Donald Marsh III

I kept this story in my pocket for a long time.... In Pittsburgh, September 15th is Roberto Clemente Day. Every year the whole organization fans out across the city. It's like Christmas. Roberto's family is there, Vera and the boys. My first year as manager was 2011. We celebrated. We shook hands and moved on. We didn't win. 19 consecutive losing seasons. 2012 rolls around. Same day, same celebration. We had another losing season, our 20th consecutive. After the ceremony, Roberto Jr. walked over. "My mom wants to talk to you." We went into the dugout. Me, Vera, and her three sons. She spoke in Spanish. I played four years of winter ball so I understood enough. She wasn't angry, but she was passionate. And I kept hearing Roberto's number come up. Roberto Jr. translated. "My mother wants you to know that there cannot be a 21st losing season. That was Roberto's number. It would be a disgrace to his legacy." She was staring right at me. Before I could even think about what to say, words came out of my mouth: "I promise you, Vera. That won't happen." Roberto Jr. looked at me and said, "You made my mom a promise. I hope you can keep it." I said, "I hope I can keep it too." I didn't tell my coaches. I didn't tell the players. I told my wife. That was it. The next year, 2013, we broke the consecutive seasons losing streak. Ended it at 20. On Roberto Clemente Day that September, Vera came walking across that field. And I probably got one of the most meaningful hugs I've ever received in my life. The players did all the heavy lifting. I just got the hug. Some promises are worth making before you know if you can keep them. @Pirates

@Rangers @grok out of how many other MLB parks would this have been a home run?

🚨 EVAN CARTER HOME RUN ROBBERY 🚨

@BruceTa79109308 @AustinOravec Such a bad take on Davis. 2021 was a rough year for top picks. Nobody you mention were even top 10. All the Top 10 have been middling performers at best. And underslot on Davis landed Chandler, who was going to go to Clemson. Bucs only landed him with this draft strategy.

@AustinOravec So Mlodzinski was a sandwich pick. I give them credit for the last three years. 2021. You can’t take the 1-1 and get a catcher who can’t hit. James Wood, Frelick, Painter, McLain all taken after him.

Ben Cherington’s 1st round picks with the Pittsburgh Pirates: 2020 - Nick Gonzales 2020 - Carmen Mlodzinski 2021 - Henry Davis 2022 - Termarr Johnson 2022 - Thomas Harrington 2023 - Paul Skenes 2024 - Konnor Griffin 2025 - Seth Hernandez👀🔥 #LetsGoBucs

@Nathan_Hursh Wouldn't be surprised if he is looking for a bit longer contract. He is 31. 3 years might be short.

Would 3 years/$50 mil be enough for a Brandon Lowe extension? That would take him through the Skenes window

@Rippling I'm restricted from doing so. If you DM me, I can respond.

@dmarshiii Hi Donald- We're happy to help! Can you DM us your wife's information and we will have a team member reach out directly.

@Rippling your password reset links keep expiring as soon as they are sent out. I can't get my wife's W2 and taxes are due tomorrow. Address this urgently!

@darrell_royal_ @JMackey_PGH Probably Billy or maybe even Spencer. Triolo can play 1B. Though Spencer only has 1 option left. Billy has 2. My bet would be on Billy.

@JMackey_PGH Does anybody get bumped down to the minors to make room?

NEWS: Pirates promoting Konnor Griffin for Friday’s home opener. Griffin, 19, expected to make his MLB debut against Orioles. Move made for baseball reasons & because he’s their best option. More to come.

@DTonPirates If he can get his control down, he'll get the win boost Paul got in Year 1, facing the #4 and #5 starters. That's for sure.

Make crazy take for the season: Bubba Chandler will be right there w Paul Skenes for Ace of the Staff. #Pirates

@HenryDavisMVP You aren't getting a solid starting RF for half a first baseman. That isn't to say he couldn't be traded. But there's a lot of platooning 1B out there who only hit righty.

Can’t believe there are people who would rather run Nick Yorke and Nick Gonzales onto the field over Spencer Horwitz and Konnor Griffin

@hundredand1 Y'all do know that decision didn't come down to money. Some thing with Okamoto.

I wonder if the Pirates needed an inexpensive third baseman this offseason

@Alch8771 @hundredand1 Well, he does. Did so in Japan. But not really well enough for regular MLB duties. That's why CWS got him at 1B.

@hundredand1 He’s not a third baseman

@KodyDuncanPGH AAA pitching isn't MLB, but it's good to see him succeeding with discipline. And who knows? Maybe bring him up on the 9th, play him at Cubs on the 10th. Then home debut for a crappy selling series vs the Nats on the 13th. 172 games makes him PPI eligible and Bob makes a buck.

Konnor Griffin just crushed a double off the wall and is currently 4-8 to start his AAA season with 3 walks. Looks like Spring Training doesn’t mean anything after all.

@KodyDuncanPGH Come one man, do better. It didn't come down to money for the guys who went elsewhere. Nicky G is solid enough for me for now.

It would have been so much better if this team would have actually signed a third baseman this offseason and started their best prospect at SS on opening day. Every fan knew this was a MUST except a certain someone

@KodyDuncanPGH @northsiden0tch Agreed. Pretty clear this guy was sent down with a directive to improve his patience at the plate. So far, not so bad.

@northsiden0tch 3 walks already in two games. Very good to see

Konnor Griffin works a walk to load the bases. He’s been on base four times today.

@SteelCityBucs30 @AustinOravec Santana was also in the game prior and isn't planned for 2 innings. This ain't MLB The Show, guys. You don't want to be stretching your closer out for 2 innings in the 2nd game of the MLB season.

@AustinOravec @breyspenguins The mistake was not letting Santana go another inning in the 10th. Don’t like putting Barco in that spot at all

I don’t think Don Kelly managed a good game from an offensive standpoint, but who did you want him to bring in during the 11th? To the fans clamoring for a RHP to relieve Barco, can you name me that pitcher? Did you really want to see Jose Urquidy throw?

@DTonPirates And no problem wanting the explanation. But that's the truth. The call in that situation is to put in a long reliever. And you need the other one for tomorrow. So he really kinda had to go out for at least 2 once you make the choice to out him in.

@dmarshiii He's not a long reliever, he's a starter. He's has two ML appearances in his career before today. I didn't say it was a bad decision, I said I wanted to hear Kelly's explanation.

I’m interested to hear Don Kelly’s reasoning for Barco in the 10th & 11th. #Pirates

@DTonPirates Long relievers are just starters that don't start. They are Plan B. Depth pieces that may develop into something more and are supposed to eat innings. Not just one.

@jg9188 @DTonPirates Lokked good in Spring Training too. So, yup. It's either him or Uriquidy. And my money isn't on Uriquidy. Not to mention, if Uriquidy came in a blew up, y'all would still be whining. Barco came in, made a few mistakes, didn't panic, and finished the 10th. You put him back in.

@dmarshiii @DTonPirates Base on last year? He has two appearances.

@Pirates @jakemangum15 @WheelofFortune Can I buy an M?Help a guy out? Would love to get this order in before the 25% off promo ends. Love this guy's energy.