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Wednesday, July 01, 2009

NBC Sports: Baseball rookies from India near pro debuts

The Pittsburgh Pirates may soon find out if an investment of $20,000 can produce a couple of million-dollar arms.

Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, their two India-born pitchers who had never seen a baseball game before being the top two finishers in a TV reality show designed to find potential major league arms, are nearly ready to make their professional debuts.

Neither had picked up a baseball, much less thrown one, until little more than a year ago. Aspiring cricket players, they had no idea that American athletes could make so much money playing a sport they knew nothing about.

Now, after a busy year crowded with TV show appearances, basic baseball instruction, fitness workouts, constant throwing and adjusting to a pro athlete’s life in a new country, they are about to take the mound for the Bradenton Pirates of the rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

“It’s going to be fun,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.

Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: July 01, 2009 at 09:42 AM | 33 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
Related News: Pittsburgh, International

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1. Not The Real Fausto Carmona (Dan Lee) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 11:07 AM (#3238808)

Video of Rinku here and Dinesh here.

I'm admittedly a rank amateur when it comes to scouting, but Dinesh looks like he's a whole lot more polished in terms of his mechanics. Although I see what looks like several obvious balks around the 1:00 mark of the video. He doesn't even feign a pause once he's set.

2. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 11:28 AM (#3238816)

I don't know. I should root for these guys, but I guess it's hard for me to be emotionally invested in guys who probably don't care about baseball in the slightest.

3. RMc's grumbling has gone far enough Posted: July 01, 2009 at 11:43 AM (#3238825)

Why aren't they playing for Cleveland?

4. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 12:29 PM (#3238855)

Why aren't they playing for Cleveland?

(Forget) that. Can they toss a football? The Cincinnati Bengals would be a perfect fit for these guys.

5. Steve Parris, Je t'aime (M. Valentin) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 01:17 PM (#3238885)

I don't know. I should root for these guys, but I guess it's hard for me to be emotionally invested in guys who probably don't care about baseball in the slightest.

Well, hopefully they will learn to appreciate the game and pass that interest on to their countrymen. Even if they're modestly successful, that would be a huge victory for baseball.

6. fra paolo Posted: July 01, 2009 at 01:31 PM (#3238894)

Even if they're modestly successful, that would be a huge victory for baseball.

English rugby, cricket and football says be careful what you wish for.

7. RJ not in TO

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 01:44 PM (#3238900)

The Cincinnati Bengals would be a perfect fit for these guys.

Why? Are they criminals?

8. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 01:47 PM (#3238906)

In a counter move, Drayton Moore signed a Pakistani teen. "He's gonna be the real Sultan of Swat." said the Kansas City GM.

9. Dr Love Posted: July 01, 2009 at 01:51 PM (#3238909)

(Forget) that. Can they toss a football? The Cincinnati Bengals would be a perfect fit for these guys.

The Bengals don't a need a QB. Cleveland however does.

I hope these guys succeed, it would be a really cool story even if it means we are outsourcing our pitching to India.

10. phredbird

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:42 PM (#3239009)

I don't know. I should root for these guys, but I guess it's hard for me to be emotionally invested in guys who probably don't care about baseball in the slightest.

they will end up being in love with the greatest sport ever. mark my words.

11. Tike Redman's Shattered Dreams (shayborg) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:52 PM (#3239027)

I don't know. I should root for these guys, but I guess it's hard for me to be emotionally invested in guys who probably don't care about baseball in the slightest.

If they didn't care, why would they be here? If I understand correctly they already got hundreds of thousands of dollars each as the prize for the game show.

12. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:56 PM (#3239029)

If they didn't care, why would they be here? If I understand correctly they already got hundreds of thousands of dollars each as the prize for the game show.

Maybe for more money? I'm just throwing it out there.

13. zonk Posted: July 01, 2009 at 03:59 PM (#3239033)

They should have signed with the Nats so Adam Dunn could teach them not to care about, but still be good at, the game.

14. Bronco Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:02 PM (#3239036)

I don't know. I should root for these guys, but I guess it's hard for me to be emotionally invested in guys who probably don't care about baseball in the slightest.

15. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:06 PM (#3239042)

Not sure what that has to do with anything. Tons of Americans are drafted in multiple sports and forgo their "first love" sport for baseball because there's much more money to be had, longer careers, etc.

Tons of Americans? You're talking about football, right? :)

Is it really puzzling to you guys that I have trouble finding enthusiasm for two guys who a year ago had never even heard of the sport? That I might be more emotionally invested in guys who have played their whole lives and have dreamed about making the major leagues? Does that make me a weirdo?

16. RJ not in TO

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:10 PM (#3239045)

Does that make me a weirdo?

Yes.

17. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:14 PM (#3239047)

Does that make me a weirdo?

Yes.

Jeez, I thought this was the one non-weird sentiment I had. You normal people are baffling!

18. RB in NYC (Now with New Running Goal!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:18 PM (#3239058)

Is it really puzzling to you guys that I have trouble finding enthusiasm for two guys who a year ago had never even heard of the sport?

That's fine, though I think it's a fun story so I'll root for them, but that's kind of a different point from saying they "probably don't care about baseball in the slightest."

