|
|
 |
|
Ryan Doumit's final season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, highlighted here
This says it all, for now
Sept. 28, 2011 -- "The last couple days I've just been trying to enjoy it," Doumit
said. "I know the probability of me being back is probably slim, but I've just been trying to enjoy the last couple
of days and soak it all in."
During the deafening silence... look at this
Sept. 27, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit made a pinch hit appearance in Milwaukee tonight and drew a walk in
the Pirates unsuccessful effort to get a second straight win off the playoff-bound Brewers.
This pinch hit appearance
is sort of a big deal because it's the first at-bat for Doumit since his Friday night two-hit game in the series
opener against the Reds.
During that game, Doumit took a fast ball off Reds first baseman Joey Votto's bat. He completed
the game but sat out Saturday and again Sunday.
On Monday Root Sports television announcers said Doumit was "unofficially
unavailable" because of that knock to the head.
On Sunday during the players traditional final home game meet-and-greet
at the gates, ryandoumit.com asked (grilled and pestered) Batting Coach Gregg Ritchie about Doumit's health after that
hit Friday. Apparently Coach Ritchie has had a previous career keeping secrets for the KGB because he wouldn't offer
any more than "He will be fine."
"Be" and "is" are two totally different tenses. Point
taken, coach.
The Pirates have one more game left, Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Then, for Doumit and the rest of the Bucs,
it's the offseason.
It's hard to say how much time it will take for Doumit fans to know whether the Pirates will
take his option, strike a different deal, or decline altogether.
IN THE MEANTIME...
This website rarely refers
to blogs because Pirate blogs are just not generally kind to Doumit whether he's batting a .500 game or not.
BUT
there's one out there that states frankly why the Pirates can't afford to let him go. It says stuff like
"If
they want any chance at all to improve on this year's win total, they are going to have to score more runs. They aren't
going to do that without Doumit in the lineup..."
Here's the link. This first installment is part of a
series on the Doumit issue, so keep going back!
The Ryan Doumit Thing by The McEffect.com
|
| The official 2011 Pirates Calendar |
Hello, Mr. September
Sept. 22, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit is capping his 2011 regular season with the hot bat and solid defense his
fans accept as his regular play.
In his last 10 games going into the final homestand this weekend (Sept. 23-25), Doumit
is hitting .333 with four two-hit games in that segment of his September. He smacked his 125th career double on Tuesday, Sept.
20 down the right field line, his 12 of the season and another RBI.
This season the most tenured player on the Pirates
team is carrying a .479 slugging percentage and an .828 OPS.
The Mr. September part is not made up. In the licensed 2011
Pirates Calendar, Doumit is Mr. September. (see photo)
The Pirates take on the Reds for the final homestand. The current
roster has almost enough catchers to field a soccer team, so keep fingers crossed that No. 41 will catch at least one of those
games. Two of more would be fitting for his loyal fans as this off season gets dicey: Will the Pirates take that unique 2-year
option that is part of his contract, or pay the buyout and part ways with their second round draft pick from 1999?
ryandoumit.com
will be at the ballpark for all three games of the final homestand - with photos and any type of fan stuff gathered this
weekend to be posted during that final road trip against the Brewers.
Hot hot hot
Sept.
8, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit is locked in.
In his past 10 games he's batting .429 with 12 hits and four RBI. He
has 8 homeruns on the year carrying a .294 average over the season with a .345 OBP and slugging .472.
The Altoona Mirror,
home newspaper to the Pirates AA affiliate, the Altoona Curve, raised the question of how much value the Pirates are
putting on Doumit as he enters a crucial time in his contract. He is due for either a 2-year, $15 million-plus renewal, or
a $500,000 buyout.
You can link to the Altoona article below.
That stellar play isn't just offensive work. On
Tuesday night against the Houston Astros at home Doumit made what the Los Angeles Times called a "superlative"
catch and tag play to prevent a Houston runner from scoring. The play was No. 4 on Sportscenter's Top Ten Plays that night!
This is what Doumit had to say to the Altoona sportswriter about his performance since coming off the disabled list in August
and that lack of predicted "struggle" to be comfortable at the plate.
"I wouldn't say that I'm
surprised," he said. "I don't want to sound cocky, but I'm pretty confident in what I'm capable of doing.
I'm very fortunate with the way that it has worked out. But surprised? No."
