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Kent Tekulve's Early Impressions Of Spring Training

BRADENTON, Fla. (93.7 THE FAN)--The Fan Morning Show is broadcasting live from Pirates' Spring Training in Bradenton, Fla. all week.

Not only are all of the players there, working on getting ready for the season. But, the broadcasters and analysts are there as well, including former Pirates closer, and current ROOT Sports Studio Analyst, Kent Tekulve.

"Teke" tells us that Jason Grilli has the stuff to be a great closer in this league. He cautions us that there is no way to know how a pitcher will react to pitching under the pressure of the 9th inning until you throw them out on the mound and see what they can do.

"As a player, you are going to carry the baggage" of last season, Tekulve said about the collapse that left the Pirates' final record below .500.

The learning experience is what he believes the Pirates can use to grow, and to avoid a similar fate.

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