Does that make me a weirdo?

Well, not that.

19. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:19 PM (#3239060)

I hope these guys succeed, it would be a really cool story even if it means we are outsourcing our pitching to India.

I don't know about the pitching, but when Eric Wedge (assuming he is still around when these guys make it) calls the bullpen the coach will answer it from Mumbai.

20. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:21 PM (#3239062)

Tons of Americans? You're talking about football, right? :)

Jeff Conine and racquetball.

21. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:23 PM (#3239065)

That's fine, though I think it's a fun story so I'll root for them, but that's kind of a different point from saying they "probably don't care about baseball in the slightest."

That's the thing, though. This is normally the kind of oddball thing I could get behind, but if they make it, I think it would leave me cold.

22. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:29 PM (#3239075)

23. RB in NYC (Now with New Running Goal!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:31 PM (#3239078)

That's the thing, though. This is normally the kind of oddball thing I could get behind, but if they make it, I think it would leave me cold.

But it just seems like an odd assumption. I will grant you these guys don't have the "love of the game" that someone who played their whole life hoping to make the Majors does, but it seems really cynical to assume that they don't care about baseball at all and are just in all this for the money, as implied in #12.

24. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:36 PM (#3239084)

but it seems really cynical to assume that they don't care about baseball at all and are just in all this for the money, as implied in #12.

Maybe. I just don't know why I should assume they do. (Maybe I'm just sick to death of reality show gimmickry.) I don't give a rat's ass about cricket, that's for sure. (Though I did read about a famous cricketer in one of my Aussie guide books, and the cricket jargon is fascinating. I had no idea what it meant but it sounded excellent.)

25. The Good Face Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:44 PM (#3239096)

but it seems really cynical to assume that they don't care about baseball at all and are just in all this for the money, as implied in #12.

I don't think so. These guys didn't know from baseball until the reality show came along. It doesn't mean they won't develop a love of the game, but I don't think it's cynical to assume otherwise.

Me? I'm pulling for them. I think baseball is the best game in the world, and I want the best athletes on earth to be playing it, not wasting their talents on soccer or cricket or livestock pestering, or whatever the hell people do in the dark, benighted places of the world. Anything that can increase baseball awareness among a large, baseball-deprived population is a good thing in my book.

26. RB in NYC (Now with New Running Goal!) Posted: July 01, 2009 at 04:57 PM (#3239114)

the cricket jargon is fascinating. I had no idea what it meant but it sounded excellent

I read the Bridge Column for that. It's fasinating, I know all the words, yet the sentences don't make any sense.

Both Wests led the heart jack. The two Easts won with the ace and accurately shifted to a club. The declarers won with the ace and led the spade king, the Wests defending correctly by ducking this trick, reading declarer for 2-1-5-5 distribution.

Well, naturally.

27. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 05:03 PM (#3239129)

Both Wests led the heart jack. The two Easts won with the ace and accurately shifted to a club. The declarers won with the ace and led the spade king, the Wests defending correctly by ducking this trick, reading declarer for 2-1-5-5 distribution.

See, that's poetry!

28. Rich Rifkin Posted: July 01, 2009 at 05:11 PM (#3239145)

Bridge gave the world the term Grand Slam, damnit! Even before people with dentures started showing up at Denny's.

29. phredbird

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 05:24 PM (#3239185)

bullpen: hello, bullpen, this is dev.

ozzie guillen: dave? who the h-ll are you?

b: yes, bullpen, this is dev. can i help you?

o: where the f-ck is nieves?

b: yes, we are handling those responsibilities now. how can i help you?

o: i have to talk to you to get one of my pitchers? what the f-ck?

b: yes, we can send you a new bowler.

o: a what?

b: sorry ... (sound of keys tapping) ... 'relief pitcher'.

o: i can hardly understand what you are saying, what are you some sort of maricon?

b: you are needing someone from the bullpen?

o: oh, f-ck. look, can you send me thornton?

b: sorry, our records indicate ... 'no lefthander warming up'.

o: @#$%%!!! let me talk to your supervisor.

b: please hold.

o: *breaks phone hanging up*

30. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 01, 2009 at 05:41 PM (#3239218)

If Shooty doesn't find Rinky and Dinesh sympathetic, he must not have been reading their blog.

(dormant since the beginning of the season, sadly)

31. RMc's grumbling has gone far enough Posted: July 01, 2009 at 10:19 PM (#3239802)

If Shooty doesn't find Rinky and Dinesh sympathetic, he must not have been reading their blog.

People wanting knowing we pitching good.

I pitching Yankees and I getting 3 fly out ball. I giving one run on sacrificing fly ball.

My curveball getting good.

Here Pirate City thing very good. everyone treating us good.

Now, that's poetry!

32. Obama Bomaye Posted: July 01, 2009 at 10:59 PM (#3239823)

solid performance phredbird

33. phredbird

Posted: July 01, 2009 at 11:26 PM (#3239839)

it kills me how you get those guys and they are unfailingly polite, no matter how much you abuse them.

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NBC Sports: Baseball rookies from India near pro debuts

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