All things being equal, I would have been a Pittsburgh Pirates fan

I've been a Red Sox fan has long as I could remember.

I remained loyal even when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York and Los Angeles.
My Red Sox fan credentials are solid. Don't believe me? Turn on HBO.

But I wonder what my fandom would have been if I didn't grow up in New England.
What team would I have picked if geography didn't play such a factor?

Simple. I would have been a Pittsburgh Pirates fan.
And anyone who reads this blog regularly would see why.

My theory that you truly start following a team when you are 7 or 8 years old have the Pirates playing a huge part of my baseball life.

The 1979 World Series was the first one I remember watching, and I can remember it like it was yesterday. The Orioles were terrific but the Pirates were just cool. Their players seemed to be more fun, their uniforms were bonkers and the players were dancing to disco in the dugout.

I've written a lot about the 1979 Pirates, including this post which is my personal favorite one.

Willie Stargell remains one of my favorite players ever. I banged the drum loudly for Bert Blyleven's Hall of Fame candidacy and for Dave Parker as well. And to this day, I get goose bumps when I hear Sister Sledge's We Are Family and can close my eyes and see Pops take McGregor deep.

Years later, I got emotionally attached to another Pirates team. I rooted for the 1990 and 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates to win their Division and in the NLCS. They lost a pair of heart breakers.

But it was the 1992 team that I really loved.

I was first and foremost a Red Sox fan in 1992, but that edition was a truly boring team.

Boggs and Burks were finishing out their time with the Sox. Veterans like Greenwell and Jack Clark were hurt and Tom Brunansky led the team with 15 homers. Clemens was still great but the team was a non contender. (Back then the Red Sox and Yankees were boring, losing non contenders. Go figure.)

I found myself following the Pirates, who were supposed to finish behind the Mets after Bobby Bonilla defected to Queens (along with new comer Bret Saberhagen.)

Instead the Pirates got off to a 12-2 start. The fought with the Cardinals, Mets and Expos until mid season they blew the competition away. An 11 game winning streak in late July and early August made a joke of the race. And there was a sense of urgency with the team.

They knew that Barry Bonds and Doug Drabek were going to be free agents and this would be their best shot to win a pennant. And if you saw me during the 1992 NLCS, you would have thought I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. And after the Francisco Cabrera hit stabbed Pittsburgh in the throat, I was crushed more than any baseball event since 1986.

On the blog, I've constantly got on the Pirates for their awful drafts, their lousy trades and I was so excited for them last summer when for a few months they looked like contenders.

But I also find myself being drawn to the Pirates of the past.

I have an obsession with 1925 World Series hero Red Oldham.

I wrote about the alternate history of a potentially integrated Pirates team in 1938.

I watched the MLB Network rebroadcast of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.

I am currently reading a book about the 1971 Pirates and have a Roberto Clemente book next on my shelf.

I have a Pirates fascination.
It is easier to root and follow a team now with MLB.com, XMRadio, etc. If I had all of that back in 1979, maybe I wouldn't be a Sox fan. Maybe I would have been a die hard Pirates fan.

Then again, if that were the case I would have missed out on 2004 and 2007 and I'd have had no winning season since that 1992 season.

Maybe it is best.

But let the record show, I am rooting for the Pirates. The NL Central is winnable. The 7 year old version of me is cheering you on.

And one final Pirates obsession... I LOVE this video about Dock Ellis and his no hitter.
Enjoy.

Forget winning the Division... will the Pirates win another GAME?

Look, the Pirates winning the NL Central was always a bit of a long shot. Even on July 19th when they were in first place by themselves, the chances of them holding on to that lead were slim.

But even the most realistic Pirate fan would have had a hard time imagining this fiasco.

They've lost 10 of their past 11 games. Yeah that included some tight games, including the 19 inning fiasco. But they've only one once since then.

And win loss records don't reflect close games. Just wins and losses.

Since they went on this brutal stretch against the Cardinals, Braves and Phillies, the home series against the lowly Cubs and Padres were supposed to be a chance to catch their breath and pick up a few wins before heading to San Francisco.

Well they were swept by the Cubs and are in danger of being swept by the Padres.

Pirates... you NEED to get back on track. A lot of positives have been achieved this year. Fans have shown up. There was excitement for a bit and even some optimism.

