Mientkiewicz leads by example

Although "Dirty" Doug Mientkiewicz is batting .237 and only makes the occasional start, he is a valuable member of the 2008 Pittsburgh Pirates. Yesterday was a perfect example of how Mientkiewicz continues to battle and do the little things that keeps the Buccos in games.

"Doug was the catalyst," manager John Russell said. "I know Bay had the big hit, but Doug was the one who picked us up early on, and he just kept going. Big hits. Big walks. Big plays. He was our MVP today."

More excerpts from Dejan Kovacevic's article on Mientkiewicz from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"When you lead by example, it goes way beyond words," [Chris] Gomez said. "A guy who's just screaming and yelling but doesn't do the work and show the professionalism on the field ... that's the worst kind of leader. Doug shows the professionalism."

"Well, I don't get to play every day now," [Mientkiewicz] said. "This is the job of a bench guy. You give the team that jolt it needs sometimes. I call our guys on the bench the wedge-breakers. You know, those first guys down the field on kickoffs? You do all the dirty work but don't get the hype."

FYI... Doug Mientkiewicz was born in the blue-collar city of Toledo, Ohio. That's where my wife and I will be moving to next month!