The Same Old Story
However, my friends and family have, such as my close pal Uncle Dusty. He holds on to his fan values for the 'Burgh because of what he has seen with his own eyes. The days of Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell mashing homeruns and delivering consistent clutch hits. He has experienced something no Pirate fan today would have thought possible - winning.
I still have yet to root for a Steel City baseball team that has won 70 games or more, but what I have seen has fulfilled my appetite at least a little. Freddy Sanchez did win the NL batting title back in 2006, and of course that 10-4 comeback was awesome.. but why am I still so intent on rooting for a team that is mathematically just bad? Honestly, I don't have a answer anymore for my readers.
In a strange case though, I have bought a type of emotional stock in these 'rats. It's not even the case that I want them to necessarily win, I just don't want them to embarrass themselves out on the baseball diamond like a tee-ball father. I mean, PPG writer Dejan Kovacevic is saying that this is one of the worst starting pitching rotation's in the history of baseball; that hurts a bunch and is impossible to defend, but no matter - this team means too much to me and I will stick with them 'till the end.
Just like last year, the latest second-half meltdown has the Bucs wondering what's next? I will tell you that a huge deal is going to go down over the next week, and a big Pirate run producer will be leaving Pittsburgh (Xavier Nady? Jason Bay?). As hard as it is to believe now, the team is still getting close to being set for the future. Look at the guys that will almost definitely be staying for the next three years - Nate The Great, Ryan Doumit, and even injured Matt Capps - these players have already succeeded at the Major League level and while they may not provide winners by themselves, they'll help to keep a portion of fans coming night in and night out to PNC.
Next on TBB: I am going to stop myself before I go crazy with the ranting, but I have to cringe at telling all of you the latest probable pitcher. In Houston tomorrow night, John Van Benschoten will get re-re-re-called to make the start against the RHP R. Hernandez.
Van Benschoten's High School MLB stats do not need to be repeated, but I will say the Bucs have a chance tomorrow in the offensive park of Minute Maid. They also especially got a shot against Minor League Big Leaguer Runelvys, who is 0-3 with a 10.29 ERA. It is sad to say that I said the same thing against the Rockies, and look how that turned out. Tune in 8:05 PM ET to witness the fun and excitement of JvB baseball.
It's all about the future, 2 or 3 years down the road, and if management doesnt use every possible trade chip to flood our high minors with talent it's only because of our greedy owner's fear that shipping off all our "stars" will cost him at the gate. Billy Beane understands that you either commit to the present or send guys packing to accomodate the future and every now and then A's fans are rewarded with some meaningful September baseball. Someone ought to explain this notion to Nutjob and Opie.
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Dust - the Pirates organization have a five year plan every year. Through three seasons of rooting for them, this "build for the future" bull is making me lose my mind!
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Indeed. But remember, Littlefield has been stuffed and exhibited in the Museum of the Braindead. Its Opie's turn now. Let's hope he has the baseballs and vision to build for the future in a constructive way. "Playing to win now" isn't fooling anybody.
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