Vogelsong: Pirates Have What It Takes To Win A World Series
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan)-Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher Ryan Vogelsong is returning for his second tour of duty with the Pirates.
While some things have changed, he likes that pitching coach Ray Searage remains and he is excited to work with him again.
Searage was a minor league coach during Vogelsong's first stint with the Pirates. During his time away from the Pirates, Vogelsong won two World Series with the San Francisco Giants.
Today, he joined "The Cook and Poni Show" from Bradenton. He talked about what goes into a championship team and how he thinks this Pirates team has what it takes to do the same.
"I do," Vogelsong said. "This team is ready. I've always said that you have to fail a few times before you can climb the mountain. I see how this team has grown form what has happened the last couple of years."
Vogelsong admits the chance of winning with this team is what brought him back.
He now is fighting with Jeff Locke and Juan Nicasio for one of the two final spots in the starting rotation.
"Competition is good," Vogelsong said. "I can only control what I can control and that is to throw the ball the best I can and being ready to go for that first game of the season so that is where my focus is going to be."
Vogelsong says he has had limited time in the bullpen in the past and would be prepared to take on that role should he lose out on a rotation spot.
"I want to start. It's one of the reasons why I came back to Pittsburgh," Vogelsong said. "If it does happen (bullpen) I will take it in stride and do the best I can in that situation."
