A weekly feature aimed at rounding up a whole lot of odds and ends from a whole lot of time spent around our local teams …
• Don’t underestimate the loss off Jeff Banister to the Pirates. His 29 years with the organization, from minor-league catcher, to a 1.000 lifetime batting average in the bigs — singled in his lone at-bat — to his many years of building up the farm system at the grass-roots level of inspiration and instruction, to his loyalty and service to Clint Hurdle these past three years … that doesn’t just show up and shout hello.
Some of you will know that from the experience I shared from Atlanta on the night the Pirates clinched a playoff berth last month. That was quintessential Banny, both before and after that game.
I’ll give you another, one I’ll mention again to Banister today when I reach out to congratulate him on becoming the Rangers’ new manager:
It was four years ago. The Pirates had just come off that 105-loss season and, for seemingly the umpteenth time, Banister was among the few to survive the housecleaning that followed. Banny always was safe. He always would have a job with the Pirates. Neal Huntington had told him that a long time ago, and he’d keep that word.
It was shortly after sunrise in Bradenton, and I saw Banny standing out by the outfield of one of Pirate City’s five fields, watching the glow rise above the palm trees on the horizon. And as best as I can recall for you, our conversation went something like this:
Me: Banny, what the hell are you still doing here?
Banny: You know me. (Runs fingers across the seven letters on his chest.)
Me: Yeah, but …
Banny: I know, I know. But it’s getting better. It is. We’ve got some young players you’re going to love. You write about some of them. You don’t know all of them. You don’t know all the pitching we have. It’s going to get around here real soon. And when it does, you’re going to remember I told you that right here this morning. You will.”
Now flash forward to Atlanta. And, in 2015, to Arlington, Texas.
Never has a promotion been more hard-earned.
• Expect Hurdle to have sole say in this hire — it’s too important for that trust to be there — and expect the manager to choose Dave Jauss, who had the somewhat nebulous title of ‘major-league coach’ and who has been a coach for three different big-league teams.
• Todd Haley put forth an eye-opening figure in a rather casual answer when meeting with reporters at the Steelers’ HQ Thursday: He said that Ben Roethlisberger calls “27-28 percent” of the plays right now. And moments later, he added, “Don’t hold me to it.”
You know, as if someone would concoct a figure such as 27-28 as a wild guess.
The offensive coordinator is tracking the percentage of plays he calls versus those his QB calls.
Um, to what end?
• I’m just now going to reiterate here Roethlisberger’s one-word answer when I asked him in Cleveland if he calls the plays in the red zone:
“No.”
That would be an estimated 0-0 percent.
Just a couple weeks ago, some of the Penguins’ players and even coaches were calling the Consol Energy Center ice some of the worst they’d ever experienced at the NHL level.
So imagine my surprise late Thursday night when I raised the topic anew with a couple guys in the locker room, and they were fairly singing about the stuff.
• Dick LeBeau confirmed, somewhat indirectly, that Brice McCain will, indeed, supplant Cortez Allen, with the DC adding it might be “good for Cortez to watch for a week.” Anyone who thinks McCain will be back on the sideline if he should fare well against Houston, I’ve got a just-out-of-the-wrapper LeBeau rookie card I’d like to sell you. Tomlin is believed to be deeply disappointed in Allen.
• Daniel McCullers, the behemoth rookie nose tackle, might well get his first helmet Monday in injured Steve McLendon’s absence, but don’t be stunned if Cam Thomas continues getting pinballed all over the field instead.
• There’s a general sense within the Penguins’ locker room that Mike Johnston’s system is a fine fit and, in an ancillary way, help foster tightness. But the one guy from whom I still sense … well, caution, is Sidney Crosby. He clearly needs to see more. That’s his personality, of course, but it’s also important.
• There will be no more telling measure of Gary Agnew’s effectiveness in his first year as an assistant with the Penguins than the progress of Simon Despres. Agnew won’t single anyone out, but he’s aware of the high expectations in place.
“Simon’s a very talented kid,” Agnew said.
