Tony Pirollo

@JMackey_PGH You think there were cracks with Shelton ?

Last night, Don Kelly made a decision that was questioned externally because it didn't work out. Tonight, the opener strategy worked to perfection. I asked Brandon Lowe about Pirates players' belief in Kelly. His answer was impressive.

@DanRolinson I like when these worlds collide

Today's Claret & Brew episode with @MatKendrick and @johntownley11 will be out later this afternoon and we're answering your questions from the Mailbag! @ClaretBluePod | #AVFC

only started following EPL about 3 seasons ago. I’m a Villa fan. This still blows my mind about this league (& sport): your team is pushing for Champions League & Europa title and there is a player in your locker room that is talking about their next move. Teams are talking too

@JaredLankes Brown & Wehner did mention it on the broadcast. Reynolds has regressed defensively, but he doesn’t make as many bonehead plays as Cruz

If Cruz did what Reynolds did then we wouldn’t hear the end of it for weeks. But since it’s Reynolds it’ll be forgotten about quickly.

@sports3783 @colin_beazley I read the answer. And with all due respect, Jazz Chiholm is out of his mind. Right?

@colin_beazley Do you think the pirates could extend Brandon Lowe? If not is there a chance the Pirates can pursue Jazz Chisholm Jr. in free agency after the season?

Still room for a few more Pirates questions if anyone has any…

@JMackey_PGH Any word from Reynolds as to what exactly happened on Monday night when he fell down while tracking a fly ball? The ball ended up bouncing into the stands for a double.

Pirates fans: Gonna write my weekly mailbag a day early because of the schedule. I need your outstanding questions. Whatcha got?

@DanZangrilli 'the appetite for risk and playbook has always been there'. Maybe for individual players. But overall, this owner is risk averse. He doesn't spend enough.

Long post, but some thoughts and anecdotes on today, and the last 15 year track record of the Pirates. Most anytime the Pirates have a homegrown, impact talent that they feel (at the time) is investable, they do it. In fact, I'd say it's more of an outlier when they don't. Since the Pirates dug out of deep debt and bad notes around 2011, they've been fairly aggressive to pay for projected *future* performance. So, I'm not all that shocked by the Griffin deal. Obviously, some deals have worked, some haven't. 2011 - Tabata 6/15m with 3 options 2012 - McCutchen 6/51.5 2015 - JHay 4/27 +2 opt 2016 - Marte 6/31 + 2 opt 2016 - Polanco 5/35 + 2 opt 2022 - Hayes 8/70 2023 - Reynolds 8/107 2026 - Griffin 9/140 They fell short and couldn't get pen to paper with Walker, Cole and, most likely with Skenes. They also have, depending on competitive position and/or poor player performance, hit the eject button on the deals and traded them off (which is fine, I guess). However, the appetite for risk and playbook has always been there. While today is terrific, I'm also somewhat surprised by the surprise, because the track record is there. Thanks for reading.

@Christo58262160 @colin_dunlap Tough guys and macho men (especially the ones in this administration) are going to get US troops killed

@theTonyPirollo @colin_dunlap I’m 100% ok with it. Then again I’m not a pussy

I don’t get it. After harsh threats, the President negotiated a temporary ceasefire and some - particularly on far left - are screaming TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) Did those screaming TACO want more annihilation so you could cheer “I told you so!” I don’t get it.

@colin_dunlap How about he not say anything and not act like a lunatic. Are you OK with what he said?

@theTonyPirollo It’s not the way I’d communicate. Nor speak to an audience. But he was speaking to a regime who has screamed “death to America” for 47 years and killed hundreds of Americans. I guess he should just say “pretty please”

@JMackey_PGH Do anyone ask Reynolds what happened on that ball that he tripped & missed? Was he available to the media in the clubhouse after the game?

Let's talk a little about last night's game and what should be next for the Pirates:

@colin_dunlap @melinda81182093 I know what the topic was. But she made it sound like you had to speak English to be able to drive a car or truck. How come the companies that are employing illegal immigrants aren't being punished? How are these people getting jobs?

@theTonyPirollo @melinda81182093 A CDL in America is what we are talking about. Stay on task, Tony. fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/us-tr…

The real question no one wants to talk about is this: How did so many illegal aliens get a CDL to begin with in Pennsylvania? All the while honest Pennsylvanians had to bring like 106 forms of ID and get meticulously checked up and down to get a REAL ID? cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/new…

@melinda81182093 @colin_dunlap People all around the world who don't speak English drive cars & trucks

@colin_dunlap Now you are talking. Not only are foreigners behind the wheel of a car or truck, they cannot speak English. Look at the number of accidents caused by illegal immigrants who cannot speak or read English.

@SteelCityBucs30 Welcome to the club

The “Super Genius” can’t STAND seeing the pirates succeed

Kudos to @Pittsburgh & @Pirates , the traffic on the North Shore on Opening Day was not a mess...it usually is. They did a great job reducing the gridlock.

@DVERandy Sun out, Gut out

Glorious

@LetsGoBucsHD56 I was a little surprised that they were invited to throw out the first pitch

I was around the club a lot when Kendall and Giles were there. Kendall was a pretty tolerable dude….then Giles came along.

@DomDiTommaso Name names, Dom! Oh wait…is he a hockey guy? (What I said about the self proclaimed genius is true)

@theTonyPirollo Not talking about him

There's a certain Pittsburgh media member who has attacked me several times, trying to pander to fans and insist the Pirates were all talk and wouldn't get any long-term deal done. Funny -- they haven't commented once today about Konnor Griffin. Anyway, hope the Pens win tonight.

@FoulTerritoryTV Maybe he didn’t sign the extension in Spring Training because he wasn’t offered $140 million in Spring Training! Sometimes you guys should shut up

"The timing is all very convenient for keeping a player down until he agrees to a contract extension." The Prospect Promotion Incentive program is absolutely playing into how the Pirates are handling Konnor Griffin.