DK’s Daily Shot of Pirates: What would you do?

[Music] [Applause] 11 games remain. Just 11. If your ball club wins all 11, they will match their win total from 2024, their win total from 2023. And as such in Ben Cherington math, they’ll be doing even more winning. Good morning to you. Good Tuesday morning. I’m Dan Kvachovic of DK Pittsburgh Sports. This is Daily Shot of Pirates. It comes your way bright and early every weekday. If you’re into football andor hockey, I also offer daily shots of Steelers and Penguins in the same place that you found this Cubs four Pirates zero last night at PNC Park. The Pirates record remains stuck at 65 wins. They of course won 76 in each of the previous two seasons, infamously moving Cherington to remark publicly that they were doing more winning after the 2024 season. By almost any reckoning, this is not more winning. Whether it’s the total or whether it’s just this ongoing window now of nine losses in 10 games. There are not many places in professional sports where nine losses in 10 games is so normalized it barely registers a local pulse. But here we are for the month of September. or if you want to include that momentarily uplifting sweep of the Dodgers at the outset of the month. The team is 4-9. Not exactly cresting, not exactly winning more. What’s worse, I I would argue, is that they’re still doing it the same way. Even when they had the nice stretch that was capped by the sweep of the Dodgers, there wasn’t a ton of hitting happening. And that’s common sense because they they can’t hit. But when those W’s or L’s, you see that these numbers are that much more rattling. Game last night, the Pirates had three total hits. Three total hits. Spencer Horwitz doubled. Brian Reynolds and Nick Gonzalez singled. And thanks for coming. They’re dead last in runs with 540. That’s 18 fewer than the Rockies. They’re dead last in home runs and by a mile with 107, 28 fewer than the Padres’s. They’re dead last in the all-encompassing OPS figure of 653, 13 points behind the Guardians. One would think this would result in Bob Nutting following through and firing Cherington once the season ends. I’ve reported to you time and time again my belief that that’s what’s going to happen. Not as a forecast, not as a prediction, certainly not as a hot take, but my belief based on the way I’ve heard people speaking of Cherington, his job performance, and his status throughout the summer, reaching all the way to the very top. But today, I have a question for you. And if you want to know something, this is precisely the place to ask it because you person who pressed play on this program today are in no position to claim apathy. It’s the 16th of September. Your team’s been out of everything since midappril and yet you still chose to invest at least a small portion of your day on this particularly painful subject. So, you can’t give me a I’m done with these guys kind of answer to the question I’m about to ask. That question is this. If Nutting were to retain Cherington, if Nutting were to make known in any form, whether it’s before the end of the season or right after the season, that he’s keeping Cherington, what would you do? And I’m not talking about, you know, your your visceral reaction or how you’d feel. I have a pretty good idea about that. What would you actually do? What would be the action that you take as opposed to the reaction that you’d have? A little bit of a story for you. Last night, while the Pirates and Cubs were playing this game, I took my son for a walk through downtown. We went to eat at Sixth Street. He’s not into sports at all. like at all, but he is legit interested when I share with him history or cool quirks about the three teams in town that I cover. So, just casually, the conversation turned to Clemente D. He noticed a lot of people here downtown wearing 21 jerseys, more than usual anyway. And I told him what Clemente Day was about. I told him in particular about how all of the Pirates would be wearing 21 for this game and how they’re the only team that’s permitted to celebrate the day that way by Major League Baseball. And he lit up like he loved this. He thought this was just the neatest thing. What a point of pride for the city, for the Clemente family, for Puerto Rico. And to that I came back with Yep. And this is what they’re throwing away over there. This and the prettiest ballpark anywhere in the world. And a local population here that would love them like their own children if they were only just decent and competitive and tried hard. And he asks why. And I responded, he’s in college right now, by asking him, “Are there people that you know, you know, other students, maybe even teachers that you observe who just aren’t competitive people, who have different priorities, who really don’t worry much whether they win or lose, who aren’t affected by it.” And that was when it came together. That was when it made sense, at least as much as it can. My belief once more emphasizing that word is that nothing’s going to finally finally finally do the right thing. I’m curious to hear from you on our DK Pittsburgh Sports app in the comments section what you would do if he doesn’t do the right thing when we come back J1Q. If you’re looking for a great dining experience, look no further than Northshore Tavern. Located directly across Federal Street from PNC Park, next door to Mike’s Beer Bar, Northshore Tavern is Pittsburgh’s home for steak on a stone. Enjoy your steak finished on a hot lava stone in front of you, where you ensure each piece is cooked to exactly your liking. or try their rotating selection of entre, hot sandwiches, salads, and burgers, all while enjoying the ambiance dedicated to the great players and history of the Pittsburgh Pirates all around you. Come see why everyone’s talking about Northshore Tavern and Steak on a Stone. It’s Gun Storage Check Week. Help prevent unwanted access to your firearms. No one wants their unsecured gun to be used in an accident, a suicide, or a crime. Use lock boxes, safes, and locks to secure your firearms. Learn more at gunstoch checkck.org. That’s gunstoch checkck.org. Brought to you by NSSF, the firearm industry trade association. Hey guys, if you’re planning to see a Pirates game, use the Game Time app to get your tickets. You can snag new ticket deals before anyone if you set it into app alerts. The app is easy to use. No surprise fees at checkout. You can see your seat view before buying. And you’re getting legit tickets delivered on time. Now, if you’re not much of a planner, you can get lastminute deals on tickets right up to the start of the event. Lowest price guarantee or game time will credit you 110% of the difference. Download the Game Time app and enter the code DK Pirates in your app profile for $20 off your first purchase. [Music] Today’s J1 Cube comes from AJ, who says, “Ben Cherington’s tenure has been astonishing. It’s taken an already bad relationship between the team and its fan base and turned it into one of the most toxic fan base relationships I have ever seen. When you combine the trades, the drafting, the player development, all of which alone are wretched, and then combine them with the endless stream of public relations fiascos and arrogance, it just it just defies belief. If Bob Nutting brings him back for year seven of a rebuild, we might need a Geiger counter to measure how radioactive things become. There’s not a question in there from AJ, but I was grateful for the the wording that he put together. I thought it was effective in doing something that I often don’t do and should. And that’s just to take a general feel, take a general temperature of a given situation instead of being super specific all the time. I I always kind of feel like I have the personality where I’ve got to prove a point and then I’ve got to back it up with this, this, and this. What AJ’s saying here is this is just bad. This is really, really bad. And I dare say, and this is with immense respect and no criticism whatsoever, but Paul Sches himself actually makes this worse. Think about it. If skins isn’t here, a lot of this isn’t getting exposed. I’m not talking about places where they don’t cover the pirates or don’t care about them. I’m talking about right here. Ske and his presence makes it so much more stark and glaring how incompetent these people are just by virtue of being here, never mind winning the Sai Young award, which he’s going to. If you were paying attention, and I mean real attention, to what was happening when Skins arrived in Pittsburgh, you’d know that this was a a rockar formation taking place. People were coming from all over. And again, I’m not talking about way out oftowners or out of sters. I’m talking about right here in Pittsburgh. People were ready to pack that stadium from now till eternity to watch this kid pitch. Just like I said earlier that only they these people could kill such a strong strong scenario. I understand Major League Baseball’s economics are a big wrench in this, but I’m throwing that out just for the moment. Only they could do that. only they could take something like skins coming in here and being so formidable not only in his pitching but also in his persona and his confidence that he could overcome what these guys do from a development perspective to everybody else because as I told you guys way way early in Skins’s time not in Pittsburgh but before that they weren’t going to screw this one up because he’d never allow And to see that and to see him once every 5 days go out there and pitch the way he does. You look around and the crowds are whatever it is now 15 or 16 when he takes the mound and it’s been like that most of the summer. He didn’t do that. We Pittsburgers didn’t do that. The pathetically non-competitive people running the Pirates did that. Appreciate you AJ. I appreciate everybody listening to Daily Shot of Pirates. We’ll be back with another one of these tomorrow.

