Little Known Pirates: Doug Mientkiewicz
During the 2008 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates brought in veteran infielder Doug Mientkiewicz to provide infield depth. His hard nose style of play made him a fan favorite that season, but he was eventually released after the year was over. Prior to the 2008 season, infielder Doug Mientkiewicz had done a lot through the first ten years of his MLB career. He had been a starter for the Minnesota Twins early in his career, won a World Series in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox, and had played with five different organizations. The Pittsburgh Pirates were looking for a veteran presence off the bench for the 2008 season to back up guys like Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez, Adam LaRoche, and Jose Bautista. So, the Pirates brought in Mientkiewicz on a one-year deal and he got to work right away. He was a hard-nosed player with a little bit of an attitude, and that won over the hearts of a Pittsburgh fan base known for their hard work. When all was said and done, Mientkiewicz for decent pl...