Pirates' Catcher Michael McKenry Digs In For 2013 Season
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Michael McKenry joins Vinnie & Cook on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan for a spring training update.
McKenry gives a complete assessment of the Pirates pitching staff, and how it has performed so far this spring.
Of James McDonald, McKenry says, "He's leaps and bounds ahead of where he was last year. Mechanics, arm-wise, everything. He threw the ball well [against Tampa Bay]. He implemented his slider, and I think he got an out on every single slider he threw. He's going to be a huge key for us this year. He's just got to lead by example and do his thing."
As for his relationship with starting catcher Russell Martin, McKenry has welcomed in the former Yankee with open arms.
"It's great," McKenry says. "He's a lot like me. He's hard-nosed. He's a smaller-statured catcher. He's a guy I can learn a lot from. He's just going to help me as much as I'm going to help him, and we're going to try to make this ballclub the best we can."
McKenry also gives an inside look on his preparation for the season ahead, reacts to the talk that Major League Baseball may look to reduce collisions at home plate, and reports that the Pirates have a chip on their shoulder following last season's result.
