The Ex-Buc Curse

Ah, the Pirate curse. We know it permeates PNC, but a quick look at the playoffs makes it apparent that it covers all of baseball, even and perhaps especially during the post season. Darn that Sid Bream! Here's how the former Corsairs handled their dash for glory:

Jason Kendall, C, Milwaukee Brewers - The ol' backstop started every game and went 2-14 (.143) with 2 RBI.
Jeff Suppan, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers - Mr. Inning Eater started one game and got clobbered, giving up 5 runs in three innings.
Salomon Torres, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers - Solly got into 2 games, and gave up 4 hits in two innings, but no runs. He notched a save in the Brew Crew's lone win.
Brian Shouse, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers - No love, no appearances.
Dale Sveum, manager - Milwaukee Brewers - His thanks for taking over the reins of Milwaukee's sputtering Brewers was to be told to pack his bags and not to let the door hit him, now that the lights are out. That's gratitude for ya!

Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Chicago Cubs - A-Ram was 2-11 (.182) with a double and no RBI. Bobby Hill coulda done that well!
Daryle Ward, PH/1B, Chicago Cubs - The big lefty came off of the bench 3 times and got a hit and RBI as a pinch hitter.

Joe Beimel, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers - St. Mary's Joe got into three games, lasted 2/3 of an inning, and escaped unscored upon with a couple of walks.

Matt Stairs, 1B/OF, Philadelphia Phillies - The Pirate's first Canuck came off of the bench three times and hit a clutch two-run homer in game four that crushed the come-back hopes of the Dodgers.

Yep, the two NL teams with the fewest ex-Pirates met for the NLCS. Hey, one of them had to win. And Beimel spent three seasons in Pittsburgh while Stairs was only in town for one. Less time, less bad karma to work off.

And now for the AL Bucco brethern:

Jason Bay, LF, Boston - Jay Bay just hit .341 with 3 homers and 9 RBI in his first 11 playoff games. Not Manny, maybe, but pretty dang good. He walked 9 times, too, for an OBP of .471.
Sean Casey, 1B, Boston - The Mayor of Upper St. Clair came up twice and whiffed twice.
David Ross, C, Boston - He made one appearance, with no at bats.
Tim Wakefield, RHP, Boston - The knuckleballer was 2-2, but only lasted 7-1/3 innings and gave up 10 runs. Ouch!
Terry Francona, manager, Boston - One of the promising dudes in the bossman ranks, and this bump in the road won't hurt him. (He's not an old Pirate, but being from New Brighton is close enough for GW!)

Gary Matthews, Jr., CF, Los Angeles Angels - Went 0-5 in the ALDS, and his contract is still a wonderment to us.

Tampa Bay has a clear edge over the Phils - they aren't carrying any extra old-Bucco baggage around with them. Unless, of course, the curse covers coaches - isn't that old Bucco George Hendricks we see in the Tampa Bay first base box?

Could be an interesting series.