Endy Rodríguez Proves Pirates Right
Endy Rodríguez Proves Pirates Right
The Pittsburgh Pirates made the right decision when it came to their catchers.Dominic Campbell|
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Pittsburgh PiratesPHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't know exactly what Endy Rodríguez would bring this season, but their commitment to him has proven them correct.
Rodríguez had a great game for the Pirates in the 11-7 comeback win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the series opener at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, driving in a team-high four RBI.
It was just another game for Rodríguez showing off his prowess offensively, with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth inning to put the Pirates up 6-5 and then ensuring his team won the game with a three-run home run in the ninth inning.
Rodríguez has had a tough road back to the major leagues, but he has shown that he can be the every day catcher for the Pirates moving forward.
Pirates Get Much Needed Offense from Rodríguez
The Pirates recalled Rodríguez back on May 12, as Joey Bart went on the 10-day injured list with a left foot infection.
Rodríguez had missed almost all of the past two seasons, with surgeries on his right elbow, but came back determined to show he can play and stay healthy too.
He has proven his worth offensively and then some, slashing .271/.404/.482 for an OPS of .886 in 31 games, with 23 hits in 85 at-bats, six doubles, four home runs, 15 RBI and 19 walks to 23 strikeouts.
All four of his home runs have come in June, giving him a .559 slugging percentage and a .917 OPS.
The Pirates are now 13-9 in games that Rodríguez has started, compared to 30-33 in games started by other catchers.
"Yeah he's been doing great," Pirates manager Don Kelly said about Rodríguez after the win vs. the Phillies. "The at-bats that's he had, from both sides of the plate. The way he's been able to control at-bats, the power. He's done a nice job behind the plate too. He's a big reason for the success of the offense."
Why Pirates Made Right Decision on Rodríguez
Bart was close to making his return to the Pirates, going on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis, which would've sent Rodríguez back down to the minors.
The Pirates, instead, traded Bart to the Atlanta Braves on June 18, getting right-handed relief pitcher Hunter Stratton in return.
This move showed the Pirates putting faith into Rodríguez and also Henry Davis as their two main catchers going forward.
Davis has the defensive prowess, but struggles massively at the plate, slashing .149/.244/.312 for an OPS of .556 in 53 games.
Bart was the better hitter of the original partnership with Davis, but he also didn't produce at the rate the Pirates expected, slashing .259/.290/.379 for an OPS of .669 before they traded him.
The Pirates now have a catcher that can produce offensively and still call a good game and play some solid defense as well.
He's also under team control for the next few years, unlike Bart, which gives the Pirates reason to invest time into him for the long-term.
If Rodríguez can continue producing like this, the Pirates will have another strong piece in a fantastic lineup this season,
Published 14 minutes ago
DOMINIC CAMPBELLDominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
