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ST. LOUIS -- The Pirates are last in the National League Central, on their way to a 17th straight losing season, having traded two of their most popular players in the last six weeks and are second-to-last in the major leagues in average attendance.

Yet, commissioner Bud Selig painted a rosy picture of the Pirates' future on Tuesday morning as he had his annual All-Star Game question-and-answer session with members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Selig pointed to the Pirates' farm system as a sign of a hope and that Class AAA Indianapolis right-hander Brad Lincoln and Class AA Altoona third baseman Pedro Alvarez, arguably the organization's top two prospects, played in Sunday's All-Futures Game at Busch Stadium.

"I don't mention this to very many people but I have three people, whose opinions I trust very much, evaluate the farm system of every team on an annual basis," said Selig, who did not name the three people. "They rate the Pirates as having one of the best farm systems in the game. That leads me to believe they are on the right track in Pittsburgh.

"I understand that fans there don't want to hear about the future because they've been losing for so long. The organization is making good strides, though, and I believe it is only a matter of time before they win."

Pirates' fans have been waiting a generation to cheer a winning team, and their patience has worn thin this season following the trades of center fielder Nate McLouth to Atlanta and left fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington. The average attendance in 39 home dates at PNC Park this season has been 18,486, which put the Pirates ahead of just Oakland (18,127) and Florida (18,117).

The Pirates have made sweeping organizational changes in recent years and Selig believes those moves will eventually pay off.

Bob Nutting replaced Kevin McClatchy as the Pirates' control person prior to the 2007 season, and then hired Frank Coonelly as president in September of that year. Coonelly brought Neal Huntington in as general manager.

"I know Bob Nutting and his family are committed to making that franchise a winner again," Selig said. "I'm partial to Frank Coonelly because he worked for us at Major League Baseball (as general counsel) and he is a very bright and determined guy. That franchise is in good hands."

PRESIDENTIAL UPDATE: President Barack Obama threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday night's All-Star Game and visited both clubhouses before the game.

When asked before the game what he would like to say to the President, Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez, said he wanted to talk college football rather than the struggling economy or peace in the Middle East.

Obama has said he would like to see the abolition of the Bowl Championship Series because he prefers the national champion be crowned on the field through a playoff system. Sanchez also is for a college playoff after Florida beat Oklahoma in the BCS championship game last season while his favorite team, Southern California, was denied a chance to play for the national title.

"My Trojans would have won the national last year if there was a playoff system and the President has to know that," Sanchez said. "We need a playoff."

Left-hander Zach Duke, the Pirates' other representative on the National League squad, said he would have a short message for Obama.

"Good luck," Duke said. "He needs it."

OLD-TIMERS UPDATE: Boston pitcher Tim Wakefield and Tampa Bay third base coach Tom Foley shared a laughed in the American League clubhouse before the game. Though it was many years ago, the two were teammates with the Pirates in 1993-94.

Wakefield broke into the major leagues with the Pirates the year before Foley arrived in Pittsburgh as a free-agent utility infielder. Foley retired in 1995 after 12 years in the major leagues while Wakefield is in his 17th season and an all-star for the first time.

"It's pretty funny when you think about it, after all these years I'm coaching and Wake is still playing," said Foley, part of the AL coaching staff as a reward for the Rays winning the league pennant last season. "It's pretty neat that we're here together after so many years have passed."

INJURY UPDATE: Los Angeles Angels third baseman Chone Figgins was a late addition to the AL roster on Tuesday as an injury replacement for Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, who was sidelined by an infected right ring finger. Texas' Michael Young moved into the starting lineup at third base.

"You don't want to come to an All-Star game to sit on the bench and watch," Longoria said. "It's just unfortunate but it would be a disservice to the American League club to come out and try to play and win a game when I'm not up to full health."

jperrotto@piratesreport.com

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View Comments: | 1-6 | Post a comment

ConcernedChris
07-16-09 12:53 PM »Report Comment Abuse	<"I don't mention this to very many people but I have three people, whose opinions I trust very much, evaluate the farm system of every team on an annual basis," said Selig, who did not name the three people. "They rate the Pirates as having one of the best farm systems in the game. That leads me to believe they are on the right track in Pittsburgh.> The 3 people are: Bob Nutting, Frank Coonelly & Neal Huntington ;p
lancem
07-15-09 3:14 PM »Report Comment Abuse	IF ANYONE REMEMBERS THAT WAS THE BIGGEST CONCERNS THE BIG MARKET TEAMS HAD WITH REVENUE SHARING,SOME TEAMS WOULD POCKET THE MONEY AND NOT PUT IT BACK INTO THEIR TEAMS.
CurseOfRandyMarsh
07-15-09 10:20 AM »Report Comment Abuse	It's very disappointing that our Commissioner-for-life sidestepped the problem of mismanagement of the Pirates and revenue sharing that gives the Pirates owner no incentive to improve the on-field product. We can safely assume the reporters (pseudo-journalists) asked him nothing bur creampuff questions. If I were a sportswriter,the question would be: "Mr. Commissioner-for-Life, are you concerned that one of your franchises, one with a proud history, is nothing more than a feeder system for teams that really care about about winning and a repository for teams to send their farm system discards?"
CTBucsFan
07-15-09 8:58 AM »Report Comment Abuse	Selig? Conflict of Interest? Ask yourselves why there are 14 teams in AL and 16 in NL - why there are 6 teams in NL Central and only 4 in AL West - why it was so important for MLB to switch Milwaukee from AL to NL, thereby creating this inequity.
lancem
07-15-09 6:52 AM »Report Comment Abuse	LETS SEE, BUD SELIG PUSHED VERY HARD FOR THE NEW STADIUM SAYING OVER AND OVER THAT IT WILL MAKE THE PIRATES COMPETITIVE, HE WORKS FOR THE OWNERS AND FRANK COONELLY WORKED FOR HIM. DOES ANYONE THINK HE WOULD SAY ANYTHING ELSE.
Beisbol
07-14-09 9:33 PM »Report Comment Abuse	The Commissioner of Baseball should have one pubic statement about every Major League club, and that is absolute silence. If he is not capable of being impartial, and that has been a question since he became Commissioner, then how can you possibly be interested in the best interest of baseball? I am not necessarily opposed to Selig's over all performance as commissioner. However my neative opinions are growing. An example is Selig has no business eastablishing any financial constraints as far as how much money any team wishes to spend on prospects. That opinion will change just as soon as baseball places salary restraints on players at the major league level. Another aspect is inter-league play. Yes it is a good thing for baseball. However, I would seriously consider that only divisional counter parts be playing each other . THis would create rivalries. and it would also create more relevance. Also, the umpires should be seperated by league.

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