Sure is. And it showed Thursday night. To this eye, he was the Penguins’ best at any position.
• Paul Chryst had tried to temper buildup for Virginia Tech, at least as it related to being a pivoting point for Pitt. Never took that seriously, certainly not after talking with James Conner. The Panthers knew they needed this. And they got it.
Cool video from Thursday night, if you’re among the almost every living soul who missed it:
• The Pirates raised season-ticket prices 9 percent, and I heard from more than one reader — actually from a couple who acknowledged not being readers at all — who wanted me to look into it.
OK, and?
This franchise went more than a decade without a price increase, it still has some of the lowest prices in all of professional sports, and it plays in Major League Baseball’s smallest ballpark.
Yes, set aside Russell Martin for a moment, if you can. The numbers in and of themselves strongly illustrate that such an increase was ridiculously overdue. That’s the cost of doing business, and the only non-payroll-related alternatives are to add capacity to PNC Park (wow, please, no) or to improve their lousy TV deal (Root Sports will take that call on Line Never).
Does payroll have to keep going up, and at a greater rate than this year?
Yes.
Does the GM have to at least try to spend the full amount he’s allocated?
Yes, though it’s unkind to the broader narrative that this actually happened in 2014.
But a 9 percent increase and other adjustments such as how many games one must have in a plan to ensure the home opener, that’s the cost of doing business. If the people truly disagree with the move, they won’t be writing angry missives. They’ll simply stop buying.
• I don’t believe for a second that the Pirates offered Martin a contract this summer, as was recently reported by a national outlet. I have my reasons, and I will share those with you at some point. Not now.
• Has there ever been a more ready-baked headline in sports history than Duquesne being picked to finish 11th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll?
Yeah, yeah, so the A10 will have 14 teams this year. Don’t spoil the punchline.
• Respect Steve Downie for his hockey history, on top of a sharp sense of humor.
Wrapping up practice the other day at Consol, he skated in alone on Marc-Andre Fleury and pulled a Tomas Hertl move, sliding the puck back between his own legs and firing into the vacated part of the net.
Impressive?
Eh, hard to say.
“Thanks, buddy!” Downie shouted back, powerfully implying some goaltender complicity.
Afterward, I couldn’t help but tease Downie over the Hertl move, and he took offense. Not at the teasing but at the reference point.
“Vinny Lecavalier did that first,” he noted, citing a great goal in 2010 he helped create.
Good point. And I topped it by referencing Mario Lemieux scoring once like that from way out at the left hash. Came against Kirk MacLean in Vancouver in February 1996, and it was so long ago I couldn’t even find a video of it.
Downie’s comeback: “Dude, I wasn’t even born then.”
Back to right field for you and Demon Dachshund next year, Biz?
J. Olly Roger
10-17-2014, 1:32 pm
In regards to Haley's 27-28 percent...I'll bet anything that he keeps tabs on how many calls Roethlisberger calls himself that turn out not successful as well.
I would hope Haley is tracking plays.
Lots of metrics used these days.
Followup should have been what is ave/yd per play that Ben calls vs Haley! Betcha he knows that number.
Sounds like he's preparing his resume. I wish him luck, but he doesn't seem to me like the type of guy that can charm a school board. ;)
Karen
10-17-2014, 1:47 pm
All that other great info aside, how old is Downie!?! And when did 25 get to be so young while I'm at it? Ok, I may be getting a little off-topic, time to end this post!!
So Jeff Banister is the manager of the Texas Rangers. Still trying to figure that one out. Great company guy, fills out a nice lineup card, and what else again ? He does fit the job description in Texas, he won't outshine Jon Daniels. You saw where that got Nolan Ryan.
Yeah, count me in on this one. Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt a word Dejan said, and I'm positive Banister is a fine coach and even better person.
.
But Major League Baseball teams don't suffer after losing Bench Coaches.