Read the Altoona Mirror article here
Doumit
throws their caution to the wind
Aug. 5, 2011 -- Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle
tried to temper Ryan Doumit's return from the disabled list this week with a reminder that most players returning from
a long absence need 20-25 at-bats to get their form back.
In Doumit's first two full games back, Thursday against
the Cubs and Friday against the Padres, he went 2-for-4 and 2-for-5 with three singles and a home run.
This is what was
on the official Pirates site on Wednesday, the first day Doumit was activated:
"There are questions, too, about how quickly Doumit will be able to find his footing on the offensive end.
He went 8-40 during his rehab stint and hasn't always gotten off to a great start when he's come off the disabled
list in the past."
This is what Doumit said in that same article:
"The ankle felt great,"
Doumit said. "I'm ready. I'm full go. I expect to pick up right where I left off."
While the team
still struggles on the pitching end and has chalked up 8 consecutive losses now, the tenured catcher has been doing his part
offensivley, as he pledged, picking up where he left off in May.
Superman returns to aid struggling Bucs
Aug. 3, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit was activated off the 60-day disabled list today and returned to Pittsburgh
to assist a team that is on a multi-game slide after a brief stint at the top of the National League Central standings a few
weeks ago.
At the All-Star Break the Pirates had three players on the NL roster and were referred to frequently during
the midsummer classic game as "the suprising Pirates."
That surprise has lost some of its shine as the Bucs
lost their sixth consecutive game tonight, losing for the third time in a row, at home, to their division foes, the Cubs.
The Cubs, about 20 games under .500, pulled the Bucs to below .500 for the first time in a month with this third defeat
in a four-game series.
Doumit was not put behind the plate to catch Charlie Morton, who pitched seven innings of shutout
ball before taking a seat. Manager Clint Hurdle had told Pittsburgh media he wouldn't unplug the defensively successful
Mike McKenry from catching with Doumit's return. It was reported there would be more of an even catching tandem between
the two.
Eric Fryer, the second catcher before Doumit's return, was optioned to AAA Indianapolis today.
Earlier
this week, Hurdle said in an interview that he'd talked to Doumit on the phone when No. 41 was still at Indy on a rehab
assignment, and that Doumit told the skipper he was ready, eager to return and help the club.
Hurdle said he told Doumit
that the bat doesn't pick up where it left off, and that most guys reinstated need 20 at-bats or so to regain their timing,
their pop, so to speak.
So on his first day back, with two outs in a 1-0 game in the bottom of the ninth, Hurdle sent
Doumit to the plate.
In the last few years Doumit has been a 9th inning hero at times. It could have been a managerial
decision to try to repeat that kind of performance. It could have been a calculated guess that Doumit, after 80 at-bats in
two levels of play during his rehab assignment (Bradenton and Indianapolis), the catcher could catch a Cubs closer Carlos
Marmol fastball and at least tie the game. It could have been throwing the newly rehabbed catcher under the bus.
It turned
out No. 41 couldn't check his swing on a 3-2 pitch and the Pirates lost No. 6.
Doumit is expected to catch the final
Cubs game for James MacDonald Thursday night at PNC.
Eager to return
July 31, 2011 -- Pirates Catcher Ryan Doumit has been following the successful play of the major league
team from his rehabilitation assignment and is eager to get back and be that big bat in the Bucs line-up.
The Pirate
Baseball Blog "Rum Bunter" has a video interview on this subject. Follow the link below.
Rum Bunter video interview
Doumit catching full games in Indy; curious move
July 31, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit caught a full 9-innings for the Indianapolis Indians as part of his
rehabilitation assignment Saturday, working his way back to the Pirates.
In a curious move, he was moved from the 15-day
Disabled List to the 60-day late Saturday night to make room for the newly acquired first baseman, Derek Lee.
Lee was
acquired from Baltimore for a minor leaguer.
Some speculate the DL move for Doumit was the simplest way to make room
on the 40-man roster to get Lee to Pittsburgh right away. Since Doumit has been on the DL since the end of May, he could come
off the 60-day in early August. Doumit's left ankle was fractured by Carlos Pena sliding through it on a play at the plate
in Chicago in May.
Pittsburgh sports writers speculated that Doumit would return to Pittsburgh by the weekend homestand
this coming week, but that was prior to the move to the 60-day DL.
No. 41 went 1-4 with a walk and two runs for Indy
Saturday.
