SB Nation User Blog: air holmes

Jack Wilson's letter to fans

air holmes — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:52:27 -0000

This is a letter from Jack Wilson to the fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates throught the Post-Gazette. True pro. I wonder what will happen to the Bowling with the Bucs now. I really like Wilson. He toughed through 0 losing seasons, but yet still only focused on the good times Good luck Jack!

Here's the link:

I like the picture, too. Great smile. Hey, Jack and Julie had three kids named Jacob, Jaidyn, and Jersi.

Good Ole' Jack!

Russell Returns for 2010

air holmes — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:42:39 -0000

According to Dejan, the Pirates will retain John Russell as the manager for next year.

Good move?

Now, I know not many people like him. But,

1. It's not his fault, we have to wait for our prospects and then we will be a contender. And, as much as it is going to sting for us to be the team to set the record for losing seasons, we wouldn't of avoided it with the team we had. And now, we could be looking at cconstant winning.

2. He's had to deal with constant, non-stop roster moves. No manager in pro ball can help a team win win they don't have the players that will help win. Our prospects, in the future, can help the Pittsburgh Pirates win a World Series.

Finally, we don't even have a good replacement. There is not many available managers that have experience and the ability to win. So, even though he isn't Lou Pinella or Ozzie Guillen, he is a solid manager. Who thpught Joe Maddon was a good manager? Now look at him with great players.

Poll

Good move for the Pirates to have Russell return?

Yes.

56 votes

No

41 votes

97 votes | Poll has closed

Cain, Stevenson down. Rosenberg, Dodson to go

air holmes — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:25:13 -0000

Quality vs. Quantity. It seems like you hear that about the Pirates every where you go. I believe the Bucs have added enough quantity for the minor leagues system. Now I think they should (if they're really committed to building through the Draft) that we should sign these high-end high school players who fall because of signability. I think they're doing that. They've got 10 mill to spend on the draft, Sanchez's pick was helped by the fact they could sign cheaper and faster, and they saved money from the trades. No, I'm not going to name them all, but that might make 75 words for someone who's talking about something else. Anyway, We've signed Trent Stevenson and Colton Cain, plus our first 4 picks. BTW, how are they doing so far? I think our #1 priority right now for the Draft would be sign Zach Von Rosenburg. The guy was rated as a bordering 1st rounder, maybe a 2nd round or compensation pick. We got him in the 6th. Here's a report I just found on the guy, before he got drafted.

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/j5DxWD3vEd6pcwAcxJTdpg/top-100--zacharys-von-rosenberg-relishes-the-big-games.htm

So, he's had a great HS carrer. I'm looking for a scouting report.

Here we go:

Photo: Perfect Game

Full Name: Zachary Von Rosenberg
Position: Right Handed Pitcher
Born: September 24, 1990
Birthplace: Zachary, Louisiana
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 205
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
How Acquired: Draft
Drafted: 2009 Amateur Entry Draft, 6th Round (175th Overall)
High School: Zachary (LA)
ETA: 2014

Edit: The scouting report went off the page and you couldn't read it. Here you go.

Scouting Report:
Von Rosenberg is the classic projectable high school pitcher. He has great size and mechanics and features three pitches. Currently he has a fastball, high 80's, a curve and a change. All the pitches have great movement and most feel that as he gets stronger the velocity will definitely increase. The kid has great stuff and has put up excellent numbers during his time at high school. Definitely an extremely high upside pitcher, though he does have a commitment to LSU.

I like him and think he could have a higher ceiling then most the pitchers we've drafted the past couple years.

I'm not sure how much we're talking, but it might be like 1,000,000+. But that's just a random observation. Give or take.

Another guy, who was drafted two rounds ahead, Zachary Dodson. Huh, Zach and Zach. The Zack Attack. hmmm, I got it. Z. Z., cause we're gonna put you to sleep! What'd ya think.

Anyway, on to Dodson. I found some great stats on Dodson, some believe he's an OF, but he more than likely will pitch if he signs with the Bucs.

The guy was 10-0, 1.20 ERA, 1 HR against him, 129 Ks in only 64.1 IP. That's equal to 2 Ks an inning. 28 hits in 64 1 IP means about a hit every other inning, and 2 Ks every inning.

Great stats. Amazing stats.

Scouting Report:

Photo: Perfect Game

Full Name: Zackry Dodson
Position: Left Handed Pitcher
Born: July 23, 1990
Birthplace: Natalia, Texas
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 180
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
How Acquired: Draft
Drafted: 2009 Amateur Entry Draft, 4th Round (115th Overall)
High School: Medina Valley (TX)
ETA: 2014

Edit: The scouting report went of the page and you couldn't read the whole thing so it might look a little odd. Here you go.

