The World Champion Phillies think they will be stronger with Raul Ibanez instead of Pat Burrell in left field. Spring Training is officially underway, and all is right with the world again. That means it’s time for us to step up our baseball coverage, starting with the completion of our free agent...

(First part of a three-part mid-season review by Tribe Report writers James Pete, Ron Vallo and Brian La Shier) I could sum up the Tribe’s first-half offense with one five-letter word. S-U-C-K-S !! But since you came to this Web site for info, I assume you are looking for a little more than th...

PNC Park | 7:05 | Herrera vs. Todd Wellemeyer | Box Yoslan Herrera joins the list of Pirate hurlers who do not appear ready for prime time. He was creamed for six runs in 4-1/3. The rest of the bullpen was nicked pretty good and the Pirates found themselves down 10-4 going into the bottom of the 8th...

Read an earlier piece written tonight by fellow Tribe Report writer, Ron Vallo–In Appreciation of Cliff Lee Ben Francisco’s second three-hit game in a row boosted another sterling Cliff Lee pitching performance as the Cleveland Indians shut-out the Tampa Bay Rays 5-0 at Cleveland’s...

U.S. Cellular Field | 8:11 | Gorzelanny vs. Mark Buehrle | Box Pre-Game Thoughts In the 38th round of the 1998 draft, the Pirates picked 15th and picked Shaun Skrehot from the University of Houston. For a 38th round pick, the no-hit SS had a decent career. He reached AAA and was playing at that leve...

Camden Yards | 1:35 | Maholm vs. Daniel Cabrera | Box The Pirates staked starter Paul Maholm to an early four run lead. And he pitched well enough - two earned in six - to get the win. But, with some help from an error by Jose Bautista to start the 9th, Matt Capps blew the lead by giving up a pair o...

Camden Yards | 7:05 | Dumatrait vs. Brian Burres | Box I believe I committed one of the seven deadly sins tonight. With the Pirates leading 6-1 after three, I began having greedy thoughts. Thoughts of a .500 club on June 13 or later for the first time since (I had to look it up) 1999 when the team w...

Busch Stadium | 8:15 | Gorzelanny vs. Adam Wainwright | Box The Pirates fell behind early. However, Jason Michaels blasted a two out pinch hit grand slam in the seventh off of Adam Wainwright to put the Pirates back in the game. Jason Bay delivered a two out single in the next frame for the game win...

A ball from Jeff Bennett nearly takes off Jason Michaels's vest. Video on Flickr....

Roundup of links! According to Jamey Newberg, Jason Botts has cleared waivers.  He probably won't get another chance with the Rangers though. Gordon Edes notes that the Red Sox have five picks in the first three rounds of the June draft.  Even though they don't start until the 30th pick, t...