Zach Duke vs Curt Schilling

Baserunners could be at a premium....all...day...long.

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Good Luck Zach!

Wow, thanks for the tip!



Go Zach!

Great stuff !!!!

This is what it is all about !!!!!

OHHH WOW!!

OPP, if you're lurking---I can hear your buttons popping!!

Zach sets 'em down 1-2-3.

Curt gives up a homer.

Hmmmmmmm.....

What a fanstastic start to the season for OPP, Jr.. Really hope that OPP is close by for this day. Congratulations to both of them and let's hope they are both in Pittsburgh before July

Curt may need to move into the Extended Stay Hotel in Pawtucket.

Zach looks great!

Golly-Gee!! How exciting!! Go for it OPP Jr!!

Along with infielddad's post last week about his son facing Randy Johnson, this is an unbelievable post. I have been home with a terrible flu this week and this post represents what this site is all about in its most glorious form. What a thrill to actually see Zach play against Curt Schilling no less.

I have read over and over - ad infinitum about throwing in the 90's yet, the idea that seems lost sometimes is to pitch and get people out. Two that come to mind are Tom Glavine and Jamie Moyer - that is who I see when I watch Zach pitch for the first time. They even started the broadcast off by saying that Zach was not a hard thrower.

I bet Zach's team mates love him - no fooling around but getting the ball and letting his team behind him make the outs - what a novel concept. If my son were a pitcher right now, I would tell him to model his game after Zach Duke - what a player.

Serious bragging rights for OPP.

I mean SERIOUS.



4 K's
Zip walks
1 ER

OPP- Can you stand it!

He flat gets outs.

Good Work!

I am going to be a little sarcstic here so please forgive me. The Pirate's must have one heck of a starting pitching rotation! (sarc off).

Seriously, what exactly have they won since Bonds and Bonilla left. I know that I am not a major league scout and I have only seen him pitch one time, and all the old adages about rushing a kid to the majors before his time....etc. Just the way he handles himself on the mound however and the productivity, he seems like he should be given a shot - now.

I believe the Pirates are entering their 24th year of rebuilding. Theoretically, they could have engaged in genetic expirements and gotten further. At least that's what I tell my Pirate Fan buddy at the office

When Zach left, it became a ballgame. Went from 7-1 to 7-5. That tells you a lot.

for Zach!

He will get there. You aren't alone thinking he could help them right now. Sometimes in pro ball players are "paced" for their good or the teams good.

Okay, Mr. Duke's proud parents are entitled to all-time-world-class-olympic-level bragging rights!

Who could even imagine (your son's name) vs. Curt Schilling? Wowie!

Question-will Zach want Curt's autograph, or vice-versa?

Way to go Zach!!! You too Tom!! Lots of smiles from this old webster!! We're all proud of that young man!!
Fungo

Simply awesome!! Couldn't be happier for Zach and OPP.

It is very awesome

Absolutely wonderful!!!!!!

what a great story...congragulations...

How exciting for Zach..

Knowing OPP, he was right there watching every pitch with a smile that won't leave for sometime.

I remember OPP Jr. (Zach) coming on this site a few years back, excited by what the future would bring, I remember clearly him posting that he knew he wouldn't be where he was without his parents and that he didn't think he would ever find a way to thank his parents for all the support and love they have given him to get him where he was..

Zach... you just did!!!!

Congrats to you!! I speak fo all the old posters who have followed your career for so many years now.. We are SO happy and proud for you.

Keep it up.. your future is bright and I know we will be cheering you on for a very long time..

With the Pirates off to a stellar start of 0-3...and the #1 and #2 starter getting shelled by the Brewers....I thought Id answer Cleveland Dads question about why Zach is at AAA.....its certainly not that the current staff is better....

From a previous post:

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."

If we don't see Zach at Pittsburgh before June, I will be stunned. Just in stime to start his career and save the BUCs a year in arbitration time.

piaa_ump,

That is outrageous! I suspected as much. I was getting a little annoyed yesterday after watching him pitch for the first time. I was thinking who on the Pirates can pitch like that? I thought a few websters might take me to task since I've only see him play one time.
We have all seen enough baseball to know when we are seeing something special.

Now maybe if Zach has been known for one good outing like yesterday followed by a so-so one then I get it. But, I have not heard that is his track record. Bob Feller pitched in the major leagues when he was 17/18 years old. There was a lot more talent in the minors back then. The Pirates? Please give me a break. The Pirates do not deserve to have a franchise anymore if these are the types of decisions they are making. The people of Pittsburgh and PA just built them a brand new/beautiful ball park. Sorry, blowing off some steam and thanks for your post and the information. The Indians would love to have him.

Congratulations to Zach and his mom and POP!

Yep, the money decisions are frustrating an aspect that the rest of us don't have to deal with.

I'm bettin' he's glad to be there and knows that the money will take care of itself if he performs like he knows he will.

Maybe a few months in the minors will be a good thing for his confidence.

He's been through frustrating circumstances before and he is still there.

I'm bettin' he'll be there sooner rather than later, for a long time, and decision the to delay will cost the Pirates some games, and a lot more money down the road.

Zach Duke is gonna be just fine because good things will eventually happen for good people.

Baseball is a Business--and in most cases the "bean counters" will overrule the baseball people--that is just the way it is

The young mans time will come--yes it will-all in due time

Not arguing with you guys one bit - baseball is a business. Let me be more clear in the point I was trying to make. The good people of PA are being taxed a fortune to watch a pathetic team. They were sold a bill of goods that if you build it - we will put out a team. I would be making the same argument no matter who the outstanding pitcher I saw was yesterday. I am totally convinced by his mannerisms on the mound that he will have no problems with his time table.

Jarret Wright was called up from single A ball in 1997 and came within one out of a World Series win and MVP. The argument can be made he was rushed however. It depends on the persons makeup and this kid appears to have it (correct attitude)in spades.

Hey ClevelandDad cool down! Don't try and drive those keys through the keyboard or the desk - sorry. I grew up in PA. I still have many family and friends who live there. I loved the Pirates when I was a kid and it pains me to see what has happened to them.

ClevelandDad---

Yeah---WELL, I grew up in CLEVELAND during the 50's and 60's and just about DIED every year when I heard: "Wait till next year!" Glimmers of hope occasionally (Sam McDowell, Sonny Seibert, Luis Tiant, etc.)---but I DIED, nonetheless. Got my FIX when we moved to Detroit and had 1984!!

Dying in Pirate Country since then. Don't know WHAT to say. Frankly, baseball is NO FUN for me anymore unless you watch the innocence of kids...

"It will break your heart. It's designed to break your heart."

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! I've been away from the board and just saw this thread.

Zach Duke vs. Curt Schilling!

That just about says it all. Oh, plus this from HokieOne:

"Who could even imagine (your son's name) vs. Curt Schilling? Wowie!

Question-will Zach want Curt's autograph, or vice-versa?"

As the mom of a college freshman pitcher, I am just ... in ... awe! Way to go, Zach!!!