This is pretty exciting stuff!
http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14211283&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478568&rfi=6
Whooooo Hoooo!
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I read this week that Zach has become the frontrunner for the #5 starter spot!! He has been the best pitcher in camp thus far! 
Wow, Zach and OPP, that is tremendous!!! Keep it up Zach, we want to watch you on TV very soon!!!
I was watching Fox Sports and they said you could go to Fox Sports and vote for who you think should be the 5th Starter for the Pirates.
Zach is ahead with 67% of the vote!!!!
Keep working hard Zach! OPP must be so proud!
Zach is ahead with 67% of the vote!!!!
Keep working hard Zach! OPP must be so proud!
He was on the front of the MLB Pirate website yesterday, too. A poll where you could vote for the 5th starter...
And since Albie quit a couple days ago all his votes should go to Zach.
EVERYWHERE we read: Zach's name is on top!
And since Albie quit a couple days ago all his votes should go to Zach.
EVERYWHERE we read: Zach's name is on top!
AND...Todd Ritchie retired AND Dave Williams had an AWFUL start yesterday... 
He's movin' on up??!!
He's movin' on up??!!
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05078/474108.stm
"I owe a lot to my parents," Duke said. "They've always taught me to be very independent and very humble and very focused on the task [at hand]. My dad always stressed to me that 'hard work is going to beat talent if talent doesn't work hard.' That was my big motto growing up."
Good health and good luck Zach.
"I owe a lot to my parents," Duke said. "They've always taught me to be very independent and very humble and very focused on the task [at hand]. My dad always stressed to me that 'hard work is going to beat talent if talent doesn't work hard.' That was my big motto growing up."
Good health and good luck Zach.
GO ZACH!
I voted for you, a few times...
Hope OPP is reading and will come back to share with us!
I voted for you, a few times...
Hope OPP is reading and will come back to share with us!
OPP- that is great news! I just love what he said about "Mom and Dad". Lovely tribute to both of you.
How terrific...in so many respects!
Congratulations! How cool is it to not only vote for him but to be able to draft him in my family's fantasy baseball league!!!
Pretty exciting stuff, indeed!!!!!
Unfortunately Zach Duke has been assigned to AAA Indianopolis and Dave Williams has been given the #5 starter role.
Paper yesterday cited Zach's inexperience as the leading factor for his reassignment to AAA. It clearly was not based on spring stats as Zach was awesome this spring........so we all know that it wont be long before he gets the big call up to Pittsburgh.
The article went on to tell you what a fine young man Zach is...
"Although he was trying to make the majors at age 21 out of Class AA, he outperformed Williams and Vogelsong with a 3.75 ERA in 12 innings and did so with poise beyond his years. What stood out for many was his lone start in a major-league exhibition March 18. He blanked the Phillies through five innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out five.
And here is how a man handles his business....
"Moments after Duke was summoned into manager Lloyd McClendon's office to be informed of the decision yesterday morning, he reacted with the same cool head he seems to show on the mound.
"It's pretty understandable," Duke said. "I'll be ready whenever they call. I hope that I can be the first guy called up."
Totally first class.....
Some of the on-field staff sent strong signals recently that Duke would have been their choice, but the call ultimately belonged to general manager Dave Littlefield, who clearly was leery of elevating Duke with his highest level of experience being nine starts for Class AA Altoona last season.
The real truth......
Littlefield acknowledged, too, that business influenced his call.
The Pirates could delay the clock on Duke's major-league service time by waiting a month or two to promote him. If he were to spend all of the next three seasons in Pittsburgh, he would have the service time necessary to be eligible for salary arbitration after the 2007 season. If he were to spend any part of the coming three seasons in the minors, that eligibility would be pushed back a full year.
"With any decision, money's a part of it," Littlefield said. "But this is not the main thing here. It's about his inexperience. He's got a very bright future. When you make these kinds of decisions, it's a lot more about what's appropriate for his development."
Paper yesterday cited Zach's inexperience as the leading factor for his reassignment to AAA. It clearly was not based on spring stats as Zach was awesome this spring........so we all know that it wont be long before he gets the big call up to Pittsburgh.
The article went on to tell you what a fine young man Zach is...
"Although he was trying to make the majors at age 21 out of Class AA, he outperformed Williams and Vogelsong with a 3.75 ERA in 12 innings and did so with poise beyond his years. What stood out for many was his lone start in a major-league exhibition March 18. He blanked the Phillies through five innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out five.
And here is how a man handles his business....
"Moments after Duke was summoned into manager Lloyd McClendon's office to be informed of the decision yesterday morning, he reacted with the same cool head he seems to show on the mound.
"It's pretty understandable," Duke said. "I'll be ready whenever they call. I hope that I can be the first guy called up."
Totally first class.....
Some of the on-field staff sent strong signals recently that Duke would have been their choice, but the call ultimately belonged to general manager Dave Littlefield, who clearly was leery of elevating Duke with his highest level of experience being nine starts for Class AA Altoona last season.
The real truth......
Littlefield acknowledged, too, that business influenced his call.
The Pirates could delay the clock on Duke's major-league service time by waiting a month or two to promote him. If he were to spend all of the next three seasons in Pittsburgh, he would have the service time necessary to be eligible for salary arbitration after the 2007 season. If he were to spend any part of the coming three seasons in the minors, that eligibility would be pushed back a full year.
"With any decision, money's a part of it," Littlefield said. "But this is not the main thing here. It's about his inexperience. He's got a very bright future. When you make these kinds of decisions, it's a lot more about what's appropriate for his development."
So this is what it can be about.
Keep battling because only God knows the future.
Keep battling because only God knows the future.
Nonetheless,it's great that Zach's doing so well. Really just so awesome. What a great kid!
It will be fun following his success this year.
It will be fun following his success this year.
Kudo's again to young Zach for being named to the All-Stars Futures Game Roster!!!!!
He'll be pitching today, August 1st, against Atlanta.
9th inning and he's pitching a gem!!! Only one run given up. Just took him out of the game. Now that was one heck of a performance!!!!!
That young man is absolutely amazing ... I can't even begin to imagine what his future holds 
08.01.05 Zach Duke pitched 8 1/3 innings today to get his fourth straight win as the Pirates beat the Braves, ending their six-game winning streak. Duke's ERA is now an amazing .092 to go along with his perfect record.
Impact: Duke became the first Pirates pitcher to start 4-0 in 35 years, as Jim Nelson last did it in 1970. Duke attempted his first complete game, but walked the leadoff man in the ninth before getting Chipper Jones out on a long fly to right field before being pulled. Jose Mesa got Jeff Francouer to strike out to end the game, with Francouer representing the tying run.
Impact: Duke became the first Pirates pitcher to start 4-0 in 35 years, as Jim Nelson last did it in 1970. Duke attempted his first complete game, but walked the leadoff man in the ninth before getting Chipper Jones out on a long fly to right field before being pulled. Jose Mesa got Jeff Francouer to strike out to end the game, with Francouer representing the tying run.
Amazing start! Congrats!
Being a Braves fan, Duke's performance was particularly notable since the Bravos typically FEAST on lh pitching. Just watched the game (TIVO). Great job Zach! Now please leave Atlanta.
I must admit he is the only non-pinstriped player I actually follow...the boy has game!!!
Speaking of pinstripes...he would look real good in them someday
Speaking of pinstripes...he would look real good in them someday
Queen...
You're right--royal blue Cubbie pinstripes. And we know it will happen because the Pirates eventually trade everyone to the Cubs!
You're right--royal blue Cubbie pinstripes. And we know it will happen because the Pirates eventually trade everyone to the Cubs!