James Schmitt
10-17-2014, 2:58 pm
John Daniels on 10/14: "We've got to get us some of that new fangled analytics stuff. Who was the guy who translated it from nerd-ese to baseball-ese for Hurdle in Pittsburgh? Banister? I'm gonna hire that guy as Manager. He's from Texas - bonus!"
Vince Pavic
10-17-2014, 2:04 pm
DK, a few years ago they Pens had a 5 disc giveaway series. One of the videos was all Lemieux goals and that aforementioned goal was on it. Which begs my question. Do media get any of the giveaway items if covering the game on those days? Yes, maybstupid question, but curious.
I suggest doing a little research on Heyman and his relationship with agents.
NMR
10-17-2014, 2:17 pm
Put it this way, nobody at all should be surprised that Heyman broke all this "news" the same week as Martin appeared on Boston radio.
Dom
10-17-2014, 2:21 pm
When Martin leaves, we’ll obtain the team’s draft pick right? If so, anyone know what round that will be?
Theshutlocks629
10-17-2014, 2:10 pm
DK,
if Thomas does (and more than likely will) get pushed around Monday night, don't the Steelers have to at least give " Big Dan" a chance? I know he's a rookie, but he can't do much worse than Thomas.
Not the Steeler way. I agree he should start and hope he does get a substantial amount of playing time but I doubt he will. This doesn’t mean that he wont get any playing time. We’ll see him sporadically Monday night.
Dejan Kovacevic
10-17-2014, 4:38 pm
Cameo. See above!
cmat0829
10-17-2014, 2:11 pm
DK: Great stuff as always, love the Banister perspective from Spring Training pre-revival.
Spot on in terms of the ticket increase. The relevant perspective is that even with the increase, Pirates lag ALL NL Central teams in average ticket price and revenues.
DK, I found that #66 goal here, skip to about 1:47: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcpxZ9DIn8A (watch out though, these compilations of Le Magnifique will easily get you sucked into a YouTube vortex of the man's brilliance!)
DK, any chance the mobile site could be updated so that it doesn't return you to the top of the article if the view switches from portrait to landscape? Sounds silly but it happens often accidentally and then you have to scroll back and try to find where you left off.
Of course this could be a phone thing and I'm just too dumb to know any better.
Oshie
10-17-2014, 2:43 pm
The BBVA Compass Bowl awaits!
Actually, I don't slight the bowls much. They serve their purpose as family avoidance devices during the holidays. I just want Pitt to go somewhere so I can get away from the in-laws for a few hours on some freezing December night.
I'm wondering if Cortez Allen might be better suited as a free safety - pretty good size and good hands.
Then again, since tight ends are also blowing by him, maybe he needs to get started on a distinguished career in Health and Wellness (his college major).
"Does the GM have to at least try to spend the full amount he’s allocated?
Yes, though it’s unkind to the broader narrative that this actually happened in 2014."
Did I miss something? Last I heard from you, here, DK, was that Neal still had $8-9 mil to spend
Do you get the feeling we'll forever be talking in circles on this subject ?
AJS
10-18-2014, 12:38 am
He had that money to spend because they didnt get the aj deal done. His point was they need to try and they did try it just didnt work out. Some hate the we tried excuse but as a fact it is true.
James Schmitt
10-17-2014, 4:12 pm
No problem IMO with increasing the ticket prices again. I see no reason why the Pirates can't approach the same prices as the Brewers and Reds. I know those cities only have 2 pro teams, but they are similar demographically.
I'm glad to see Banister get his chance. He's going to a team with some big stars and a big budget, which can't hurt.
I really hope the Buccos can offer Martin 4 years @ 56M with a team option for 5th @ 10M or 2M buyout. That's 58M for 4 years...
Long article, but I found it interesting. Talks about the narrative that baseball is dying, and how long that narrative has existed. Hint: more than 100 yrs. In many respects, the sport is quite healthy economically.
Some baseball traditionalists must hate it that two wild card teams are in the World Series.
Dejan Kovacevic
10-17-2014, 4:39 pm
The narrative has new steam, because the games themselves are even longer than the narrative.