Editor's note: apologies for the lack of updates recently, in part because the web admin was on vacation
when Doumit was assigned to Indy and she's not techie enough to take a computer with her on vacation.
|
| Ryan Doumit in spring training, Bradenton, Fla. 2011 |
Finally some
fresh information: Doumit begins light baseball activity
July
7, 2011 -- Media outlets are reporting the Ryan Doumit has started light baseball activity in Bradenton, Fla. at
the Pirates facility there. He has been down there over a month rehabilitating the fractured ankle.
Because there was
no displacement or ligament damage in the fracture, the word is he just had to wait for the bone to heal.
Light baseball
activity does not mean catching games yet. He will go through all phases of baseball activity and then should be placed in
games in a rehab assignment at some level before being activated off the disabled list to rejoin the team.
The Pirates
have climbed above the .500 mark with effective pitching and timely offense, as of today in third place in the division, one
game behind the second place Brewers, with another series win, this time against Houston at home. The positive spot for Doumit
fans is the comments by management and analysts that their position can only be helped by getting Doumit's power
bat back in the lineup.
Holding the dish warm for him is Michael McKenry, an acquisition for a player to be named later
and/or cash from Boston. Pirates Catcher Chris Snyder had back surgery for a herniated disk a few weeks ago and is expected
to take longer to recover than Doumit's fracture.
|
| Ryan Doumit with Dusty Brown Sunday, June 13 at PNC Park. (Zimbio photo) |
CORRECTION:
Doumit will soon be rehabbing in Florida
Edtior's note:
This story has been updated to correct misinformation and one flagrant mistake. Apologies to readers. Changes are underlined.
June 13, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit is supposed to report tot he Pirates facility in Florida sometime
this week to begin rehabilitation work on that fractured ankle.
Several media outlets (thanks Rotoworld and Post-Gazette)
said Doumit went last Thursday, but he was at PNC Park for the weekend games. (Apologies for the misinformation published
here.)
Doumit was injured during a play the plate when Carlos Pena of the New York Mets slid into his block to score
at the Mets home field.
Doumit is wearing a boot on his left ankle.
Pirates Catcher Chris Snyder
has hurt his lower back - he began the season on the disabled list this year for lower back issues - and had back surgery
on Friday, June 10.
In addition to Dusty Brown, called up from Indianapolis, and a brief stint by Wyatt Toregas,
also from the Indians, the Pirates traded a player to be named later and/or cash for the Boston Red Sox Mike McKenry
this weekend.
There is some media speculation that Doumit will get to aggressively rehab that ankle - since there
are no tears to ligaments -- to help the Pirates cause sooner rather than later. That is just speculation.
Play at plate
takes Doumit out of game
May 30, 2011 --
A play at home plate in the final game of the Cubs series at Chicago Sunday took Ryan Doumit out of the game.
A runner's
knee crashed through Doumit's left ankle.
On Monday the Pirates site said Doumit will not go with the team on to
New York for a four-game series against the Mets, and will return to Pittsburgh for an MRI on Tuesday.
The site is also
reporting the team will likely have to place Doumit on the disabled list to clear space to call up a catcher to back up Chris
Snyder.
Other sites are speculating that a trip to the DL could put Doumit out of consideration for trade to the New
York Giants after World Series Champion Catcher Buster Posey broke his leg on a play at the plate last week.
A link to
the Pirates coverage of the incident with Doumit and the video is below.
Play at the plate injures No. 41
The numbers speak for themselves
May 22, 2011 -- Going into today's game, Ryan Doumit had caught three straight for perhaps the
first time since Chris Snyder joined the team after a disabled list stint.
He's been too productive to sit.
His
10-game average is .355.
In the last three starts he had 13 at-bats, five hits and a homerun.
To date this season
(30 games) Doumit has 85 at bats, 25 hits (four doubles, four homers, 15 RBI) and an OBP of .362. His SLG is .482, his season
average is .294 and his OPS is.844.
Read a box score with Doumit in the line up these last few days and he has
the highest average of the nine players.
"It's tough," Doumit said in a recent Post-Gazette video interview
of spending so much time on the bench. He said he does his best to be prepared when his name is called.
The proof is
in the numbers.
Superman is as Superman does
May 8, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit caught an excellent outing by James McDonald at PNC Park
today, only to watch the Pirates 2-0 lead get blown in the seventh by struggling relievers who allowed four runs for the Houston
Astros.
Superman wasn't about to let that happen.