But guess what? The Steelers are practicing now. You know, the team that made it to the SUPER BOWL last year. The team that won the Damn Super Bowl a few years ago and a few years before that!

You have Pittsburgh's attention but PNC Park could be empty in September unless you start putting some W's on the board.

The Bucs are 4 games under .500 now.
They have 50 games left.

In order to go 82-80, a winning season to get the whole "longest streak of losing seasons in North American History" crap off their backs, they need to go 28-22 the rest of the way.

Not asking for the moon.
It starts tomorrow.
It's the freaking Padres.

Win a game.

Ryan Ludwick and The Right Stuff

There's a great moment in The Right Stuff that I thought about when I heard the Pirates dealt for Ryan Ludwick today.

When Alan Shepard climbed into the capsule, getting ready to be the first American into space, he saw there was a hand written sign placed on the capsule. It read "No Handball Playing In This Area." Shepard saw it was placed there by John Glenn as a joke.

It was a lame joke and Shepard pointed that out to his rival. He thought Glenn was too squeaky clean not one of the boys.

Glenn for a moment is disappointed that his attempt at humor was rejected but then Shepard says "But I do appreciate it John. I surely do." And they share a bond at that moment that was real and warmer than anything they had up until that part of the movie.

And it was the moment where all the animosity between the two ended. They had a common goal that was greater than their many differences. At that moment they were only compatriots.

It's a great moment in a great movie.

So what the hell does that have to do with Ryan Ludwick being picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates?

OK, in my analogy, John Glenn is the Pirates organization and Alan Shepard represents the Pirates fans. And the lame handball joke? That's the trade for Ryan Ludwick.

Is it a difference maker?

No.

Will he lead the Pirates to the playoffs?

Probably not.

Will it be a forgotten move in a few weeks?

Probably.

But Pirate fans see the team TRYING to improve for the stretch run instead of shipping off the players that are any good.

That's Shepard saying to Glenn "I do appreciate it. I surely do."

For the first time in a long time, the Pirates are trying. They are giving a damn. And the team isn't just pocketing the revenue sharing.

It's a change in culture.

It's the right stuff.

Watch the clip below... at 17:20 of the clip is the scene I am talking about.

And rent The Right Stuff. What the hell is the matter with you?

This is a huge day for the Pirates

The culture in Pittsburgh baseball just had an enormous rumbling last night.
Derrek Lee was acquired by the Pirates. It cost the team a Single A first baseman named Aaron Baker.

Do you understand how significant this is?
Lee may or may not be a factor and that doesn't matter. For more than a decade and a half, the trading deadline in Pittsburgh meant graduation for the quality players on their roster.

If you were a good Pirate, they were going to trade your butt at the deadline.

Not this year. At least for one season, the Pirates are NOT a Quadruple A farm team to be picked apart by July 31st vulture contenders.

Clint Hurdle may have won the Manager of the Year award with this trade. Why?

Because for one season at least, the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates were BUYERS!!!

As soul crushing series go, that wasn't so bad for the Pirates

When a team loses a 19 inning game, it is heart breaking.

When they lose a game based on a horrible call that sparked a national controversy, then that can be agonizing.

When that team is fighting to stay near first place, it can be cruel.

And when that team is trying to change the culture of nearly two decades of sub .500 ball, there's a lot of reason to think that could be the turning point back to Loserville.

Now throw on the fact that the very next night after the 19 inning marathon, the lost ANOTHER extra inning game, then maybe you'd assume that Cinderella's carriage was turning back into a pumpkin.

But take a step back.

Don't focus on the two losses and see that they won the first game and tonight's game.

OK, show of hands, Pirates fans. How many of you would have taken a split of the 4 game series against the Braves IN Atlanta?

I am expecting a lot of hands up.

The Pirates whom everyone predicted would wither in the post All Star Game run against contenders are holding their own.

The only two losses against one of the truly elite teams could have easily gone the other way.

And with the Cardinals dropping their last two to the horrible Astros, the Pirates remain tied for second.

And the Pirates are tied in the loss column with the Brewers for the Division lead.

We are a few days away from it being August, and the Pirates are staying within range of the post season.

Tomorrow is their biggest test. They go to Philadelphia. They will play the VARSITY team of Pennsylvania baseball.

But so far, the Pirates have played half of the most important 20 Pirates games since 1992, and they split those 10 games.

Not bad for a fading team whose spirit should be crushed.

