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It’s got to be the shoes: Wil Crowe -- and his son -- boast impressive collection of kicks

Following the first game of the season, I spoke to Wil Crowe in the visiting locker room. We discussed his transition to the bullpen, a topic that has now been discussed ad infinitum. As I stopped my recorder and turned to walk away, I looked down at the ground and spotted a pair of black, white and gray Jordan 1s. 

I commented on the kicks. Crowe said there were more where those came from. Hella more (my words, not his).

This week, I finally had the opportunity to catch up with Crowe and ask him about what he’s got and what he’s rocking.

The collection started last year, beginning with -- appropriately enough -- a pair of Jordan 1s. When a shoe he liked became available on a shoe app, he scooped it up. Despite being a newcomer to the shoe game, his closet is already running out of space. He currently has about 15 pairs of shoes in Pittsburgh, with about five more pairs on the way and then about 12 more pairs back home.

The “University Blue” 1s and “Pollen” 1s -- can you tell he loves that model? -- are consistently part of his rotation, the latter being appropriate given that they’re black and yellow. As far as Crowe’s white whales, shoes he would love to get if they ever became available, he’s eyeing the “Georgetown,” “Shattered Backboard” or “Hyper Royal” Jordan 1s, as well as the “Military Black” Jordan 4s. At this rate, Complex might be calling up Crowe soon enough.

For as many pairs that Crowe has, his son, Koa, has even more, around 30 pairs -- and growing. With no exaggeration, Koa has six times as many shoes in his rotation than me.  

And, no, unlike Mars Blackmon, I didn’t ask Crowe whether his performance this year was because of the shoes. But it’s got to be the shoes, right?

TRIVIA

On Tuesday, Reid Detmers of the Angels threw the first individual no-hitter of the 2022 season. On that note, which pitcher threw the first no-hitter in Pirates history? 

A. Nick Maddox

B. Wilbur Cooper

C. Cliff Chambers

D. Bob Moose

THE VAULT

Nate McLouth -- a 25th-round selection in the 2000 MLB Draft by the Pirates -- broke through to the Major Leagues in ‘05. He served as an everyday center fielder for Pittsburgh for a few seasons, including ‘08, when he became an All-Star for the first and only time in his career. How did that season begin for McLouth? A big three-run homer in the eighth inning of an Opening Day thriller that the Pirates won, 12-11, against the Braves. Weirdly enough, McLouth was traded the next season to Atlanta for three players, one of whom was Charlie Morton.

JACK GETS FIRST JACK

Forget the numbers for a second. If you’ve just watched Jack Suwinski play -- watched how he’s patrolled right field, watched how he’s looked in the batter’s box -- it would be hard to believe that he was a rookie. It would be hard to believe he never played a game above Double-A before this season. He has looked the part. 

Now, look at the numbers. Look at the production. Even with the small sample size in mind, he’s really looked the part. Through Thursday, in 14 games, Suwinski has a 107 wRC+ and three defensive runs saved. He hit his first home run -- excuse me, his first jack -- on Monday, a 425-foot blast to center field. Two days later, he went yard again. Yeah, he’s fitting right in. 

"I was watching him just watching him walking around the dugout, and there are little moments where you can tell a dude is walking on air, because he’s still walking up and down the dugout looking for somebody with his helmet on,” said Michael Chavis. “He’s still just smiling, and it’s like, ‘Bro, you don’t even know where you’re at right now, do you?’ You can just tell he’s so happy, and he should be."

What’s as impressive as Suwinski's early returns has been the level of competition. Most of his games have come against legitimate contenders -- the Brewers, the Padres, the Dodgers. It’s been a trial by fire, but Suwinski is thriving.

“There haven’t really been any easy arms for him, and he doesn’t look overwhelmed,” said Daniel Vogelbach. “He doesn’t look overmatched.”

TRIVIA ANSWER

A. Maddox

The right-hander threw the franchise’s first no-hitter on Sept. 20, 1907, at age 20. In his third MLB start, he allowed one unearned run but did not allow the Brooklyn Superbas to notch a base hit.

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