The 2008 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 127th season of the franchise; the 122nd in the National League. This was their eighth season at PNC Park. It was the first under new president Frank Coonelly, general manager Neal Huntington, and manager John Russell. Unable to improve on their 68–94, last place finish during the 2007 season, the Pirates had not had a winning record or made it to the playoffs since 1992, and finished 67–95 for their 16th straight losing season. The season was the final of play-by-play announcer Lanny Frattare, whose 33-year tenure as Pirates' broadcaster was the longest in franchise history.[2][3]
On November 5, 2007, John Russell was introduced as the Pirates manager, replacing Jim Tracy.[4] Team management cited three areas that the franchise hoped to improve: "refocused emphasis on fundamentals", holding players to a higher standard, and signing younger players.[5] The Pirates won their season opener against the Atlanta Braves, by the score of 12–11, in 12 innings.[6] The Pirates played their home opener against the division-rival Chicago Cubs on April 7, losing 10–8, also in 12 innings.[7] The Pirates started out the season with a 7–7 record after the first half-month; however, after a five-game losing streak they began to struggle, finishing out April with an 11–16 record. The Pirates losing continued as they dropped three of four to the Washington Nationals to begin May. The team fought back, winning six straight games—the most consecutive since 2004,[8] to bring their record within one victory of a .500 record. Throughout the remainder of May the team struggled, but never fell more than four games under .500. Throughout the early months of the season closer Matt Capps was perfect, getting saves in 15 consecutive opportunities. However, on June 10, Capps gave up a two-run home run to the Nationals, losing his first decision of the season.[9] In addition, Capps would blow saves in two of his next three appearances; however, he achieved his first win of the season after an extra-inning victory over the Baltimore Orioles.[10]
Pittsburgh went 6–9 in interleague play,[11] including two wins against the New York Yankees who returned to Pittsburgh for the first time since the 1960 World Series.[12] On July 12, in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates came back to win a game that they trailed by six runs in the seventh inning. It was only the second time in the past 25 years that the Pirates won at home after scoring runs in the seventh, eighth, ninth, and extra innings.[13] The Pirates finished out the remainder of July with a 6–9 record—50–58 overall. On the final day of July, the Pirates made a deal with the Yankees to send outfielder Xavier Nady and pitcher Dámaso Marte in return for Jeff Karstens, Daniel McCutchen, Ross Ohlendorf and José Tábata.[14] Later in the day the team became involved in a three-team deal in which the Pirates sent Jason Bay to the Boston Red Sox in return for four players from the Los Angeles Dodgers.[15] The Pirates won seven of the first 18 games in August before dropping ten consecutive games to close out the month. Pittsburgh entered the final month of the season 21 games below the .500 mark. On September 7, the Pirates lost their 82nd game of the season, tying them with the Philadelphia Phillies as the only two franchises in professional sports history to have losing records in 16 consecutive seasons.[16][17] The Pirates concluded their season on September 28 with a victory against the San Diego Padres.[18] The team became the second in the Pirates' 122-year history to have no pitchers to win 10 games.[19] The performance of the pitchers lead the team to fire pitching coach Jeff Andrews after the season.[20]
Jason Bay was selected as the winner of the Chuck Tanner Award for "professionalism, cooperation and availability to and with Major League writers best assists them in carrying out daily responsibilities."[28]
Nate McLouth received the Roberto Clemente as "the Pirates player who best exemplifies the standard of excellence achieved by Clemente."[28]
Transactionsedit
Pre-seasonedit
(October 29, 2007 – March 24, 2008)
On November 5, 2007, the Pittsburgh Pirates hired John Russell as manager.[29]
On November 7, 2007, the Pittsburgh Pirates promoted Bryan Minniti to director of baseball operations, hired Greg Smith as director of scouting and hired Kyle Stark as director of player development.[30]
On November 9, 2007, the Pittsburgh Pirates named Chuck Tanner as a senior advisor to the baseball operations department.[31]
On November 16, 2007, the Pittsburgh Pirates declined contract option for César Izturis.[32]
On January 14, 2008, the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed Adam LaRoche to a 1-year/$5 million contract.[44]
On January 17, 2008, the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed José Bautista to a 1-year/$1.8 million contract.[45]
On January 18, 2008, the Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed Xavier Nady to a 1-year/$3.35 million contract and John Grabow to a 1-year/$1.135 million contract.[46]
On January 23, 2008, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Jaret Wright to a Minor League contract.[47]
^Robinson, Alan (October 1, 2008). "Frattare retires after 33 seasons with Pirates". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
^"Pittsburgh Pirates play-by-play announcer Lanny Frattare to retire after 33 seasons" (Press release). PittsburghPirates.com. October 1, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
^Meyer, Paul (November 5, 2007). "Pirates make it official, name Russell manager". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
^Langosch, Jenifer (September 28, 2008). "Results not there, but hopes high". PittsburghPirates.com. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
^Langosch, Jenifer (April 1, 2008). "How's that for openers?". PittsburghPirates.com. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
^Langosch, Jenifer (April 7, 2008). "Bucs' comeback bid falls in 12". PittsburghPirates.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
^Langosch, Jenifer (May 12, 2008). "Pirates' bats mostly silent in Game 2". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
^Langosch, Jenifer (June 10, 2008). "Capps' first blown save leads to loss". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
^Kovacevic, Dejan (July 10, 2008). "McLouth's two-run blast lifts Pirates past Yankees". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
^Musselman, Ron (June 15, 2008). "Pirates, Indians struggle with lack of attendance". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
^Krise, Todd (July 13, 2008). "A day later, Bucs reflect on victory". MLB.com. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
^"Pirates acquire three starting pitchers and an outfielder for Nady and Marte" (Press release). PittsburghPirates.com. July 26, 2008. Archived from the original on July 29, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2008.
^"Pirates deal Bay for four prospects" (Press release). MLB.com. July 31, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
^Kovacevic, Dejan (September 8, 2008). "Pirates reach tragic number with 82nd loss". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 8, 2008.
^Langosch, Jenifer (April 1, 2008). "Pirates not affected by 'the streak'". PittsburghPirates.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
^Wilson, Bernie (September 28, 2008). "Bucs finish with win; Padres have big decisions". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
^Kovacevic, Dejean (September 25, 2008). "No 10-game winners for Pirates' pitching staff". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
^Kovacevic, Dejean (September 29, 2008). "Pirates fire pitching coach Andrews". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
^"2008 Pittsburgh Pirates Schedule and Results". Baseball-Reference.com.
^"Major League Baseball Stats | pirates.com: Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
^"Major League Baseball Stats | pirates.com: Stats". Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
^"Pittsburgh's Nady earns Bank of America Presents the National League Player of the Week honors" (Press release). MLB.com. April 7, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
^Gonzalez, Alden (June 16, 2008). "Doumit, Nolasco share NL honors". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
^Langosch, Jenifer (July 16, 2008). "McLouth's skills shine in NL's loss". MLB.com. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
^"Box Score". 2008 All Star Game. MLB.com. July 16, 2008. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
^ abLangosch, Jenifer (October 7, 2008). "Two tabbed by Pittsburgh writers". PittsburghPirates.com. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
^Langosch, Jenifer (November 5, 2007). "Russell named Pirates manager". MLB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
^Langosch, Jenifer (November 7, 2007). "Huntington fills out front-office staff". MLB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
^Langosch, Jenifer (November 9, 2007). "Pirates name Tanner senior advisor". MLB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2012.