The 20 biggest games for the Pirates in 19 years

During the All Star break it was standard to look at the Pirates and say "they are a nice story but they will fade in the second half."

Well as we wake up this Friday, the second to last weekend of July and with August just around the corner, the Pirates are still tied for first place.

They played the Astros and won the series.
They had a harder task with the Reds and won the series.
Now they host the Cardinals.

Cincinnati takes on the Braves while the Brewers head off to San Francisco.

All three series are competitive but the Pirates being at home and throwing Maholm, Correia and Morton means they have a good shot at winning this series.

If they can survive this weekend and stay at least tied for first, then things will REALLY get interesting.

They head to Atlanta and Philadelphia and play 2 of the three teams that I think have the best shot of winning the World Series and they'll do it on their turf.

The other of the three potential World Series teams are the Giants. They play them the second week of August.

It's a gauntlet and the next few weeks they won't have a day off until August 11th.
That's a 20 game stretch.

If they can hold their own and go 10-10 or better in that time frame, then this might indeed be a contender.

If not, well then go for the 83 wins and go for the winning season.
Pirates had the day off yesterday. The 20 game stretch to redeem 18 years of losing begins.... NOW!

The Pirates are in first place by themselves... read that sentence again

No ties.
No percentage points.
No "tied in the loss column."

The Pittsburgh Pirates are alone on top of the standings. And guess what? Day after tomorrow it is LATE JULY.

You know, the time when teams make deals to make themselves better for the stretch run?
Usually it is the time when other teams pick apart the dead carcass of the Pirates looking for spare parts.

This year?
They are in first place.

There must be a spare part or two they can acquire.
I'm not talking about Jose Reyes or Ubaldo Jimenez.

But a bat... a reliever...
Just to show their fans ONE YEAR they actually bring a big leaguer into Pittsburgh instead of shipping them out.

Come and savor it, Pirates fans.
Look at the standings.

Sammy Wegent and Joel Solomon join the Sully Baseball Show

It's a packed Sully Baseball Show tonight...
Wonderful San Francisco comic and sketch performer Sammy Wegent calls in from Phoenix where he is attending Fan Fest and interacting with Hall of Famers and baseball superstars.

Then comic Joel Solomon talks about the unlikely rise of the Pirates and his thoughts if they can hang on in the second half of the season.

It is the second half of the Seamheads radio block on Monday night.
Listen below.

Listen to internet radio with Seamheads on Blog Talk Radio

Pirates did THEIR job

Well my wonderful scenario didn't come true. No three way tie for first place in the NL Central.

And if Francisco Cordero hadn't blown two saves, you'd have four teams within 2 games of first. But hey! Don't blame the Pirates. They won and won convincingly today.

They are 4 games above .500 and tied with the Brewers and the Cardinals in the loss column.

I know the team is thinking Division Lead at this point... but think about it.
The Pirates have 72 games left.

If they go 35-37 the rest of the way, they will finish the season 82-80.

A winning season!

No more "They haven't had a winning season since Francisco Cabrera" stories.
The first step to a changed culture.

Come on Bucs!
Just be mediocre the rest of the way!

A scenario all Pirate fans should be hoping for

Pirate fans... you want something to cheer about?
How about THIS scenario?

Let's say the Bucs beat the Cubs. Paul Maholm at home... it isn't unreasonable.

Then let's say the Reds pull off another win against the Brewers. Dontrelle Willis is pitching for the Reds. It will be a tall order, but crazier things have happened.

And let's say Arizona beats the Cardinals.

Three games... not asking a lot.

If those three games break exactly that way, then the Pirates will go into the All Star Break tied for first place and a game ahead in the loss column for the lead.

Raise your hand if you thought this team had a chance to be in first place at the break.

If you raised your hand, you are a liar.

Ladies and Gentlemen... your SECOND PLACE Pittsburgh Pirates

It's July. It is less than a week before the All Star Game. It is the second half of the season.
It is by no definition early.

And the Pittsburgh Pirates are in second place alone in the National League Central. They just leap frogged the Milwaukee Brewers and are 1 game back in the loss column.

The Pirates are here because they can pitch. They can field and they get the hit when they need it.

I'll say it. If they hover around this point by Sunday... the 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates will be... (Wait for it)...

CONTENDERS!!!!!!

(If they collapse, I will be blamed.)

You are half way there Pirates

Pirates, you are officially at the halfway mark of your season. You are currently one game over .500.

