Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: New-look Pirates back to being all about baseball

The first sign that things are different with the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring training was the missing signs.

The hallway outside the clubhouse at Pirate City didn’t have any of the inspirational messages and mottos posted on the walls that were hallmarks of the previous regime.

Hanging in their place along the wall are framed jerseys of the Pirates’ retired numbers, from Billy Meyer’s No. 1 to Danny Murtaugh’s No. 40. On the opposite side are photos of the team’s all-time greats.

It was simple and clean, a new message for this team: The Pirates are back to being all about baseball.

1. Dressing down: New manager Derek Shelton promised to make the game fun again this spring, and the atmosphere on Monday was much more relaxed.

Where Shelton wore shorts to watch a light workout as pitchers and catchers reported, new general manager Ben Cherington turned heads in jeans and a hoodie.

The Pirates always appeared buttoned-up under previous president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington, who both preferred a business-casual look.

Chris Archer echoed his sentiments from the season finale, when the pitcher said upon Clint Hurdle’s dismissal that the manager had become repetitive and redundant and the Pirates needed a new voice and a new message.

“We’re all big leaguers, especially the ones that have established themselves, and (the Pirates are) trusting them more and focusing on different things rather than controlling things that a big-leaguer should already know how to do,” Archer said. “It’s more focused on the on-field play and on-field execution, making the individual a better baseball player instead of worrying about little things that don’t matter.

“It’s more of an open, newer mindset. It’s hard to put into words but it’s more of a vibe. It’s not as hard-nosed. There’s still grit. There’s still intention behind everything we do. But it’s baseball, man. We’re not lining up, trying to knock each other out.”

Safe to say, Hoka Hey has gone away.

2. Losing the locs: Speaking of new looks, Archer looks like a new man after cutting off his dreadlocks.

Archer had been growing his hair for five years, leaving it in locs for the last three. What became his signature look, however, had started to become bothersome.

“During the offseason, I was thinking about it a lot – a lot more than I ever have – and I woke up one morning and texted the barber that I use and said, ‘Hey, I need you to come over – and bring the shears,’” Archer said. “The (Instagram) video I posted was literally the first loc that was snipped. It feels good. … My head feels so much lighter; true definition of light-headed, in a good way.”

It’s certainly a clean-cut look.

#Pirates pitcher Chris Archer shows off his new hairstyle after reporting to spring training today at Pirate City in Bradenton. pic.twitter.com/rMRVcUUYff

— Christopher Horner (@Hornerfoto1) February 10, 2020

3. Cut like Cutch: Archer ignored the Andrew McCutchen factor, even though Pirates fans once shared conspiracy theories that cutting his dreadlocks in late March 2015 contributed to his slow start that season.

McCutchen batted .194 in 21 games in March and April before finishing with 23 home runs and 96 RBIs as the Pirates won 98 games and earned a wild-card playoff berth.

“If I was listening to everybody’s feedback, I wouldn’t be where I am,” Archer said. “I know that because I’ve done it before. Some people like it; some people don’t. When I look in the mirror, I like it. And that’s the only thing that matters.”

I’d imagine Archer can shave his head for all most Pirates fans care, so long as he pitches better than last season.

4. Strength therapy: A key to Archer pitching better for the Pirates could be a healthy offseason.

Archer underwent surgery to repair a bilateral hernia in November 2018, limiting his offseason strength training. He spent the final month of last season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

Archer spent this offseason working with Zach Ray, a physical therapist and sport-specific trainer in Westlake Village, Calif., to address what he called “the deficiencies in my body,” primarily nagging groin and hip problems.

“Obviously, there’s no excuses. I don’t do that. I’m just saying I’m in a much better position for how my body moves and how strong I am than I was last spring training,” Archer said. “We were able to set a really solid foundation and build on top of that.”

5. Comfort zone: Archer called the hiring of Shelton “a huge comfort,” as they spent time together when he was the hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Rays.

“As soon as they made that hire, I knew what direction the organization was going in,” Archer said. “From what I’ve seen, it was time for something fresh, something different. Sheltie, it’s going to be not scripted. It’s going to be very sincere. We’re going to have a lot of fun but we’re going to get a lot of work in.”

Archer said Shelton spent a lot of time picking player’s brains, finding out what went wrong last season while sharing what he wants to implement with the Pirates.

“He’s been a part of lot of successful teams. Pretty much every team he’s been a part of has been successful while he’s been there, so he knows what it takes,” Archer said, emphasizing that the new approach to spring training won’t be too laid back. “We’re obviously going to have the same hard-nosed mentality that Pittsburghers have but we might just do it a little bit of a different way.”

As long as it’s all about baseball, man.

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