What would you do if Ben Cherington’s retained?

#Pittsburgh #Pirates #LetsGoBucs #MLB #DKPS

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22 comments

  3. Good question. Not sure. I'm not sure how much more apathetic I can get now. Already lost so much interest that I haven't even tried to watch a single game all season. I guess I could look at the scores on ESPN less. Not going to games does nothing. Not buying merch does nothing. Commenting in various Pirates focused groups and websites does nothing. Sending messages to the team directly has done nothing.

    Should I just root for the Dodgers? Blue & white isn't as cool and black and gold, but they are a good organization that scouts well, drafts well, develops players well, and sign top free agents. Other than collecting expensive super fragile pitchers and fielding an old team, what's not to like?

  4. If Bob Nutting brings back GM Ben Cherington for 2026?! I’ll still be here! I’ll still subscribe like I do every year to MLB, $29.99 per month times six months ($179.84) But I am an out of state fan and a lifelong diehard fan! Another reason is that I love baseball and the baseball season , especially our Pirates, it brings me so much joy! My favorite time of the year! I would just love to see them play in October one of these seasons?! I am an eternal optimist! Do I personally believe that Cherington can get them into October either as a division or wildcard winner?! I think that more depends on if Nutting finally agrees and sees the real need for him to open up his wallet or bank vault and allow Cherington to finally sign some top notch or at least consistent players that can hit?! I personally think Cherington has done a decent somewhat job based on the finances he has had for means in which to work with. And we all know that isn’t much!

  5. If Cherington is back next year, then I'll fully commit to the Guardians. We've already endured a 20 year losing streak, and we're on pace for another one. I've already gone to half as many games this year. I won't be going to any next year if they don't drop a nuke in the front office.

  8. There is really no difference between axing BC when the season ends or doing it with 11 G left – unless you think the team gets some kind of positive PR as they sit out the post season. It's a head scratcher.
    OT – I've moved Ashcraft to failed starter status. (Hope he proves me wrong.)

