Bradenton gives Blass his due
Season will be one of celebration
BRADENTON, Fla. — Friday was a special day for 1971 World Series hero and Pirates broadcaster Steve Blass. City of Bradenton mayor Wayne Poston read a proclamation announcing March 15, 2019, as Steve Blass Day during a ceremony before the Pirates 6-6 tie against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Blass was presented with a plaque to commemorate the day along with two framed pictures. The pictures are replicas of ones that will be in the newly named Steve Blass radio booth. Play by play announcer Greg Brown MC’d the ceremony. Owner Bob Nutting, team president Frank Coonelly, and Neal Huntington were all on the field to honor Blass in his 60th and final season in an official capacity with the Pirates.
The 2019 season will be the last time Blass will call games for the Pirates and this will be one of many celebrations for Blass. Clint Hurdle took time to watch as Blass was being feted before the game.
“I don’t know if I can even understand everything he’s been a part of and contributed to for this organization,” Hurdle said. “I try to get these young pitchers to understand the magnitude of pitching two complete games in the World Series. Then getting into a game when the team is down 2-0 and shutting that lineup down. I’ve talked to him many times about that day.”
“I’ve seen all ends of it. I got to face him when he was trying to come back. He’s a pro. Tonight was a very special night for him. He’s most deserving. There’s a good chance you’ll never see this again. A man being able to give 60 years like this. He’s done so much.”
Joe Musgrove is one of the young pitchers that Hurdle has spoken to about the legacy Blass has given.
“He’s done a ton for this organization,” Musgrove said. “He means so much to us. I knew his history here but hearing him say it himself gives you goosebumps. I’m one of the few guys on this team who got to experience a World Series and I could relate to what he was saying.
“The jitters and the sick to your stomach feeling and trying to use that as motivation. It’s a privilege to have that type of pressure. If you look at it that way it helps you to calm down and treat it as what it is. It was an honor to pitch tonight.”
After the ceremony, Musgrove pitched four innings and gave up two runs on four hits in his first outing of the spring. Musgrove is scheduled to start the third game of the season against the Cincinnati Reds. Musgrove is on pace coming off a stress reaction on the front of his pelvic bone and an abdominal wall muscle strain that ended his 2018 season.
Musgrove is healthy and Hurdle noticed the difference.
“It’s different from last spring for sure,” Hurdle said. “He showed up ready. I think he’s always ready. But he’s focused. He shows up and is very intentional. He was very focused and efficient with his time out there. It’s good to see him doing well.”
Kang contributes
Jung Ho Kang has five hits, all home runs, after a long shot to center field in the sixth inning. Kang also made several defensive plays including one in the fourth inning where he went into the Tampa Bay’s dugout to catch a pop-up.
“I count on these guys to make plays,” Musgrove said. “I’m not a strikeout guy so the ball will be in play. Jung Ho was great tonight and it really helps. It’s been great to see him do well.”
Hurdle has noticed Kang’s fitness level continuing to progress.
“He’s been moving so well out there,” Hurdle said. “Ever since camp started. He’s in such great shape and he’s making plays.”
Bright spots
Erik Gonzalez made a step toward winning the battle for shortstop. Gonzalez was 3-for-3 with a stolen base. “It felt good to make contact. I was working on hitting the ball up the middle and it worked,” Gonzalez said . ... Melky Cabrera had a single Friday and has now reached base safely in eight of his past nine games.