Gary Morgan

5 Thoughts at Five

As ever, I’m full of questions. You folks have been so great since we launched this column at helping me sort through them. Here we go for another week!

For Some, Disaster Equals Opportunity

A suffering country, filled to the brim with people of all types enduring devastation economically on a scale none of us have ever seen, is going to have a very short fuse for the infighting of Millionaires (real or perceived) vs Billionaires (again, real or perceived).

Prepare for the Shaming – MLB Furloughs are Going to Be a Social Litmus Test

Over the weekend, The Athletic broke the story that Rob Manfred is expected to provide ownership the ability to furlough or reduce the pay of non-playing members of staff in reaction to COVID-19 related suspension of play.

Aramis Ramirez – One Man, Multiple Lessons

How can one man have spent the majority of his career outside of your organization and still be one of the most important figures in its history? I’ve thought about that question a lot recently and I firmly believe those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The trade of Aramis Ramirez to the Chicago Cubs in 2003 is one of those moments worth studying.

The Draft Provides More Than Talent Infusion

There will be ratings and scouting. Development success and setbacks. Those that can’t get the mental aspect of the professional game and others still who realize they lack the physical tools to make this dream a reality.

Ten Players Pirates Fans Hate Themselves for Loving

I suppose this list starts with a requirement. You almost have to be more than a Pirates fan, you have to be a baseball fan as well.

Friday Focus – All Draft Systems are Not Created Equal

Of all major North American sports, baseball has probably the hardest to swallow draft system. Who is this guy? When will he make it to the majors? What position will he play? These are all questions that most fans have when they see who their MLB club picked.

Five Pirates Thoughts at Five

I love doing these five thought pieces for the site. First of all, you have all been so wonderful with responses and those answers have led to full on columns more than once. It wasn’t intended as such but this has in many ways become a virtual pitch meeting! Here We Go!

Playing the Odds – Why the Pirates and Other Small Market Teams Usually learn the House Always Wins

Today I’d like to talk about the elephant that is always in the room for Pittsburgh, yup, today we’re going to talk about the feasibility of actually building through the draft

Why Do Teams Hold on to Under-performing Talent?

Both of these players will be back. Period. Now, why do I say that with such authority? Because the Pirates simply can not afford to let either of these gentlemen walk for nothing.