Scouting Report:
Young lefty from Texas, Dodson is committed to Baylor. The young lefty has been a two way star in high school, leading the team on the mound and in the batter's box. Dodson features a mid 90's fastball and a curveball. He also has been working on a change up as well. he will need to work on his command and his mechanics to advance up the ladder in the pro ranks, but has a good foundation, starting with his good fastball.

Man, I found this site, that's got detailed scouting report, all the info about the guy, even when he could be in the majors. More of that to come later. . . . . . . .

Poll

What's the best nickname for a possible future 1-2 punch with Dodson and Rosenberg? Remember leave your own in the comments.

Zach Attack-classic

19 votes

Z. Z.- cause they're gonna put you to sleep! maybe a little corny

6 votes

Zoom and Zoom- they make quick of you. Aw, that's horrible.

5 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

Which trades should the Pirates take and leave?

air holmes — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:39:37 -0000

I've been looking at mlbtraderumors.com and there are some interesting possible deals.

http://www.piratesreport.com/page/blogs.detail/display/162/Maholm-for-Rios-is-fascinating-to-dissect.html

Rios for Maholm? I say take it. You have a power-hitting RF (no disrespect to Moss, well, sort of) for a subpar pitcher. If Toronto does pay a portion of his deal we could have a cheap power option. To be honest, I'm surprised Toronto would pull that kind of deal, yet this guy make it sound like a tough decision for us.

Make or Break?

Another one that I like is from a recent post by thecheeseisblue. Capps for Colorado's Eric Young Jr. and Casey Weathers. Now this again may be a deal for colorado to make or break, but if they do, I do. Jr is most likely the fastest guy in milb. He already has 48 SBs. I believe he led the league(milb) in SBs in 2007, but I'm not sure about 2008. He'd give us a spark of pop and a SB threat we really need with Morgan and McLouth gone. He also allows us to deal Freddy. I also think we might get Joey Williamson into the deal and push Weathers out, but that might be a stretch. He's a great reliever for A-Advanced. 10-1 with with a 3.76 ERA and 62 Ks in 69 IP. Plus, batters are hitting just .234 against him.

Make or Break?

http://www.piratesreport.com/page/blogs.detail/display/163/The-rumor-mill-keeps-on-turning.html

I like Kyle Drabek. Watching him pitch in the Futures game made me just think get that guy. I say if it works trade Duke straight up for Kyle Drabek. If we can get another prospect, do that too. I doubt the Phillies will take the deal. I can see why.

Make or Break?

Also, why trade Sanchez? I highly disagree with the Sanchez for Sanchez deal. Even adding if we got Bumgarner it might still feel like the McLouth deal. You hate giving up the best player on the team, but you do like the prospects and deep down might believe it was the right deal. I was reading Dejan's chat and noticed something that I think he is exactly right on.

"bertbpman: DK - If the Pirates are able to trade Jack Wilson, do they currently have anyone who can be another everyday shortstop?

Dejan Kovacevic: Honestly, though no one ever mentions his name, Sanchez could do it. He is a good, if not great, shortstop. The main reason he has been kept away from there -- aside from Wilson's presence, obviously -- is fear of wearing him down. ... As for anyone else? No."

This could let the Pirates have Jr. and Sanchez both in the middle infield. Jones, LaRoche, Rios, Doumit have good power. Milledge could do well, to.

Maholm deal might not work. We already have McCutchen, Tabata, and Milledge. I personally want Jones in there. That is why we have to leave it up to who wins the starting jobs out of 2010 Spring Training. Who do you think will make up the 2010 OF? Answer in comments.

Poll

What seems like the most reasonable deal for both sides and the best deal for the Pirates?

Maholm for Rios

17 votes

Capps for Young Jr. and Williamson

77 votes

Duke for Kyle Drabek and PTBNL

19 votes

113 votes | Poll has closed

I cant help myself, I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm baccccccckkkkk!

air holmes — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:33:54 -0000

Hello, Steelers fans! You all might of forgottten me, as hard as that is, but Air Holmes is back. With work piling up and it being the offseason with not many moves by the Steelers I kind of took a break. But, anyway, what's new? Can y'all catch me up with what's been going on? What Steelers' draft pick have been signed? Any free agent pick-ups? Any new people on the blog? Sorry, I'm a little energetic right now.

