2/20 From 1975: Heandog, Matt & Pat Sign, Smiley Wins Arb, IF Snit, Big Camp, Booth Filled, $ Slash; RIP Joe & Possum

• 1979 - In a move called “unprecedented” by Buc GM Harding Peterson, the Pirates cut sixth-level reserved seat ticket prices by a buck (from $4.25 to $3.25) and announced Monday through Thursday group discounts in an effort to boost attendance, which had dropped below a million (965,000) in 1978 for the first time since Three Rivers Stadium opened in 1971. It helped some as 1.4M fans spun the turnstiles during the season; of course, performance had a little to do with it, too, as the Bucs won the NL and World Series. In TRS’ 30-year history, the Pirates drew under 1M fans five times and went over the 2M mark twice (1990-91). 
• 1988 - Jim “The Possum” Woods, Bob Prince’s sidekick in the booth from 1958-69, passed away from cancer in Oviedo, Florida. He broadcast MLB from 1953-82, announcing for not only the Pirates but the Yankees, NY Giants, NBC, Cardinals, Athletics, Red Sox and the USA Network. 
• 1990 - LHP John Smiley won his arb hearing, cashing in his requested $840K rather than the Bucco offer of $630K. It wasn’t a surprising result; even GM Larry Doughty admitted Smiley had a strong case to increase his $230K pay of 1989, slashing 12-8/2.81 while working 205 innings with eight complete games. Smiley had a so-so 1990 campaign (9-10) after breaking his finger in a cab door accident, but came back in ‘91 to win 20 games and earn an All Star berth in his last Pirates campaign before being traded to the Twins for OF Midre Cummings. 
• 1997 - The Pirates brought 70 players to spring training; the sportswriters thought it may be a record for bodies in an MLB camp. The crowded clubhouse was no problem, said GM Cam Bonifay, who planned to beef up the “B” game schedule to get the boys in action. Probably not quite as pragmatic was equipment manager Roger Wilson, who had to get uniforms for all those players. Bonifay explained that he wanted the organization to get a look at some of the youngsters, and also wanted them exposed to the MLB routine. He said after the first cut, expected a week into camp, they’d finish up evaluating the prospects and get to work at filling the holes in the roster, eventually cobbling together the Freak Show club. 

Pat Meares - 1999 Topps

• 1999 - The Pirates signed free agent SS Pat Meares to a $1.5M contract. In April, they extended the deal through the 2003 season for $15M. He broke his hand early in 1999, had surgery, and was done playing MLB baseball by 2002 after a prolonged soap opera clash with management over the injury, having gotten into 240 games for the Bucs and hitting just .238. 
• 2007 - SS Jack Wilson and his DP partner, 2B Jose Castillo, locked themselves in manager Jim Tracy’s office while he was out supervising practice to discuss mano-a-mano Wilson’s withering review of Castillo (poorly conditioned, not prepared mentally and overall “lazy” in the field) delivered three weeks prior during the Pirates Fest. They came out of tete-a-tete 20 minutes later none the worse for wear, though without comment other than Castillo saying he was ready to play, physically and mentally. But ultimately the suits agreed with Jumping Jack’s assessment. Freddy Sanchez took over from Castillo at second base and had an All-Star season while hitting .304; Jose found himself relegated to utility duty and was released at the end of the year, getting auditions in four different organizations with his last MLB outing in 2008 with the Astros. 
• 2016 - The Pirates agreed to a minor league deal with former Angels’ OF Matt Joyce, 31, an eight-year vet with an All Star game under his belt. It was a good signing; Joyce made the club and while he hit just .242, he posted an OBP of .403, a slugging % of .463 and swatted 13 homers in 231 at bats to finish with an OPS+ of 132. He earned $1M as a Buc and turned the campaign into a two-year/$11M deal with Oakland in the off season. He appeared with eight clubs, the last being the Phillies, before he announced his retirement ahead of the 2022 campaign. 

Matt Joyce - 2016 Topps Update

• 2019 - LHP Joe Gibbon passed away at the age of 83 in Newton, Mississippi. Joe tossed for the Pirates for eight years (1960-65; 1969-70) and slashed 44-46-16/3.61 in 248 outings (107 starts), beginning his Pirates career as a member of the ‘60 World Series winners and finishing it as part of the ‘70 NLCS team. He was a rookie who went 4-2 for the ‘60 Bucs and whose World Series check for $8,400 was more than his salary of $7,500. He was also an All-American hoopster for Mississippi who finished second in the country in scoring during his senior year and was drafted by the Boston Celtics. Gibbon’s overall athletic chops gained him entry into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988, and in 2009, he was honored as a member of the Ole Miss Men’s All-Century Basketball Team. He was also referred to as “Old Hickory” in recognition of his hometown of Hickory, Mississippi. 
• 2024 - SportsNet Pittsburgh announced its broadcast team: The booth kept vets Greg Brown (in his 31st year) and Joe Block (nine years) for play-by-play duties with returning color analysts Bob Walk (Walkie also had 31 years under his belt), John Wehner, Kevin Young, Matt Capps and Neil Walker. Hannah Mears was named field reporter while Dan Potash and Hailey Hunter shared assorted host and field duties. Rob King was the studio host with Mike McKenry as his analyst and Steven Brault, Jordy Mercer & Alex Presley joining as commentators. 
• 2025 - The Pirates and LHP Andrew Heaney, 33, agreed on a one-year/$5.25M deal plus bonuses; the pact was made official two days later. Heaney was an 11-year vet (the Bucs were his sixth club) and seemed like a solid rotation add; his line the past two years for Texas was 15-20/4.22 in 59 starts (66 outings). But Heandog put up a 5-10/5.39 and was traded to the Dodgers; he retired after the ‘25 campaign. RHP Brett de Geus was DFA'ed to clear 40-man space.