Get ready for another Zach-Attack!!!
I found out last night that my hubby turned down freebie tickets (from PNC Bank! Probably behind the plate at PNC PARK!!) for tonight's game because it's a work night for him. Ask me how perturbed I am! GRRRRRR..... 
WOW!!! Zach earned his first MLB win in his home debut with SEVEN SHUTOUT INNINGS.
7 innings, 112 pitches, 6 hits, NO RUNS, 1 BB, 8 Ks!!!! Relief pitcher replaced Zach to start the 8th inning, Pirates leading 2-0. Final score 2-1 Pirates. Zach's ERA is 1.93 after two starts!
Way to go, Zach!!
7 innings, 112 pitches, 6 hits, NO RUNS, 1 BB, 8 Ks!!!! Relief pitcher replaced Zach to start the 8th inning, Pirates leading 2-0. Final score 2-1 Pirates. Zach's ERA is 1.93 after two starts!
Way to go, Zach!!
Below are a couple of clips of Pirates rookie pitcher Zach Duke.
First MLB game...
Second MLB game (first home game)...
Both pitches were 92mph fastballs, and both were strikes.
Enjoy!
Jason
First MLB game...
Second MLB game (first home game)...
Both pitches were 92mph fastballs, and both were strikes.
Enjoy!
Jason
Seven shut out innings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OPP- so happy for the way you must be feeling!
Gosh- even armidillos in the road can't dampen this feeling!
OPP- so happy for the way you must be feeling!
Gosh- even armidillos in the road can't dampen this feeling!
amom---
Or the groundhogs here! HAHA!!
Or the groundhogs here! HAHA!!
Way to go Zach! I know that there are 2 proud parents. 
Congrats to the proud parents, and to Zach, hsbaseballweb's flag at ML.
I believe these two quotes say all there is to say about Zach
"I think he's going to have a special career," added McClendon. "I'm certainly not blowing things out of proportion because he's had two good starts. I'm looking at the facts in this, and this young man is grounded. He knows what he wants, he knows how to go get it and he goes about it the right way. He's one of those special guys that are motivated to be the best that he can be. He's not motivated by money. That's important."
And most importantly....
And what did the rookie plan to do to celebrate his first Major League win?
"I'll call my dad, talk to him for a while and just try to soak it in," said Duke
So Zach.. Congrats and OPP tell us about that phone call
BTW OPP - Tell Zach that when he is approached about having the official Zach Duke Fan Club created that it is already a done deal!!! Seriously, how do we create an official fan club? I think we need to do this now!! Who is with me on this??
"I think he's going to have a special career," added McClendon. "I'm certainly not blowing things out of proportion because he's had two good starts. I'm looking at the facts in this, and this young man is grounded. He knows what he wants, he knows how to go get it and he goes about it the right way. He's one of those special guys that are motivated to be the best that he can be. He's not motivated by money. That's important."
And most importantly....
And what did the rookie plan to do to celebrate his first Major League win?
"I'll call my dad, talk to him for a while and just try to soak it in," said Duke
So Zach.. Congrats and OPP tell us about that phone call
BTW OPP - Tell Zach that when he is approached about having the official Zach Duke Fan Club created that it is already a done deal!!! Seriously, how do we create an official fan club? I think we need to do this now!! Who is with me on this??
I probably shouldn't tell you all this - please don't get jealous - but I am the proud owner of a Zach Duke autographed baseball AND bat, both won on recent eBay auctions!
Congratulations to Zach, certainly an amazing start in the bigs. OPP, I can not imagine how proud you must be.
Oh, thanks MN-MOM....you are the one who out-bid me.
Oh, thanks MN-MOM....you are the one who out-bid me.
Congrats OPP!! I was in AZ visiting my son and could not get the game on my hotel TV. I was mad about not seeing the game but happy to see how well he pitched.
He's proven to be popular in ESPN Fantasy Leagues, too--already at 12.5% "owned."
