3/11: Freeser & Kevin Deals, WBC Returnees, HBD Dock & Salomon

• 1948 - One of the Bucs more colorful characters, RHP Dock Ellis, was born in Los Angeles. He pitched nine seasons (1968-75, 1979) for Pittsburgh, going 96-80/3.16, and tossed the infamous LSD no-hitter against San Diego in 1970. He was part of the early seventies juggernaut that was in four NLCS tilts and won a World Series. Ellis rehabbed after his 1980 retirement and remained sober the rest of his days. Dock then devoted his post-baseball life to counseling drug addicts in treatment centers, prisons and ballparks before he died of cirrhosis in 2008 at the age of 63.

Salomon Torres 2003 Topps Total

• 1972 - RHP Salomon Torres was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. After coaching for three years and then spending 2001 in foreign leagues, he tossed for the Bucs between 2002-07 with a line of 26-28-29/3.63. In 2006, his 94 pitching appearances led the MLB and tied the Pirate record held by Kent Tekulve. His final year was 2008 with the Brewers, retiring afterward to spend time with his family. His final MLB line was 44-58-57 with a 4.31 ERA, working for five teams and 12 seasons.
• 2000 - 1B Kevin Young returned after an off season knee procedure, doubling and scoring in his spring debut. A key part of the Pirates lineup, he’d have a solid 2000 campaign in the first season of a four-year/$24M deal, capping a 1998-2000 run that compiled a slash of .276/.344/.481 along with 73 HR/302 RBI. But from 2001-03, his production nosedived - his line was just .236/.315/.397 with 32 HR/123 RBI, and the end of the contract was also the end of his MLB career.
• 2006 - The Pirates got back WBC players Jason Bay and Yurendell DeCaster, a pair of guys who would be on opposite ends of the Bucco totem pole in 2006. Bay, fresh from signing a four-year/$18.5M contract extension, went on to an All-Star campaign, batting .286 with 35 homers and 109 RBI. DeCaster, a utility infielder, started the year in the minors and was called up twice. He got into three games, whiffing twice, and was released at the end of the year.

Freeser joins up (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

• 2016 - The Pirates inked David Freese to a one year/$3M contract. An All-Star and World Series MVP for St. Louis, Freese came to the Bucs as a free agent after a two year stint with the LA Angels. He was signed to cover for the early season loss of regular hot cornerman Jung Ho Kang, who was rehabbing a leg injury, and to add a veteran bench presence when JHK returned. They liked his work. Freeser hit .270 w/13 dingers, playing both infield corners and even five innings at second base. In late August, the Pirates signed Freese to a two-year contract extension worth $11M with a club option for 2019.

3/11: HBD Dock & Salomon

• 1948 - One of the Bucs more colorful characters, RHP Dock Ellis, was born in Los Angeles. He pitched nine seasons (1968-75, 1979) for Pittsburgh, going 96-80/3.16, and tossed the infamous LSD no-hitter against San Diego in 1970. He was part of the early seventies juggernaut that was in four NLCS tilts and won a World Series. Ellis rehabbed after his 1980 retirement and remained sober the rest of his days. Dock then devoted his post-baseball life to counseling drug addicts in treatment centers, prisons and ballparks before he died of cirrhosis in 2008 at the age of 63.

Dock Ellis 1972 Topps

• 1972 - RHP Salomon Torres was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. After coaching for three years and then spending 2001 in foreign leagues, he tossed for the Bucs between 2002-07 with a line of 26-28-29/3.63. In 2006, his 94 pitching appearances led the MLB and tied the Pirate record held by Kent Tekulve. His final year was 2008 with the Brewers, retiring afterward to spend time with his family. His final MLB line was 44-58-57 with a 4.31 ERA, working for five teams and 12 seasons.

Salomon Torres (photo by USA Today)

3/11: Birthdays - Dock Ellis, Salomon Torres...

• 1948 - One of the Bucs more colorful characters, RHP Dock Ellis, was born in Los Angeles. He pitched nine seasons (1968-75, 1979) for Pittsburgh, going 96-80/3.16, and tossed the infamous LSD no-hitter against San Diego in 1970. He was part of the early seventies juggernaut that was in four NLCS tilts and won a World Series. Ellis rehabbed after his 1980 retirement and remained sober the rest of his days. Dock then devoted his post-baseball life to counseling drug addicts in treatment centers, prisons and ballparks before he died of cirrhosis in 2008 at the age of 63. 

Dock at work (Getty Images)

• 1972 - RHP Salomon Torres was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. After coaching for three years and then spending 2001 in foreign leagues, he tossed for the Bucs between 2002-07 with a line of 26-28-29/3.63. In 2006, his 94 pitching appearances led the MLB and tied the Pirate record held by Kent Tekulve. His final year was 2008 with the Brewers, retiring afterward to spend time with his family. His final MLB line was 44-58-57 with a 4.31 ERA, working for five teams and 12 seasons. 

Salomon Torres 2007 (Archie Carpenter/UPI)

Todays Notes, Dock and Salomon

Notes:

• Russ Martin and Chase d'Arnaud homered, but it wasn't enough as the Bucs dropped a 7-6 decision to the Orioles yesterday. Old Bucco Steve Pearce had a two-run shot for Baltimore while Duke Welker couldn't hang on to a late lead as Pittsburgh fell for the second day. The Buccos are off today and visit the Twins tomorrow. Gerrit Cole starts against Kevin Correia.
• John Friend of Baseball News Source thinks Jordy Mercer is an upgrade at SS, but still just a seat-warmer for Alen Hanson.
• The Pirates have been using a DH so far this spring, but now that the roster is being trimmed, Clint may soon start batting his pitchers to prep them for the real world.
• After sending some minor league guys to Pirate City, the Pirates are down to 53 players. 16 are non-roster invitees, the rest 40-man roster guys.
• Ex-Bucs: RHP Joe Martinez, who was in Pittsburgh for a cup of coffee, signed a minor league deal with the Angels.
• Here's the Bucs' TV schedule, including national dates.
• Milver Reyes, a 15-year veteran of the Pirates organization, was presented Monday with the 2014 Chuck Tanner Award, created in 2011 to recognize a Minor League staffer who reflects the late manager's optimism, work ethic and leadership. Reyes will be starting his second year as manager of the Gulf Coast League Pirates.

3/11 In Pittsburgh Baseball History:

• 1948 - One of the Bucs more colorful characters, RHP Dock Ellis, was born in Los Angeles. He pitched nine seasons (1968-75, 1979) for Pittsburgh, going 96-80/3.16, and tossed the infamous LSD no-hitter against San Diego in 1970. He was part of the early seventies juggernaut that was in four NLCS tilts and won a World Series.

• 1972 - RHP Salomon Torres was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. After coaching for three years and then spending 2001 in foreign leagues, he tossed for the Bucs between 2002-07 with a line of 26-28-29/3.63. In 2006, his 94 pitching appearances led the MLB and tied the Pirate record held by Kent Tekulve.