Michael Dojcak
10-17-2014, 4:20 pm
As for the ticket price hike, they said that the secondary market for Black and Gold games was high, but I couldn't give away tix to Mon - Thur games. I ate a bunch of those. And my playoff tix cost as much as my full season seats....
Send unused tickets for Tickets For Kids before the end of the season, kids get to go to things, and you get a tax writeoff
Oshie
10-17-2014, 4:22 pm
I see there is a Blue/Gold scrimmage this weekend at the Pete. My basketball antennae are on alert. On Halloween, the Panthers play Indiana University (PA) in an exhibition.
Does anyone think the QO to RUSSELL Martin is in part a strategy to help keep the cost of resigning him down? Will this go more the way of Brian McCann (29) or by way of similar aged Kendrys Morales (31)?
What Im also asking here is, does the QO help buy time. RUSSELL Martin is the type of player that could be signed elsewhere on week 1 of free agency. ( see Marlon Byrd). But the QO may give reason to pause. NH said they were unprepared for Byrd to sign that fast.
Really recommend Dave Grohl's Sonic Highways on HBO. He explores music in various cities while the Foo Fighters record their latest album. Last night was Chicago. Good stuff on the great Steve Albini and Naked Raygun. Also, Cheap Trick!
October 17, 2014
Friday Insider: Banister will be heavy loss
by Dejan Kovacevic • Friday Insider • Duquesne, Penguins, Pirates, Steelers
• Don’t underestimate the loss off Jeff Banister to the Pirates. His 29 years with the organization, from minor-league catcher, to a 1.000 lifetime batting average in the bigs — singled in his lone at-bat — to his many years of building up the farm system at the grass-roots level of inspiration and instruction, to his loyalty and service to Clint Hurdle these past three years … that doesn’t just show up and shout hello.
Some of you will know that from the experience I shared from Atlanta on the night the Pirates clinched a playoff berth last month. That was quintessential Banny, both before and after that game.
I’ll give you another, one I’ll mention again to Banister today when I reach out to congratulate him on becoming the Rangers’ new manager:
It was four years ago. The Pirates had just come off that 105-loss season and, for seemingly the umpteenth time, Banister was among the few to survive the housecleaning that followed. Banny always was safe. He always would have a job with the Pirates. Neal Huntington had told him that a long time ago, and he’d keep that word.
It was shortly after sunrise in Bradenton, and I saw Banny standing out by the outfield of one of Pirate City’s five fields, watching the glow rise above the palm trees on the horizon. And as best as I can recall for you, our conversation went something like this:
Me: Banny, what the hell are you still doing here?
Banny: You know me. (Runs fingers across the seven letters on his chest.)
Me: Yeah, but …
Banny: I know, I know. But it’s getting better. It is. We’ve got some young players you’re going to love. You write about some of them. You don’t know all of them. You don’t know all the pitching we have. It’s going to get around here real soon. And when it does, you’re going to remember I told you that right here this morning. You will.”
Now flash forward to Atlanta. And, in 2015, to Arlington, Texas.
Never has a promotion been more hard-earned.
• Expect Hurdle to have sole say in this hire — it’s too important for that trust to be there — and expect the manager to choose Dave Jauss, who had the somewhat nebulous title of ‘major-league coach’ and who has been a coach for three different big-league teams.
• Todd Haley put forth an eye-opening figure in a rather casual answer when meeting with reporters at the Steelers’ HQ Thursday: He said that Ben Roethlisberger calls “27-28 percent” of the plays right now. And moments later, he added, “Don’t hold me to it.”
You know, as if someone would concoct a figure such as 27-28 as a wild guess.
The offensive coordinator is tracking the percentage of plays he calls versus those his QB calls.
Um, to what end?
• I’m just now going to reiterate here Roethlisberger’s one-word answer when I asked him in Cleveland if he calls the plays in the red zone:
“No.”
That would be an estimated 0-0 percent.
Just a couple weeks ago, some of the Penguins’ players and even coaches were calling the Consol Energy Center ice some of the worst they’d ever experienced at the NHL level.