Looking at the two clips that FlippJ (Jason) posted above, I believe they point out one the main reasons Zach is so effective and successful (and this is a very good lesson for younger pitchers) ... the repetition of his movements on each pitch is almost identical. At times the above clips are perfectly synchronized and it appears as though they are both clips of the same pitch ... but heck, it isn't even the same game or ballpark.
IMHO, I think that shows how sound Zach is mechanically. And it should only get better for him.
IMHO, I think that shows how sound Zach is mechanically. And it should only get better for him.
FBM,
Are you speaking of Zach? Who is Josh?
Are you speaking of Zach? Who is Josh?
That's okay FBM....I call MY kids by our old dog's name sometimes! 
A big congratulations to Zach Duke and family! This is just awesome to follow...
Yes....Congrats to Zach....I watched the game with mixed emotions as the Pirates were playing my Phillies. BUT....what a performance by Zach! I think I told everyone who walked into the room during the game "I know that kid! Sort of!" 
. Morning headline in the paper was "Duke Dumps Phillies".....a BIG congrats coming from enemy territory!
. Morning headline in the paper was "Duke Dumps Phillies".....a BIG congrats coming from enemy territory! quote:Originally posted by FutureBack.Mom:
Looking at the two clips that FlippJ (Jason) posted above, I believe they point out one the main reasons Zach is so effective and successful (and this is a very good lesson for younger pitchers) ... the repetition of his movements on each pitch is almost identical. At times the above clips are perfectly synchronized and it appears as though they are both clips of the same pitch ... but heck, it isn't even the same game or ballpark.
IMHO, I think that shows how sound Josh is mechanically. And it should only get better for him.
I got it now, I think!
Ran into an advance scout my son used to train with sometimes and I said we were watching the Phillies and Pirates game the other night and wondered if he'd had a chance to check out Zach before the game. After he asked how I knew him and I said I didn't but his dad posts on this website I go on, he started spouting some of Zach's stats and told me that "this kid is good", he hasn't given up any homeruns in ...well, I can't remember the number but I thought it was pretty cool that he had seen him in Clearwater earlier and was so impressed. I guess these guys are already looking for his nuances to report back to their players for the next time around. Just had to report in 'cause I thought it was pretty neat that he was so impressed with Zach.
Congratulations Zach..........what a way to start!!!
Zach Duke against the Cubbies and Greg Maddux on Saturday afternoon in Wrigley Field.
WOW!!!
So the reply to my signature below is once again a resounding, "YESSSS!!"
So the reply to my signature below is once again a resounding, "YESSSS!!"
I'm gonna observe that if I can...
...I hear Chicago is really lovely.... 
Good Luck Saturday.
Good Luck Saturday.
Uh huh----NOT for the Pirates TODAY!!!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Wow,
Maddux is son's idol and much admired by us.
In this case though, I will go with Zach!
BTW,
When Maddux enters the Hall of Fame one of his statistics will the second most wins from a pitcher 6' and under.
Maddux is son's idol and much admired by us.
In this case though, I will go with Zach!
BTW,
When Maddux enters the Hall of Fame one of his statistics will the second most wins from a pitcher 6' and under.
Glad TIVO was invented, while dancing at a wedding on Saturday, I'll come home to see the game......SHHHHHH don't tell me how it turns out.
More high praise from ESPN.com
Zach Duke, SP, Pirates: Rookie pitchers are an unpredictable bunch, but if one has the ability to dominate for a half-season, it's Duke. He's calm and collected on the mound, and he's a proven winner, with a 43-17 career minor-league record and one win in his first two big-league starts. All he does is throw strikes and control the pace of the game, and there should be far more concern that he won't get the run support to be a proven winner than he won't succeed as a pitcher.
Zach Duke, SP, Pirates: Rookie pitchers are an unpredictable bunch, but if one has the ability to dominate for a half-season, it's Duke. He's calm and collected on the mound, and he's a proven winner, with a 43-17 career minor-league record and one win in his first two big-league starts. All he does is throw strikes and control the pace of the game, and there should be far more concern that he won't get the run support to be a proven winner than he won't succeed as a pitcher.
yay~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
