Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Action – Bromances, #PlantanoPower, The World Baseball Classic and an anti-PED message for young athletes
A Budding Bromance
Last year the Blue Jays had Stroman and Sanchez, best friend pitchers who entertained fans with their friendship and antics. Could Trevor Williams and Steven Brault be the next great baseball bromance? Judging from their Spring Training activities, all signs point to “Yes.”
Not only do we throw and live together, we also eat pizza together. #WBC2017 #rideordie @MeLlamoTrevor pic.twitter.com/NDB9yfJToI
— Steven Brault (@SquidBrault) March 10, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRGoiplAdDQ/?taken-by=skoobuh
Williams logged off of social media for Lent, so Brault is actually doing double duty on social to help ensure Trev’s fans get enough updates to sustain them through these dark times. And for that we say, Thank you SquidBrault Skoobah!
There does seem to be some competition for Brault’s attention, however, in one Nick Kingham.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BReZx-GgdB0/?taken-by=skoobuh
While last week’s media reports of a “feud” between Williams and Brault were manufactured for a few extra clicks, per Steven:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRbVjOVgIfg/?taken-by=skoobuh
a very REAL one could develop between Williams and Kingham if he keeps mugging with Trevor’s bestie like that (100% KIDDING).
An Important Cause
Jared Hughes is as good a guy as they come, both on and off the field. He’s working to use his position to share a positive message with young athletes:
My thoughts on #AllMePEDFree@TheTHF pic.twitter.com/7zZjXYUd7r
— Jared Hughes (@locatejared) March 10, 2017
He was recently named to the MLB Advisory Board for the Taylor Hooten Fund, which is a non-profit organization leading a national campaign to educate youth and their adult influencers about the dangers of Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs including anabolic steroids, hGH, and unregulated dietary supplements, according to their website. Their All Me League was created to raise awareness and stop the growing trend of using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and other harmful substances in sports and fitness, its website says. Their Advisory Board, comprised of one member from every MLB team, works to share the message of being PED-free with fans and other athletes, both professional and amateur. Hughes’s former teammate Neil Walker is also a member, representing the New York Mets.
Today we welcome @locatejared to our @MLB Advisory Board! To join the All Me League and learn more visit https://t.co/l03u1Bem3x @Pirates pic.twitter.com/ROVLC5GUls
— Taylor Hooton Foundation (@TheTHF) March 10, 2017
Little Ones
Jared and his wife welcomed a bouncing baby boy during the off-season, and dad finally gave everyone a peek at the little slugger last week:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRN-GwbgwYq/?taken-by=_jaredhughes
Pat Light shared a fun TBT of a time when he was just a wee-one as well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRb2j54lLbm/?taken-by=pat_light
Online Security
Recent news reports indicate that flashing the peace sign in photos is now a security risk – apparently hackers can pull the prints off of your index and middle fingers and use them to access all sorts of online info and even steal your identity. Juan Nicasio found a way to thwart hackers and flash that sign anyway!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRfRho_AiRw/?taken-by=juan_nicasio
He needs to share that knowledge with teammates Jose Osuna and Alen Hanson.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRa9XLRlrxo/?taken-by=joseosuna36
World Baseball Classic
Many of the Pirates Stars are off playing in the World Baseball Classic. Catcher Francisco Cervelli is playing for Team Italy – he’s Italian on his dad, Manuel’s side, who he calls “The person responsible for all of this.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BReU9uVDU5A/?taken-by=fran_cervelli
Team Italy pulled off an amazing 9th inning comeback over Team Mexico, sparked by a Cervy double on Thursday. They’re on fire on the field, and likely to be named best-dressed team off the field.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRZkTmLjhad/?taken-by=fran_cervelli
Starling Marte is all geared up for his stint on Team Dominican Republic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRTpB4tlLZM/?taken-by=marte06
The team has the best rallying cry/hashtag in the game – #PlantanoPower. And from the looks of this photo, Gregory Polanco is just as enthused!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRZPhdijfWi/?taken-by=gpolanco25
A Fitting Memorial
Defending World Baseball Classic Champs Team Dominican Republic are honoring fellow-countrymen Andy Marte and Yordano Ventura – who perished in separate auto accidents on the same day in January, by hanging their Team DR jerseys in the dugout.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRcR2kVlFsv/?taken-by=gpolanco25
It hit Daniel Hudson right in the…
https://twitter.com/DHuddy41/status/839979989810438144
Final Thought
In this world filled with negativity and animosity, it’s important to take a moment once in a while to reflect on good things. This week, that comes in the form of a sunset by Josh Bell.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRZUdbtBjk2/?taken-by=bell.josh19
And a little bit of Smokey Robinson from David Freese (great seats, BTW!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRMXAM9BalO/?taken-by=davidfreese
That’s all this week for the Pittsburgh Pirates Social Media Round-up. The Pirates take on the Baltimore Orioles, who are rumored to be close to a deal with former Bucco Pedro Alvarez, at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Have a great week and #LetsGoBucs
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