Blast from The Past

Maybe in an attempt to channel successful Pirates teams of old the Pirates have resigned a former Pirate.  No, they haven't reached out to Barry Bonds to come out of his steroid induced retirement.  They have signed Jay Bell to be the new hitting coach for the team.  My emotions are very mixed on this signing.  On the one hand Jay Bell was a definite fan favorite in Pittsburgh and quality shortstop from 1989-1996.  He had his challenges in his early career with the Pirates, shuttling between the big leagues and Triple A, but he soon became a fixture in the lineup and holds the Pirates record for sac bunts in a year.  That doesn't really seem exciting, but those bunts led to a lot of runs.  On the other hand he has a lack of experience in the big leagues as a hitting coach.  In 2012 he spent the year as a hitting coach for the Mobile BayBears.  No, they are not a MLB expansion franchise, they are the Diamonbacks AA team.  Doesn't really instill optimism that Jay will produce with the Pirates.  Seems like the Pirates are really grasping on this move, but it is good to see a former Pirate favorite back in the fold.  I hope the positive memory doesn't fade because of a failure to produce a formidable offense from the current crop of young Pirate hitters.



In other news, Pascual Perez, a former Pirate, but more known as a Brave and Yankee was found dead in his home Thursday.  I'll remember him for his hurky jerky windup, but most likely many people will remember him for his drug problems and suspensions.  When he was in the lineup it was fun to see him pitch because he always seemed to pitch with enthusiasm.