Pittsburgh --Your favorite Pittsburgh Pirates blogger was spared today from a wayward "fastball" from Pirates left-hander Oliver Perez. Pirates fan and baseballgeeks.com fan RJ Warner planned on siting behind home plate for this afternoon's game between the Bucs and Arizona Diamondbacks but was able to avoid injury. The hero who saved the amateur sports writer? God. He rained out the game.
Seriously, I was disappointed that the game was rained out and that I didn't get a shot at a souveneir. No makeup date has been announced. Since the D-Backs are not scheduled to be in Pittsburgh again this year, I have a feeling it will be one of those "wait and see" deals, where if one of the teams is in contention (HA!) they will actually attempt to make it up. It will more than likely go unplayed.
Back to Perez, I did hear something interesting on the radio. We have been wondering in Pittsburgh whatever happened to Oliver Perez's fastball. Consistently clocked at 97 mph in 2004, it has only topped out at 89-90 this year. Many, including Perez himself and manager Jim Tracy, know that he has severe mechanical issues, with his release points and delivery. That can't explain, however, the TOTAL loss of velocity. Mid-to-upper 90's down to high 80's is a HUGE difference at the major league level.
The broadcaster pointed out that, mechanical issues or not, a guy should get pissed off every now and then and be able to rear back and uncork one at 97 mph, especially if he was able to do it in the past.
This is when they mentioned the S word. They pointed out that many of the recent drug suspensions have been pitchers at the minor league level, and that pitchers have been getting a free pass on the major league level when it comes to all the suspicion and speculation.
Granted, they're going down a very slippery slope and it's just speculation, but I couldn't help but find it an interesting point, you know, in this Day and Age we live in here on Planet Baseball.
Personally, I believe it's a mostly a lack of work in the past two offseasons that have set back Perez. In 2005, he was told by Pirates management to take it easy and not throw too much. He took the advice way to literally and didn't throw at ALL. He came in to camp so far behind he wasn't able to catch up. Then he kicked a laundry cart and missed most of the season.
This year, he pitched for team Mexico in the WBC, and didn't get the work in he would have in Bradenton with the Pirates at spring training.
I believe that explains the mechanical issues.
The disappearing fastball? Hmmmmmmmmmm.........
(Cue Twighlight zone music)
Stay dry,
RJ
Sorry you missed the game... enjoyed the post, though.