The Pittsburgh Pirates
May 9th 2011 16:00
Okay, so the pertinent stat of the day is that this is the latest in the season that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been at .500 since 2005. Including this one, that is 7 seasons. Between 2005 and 2011, by 34 games in the Pirates have been under .500 and destined to stay miserably there. But don't get to hoping yet; in 2005 the Pirates were 30-30 (or 31-31, 32-32 I can't remember exactly) before, alas, they began playing real "Pirate ball" and went on to lose probably 92 games. Or something like that.
That said, and despite all logic, I am finding myself watching the scores more closely once again. DAMN these fools for sucking me into the team again. I've damned them time and again for idiotic moves, poor management, worse ownership and yet the moment that they show a flash of anything hopeful I'm clinging to it like the last fraying thread over an abyss. And therefore the question becomes: will the thread fray and send me plummeting into the 2011 season depths, or will the Pirates actually, truly look like a baseball team?
To be fair and honest, I don't know whether or not the Pirates have the *talent* to play at or above .500 ball. Over 162 games, the good separates from the average who separate from the poor. A mediocre team cannot be expected to play at a winning level over the long haul of a season. Over that length of time only talent matters. Do the Pirates have enough? They've got...some talent. McCutcheon among others. They've been stockpiling arms and talent for long enough that the odds are in their favor that finally they'll get something. So do they have it?
Here's the thing. For a team that has suffered through 18 straight losing seasons, if they were to say maintain a season-long battle with .500 and maybe have a shot at getting there come season's end, the city would be alive. The park would have butts in seats. Walk-up numbers would be strong, and season ticket sales would surge as well. There could only be good things coming from a competitive team. The city understands that the Pirates don't have the talent to compete for a title. They don't. That's a hard truth, set in stone. But do they have enough to be an average, or maybe slightly above? The signs are positive, but as usual with this team I have to wait and see. But it would be a great thing for the city to have a competitive baseball team. It would create an excitement that's not been seen around here on those hot, sultry summer nights in 18 years. Who wouldn't get excited?
So we sit, and wait, and watch, and inevitably, hope. But 34 games into the season, having hope for this team is something positive - something different. Something to savor, if possibly only for a moment. We shall see.
Let's go Bucs!
That said, and despite all logic, I am finding myself watching the scores more closely once again. DAMN these fools for sucking me into the team again. I've damned them time and again for idiotic moves, poor management, worse ownership and yet the moment that they show a flash of anything hopeful I'm clinging to it like the last fraying thread over an abyss. And therefore the question becomes: will the thread fray and send me plummeting into the 2011 season depths, or will the Pirates actually, truly look like a baseball team?
To be fair and honest, I don't know whether or not the Pirates have the *talent* to play at or above .500 ball. Over 162 games, the good separates from the average who separate from the poor. A mediocre team cannot be expected to play at a winning level over the long haul of a season. Over that length of time only talent matters. Do the Pirates have enough? They've got...some talent. McCutcheon among others. They've been stockpiling arms and talent for long enough that the odds are in their favor that finally they'll get something. So do they have it?
Here's the thing. For a team that has suffered through 18 straight losing seasons, if they were to say maintain a season-long battle with .500 and maybe have a shot at getting there come season's end, the city would be alive. The park would have butts in seats. Walk-up numbers would be strong, and season ticket sales would surge as well. There could only be good things coming from a competitive team. The city understands that the Pirates don't have the talent to compete for a title. They don't. That's a hard truth, set in stone. But do they have enough to be an average, or maybe slightly above? The signs are positive, but as usual with this team I have to wait and see. But it would be a great thing for the city to have a competitive baseball team. It would create an excitement that's not been seen around here on those hot, sultry summer nights in 18 years. Who wouldn't get excited?
So we sit, and wait, and watch, and inevitably, hope. But 34 games into the season, having hope for this team is something positive - something different. Something to savor, if possibly only for a moment. We shall see.
Let's go Bucs!
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