It Was Fun While It Lasted Pittsburgh

Remember two weeks ago?  We were all riding high, and planning our Pirate playoff parties.  Then the Buccos lost the 19 inning nightmare game verses Atlanta.  Since then the Pirates are 1-8. Not only are they falling rapidly out of contention, but at 2 games under .500, are starting to show symptoms of another losing season.

On the "if thats not bad enough" front, Derrek Lee was scratched from the lineup tonight with a sore hand.  As one of the only recent signs of life from this putrid offense, the Pirates can not afford to lose him for any extended period.  On the bright side, Ryan Doumit returned to the lineup with a solid 2 for 4 effort tonight.

The Pirates are now 54-56, and need only 4 wins to surpass last years paltry 57-105 record.  There are 52 games remaining, and as it has been for over a week now, the magic number for finishing at .500 or better is still 27 wins.  That now seems like a lot taller order than it did at the All Star break doesn't it?

Being the lazy and mediocre writer/researcher that I am, there isn't much more for me to add.  So in closing, here are some sinking ships.

A Few Sights and Sounds from Tonight's Pirates Game.

This is the aftermath of Derrek Lee's first Home Run.  It was exciting as hell! I just wish I had thought to tape his whole at bat with my stupid Iphone.

Check out the Amazing view from our seats.  We were just past the Cubs dugout on the first base side.

One of the roving camera men.  He shot a little kid for the big screen right behind us.

PNC Park is still one of the most beautiful stadiums in baseball.

Tanya's favorite part of the game was discovering a Rita's right behind our seats.  You guessed it people, Mint Chocolate Chip!

Beginning Of The End For The Pirates? (Update)

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped another extra inning game to the Atlanta Braves tonight. This will put the Pirates 1 1/2 games back of the division leading Brewers.  After one more game with the Braves, the Pirates move on to a weekend series with the Phillies.  The Phillies currently own the best record in Major League Baseball. Meanwhile, the Cards and Brewers swap their mediocre opponents for the weekend. With four very tough games coming up, can the Pirates stay afloat until a lifeboat arrives in the form of the Chicago Cubs on Monday, August 1st?


Given the giant weight of history that is on their backs, I couldn't imagine the Pirates recovering from an extended losing streak at this point in the season.  With 21 games against teams with better records than them over the next month, it's definitely going to be a rough road.   However, there really is no telling what changes the looming trade deadline will bring.  What seems like an insurmountable hill right now may not look so bad if Neil Huntington makes a few slick moves at the wire.


No matter what the outcome though, I certainly am enjoying the ride so far.  I must admit, it has been a long time since I felt the anger and devastation over a terrible call like I did last night.  (Anyone else wonder how many talk shows Jim Joyce anonymously phoned into today saying that was the worst call in the history of baseball?)




UPDATE- (8/22/11)



Since this article was published, the collapse I predicted has come to fruition. The Pirates are no longer a threat to take the NL Central (15.5 games back).  An above .500 record is no longer a given (7 games under .500).  It is really sad that this season has taken a death spiral.    The biggest tragedy is that next season's attendance will be harmed by this season's implosion.  The future is bright for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Not only did they sign #1 draft pick Gerrit Cole, they did the unthinkable and signed Josh Bell.  The future is definitely bright for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Lets hope that the Bucs can throw enough wins together in the next month to end the horrible streak that weighs on the backs of every Pirates fan.    

Apathy to Ecstasy: A Pirate Fan's Story.

I want to pose a question regarding the average Pirate fans emotional expectations.  And I say emotional because realistically it is hard to actually believe they have a legitimate shot at winning the World Series.  But you can't really control emotions, and the expectations they bring.  For example, every football season, every Steeler's fan will be happy with no less than a Super Bowl victory. Half of the team could die in a plane crash flying home from the final preseason game, and most fans would still tell you that this was their year.  Pirates fans, rightly so, have been the total opposite. No sane Pirate's fan would have uttered the word "playoffs" before a new season begins.  So, where were average Pirate's fans at the start of this season, and where are they now?


I can only speak for myself, and here is a clue, I named my Fantasy Baseball team "When is Football?"  That's right, I would have been more excited about a two day lecture on the currency exchange rate than I was the start of the baseball season.  I dread it every year.  It is usually six months of unpalatable marketing propaganda.  How can we (the Pirates organization) trick all the sheep to come to PNC Park, and maintain the level of sub-mediocrity that we strive for? That is how every baseball season goes with almost no deviations.  


Somewhere along the line though things began to change. To me it was out of nowhere.  Going into the season I would have called our pitching staff below average.  Now, from seemingly out of nowhere, the Magic Pitching Fairy is dumping his Magic Pitching Goo all over Pittsburgh.  With each passing week, the Pirates continue to maintain an stunning level of competitiveness.   Stellar performance after stellar performance forces every fan, past and present, to stand and take notice.


The only question is how far can we allow the emotion to carry us?  I find myself slowly starting to get that Steeler mentality with the Pirates.  Suddenly .500 isn't good enough.  I want the playoffs.  What if the Pirates win 90 games and miss the playoffs?  I know deep in my heart that I will be sad and angry for months.  I would do myself the great disservice of missing out on that earth shattering accomplishment to brood over what could have been. Four months ago I would have bet the over on a 100 loss season, and suddenly I feel entitled to October baseball in Pittsburgh. Yeah, I know it sounds ridiculous, but that is what happens when your emotional expectations are through the roof.

Just how long have the Pirates stunk? Some perspective...

On Friday July 18th, 1997 the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 8-6 in Philadelphia to the Phillies.  That loss knocked the Pirates out of a first place tie with the Houston Astros.  They would not fight their way back to the top spot the rest of that season.  This morning, July 19th, 2011, the Pirates woke up in sole possession of first place in the NL Central.  It is now the latest the Pirates have led the division since that fateful 1992 Division Championship season!



That is a mind blowing amount of time.  Let me give you some perspective on this time frame.  The last time the Pirates were in first place after July 18th...


- They played their home games at Three Rivers Stadium


- Their games were televised on KBL


- There were only 4 divisions in baseball


- Nolan Ryan was still pitching.


- Barry Bonds still had a normal forehead.


- Magic Johnson already had AIDS (how is he still alive?)


- A lovable former Heisman winner was hilarious as Detective Nordberg in The Naked Gun


- Lord of the Rings was just a book.


- Titanic was just a shipwreck.


- Blackberry was just a fruit.


- Ipods and Ipads could only be seen on Star Trek the Next Generation.


- Someone was probably overheard saying "Only 4 months until the Whalers play the Nordiques!"


- Someone else was probably overheard saying "Don't worry we got this, Francisco Cabrera sucks."


And as I am writing this, the Hammer just came down! 7 games over!