WE WILL: Show Compassion

Jeff Weaver 7

Pirates 0

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When an organization shows its players they do not care about winning, what do the players have to play for? The men who wear the black and gold have decided to use the opportunity as Major Leaguers to help out the less fortunate. Sometimes they do this by holding a team autograph signing at Dick's Sporting Goods or a team bowling night. Then there are nights where all they have to do is show up for work to help out those in need.

"We Don't Hit So You Can Keep Getting Paid"

Here's a list of pitchers who the Pirates Charities have reached out to this season. When you read this, please think to yourself, "how can I help too?"

Kip Wells

Here's a charity case we know all to well. Mr. Well's brought his 1-8 record and 6.75 ERA to the park to face the Pirates. No man wants to see a fallen teammate and even though Wells is now wearing a different uniform, his former mates had to help him back up to the tune of just 1 earned run over 7 innings. Wells doubled his win total that night and lowered his ERA to 6.10. He hasn't won since and his ERA is up to 6.93. This run support starved right hander does not know where his next win will come from. Will you help him out?

Kyle Lohse

Lohse entered his May 28 battle against the Pirates at 1-6 with 5.31 ERA. His career ERA was 4.83, something had to give. Fortunately for him, its the Pirates Charities duty to give. And they gave Mr. Lohse his second victory in the form of a complete game shut out. This touted, yet never proven, talent had been traded the season before because the Twins had given up on him coming around. Now thanks to facing Pirates Charities three times a year, he may never be traded again. They gave this man a home, how can you help?

Kameron Loe

This poor, unfortunate young right hander did not even know the eighth inning existed in baseball games. The 7.40 Earned Runs per game he was giving up did not allow him to stick around that late into games. Pirates Charities was there to help. The Pirates gave Loe eight shutout innings and his second victory of the season. Thanks to their support Mr. Loe now knows what its like to win. How can you help someone feel like a winner?

Jeff Weaver

Spurred on by the success stories above, the Pirates Charities took on the most unfortunate pitcher in all of Major League Baseball last night. Jeff Weaver sold his soul over the off-season for $8.3M dollars when he left a great situation in St. Louis for a bleak one in Seattle. The baseball gods never forget when players do this (see Richie Sexon and Adrian Beltre). They cursed him never to win again. After eight starts this year, it appeared he never would. He never made it past the sixth inning, often departing before he had enough innings to be considered for a win. Had it not been for the $8.3M Seattle was paying him, he and his 10.97 ERA would have been sent to Japan. Fearing for the deportation of one of their own, Pirates Charities stepped in. They accumulated only 4 hits and no runs against Mr. Weaver, who was giving up almost 2 hits per inning prior to this game. In giving Mr. Weaver his first victory of the year, Pirates Charities not only spared him from a life amongst small people who eat too much raw fish, but they also broke a curse inflicted by the devil. If you reach out and help those in need, you two can be more powerful than the devil.

Pirates Charities have been able to help out many fine, struggling young men in their 71 games this year. In the cases detailed above, the Pirates gave only 1 earned run to a group of four pitchers that were allowing a combined 30 runs. That is unselfish. That is compassion. That is love. That is why the Pirates take the field each day.

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