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Mientkiewicz speaks his mind
Pittsburgh Pirates — Spring training is a time for clichés. In the early moments after pitchers and catchers report, we get a daily assortment of news that we read every year around this time. Pitcher A is eager to get started. Pitcher B has been shut down due to an arm injury. The new manager will passionately preach fundamentals. We have heard it all before. But every once in a while, an article kind of catches you off guard. This piece on Doug Mientkiewicz in today’s Post-Gazette is a breath of fresh air for a Pirates fan. Mientkiewicz is a long shot ...

Spring impressions
Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? — ... three seasons in Minnesota's system, including his rookie-ball debut in 1996. [...] "I don't want people to think I'm here mainly because of Russell, but there are two main people in my life: One is my father, and the other is John. I know how hard he's worked to be here, and I'd love to be part of it." Oh. That makes more sense. He's going to be fun to have in camp, though. I suppose that counts for something. And from the Josh Shortslef injury article: The roster was reduced by one when the Pirates ...