View From The Crow's Nest
By Jim Lachimia

*  Swallowing pitcher Matt Morris' contract was a bitter pill for the Pirates, but they aren't the only N.L. Central team that made a $10 million mistake this year. Milwaukee invested the same amount in free agent closer Eric Gagne, who had a 6.98 ERA and five blown saves in 15 chances when he went on the D.L. with a shoulder problem in May. Prior to the season, scouts were saying the same thing about Gagne and another aging closer -- Tampa Bay's Troy Percival. Namely: You might get three months out of them, so where do you want your three months? Early? Or down the stretch?

*  It's not a shocker that defending National League champion Colorado has been at or near the bottom of the N.L. West standings throughout the first three months of the 2008 campaign. Reason being, the Rockies pitching just isn't very good -- as usual. During their remarkable run late last season, they had enough offense to get away with starting inexperienced hurlers such as Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales, and the always hittable Josh Fogg. In addition, Colorado's closer -- Manny Corpas -- wasn't a seasoned veteran either, and he's since lost that job. If the Rockies are going to get back in the race for the division title, they'll have to bash their way in.

*  At mid-season last year, fans and members of the media were proclaiming Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny -- albeit prematurely -- one of the best lefthanders in the National League and saying that he should have made the All-Star team. But Gorzo -- level headed as he is -- said at the time: "People think I'm there. I'm not there. There's a long way for me to go before I'm going to say I'm there." Even though he was a 14-game winner who exhibited poise and maturity beyond his years in 2007, it turns out that the young man was right. Still, with Gorzelanny's minor league mentor Jeff Andrews now serving as the pitching coach on Manager John Russell's big league staff, it's hard to believe the 24-year-old lefty has spent so much time this season trying to find his rhythm.

*  When Bruce Kison was in town recently scouting for the Baltimore Orioles, the former Pirates pitcher plopped his briefcase down in the press box at PNC Park during batting practice, looked out to right field and immediately said: "Boy, I would love to see Willie Stargell hit in this ballpark." Kison was gazing at the Clemente wall, which is 21' high, but only 320' away straight down the line. Stargell had tremendous power and most often hit towering fly ball-type home runs, which is the ultimate recipe for success at PNC Park. When it was pointed out that only one man -- Daryle Ward -- has ever homered directly into the Allegheny River Kison said: "Stargell would have had no problem. He was incredibly strong, and had the right trajectory." Moments later, former Pirates' skipper Chuck Tanner laughed and said: "All of Willie's home runs would have gone into the river -- that is if the pitchers would have pitched to him. In this ballpark, he might've gotten 300 walks."