33-36, Lose Series in Baltimore

I usually, as my readers know,  just do game blogs for these here Buccos. But, after a lovely evening at work, I come home to find not only another hideous seesaw loss to the Baltimore Orioles, (hold on, the Baltimore Orioles everybody), but also find and read an article about the ELUSIVE .500 mark the Pittsburgh Pirates have set for themselves after... hmmm... not being at or above that point in 16 long, long years. For those faint at heart, I am going to rant, I am going to rumble - I am pissed off.

To begin with, veteran 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (whose last name absolutely kills me) had "a lot" to say on the subject. Now, Mient is a World Champion with the 2004 Boston Red Sox, and is a veteran, but what he said in this article bugs the bajesus out of me. And I quote:

Obviously Doug hasn't been with the organization long enough to know the pain and tortures of, well, The 'Burgh. But, he knows its history well enough to know that a .500 mark at the end of the year would not only please fans but have them excited and ready to come out to the ball park the following season, knowing that they will see a decent ball club. Reminder: I am a fan ranting here, but also a baseball analysis that hopes to enter a MLB front office once I become of age. I honestly look at this with a strong perspective.

Since I don't want to write too much, I will say this. I am not a player; I really don't know exactly (though Doug is "convinced" they play to win... I am being sarcastic, don't worry) what the Pirates mindsets are before and after every game. However, I do know that for the fans, or again at least for me, if they went out there every day trying just to be a .500 ball club ... I would be a happy camper.

And that's the .500 rant... woohoo! Seriously folks, I love the Pirates and I love baseball. There comes a point though in a blogger's path when he just has to sit down and start ranting. For those Pirate fans that feel me, please leave some feedback.

Because remember ladies and gentlemen, .500 or no .500, it will always be The 'Burgh Blues.