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Who Are The Real Pirates
Oct 16, 1965
The Pittsburgh Press
Pittsburgh PA
The Pirate Brass has a mystery to deal with this off season. How did a team that lost three stars to free agency tie for first in mid June, bolster itself for a pennant run with trades, and then collapse to a fifth place finish? What happens in the off season depends largely on determining who are the real Pirates.
The June moves didn't pay off as intended but can't be called bad moves. Second baseman Dick McAuliffe who led all AL second basemen in All Star Game votes before the trade slumped badly with Pittsburgh. So did his trade counterpart Leo Cardenas in Detroit. Jim Palmer was supposed to bolster the starting pitching. Instead he ended up a replacement for Mike Cuellar who suffered a season ending injury.
This off season the choices rest mostly with the Pirates. Among the front line players only starting pitcher Joe Gibbon is eligible for free agency. Other free agents include fan favorite Frank Thomas and utility player Lee Walls. Thomas made the most of limited playing time hitting .359 in 92 at bats. Walls got most of his playing time in AAA where he hit .280 and slugged .523.
On paper the Pirates have a decent team with some young players who should get better. Perhaps the best thing they could do during the off season is sign a popular player who puts fans in the stands.
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