In the eighth inning with two men on and one out, Doumit came
up batting on the right side of the plate and lasered a high fastball into the center field seats, turning a 4-2 Houston Astros
win to a 5-4 score in favor of the Pirates in the eighth.
Closer Joel Hanrahan slammed the door on it in the ninth, his
10th save of the season.
That homerun had some historic significance:
-- It was Doumit's 50th career home
run.
-- It bumped him to third place all-time on the Pirates list for most home runs by a catcher (Jason Kendall is in
first with 66, Tony Pena is next with 63).
-- It brought the Pirates record to .500 - which is the latest in the season
the Pirates have been at .500 since 2002.
For his efforts at the game, the Mother's Day crowd of just over 17,000
demanded a curtain call.
Superman came to the top of the dugout steps to accept the praise.
The Astros changed pitchers
at that time.
Doumit's grand slam breaks open game
for another road win
May 5, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit spent the west coast road trip
as the every-third-day catcher, patiently biding his time to contribute. In his second start of the trip Wednesday, he helped
the Pirates' cause with a grand slam in the top of the third inning.
Batting from the right, Doumit ripped a 3-2
pitch placed up and middle by San Diego Padres starter Clayton Richard over the left center field wall. The ball never got
more than 30-40 feet in the air according to media reports, but the wall is at 401 feet, so the ball traveled a few past that,
clearing the bases and giving Bucs starter Kevin Correia a 7-0 lead to work with going into the bottom of the third.
Doumit
told Root Sports in an on-camera interview after the game that he was looking for a pitch up to drive to the outfield for
a sacrifice fly to score Andrew McCutchen off third, saw the pitch he wanted and "got good wood on it."
The
Pirates went on to win 7-4, winning the San Diego series with two of three games in hand, after winning the Colorado Rockies
series over the weekend taking two of three.
When asked about the road wins this season already exceeding the total for
2009 Doumit said "it's a different team this year."
Doumit went 2 for 3 in the game with a walk and four
RBI. He had a awesome force-out slide into second base earlier in the game to break up a double play with one out and allow
a Pirates run to score.
Doumit's previous start was Sunday, May 3 in Colorado going 1 for 3.
So far this season
in 20 games Doumit has 9 RBI, on OBP of .333 and an SLG of .426.
The Pirates are off today (May 5) and start a home series
against the Astros Friday.
Click on the link below to see MLB video of Doumit's grand slam in San Diego.
Doumit's third career grand slam
Hurdle: Doumit more of a 1a
April 25, 2011 -- When Chris Snyder returned from his rehab assignment a week ago (back problems), he stepped in as
the primary catcher. Skipper Clint Hurdle, who doesn't mince words, confirmed for MLB.com that Snyder is the team's
No. 1 catcher.
He doesn't consider Ryan Doumit a "Sunday catcher" kind of guy, however. "It's not the drop-off that you see with a lot of clubs
where you have the catcher that catches the Sunday game or catches the day game after a night game scenario," manager
Clint Hurdle said to MLB.com.
Hurdle went on to say that Doumit has worked very hard on the things he was asked
to address in the off season, including his blocking and his throws to second to catch base runners.
"He has
worked extremely hard," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It was a rock in his shoe. That was one of his big focus points
coming into camp. He's worked extremely hard at it. We've seen some of the benefits already of his hard work."
Doumit is averaging about 30 percent in catching base runners so far and has gained some attention in his improved
defense behind the dish.
The link to the full article on the Pirates having a No. 1 and a No. 1a catcher is below.
Doumit has stayed productive in his limited playing time. He caught a Jeff Karstens win on Saturday, April 23 with an RBI
single in the first inning where the Pirates knocked in 5 for a 7-2 win overall.
Bucs catchers put team in unique situation
Doumit has strong showing in opening series
April 13, 2011 -- The Pittsburgh Pirates returned home to PNC Park for the first series of the 2011
season against the Colorado Rockies, where catcher Ryan Doumit launched his first homerun of the season and kept up the solid
defense he's displayed since the start of the season.
Through the first 10 games, Doumit has had 26 at bats, 2 runs,
7 hits, 1 homerun, 3 RBI a walk and 8 K.
Superman's first home run - 408 feet over center field, came Saturday night
with Lyle Overbay on base to score 2 runs and tie the Pirates with the Rockies early. Doumit also had a double that night
and was pulled for a pinch runner late in the game as Manager Clint Hurdle managed players around the field to try to give
home fans the win.