Do it again.
Go 41-40.

I'm not saying go win the Division (although the inconsistent Cardinals and Brewers are only 2 games ahead of Pittsburgh in the loss column.)

I'm not saying go win 90 games.

I'm saying finish with a winning record and people stop pointing out that you haven't had a winning season since 1992.

Finish with a winning record and give Pittsburgh fans real hope that better days are around the corner.

It's not asking alot.
It's an 82-80 record.

It's doable.
It's the first step towards a new culture on the team.

Just repeat a slightly better than mediocre first half of the season.

OK Pirates... knock it off

Seriously, I want you to have a winning season and stop all the talk about Francisco Cabrera. But not at the RED SOX expense!

How did this happen? The Red Sox beat up the Yankees to go into first place but then lose a series to the Pirates to fall OUT of first place?

A bad inning by Wakes... an error by Pedroia and a lot of solo homers but not a lot of production with men on base.

And here we are.

I'm not happy about it.
Time to update the tally.

DODGED BULLET GAMES - 21

April 8 - 9-6 win against the Yankees. (The Sox end their 6 game losing streak with a slugfest. John Lackey stinks but Phil Hughes stinks even more.)
April 10 - 4-0 win against the Yankees. (Beckett and Sabathia duel in a game that was 1-0 until the late innings.)
April 20 - 5-3 win in Oakland. (Red Sox survive a lead off homer and two bases loaded situations and facing the tying run at the plate to win their first road game.)
April 21 - 4-2 win in Anaheim. (The Red Sox stranded 15 men on base and Josh Beckett's went 8 strong with no decision. But the Sox rallied in the 11th to win.)
April 22 - 4-3 win in Anaheim. (Peter Bourjos makes a 2 run errors and the Red Sox survive a bizarre passed ball by Jarrod Saltalamacchia that let a run scored from second.)
May 1 - 3-2 win against the Mariners. (Ichiro loses a ball in the sun that turns into a 9th inning triple for Lowrie. Crawford singles him home for the win.)
May 8 - 9-5 win against the Twins. (Dice-K lets up 3 runs in the first but settles down as the Red Sox clobber Carl Pavano.)

May 9 - 2-1 win against the Twins. (A bullpen breakdown cost Beckett the decision but Cark Crawford ended the game with an 11th inning walk off hit.)
May 13 - 5-4 win in the Bronx. (Youkilis homers off of Joba and Bard and Papelbon make it more interesting than it needed to be.)
May 15 - 7-5 win in the Bronx. (Sox fall behind 4-1 but come back as Youk, Papi and Salty all homer.)
May 16 - 8-7 win against the Orioles. (Down 6-0 after 6 innings, the Sox rally and win it with a 2 run walk off double by Adrian Gonzalez)
May 18 - 1-0 win against Detroit. (With 2 outs in the 8th, Salty doubles home Crawford from first for the only run. Papelbon gets himself in and out of 9th inning trouble.)
May 19 - 4-3 win against Detroit. (Bard blows Beckett's lead but Carl Crawford wins it with a walk off hit.)
May 24 - 4-2 win in Cleveland. (Varitek throws two runners out and homers as the Red Sox win their first game against the Indians.)
May 29 - 4-3 win in Detroit. (The Red Sox blow an early 3-0 lead but David Ortiz wins the game with a pinch 9th inning homer.)
June 3 - 8-6 win against Oakland. (Buchholz lets up 4 runs in the first but the Sox come back thanks to Carl Crawford's 2 run single.)
June 4 - 9-8 win against Oakland. (Red Sox blow a 4 run 9th inning lead and trail in the 11th before Ellsbury ties it and Drew wins it in 14.)
June 7 - 6-4 win in the Bronx. (Papelbon strikes out A-Rod to end the game with a runner on base.)
June 9 - 8-3 win in the Bronx. (Down 2-0 to Sabathia in the 7th, the Sox score 7 runs as Papi exacts revenge after getting plunked. A 3+ hour rain delay pushed the game past 1:30 AM)

June 15 - 3-0 win in Tampa Bay. (Youkilis homers in the 7th for the only runs in Beckett's 1 hit masterpiece.)
June 16 - 4-2 win in Tampa Bay. (Papelbon wiggles out of a 2 on, nobody out jam in the 9th thanks to Youk's diving catch.)