So imagine my surprise late Thursday night when I raised the topic anew with a couple guys in the locker room, and they were fairly singing about the stuff.
• Dick LeBeau confirmed, somewhat indirectly, that Brice McCain will, indeed, supplant Cortez Allen, with the DC adding it might be “good for Cortez to watch for a week.” Anyone who thinks McCain will be back on the sideline if he should fare well against Houston, I’ve got a just-out-of-the-wrapper LeBeau rookie card I’d like to sell you. Tomlin is believed to be deeply disappointed in Allen.
• Daniel McCullers, the behemoth rookie nose tackle, might well get his first helmet Monday in injured Steve McLendon’s absence, but don’t be stunned if Cam Thomas continues getting pinballed all over the field instead.
• There’s a general sense within the Penguins’ locker room that Mike Johnston’s system is a fine fit and, in an ancillary way, help foster tightness. But the one guy from whom I still sense … well, caution, is Sidney Crosby. He clearly needs to see more. That’s his personality, of course, but it’s also important.
• There will be no more telling measure of Gary Agnew’s effectiveness in his first year as an assistant with the Penguins than the progress of Simon Despres. Agnew won’t single anyone out, but he’s aware of the high expectations in place.
“Simon’s a very talented kid,” Agnew said.
Sure is. And it showed Thursday night. To this eye, he was the Penguins’ best at any position.
• Paul Chryst had tried to temper buildup for Virginia Tech, at least as it related to being a pivoting point for Pitt. Never took that seriously, certainly not after talking with James Conner. The Panthers knew they needed this. And they got it.
Cool video from Thursday night, if you’re among the almost every living soul who missed it:
• The Pirates raised season-ticket prices 9 percent, and I heard from more than one reader — actually from a couple who acknowledged not being readers at all — who wanted me to look into it.
OK, and?
This franchise went more than a decade without a price increase, it still has some of the lowest prices in all of professional sports, and it plays in Major League Baseball’s smallest ballpark.
Yes, set aside Russell Martin for a moment, if you can. The numbers in and of themselves strongly illustrate that such an increase was ridiculously overdue. That’s the cost of doing business, and the only non-payroll-related alternatives are to add capacity to PNC Park (wow, please, no) or to improve their lousy TV deal (Root Sports will take that call on Line Never).
Does payroll have to keep going up, and at a greater rate than this year?
Yes.
Does the GM have to at least try to spend the full amount he’s allocated?
Yes, though it’s unkind to the broader narrative that this actually happened in 2014.
But a 9 percent increase and other adjustments such as how many games one must have in a plan to ensure the home opener, that’s the cost of doing business. If the people truly disagree with the move, they won’t be writing angry missives. They’ll simply stop buying.
• I don’t believe for a second that the Pirates offered Martin a contract this summer, as was recently reported by a national outlet. I have my reasons, and I will share those with you at some point. Not now.
• Has there ever been a more ready-baked headline in sports history than Duquesne being picked to finish 11th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll?
Yeah, yeah, so the A10 will have 14 teams this year. Don’t spoil the punchline.
• Respect Steve Downie for his hockey history, on top of a sharp sense of humor.
Wrapping up practice the other day at Consol, he skated in alone on Marc-Andre Fleury and pulled a Tomas Hertl move, sliding the puck back between his own legs and firing into the vacated part of the net.
Impressive?
Eh, hard to say.
“Thanks, buddy!” Downie shouted back, powerfully implying some goaltender complicity.
Afterward, I couldn’t help but tease Downie over the Hertl move, and he took offense. Not at the teasing but at the reference point.
“Vinny Lecavalier did that first,” he noted, citing a great goal in 2010 he helped create.
Good point. And I topped it by referencing Mario Lemieux scoring once like that from way out at the left hash. Came against Kirk MacLean in Vancouver in February 1996, and it was so long ago I couldn’t even find a video of it.
Downie’s comeback: “Dude, I wasn’t even born then.”