Air Holmes Report: The Draft

air holmes — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:09:55 -0000

If any of you watch college football, you know I'm talking about Graham Harrell. The guy won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award given to the top senior QB in college football. He was 4th in Heisman voting. He makes all the NFL throws and his team was ranked was #2 for the last part of the year. Now, I know we still have injury prone Batch and rising Dixon, but why not add 1 more back-up?

I've looked over the drafts and I have to say, Detroit made some great 1st round picks. They got their leader. They gave him a great TE for him to throw to along with Calvin Johnson at WR. But, you can't pass up Rey Maulauga for Louis Delmas. Here is what their draft could have been if they kept all their picks starting in the 2nd round to the 5th:

Round 2:

Rey Mauluaga.

Round 3:

Louis Vazquez

Derrick Williams (they actually made this pick and now Stafford has 3 good recieving options)

Round 4:

No pick because Detroit traded its 2009 fourth-round selection (101st overall) and its 2008 third-round selection to Dallas for its 2008 third-round selection (92nd overall, used to select Cliff Avril). Which was a good deal because Avril led the league in sacks for a rookie.

Round 5:

Scott McKillop.

You guys can finish it, I don't have time. I'm going to write a post about Denver's great draft soon.

Poll

The Detroit Lions had a top 10 draft day? Explain why or why not in the comments.

True

6 votes

False

10 votes

16 votes | Poll has closed

Mangini trying to copy Belicheck

air holmes — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:53:10 -0000

Now, I don't know if anyone agrees, but is Eric Mangini trying to copy Bill Belicheck's draft day strategy? I mean, he keeps trading down for more picks in the 2nd round, then he takes his new divison rival's main guy in Alex Mack. Belicheck seems to cause troble around the league with either the Cutler situation (more on the Broncos in a later post) or the Spygate tapes. Mangini must think if this guy (Bill) can resurrect his carrer from a team until then that was unheard of (Pats) then maybe he can, too. Your thoughts?

Poll

Mangini is copying Big Bill. True or False?

True

29 votes

False

10 votes

39 votes | Poll has closed

The Steelers save my best friend's life

air holmes — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:40:08 -0000

My best friend was shot at in Iraq. He got shot on his arm. Under the uniform where he was shot was a part of my 1st Terrible Towel that I gave him for good luck the day he left. The doc said he'd have to get his arm amputated. The next day the Steelers when Super Bowl XLIII and Chris's arm is x-rayed again and he is healed. The story was about to be published in the Post-Gazette, but Chris didn't want it to. I was talking to my friend the other day and I noticed he was wearing the Towel I gave him. I said to him, "Pal, I never really thought of this until now, but I think the Steelers saved your life." He replied, "I don't know about that, J. But, I think their fighting spirit rubbed off on me." Now, I'm not superstitious, but I believe the Steelers saved my best friend's life.

Smith vs. Smith

air holmes — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:17:09 -0000

Now in my mock draft a while back I had the Steelers taking Alphonso Smith in the 2nd round, but looking at some of ESPNs mocks along with other sites he'd be more likely at #32. He in my opinion is very talented and I'd really like him in black and gold. But, what if we could get a guy that could play CB and a safety? Sean Smith from Utah is solid at both positions. Now, I really like it when Ryan Clark knocks the lights out of someone (Wes Welker, to be exact), but he has been getting injured and in the final year of his contract. Smith and Smith are talented, but who do we pick. A. Smith is more talented at CB, but S. Smith can play CB and S. If we took A. Smith we might try working him into a S position, too.

Talent CB Smith vs. Insurance Smith

Poll

Who should the Steelers take. if not an offensive lineman?

Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

26 votes

Sean Smith, CB/S, Utah

30 votes

56 votes | Poll has closed

check out our mock draft

air holmes — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:30:31 -0000

Was up, Broncos fans? Us Steelers fans over at Behind the Steel Curtain are having our own mock draft. I was the guy who did who the Broncos would pick. Now, I wanted to pick Aaron Maybin, but the Bills (guy right in front of me) took him. Check it out. I picked Michael Johnson because Everette Brown, Brian Orakpo, Aaron Maybin, and B.J. Raji were all taken. I feel for you after losing Cutler. But that baby was acting like a total b***h. I guess you get some great picks, but OUCH! that has got to hurt. Losing your star player (no disrespect to Marshall or former best player Champ Bailey).

Jay Cutler as a baby.

Jay Cutler as an actor of a baby.

Jay Cutler.