TEETH GRINDER GAMES - 20

April 1 - 9-5 loss in Texas. (The Sox tie Opening Day in the 8th with an Ortiz homer only to have Bard implode and the Sox let up 4 in the bottom of the 8th.)

April 5 - 3-1 loss in Cleveland. (The Sox drop their 4th straight as the bats are dead in Cleveland.)
April 7 - 1-0 loss in Cleveland. (Sox blow a great Lester performance on a squeeze bunt and Darnell McDonald overrunning the bag to end the game.)
April 12 - 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay. (A solid Lester performance is wasted as Kyle Farnsworth of all people shuts down the Sox.)
April 15 - 7-6 loss to Toronto. (Bobby Jenks implodes with a 4 run seventh inning as the Red Sox waste Pedroia and Youkilis homers and a clutch RBI double by Scuatro.
April 19 - 5-0 loss in Oakland. (Pedroia gets picked off, the Sox bats go dead and waste a solid Lackey start.)
April 26 - 4-1 loss in Baltimore. (Buchholz pitches tentatively and the Sox let Kevin Gregg of all people to close out the 9th.)
April 27 - 5-4 loss in Baltimore. (The Sox tie the game with a 3 run 8th only to have Bard lose it in the bottom of the 8th.)
April 29 - 5-4 loss to Mariners. (Bobby Jenks blows a 7th inning lead, wasting 2 Mike Cameron homers.)
April 30 - 2-0 loss to Mariners. (The Sox strand 11 runners and let Milton Bradley double home the go ahead run.)
May 4 - 5-3 loss to Angels. (7 hours with rain delays and stranded runners. Marco Scutaro was thrown out at the plate in the 12th)
May 10 - 7-6 loss in Toronto. (8th and 9th inning heroics, including a homer by Adrian Gonzalez, are undone by a walk off sacrifice fly by David Cooper.)
May 21 - 9-3 loss to Cubs. (Up 3-1 in the 8th inning, the bullpen and defense implode. The Cubs score 8 runs while both teams wear their 1918 uniforms.)
May 23- 3-2 loss in Cleveland. (The Sox blow a 2-1 8th inning lead when the Indians rally with 2 outs. Crawford ends the game on a double play.)
May 29 - 3-0 loss in Detroit. (Verlander keeps the Sox off base and prevents the sweep.)
June 1 - 7-4 loss to White Sox. (Konerko drives in three, spoiling a game tying Ortiz homer.)

June 14 - 4-0 loss in Tampa Bay. (Wakefield's solid outing is spoiled. Longoria scores on a passed ball.)
June 18 - 4-2 loss to Milwaukee. (The Brewers hit three homers early off of Lester and hang on.)
June 21 - 5-4 loss to San Diego. (Ortiz hits a double play in the 9th to stifle a potential winning rally.)

June 24 - 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. (The Red Sox strand 7 runners in scoring position.)
June 25 - 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh. (The Red Sox fall out of first as Pedroia's error leads to a Pirates run.)

Break even.
And out of first place.

OK... time to play like a champion tomorrow. And Pirates? We'll see you in October!

I'm betting the Pirates will continue their winning

With 45% of the season in the can, the Pirates have climbed all the way back to the .500 mark. It's been more than a decade since the Pirates have been break even this late in the season. And with the Red Sox heading into PNC, I have no doubt that this upstart team from the Steel City will keep on winning.

Cue up "We Are Family!" It's the Pirates year!

(Now my many Pirate fan readers know what happens whenever I praise the Bucs. They lose. And while I would LOVE to see the Pirates have a great year, guess what? I don't want it at the expense of the Red Sox. I want the Pirates to be 3 games under .500. What can I say? I'm cut throat. And if anyone can handle a cut throat, it's a Pirate.)

Baseball purists must have HATED last night in Pittsburgh

Seriously, it must have been an awful sight to see the travesty of Interleague Play going on in Pittsburgh.

You know how every year someone writes the obligatory "Interleague Play Has Run Its Course" article? Those writers must have been banging their keyboards with disgust at the events at PNC Park.

You see the Orioles came to town... an American League team. And like the Pirates, the Orioles are currently under .500 (just like both teams have been every year for more than a decade.)

But the teams were honoring the 1971 World Series. And both teams were dressed in the uniforms of that series.

The Pirates were decked out in their yellow hats and pull over uniforms.