The Pirates fell in that series 3 games to 1.
The first game against the Milwaukee Brewers was
postponed for weather Tuesday and the series begins a day late Wednesday before the Bucs hit the road to Cincinnati on Friday
(April 15) for a four game series against the Reds.
A photo album of the opening series will be
up soon!
|
|
|
Returning to the phone booth that is PNC
- and a BUNT!
April 6, 2011 -- The Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park for the
home opener Thursday against the Colorado Rockies, carrying in a winning road record, two series wins and some "did you
see that?" plays from Superman and the 2011 Bucs.
Doumit appeared in the 9th inning of the April 5 game to pinch
hit with two outs in the ninth of the 4-3 game. He wrapped a single up the middle and was relieved by a pinch runner.
In
Wednesday's day game, Doumit caught an excellent Kevin Correia performance, drove in the first run of the game with an
RBI double, and ... wait for it:
He bunted -- successfully of course -- in the 8th to move runner Pedro Alvarez from
second to third base.
The catcher. Bunting out of the 7 slot. The Clint Hurdle era is here.
PNC Park is expected
to be filled to the gills for the opener, with a ceremony honoring the late, great Chuck Tanner (a Doumit advocate these past
four years). It is expected Doumit will split catching duties in some ratio with Jason Jaramillo this four game series.
Charity run
The Pittsburgh Pirates Charities organization is having its first 5K Home Run on
Saturday morning, April 9, at 8 a.m. ryandoumit.com will be represented! Look for the t-shirt with Superman on the front
during or after the race and mention you've been to the site to receive your Doumit baseball card. (You will get your
card as soon as she's sure she isn't dying from the run, that is.)
|
| Doumit waits at second base during a pitching change in the April 10 game. |
Game 1: Doumit
plays to form
April 2, 2011 -- In a 6-3 Opening
Day win of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley, Ryan Doumit played his game.
A few years ago, Doumit said in a Pirates magazine
feature: "You know what? I'm not worried about what other people think, I know what I'm capable of doing."
He showed all that in the Pirates opener with what local media - generally critical of Doumit - are calling excellent defense
behind the plate, including recieving, blocking balls and gunning down his first base runner of the year trying to steal second
with a perfect throw to Ronny Cedeno for the third out.
Superman was 1 for 3 at the plate with a single, a run and a
walk, scoring from third base on second baseman Neil Walker's grand slam in the fifth.
Doumit to catch Pirates
season opener
March 31, 2011 -- For
the fourth straight season, Ryan Doumit is catching the season opener for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pittsburgh Pirates
flew into Chicago today to prepare for their season opener against the division rival Cubs Friday, an afternoon game at Wrigley.
He'll catch first year Bucco and seasoned pitcher Kevin Correia and bat sixth, according to Manager Clint Hurdle's
penciled in line-up Thursday.
Catcher Chris Snyder was put on the disabled list today with lower back issues.
|
| Chris Snyder, Ryan Doumit and Tony Sanchez |
Cream rises
to the top
March 29, 2011 -- Three days
from the season opener, there is a now a very good chance Ryan Doumit will start that game as the team's primary catcher.
After a winter of trade speculation, after the first few days of Spring Training in Bradenton, Fla. where Doumit told one
reporter "I'm already tired of talking about it," -- about whether this was his last ST as a Buc, about the
possibility of being traded, about the upheaval in his role since the acquisition of Chris Snyder at the trade deadline last
season and his loss of what seemed to be a guaranteed right field platoon with the acquisition of Matt Diaz in the off season.
If Doumit fans are tired of hearing about what might happen, imagine what it must be like to be Doumit. It is his style
to report every day ready to practice, ready to play, ready to contribute to his team, and that has been the case this spring
training, from all accounts - media, fan and casual observer.
As Spring Training's calendar moved along and Doumit
was not moved as Pittsburgh media outlets still expected, the question became: Would the Pirates carry three catchers on the
25-man? If so, who, besides Snyder and Doumit?
There was one temporary setback that lasted a few days when Doumit reported
a "bee sting" feeling on his right side diagnosed as a strained oblique. Speculation was rampant on how long that
would take to fix, and how that would affect team plans. Doumit was back in games a few days later, telling one reporter
via text message he was "A-OK."
