Monday, October 30, 2023

Notes: Fall Classic; Key Gloveman; Skenes Love; RIP Tom; Ol' Buccos News

And it's time for the Fall Classic...

Notes:

  • The Fall Classic is on. Texas took the first match, 6-5, in 11 innings at Globe Life Field; Arizona ran away with the next contest, 9-0. Now it's off to Chase Field for three games...
  • Both LCS went the full seven games. Texas spanked the 'Stros, 11-4, marking the end of Dusty Baker's contract and he was talkin' like a guy who was ready to move on to enjoy his golden years (and he was; he retired on Thursday but is unsure of his future out-of-the-dugout path). Then Arizona dispatched the Phils, 4-2, to set up a Ranger-Snake Fall Classic. And so much for home field advantage; both Game 7 victors were road winners. 
  • Ke’Bryan Hayes was named the Fielding Bible’s Defensive Player of the Year and its top third basemen, the second time he's been honored as FB's slickest hot corner man (2021).
  • Top draft pick RHP Paul Skenes mopped up a bunch of Pirates prospects love from Baseball America (paywall) He was credited with the Best Fastball, the Best Secondary Pitch, being the Best Athlete and the one that's Closest to the Majors. It's a pretty glowing report for a guy with 6-2/3 minor league innings under his belt.
  • Tom Walker, Neil's dad and Don Kelly's father-in-law, passed away at age 74 on Monday. He pitched in six MLB seasons, with his last pro campaign spent in the Pirates system at AAA Columbus in 1978, and belonged to the Bucs Alumni Association. Tom tossed a 15-inning no-hitter in 1971 while with AA Fort Worth-Dallas, and was a member of the Texas League Hall of Fame.
  • OF Jordan Luplow, who began his MLB career with the Bucs, was outrighted by the Twins and declared for free agency.
  • Former Buc and until recently NY Mets C Michael Perez cleared waivers and declared for free agency.
  • Neal Huntington was one of at least six candidates to interview with the Red Sox for their vacant GM spot, but the post went to Cubs Ass't to the GM Craig Breslow.
  • Yankees’ hitting coach Sean Casey, an Upper St. Clair HS grad and briefly a Buc in 2006, will not be returning for the 2024 season as he opted for family time.
  • Bob Melvin, who has managed at Arizona, Seattle, Oakland and San Diego, was named as the new Giants skipper.

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