaving a lot of money on the negotiation table. That tells me there has
Overtime
BILL NEAL
to be a plethora of fine women in Oklahoma. I am just sayin’! :06—Movie This! Why do I continue to punish myself? The last time I went to see those dinosaurs I said it would be the last. This time I mean it. I mean, for goodness sakes how many ways can you slice a piece of Tyrannosaurus up. I am sorry, just no good. #1. So predictable. #2. Unbelievable even for Hollywood…you want me to believe that you unloaded these mammoth creatures in this guy’s backyard? C’mon, man! #3. Like me, I am sure you ask yourself for the dinosaurs that can fly—why don’t they just fly off the island? I am just askin’. I give it one basketball because Opie’s daugh-
ter is in it. (You know Opie, Andy’s son back in Mayberry. Pay attention will ya…) :05—Your Pittsburgh Steelers go to camp in exactly two weeks, July 25. Now we’ll have a partay! :04—To continue THAT thought…the other part of Magic Johnson’s game plan is to get Kawhi Leonard to Showtime. LBJ, Leonard, a more mature Lonzo Ball with Lopez, Kuzma and Ingram could compete with the best in the west in two years. :03—Hott Fun in the S u m m e r t i m e – Fa s h i o n Show and Dance Party was off the hook! The fashion show was directed by the legendary Rita Gregory and the DJ was the Master
Roland Ford. :02—For all you parents that see me every year and say you didn’t know. Know this, the annual Armen “the Hammer” Gilliam Hard Work Basketball Camp will be at the Penn Hills YMCA August 4-5, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day for boys and girls ages 8–16. There will be a ton of old school hard work, lunch, certificates, games, skills and drills and lots of love. Call to register now; limited space to first 100. Achieving Greatness Inc. 412-628-4856. :01—For the record, the tally for Franco Harris vs. Earl Campbell—of course Black and Gold wins again. Harris 178 Hits. Campbell 97. :00—GAME OVER.