In one of the final roster cuts in the past few days, Rusty Brown was sent
to Triple A Indianapolis, leaving Snyder, Jason Jaramillo and Doumit in camp.
Snyder has played minimally this Grapefruit
League season due to lower back pain, always professing he'd be ready to crouch behind the plate in the bottom of the
first inning at Wrigley Field on April 1, opening day for Major League Baseball.
Snyder played one GL game last week
and has since had a setback. While Manager Clint Hurdle's position is to not talk about injuries, General Manager Neal
Huntington said this weekend that yes, it is likely Snyder will have to start the season on the disabled list. That would
bring Doumit and Jaramillo to opening day, one of them getting the start.
Doumit
'out a few' with tweaked oblique
March 11, 2011 -- Ryan Doumit was scratched
from the travel roster for today's spring training game in Port Charlotte against the Tampa Bay Rays for a sore oblique
muscle.
The catcher reportedly "tweaked" the muscle on his right side two days ago. MLB.com's Jenn
Longosch reported Thursday night after the loss to the Orioles that Doumit would be day-to-day and evaluated Friday.
Today
the Post-Gazette is reporting that Doumit was evaluated by team physicians today and will be again Wednesday.
Doumit
told the Post Gazette it felt like a "bee sting" after practice the other day.
On the PBC Blog this morning:
But, earlier this morning, Doumit said: "I'm hoping the next couple of days I will get back out there."
|
|
Check out Ryan's Spring Training Photo Album! Photos of Superman hard at work during early Spring Training have been added with a new feature,
a digital photo album exclusive to ryandoumit.com! Follow the link!
|
A warm greeting between past and present
March 3, 2011 -- On Monday the Baltimore Orioles visited McKechnie Field in Bradenton
to play the Pirates in a spring training game. Little was made in Pittsburgh media reports about that being the first time
John Russell was back at McKechnie since he was released as the Pirates manager last fall, but for a few players it was a
big deal, in a good way.
This from the Sarasota paper:
John Russell's first return to McKechnie Field since
he was fired as the Pittsburgh manager ended Monday with the Orioles third base coach and Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit greeting
each other with a handshake and an embrace.
"It was weird seeing him in those colors," Doumit said, "but
I'm happy he's back in the big leagues."
Russell, a catcher himself during his playing career - including
catching one of Ryan Nolan's perfect games - had always been an advocate for Doumit. "He's a guy I'm always going
to have a spot in my heart for," Doumit said. "I respect him. He's a great manager, a great teacher and a great
friend. He taught me a lot. Being a former catcher himself, he was always in my corner helping me out defensively with my
catching," Doumit told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
The link to the full story is below.
Oriole's Russell welcomed by former team
|
|
|
The Pittsburgh Pirates hosted the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 19, 20
and 21. Catcher Ryan Doumit started the Friday night and Sunday games behind the dish and ryandoumit.com was there to capture
the action! This newly added web-based album has over 20 new photos of Ryan from that weekend.
Follow the link!http://ryandoumit.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1314838570
Because nothing beats seeing No. 41 play ball!
|
|
| Ryan Doumit in Spring Traininng, Bradenton, Fla. |
Enter content here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| An at-bat early in the season |
Doumit
is out there, making his point
Feb. 28, 2011 --
Spend a few mornings watching the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for the 2011 season in series after series of Spring Training
drills and a few hard workers will stand out.
Among the hardest working guys on this team: Ryan Doumit.
Fans on
various baseball blogs have reported Doumit is "locked in." He's serious about proving that he can play a vital
role in this team's success.
"You the man, Ryan. You." Those words carry a lot of weight when coming from
Manny Sanguillen, the catcher for the 1979 world champion Pirates, who still works with the team as an advisor. He is vocally
supportive of Doumit as this team's catcher of choice over Chris Snyder, who was brought in at the 2010 trade deadline
to take that job.
First year Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle has also been complimentary of not only the effort, but the
mindset of Doumit, going on the record with a variety of media to say Doumit is setting a team-wide example when it comes
to the way he approaches each day as a Pirate this season.
Early games: Doumit was the designated
hitter in the Grapefruit league opener Saturday against Tampa Bay. He had one run, one RBI and a K. On Saturday he was starting
catcher for the struggling Kevin Correia, who lasted less than the scheduled 2 innings (going 1.1). In that game Doumit had
a two-out RBI double, a run, a hit and a stolen base. The passed ball he was charged with that game was attributed to a crossup
in communication with Correia, who earned a 13.5 ERA that game.