  9. Fans can't do much outside of not going to games or pay to watch them. I am fortunate to have went to game 7 of the 1979 WS and sadly unless I live to 150, may never see the Bucs win another one. Bringing him back along with Travis is an indictment on how Nutting values fans and rather insulting as well. The safest bet is to raid the Rays FO for a competent GM who can work with a rock-bottom payroll. I feel bad for Paul, not many times you find a diamond in the ruff and depreciate its value each year. I will pick the games that I choose to watch.

  10. I find if ironic on Clemente day, on year six of the Cherington rebuild we get shutout, fall 21 games below .500 and mathematically are eliminated from playoff contention. The only bright spot in this whole dumpster fire of the season is watching Skenes go out every five days and do what he does. The fact that the top two OPSs on the team is Tommy Pham who has ran himself off of several teams in recent years and a 38 year old Cutch. I love Cutch and will always love Cutch but a 38 y/o Cutch should not be the second best hitter on the team in year six of a dumpster fire rebuild.

    I live in Phoenix so I dont get to watch too many games and frankly, I have better uses of my time than to watch the Pirates, things like sleeping (I work graveyard), and smashing my pinky toe a coffee table are more appealing. I always try to go to at least two of the three games each season when the Pirates come to town and one of those games this year, I wore a shirt that said "I spent more money on this shirt than Bob Nutting spent on the Pirates this year" got more reaction and high fives from fellow Pirates and even Dbacks fans says everything. Cherington should have been gone last year and hopefully is gone in a couple weeks but at the end of the day, Bob Nutting is still writing the checks and hiring his people. As much as I hope things change, they probably wont. Ill be 34 next month, with my own eyes I've seen four winning seasons. My hair is thinning and even a few gray hairs have started showing up here and there and I've seen the Pirates have FOUR winning seasons and THREE playoff wins. Sad to think about.

  11. I have an emotional attachment to this team, so I'll still be here and will get excited for next season, albeit less so if Cherington is still here. Am I wrong to think that Oneil Cruz represents this team perfectly? All the potential to be great but just doesn't seem to care enough to take the next step? Anyway, thanks for another year of waking up to coffee and Daily Shots DK. Lets Go Bucs!

  12. I really thought when the pirates won 76 games last year and year before we were on our way but Ben is proving his only motivation is to save Nutting money

  13. Like a few others that frequent this daily haunt my first Bucs baseball goes back to the late 50s and Forbes Field. The Pirates were THE game in town as the Steelers were pre-Chas Noll and had a small fan base.
    Back then Pirates games were a right of passage for a young boy and his dad or father figure. It was bonding that lasted a lifetime, so yeah I come back year after year to support the team albeit from a great distance away. Bob Nutting only gets my money when they come to town 2-3 days a year. I watch all but a handful of games via internet and appreciate the banter on DKs main forum. At this stage of life I'm too old to jump ship and would never consider leaving my Buccos. I've prepared myself to go down with that ship season after season because I remember better times and cling to those memories. It's been a rocky one sided marriage but divorce was never an option.

  15. I would bet on them to win. For the last few years the only time I don't bet against them is when PK pitches. I have won a lot of bets and I hate it because my heart wants them to win!

  16. What i would do? I would invest my time elsewhere and anywhere but. Ill tune into this program because I support you, but I wouldnt spend an ounce of energy or a penny of my money on the Pirates. I would spend more time outside, doing hobbies and activities I love, time with family and friends and investing my effort into things that actually matter. If you want to do something important during the game, go outside, play catch with your kids, and check the score the morning after. The result will be the same either way.

  17. I moved from the Pittsburgh area 21 years ago and I have continued to be a fan. My only tie back to home that I love are these sports teams. If Ben Cherington is retained any enthusiasm that I may have for next season would be gone but I would still pay to watch and I would still push play on these daily shots. Thank you for what you do.

  18. Like all of the Pittsburgh teams, I root for the crest on the chest. The players on the field, or ice, are doing the best they can. It’s not their fault individually if the collective is void of talent. However, the head shaking would become more aggressive and the face palms a bit harder.

  19. I decided last offseason that I will not be bringing my family back to the ballpark until Cherington is gone. I stuck to my word. We attended a lot of Washington Wild Things games instead. At least they care about winning.

  21. I have deep pirate roots, (my parents were at game 7, 1960), and I grew up watching Clemente, Stargell, Maz, etc., so its hard to completely let go. If actually pains me to listen to Cherington talk word salad, which in my mind is a form of lying. It was my Moms' birthday yesterday. I remember the night she passed away. She had the Pens game on. She was in constant pain all night and was not speaking. About 2 in the morning, she woke up and asked if the Penguins won. I said yes, she said, "Good," and went back to sleep. Her last words. In short, that's probably me with the pirates. Till death do us part. But I'll be outraged if BC is back. It's a trespass and a betrayal against all the fans who have invested a part of their lives in this team.

  22. Because I have already bought into the assumption that BC will in fact be retained, I recently opted out of auto-renewal of my STH package for 2026. It's one thing to try and fail, but they aren't even TRYING. So why should I commit thousands of dollars starting this month on next year's team? Time to go work on my golf game because BC has made supporting the Pirates MORE frustrating and painful than playing golf. Badly.

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