The belt was part of the pants and basically they were pajamas... pajamas worn by champions.









The Orioles broke out the smiling bird cap. And when Mark Reynolds made a nice stop at third base, it brought back some memories of Brooks Robinson.





And there was a reunion of the players involved in the series, including a big hand for Bill Mazeroski and Manny Sanguillen.

And with it being the 40th anniversary of the Series, the city of Pittsburgh could celebrate that title with some added nostalgia with the Orioles in town.

Or as purists of the game would call it "A travesty!"

The 1971 Pirates were a significant team as Bruce Markusen wrote in his wonderful The Team That Changed Baseball. They were the first team to field a starting lineup that didn't have a single white player and broke the barrier for bringing in minority players at all levels. It was one thing to sign a super star black player or Latin player. But that Pirate team fielded a roster that included role players and relievers of color, something that was not common before.

You wouldn't want to celebrate a team like that.

Or if you do, make sure you do it when the Rockies are in town, or the Padres or the Nationals.

Just not the ORIOLES! Because even though the Orioles are directly linked to the 1971 Pirates, they are an American League team... and having an American League team and a National League play each other is just bad for the sport.

I feel for those purists. They must have seen that celebration and said "Baseball is ruined."

My Pittsburgh - Cleveland Conflict

I don't know what to do in the Pirates-Indians series.

On the one hand I am rooting hard for the Pirates to have a winning season and I don't want to see them lose momentum.

On the other hand I always support Cleveland teams to help relieve their awful drought. And with the Indians recent slide, I'd like to see them get back into first place.

So here I am, casually rooting for BOTH teams. It's a quandry.

Fortunately a solution could have emerged.

The Indians won the first two games and the Tigers lost their first two games with the Rockies. So the Indians are back in first place by themselves. Even if they lose today and the Tigers win, they will have a share of first place.

So I want the Pirates to win today so they can get back above .500.

Hey, I need to be organized in my secondary rooting interests.
When the Pirates and Indians play the Red Sox, it is much simpler: I just want the Sox to kick their ass.

I am diplomatic that way.

Sorry Pirates fans... I won't jinx your team any more

It seems like every time I write something positive about the Pirates, they lose.
Every time I try to be positive about Pittsburgh and hope they finally make their way to .500, the team does a faceplant.

And I often have received nasty comments from Pirate fans when I criticize them... now I am getting flustered comments from Pirate fans when I praise them.

Here I am, a Red Sox fan blogging... and we Sox fans constantly get accused of only focusing on the Red Sox and Yankees. So I try to open up the discussion to the Pirates, and evidently I am causing them to lose.

So Pirate fans, I will stop blogging about them for a while.
But if we get to June and they are STILL sub .500, you can NOT blame me!

Can the Pirates go 78-78 the rest of the way?

The Pirates NEED to get a winning season one of these years. They went the entire 2000s without as much as a .500 season. It's been documented ad nauseum that they haven't been a .500 team since Francisco Cabrera drove home David Justice and Sid Bream.

And until the Pirates win more than they lose in a season, it will be mentioned. It is the yoke on the team. None of the players were ON that team. I bet they are too young to even remember it. But they are shouldering the burden the same way that every Red Sox team from 1919 to 2003 carried the responsibility of not winning a World Series for the Red Sox until the Idiots took care of business.

Well as I type this, the Pirates are off to a better start than anyone would have predicted. They aren't off to an epic start, but 4-2 isn't bad. (That's 4 more wins than my Red Sox have!)

So why can't they go 78-78 the rest of the way? I am not talking about winning 90 games or making the playoffs. Just go .500 the rest of the season.

The Pirates play the Astros, the Cubs and the Cardinals a lot... and all three of those teams are either depleted with injuries or just not that good. They play the Mets, Nationals and Diamondbacks... and none of those teams are world beaters. They play the Indians and Orioles in Interleague Play.

Why can't they look to beat some of those teams?
Why can't they play good baseball against some bad teams and pile up some wins and try to hang in with the good clubs?

It would be the first step for a once proud franchise.
Do you want people to stop reminding you the team hasn't had a winning season since 1992?
Have a winning season!

Go 78-78 the rest of the way.

Listen to The Sully Baseball Show... with guest Joel Solomon

Pirates fan Joel Solomon joins me on The Sully Baseball Show, part of the Seamheads National Podcasting Network.

Listen in.

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