Look for it: Lots and lots of
ryandoumit.com exclusive photos from Spring Training will be featured on their own page very soon.
|
| photo via Twitter |
Day 1 of
Spring Training: Media quiz Doumit on his role
Feb.
14, 2011 -- When catchers, pitchers and many position players went through their team physical and meeting before hitting
the fields at Pirate City in Bradenton today, many media outlets agreed there was one subject fresh for the picking: Ryan
Doumit's take on his new role.
Doumit reportedly chose his words carefully, and said he was committed to being the
best player he can be, any position. He denied that he asked the Pirates front office to trade him, and said he wasn't
thinking of this first day as his last first day with the team.
UPDATED FEB. 15 -- From the Tribune-Review's
Tuesday article about Doumit's role:
"I've done all the encouraging
I need to do," (New Manager Clint) Hurdle said. "He's focused. He knows what's at stake. He looks great.
His mindset is good, his head is clean. Just go out and play. Force the issue."
Follow the links below to
read the assorted reports.
Doumit's future with Pirates
Out to prove he still belongs
Doumit: Not even thinking about that
|
| Mr. Tanner talks with Ryan before a game in 2010. |
Time to report,
a great man moves on
Feb. 13, 2011 -- It
is finally here: The day pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton, Fla. for the Pirates Spring Training 2011.
A great
figure in Pirates baseball passed away Friday: Chuck Tanner died at the age of 82. He had been a Pirates Manager in the 1970s
and 80s, leading the "We Are Family" team to a 1979 World Series Win.
In recent years Tanner was senior
advisor to current Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington.
Doumit fans won't forget that it was Mr. Tanner that
watched the competition between Ronny Paulino and backup catcher Ryan Doumit play out in Bradenton four years ago and in a
rare show of fierceness reportedly pounded his fist to the table and told top Pirate officials "Ryan Doumit is your catcher!"
Mr. Tanner was a tremendous asset to the team, not just during his years of manager, but ever since. The New Castle, Pa.
man had a place in his heart for every Pirate player in every level of the system. He truly wanted every young man to believe
in himself and succeed.
Rest in peace, Mr. Tanner.
As articles and photos of Ryan become available from Bradenton, links
will be posted here. Andrea will be there next week to gather everything she can for this site.
A message before Spring Training
Jan. 18, 2011 --From the administrator:
Hi folks! I have tried really hard
not to get on this soapbox, because you come here to read about Ryan Doumit, not hear my opinions. That must be working so
far because during the 2010 season this site had tremendous numbers in terms of hits and page views. All that means is that
tons of people want to know more about and see more of Ryan Doumit.
Since he was drafted in the second round of the amateur
draft in 1999, Ryan has been a Pirate. As of this posting, he still is a Pirate.
Follow him through a couple of games,
a couple of seasons or his career and you'll see how hard Ryan works, how dedicated he is to his team, and how he's
doing exactly what he says he's always wanted to do: Play baseball.
This offseason the Pirates reportedly pushed
hard to trade him. They entertained offers, tried to make deals, tried to move him. They brought in a high-dollar catcher
in Chris Snyder and apparently General Manager Neal Huntington isn't looking back. Ryan Doumit went from being "this
is the core" to dispensable, based on this team's actions.
As long as Ryan Doumit plays major league baseball,
this site will be here. The colors may have to change, if he's traded. This is a fan site, and as the owner of it I'm
pretty confident that you'd be hard pressed to find a more dedicated fan of his than me. What Ryan deserves is to be treated
with respect, allowed to show he's an every-day player with talent who is a threat at the plate and an asset behind it.
What he deserves is to play on a team that uses him effectively, a team that wins. Ryan has earned the right to be on a team
that wins more than it loses, that expects October play and doesn't make empty promises about 'someday.'
That
said, the men on the Pirates roster will report to spring training in Bradenton the week of Feb. 14 under a new manager, Clint
Hurdle. For the first time Ryan didn't attend the mini-camp in January, which is voluntary participation.
As of this
posting, Ryan is not scheduled for Piratefest or any leg of the caravan tour as in the past.
ryandoumit.com will be in
Bradenton for spring training at its start, bringing you whatever tidbits of info and pictures that can possibly be gathered
there.
Stay tuned...
-- Andrea
administrator@ryandoumit.com
Enter supporting content here
|
|
|
|