News and Notes–Nov. 21

Not much happening on this snowy Friday. The biggest news is something most of us knew a long time ago: John Van Benschoten will not pitch for the Pirates again. He [opted for minor league free agency today].
Here is pretty much all you need to know about JVB:
1. He was drafted by the Bucs in the first round out of Kent State, where he led the NCAA in HR's.
2. The Pirates decided to make him a pitcher.
3. He got hurt in the minor leagues.
4. He pitched well in the minor leagues after recovering.
5. He was called up, but couldn't quite get that ERA under 10.00.
6. He was sent back down, and he continued to dominate the minor leagues.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for a seemingly infinite amount of times (until now).

So, basically all today means is that cycle is over. He was already booted from the 40-man roster a while ago.
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I did manage to be in attendance for [one of his two wins], though.
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A trip around the Bucs' blogosphere (see links on the left) will tell you what some others think of yesterday's...