Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press Chuck Tanner, greeting Tigers manager Jim Leyland, joins a group of Pirates managers past and present yesterday in Bradenton, Fla. From left are Bill Virdon, Tanner, Leyland, Gene Lamont, and current manager Jim Tracy. Lloyd McClendon is just joining the group on the far right.

By Paul Meyer
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette BRADENTON, Fla. -- There was the Bronx Zoo. There is the Oakland Zoo. And today there will be the McKechnie Zoo. The media horde descending on McKechnie Field today to watch Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka pitch against the Pirates represents the biggest logistical nightmare in Bradenton in the 14 years Jim Trdinich has been the Pirates' media relations director.

"This beats it all by far," he said.

As many as 100 members of the media, including ESPN's television crew and assorted photographers, will converge on McKechnie Field.

The press box can seat 40 uncomfortably.

The others?

"We'll put them wherever we can find room," Trdinich said. "But I'm fine with the attention. I'm fine with it all. It'll be just another challenge."

The Red Sox doled out $103 million to sign Matsuzaka, including paying about $51 million just to have the right to negotiate with the Japanese star.

Matsuzaka has made two starts this spring. In seven innings, he has allowed eight hits, including two home runs, a walk and three earned runs, striking out six.

Good outing for Burnett

The Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers, 3-1, yesterday.

Paul Maholm, who was to start the game at McKechnie Field, instead pitched in a minor-league game at the Pirates' minor-league complex. Sean Burnett started against the Tigers, primarily because the coaching staff wanted to evaluate him more closely.

"We wanted to see him against the type of lineup they'd run out there," manager Jim Tracy said. "Obviously, he did OK."

The Tigers featured many of their regulars in the lineup. Burnett yielded two hits, no runs and three walks and struck out four in 4 1/3 innings.

Burnett, a left-hander, is likely to begin the season with Class AAA Indianapolis but could be the first starter called up if one of the major-league starters falters.

Maholm, pitching against Minnesota's low Class A team, went five innings, yielding three hits, no walks and a run.

Adam LaRoche hit his first spring home run in the second inning against Justin Verlander.

Can Tigers repeat?

The Tigers were one of the best stories of last season, defying the odds to reach the World Series after being the American League wild-card team.

They lost the World Series to St. Louis in five games.

"It was disappointing -- rewarding and disappointing at the same time," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

What does Leyland think are his team's chances of repeating its trip to the World Series this year?

"Probably not very good," he said. "Do we have a good team? Do we have a chance? Yes. It's pretty tough to get there. I don't think many people realize how hard it was for us to beat the Yankees [in the Division Series] and beat Oakland [in the American League Championship Series]. That's no day at the beach."

Short hops

Freddy Sanchez, continuing his rehab from a sprained right knee, took at-bats in a minor-league game for the first time. "I'm hoping to get as many at-bats as I can," he said before leaving for the minor-league complex. "I need these." Sanchez still hasn't been cleared to run or play in the field.

John Grabow, out with irritation in his left elbow since March 12, completed his second day on a conservative throwing program. Once again, he made 50 throws from 60 feet on flat ground. "I felt pretty good," he said.

Pitchers Matt Capps and Tom Gorzelanny and members of the front-office staff visited children in the Manatee Memorial Hospital's pediatric unit yesterday afternoon. The group signed autographs, posed for pictures and distributed Pirates caps.

Gorzelanny is scheduled to start for the Pirates today. Others scheduled to pitch include Jim Brower, Marty McLeary, Dan Kolb and Damaso Marte.