Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

[SPC_67]

I have been a fan of the Pirates for my whole life, yet I have never been alive to see a winning season. I have had season tickets for about 6-7 years now with my Dad, year after year suffering through the struggles.

The positive feeling around Pittsburgh about the Bucs this year is great. There is an energy that has not been there since Sid Bream slid into home to beat us in the 92' NLCS. You can credit this to Clint Hurdle. What a job he has done with a team of very young players.

Now day by day I see the Bucs garnering more and more national attention, so I'm curious to hear from you guys. Do you think the Bucs have a legitimate shot at the NL Centra Titlel? I certainly do. Clint Hurdle for Manager of the Year? Is Andrew McCutchen the all-around best center-fielder in baseball, as MLB Network rated him this offseason? Any other opinions on the Buccos? Thanks guys, I appreciate hearing your thoughts!

[TCM]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

I have been a fan of the Pirates for my whole life, yet I have never been alive to see a winning season. I have had season tickets for about 6-7 years now with my Dad, year after year suffering through the struggles.

The positive feeling around Pittsburgh about the Bucs this year is great. There is an energy that has not been there since Sid Bream slid into home to beat us in the 92' NLCS. You can credit this to Clint Hurdle. What a job he has done with a team of very young players.

Now day by day I see the Bucs garnering more and more national attention, so I'm curious to hear from you guys. Do you think the Bucs have a legitimate shot at the NL Centra Titlel? I certainly do. Clint Hurdle for Manager of the Year? Is Andrew McCutchen the all-around best center-fielder in baseball, as MLB Network rated him this offseason? Any other opinions on the Buccos? Thanks guys, I appreciate hearing your thoughts!

I honestly love it. It's awesome to see a team that's struggled for the past 18 years turn it around with a new manager, they're only a game and a half back in their division so anything could happen.

[SPTO]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

It's great to see the Buccos playing some competitive baseball again. I just hope ownership and management will invest a lot more into this young crop of guys and actually bring them along rather than ship em off when they all of a sudden become "too expensive".

Enjoy the good times while it lasts whether it be a short time or this is a start of a long term competitiveness in what is probably one of the most competitive divisions in baseball.

[letsgopens66]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

I love it. Pitching is fantastic. I think we're just a good shortstop and a legit power hitter away (hoping Pedro fills that role) from being a legitimate contende

[TCM]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

What a surprise Joel Hanrahan has been! 25/25 in saves that's outstanding.

[SPC_67]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

I honestly love it. It's awesome to see a team that's struggled for the past 18 years turn it around with a new manager, they're only a game and a half back in their division so anything could happen.

Couldn't agree with you more. Great for the Burgh and great for baseball

[SPC_67]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

It's great to see the Buccos playing some competitive baseball again. I just hope ownership and management will invest a lot more into this young crop of guys and actually bring them along rather than ship em off when they all of a sudden become "too expensive".

Enjoy the good times while it lasts whether it be a short time or this is a start of a long term competitiveness in what is probably one of the most competitive divisions in baseball.

Luckily I believe we are far off from the bad days of management in front office from Dave Littlefield and Kevin McClatchy. Littlefield made some stupid moves (turned down Ryan Howard for Kip Wells!) But Neal Huntington came and made some moves that were unpopular. But they were moves that needed to be made. We couldn't afford to pay these larger salaries every year and yet only be dishing out 65 wins. The hire of Hurdle was the best move the Pirates have made in several decades. He has energized the team and the city.

Hopefully as you said it is a long road of competition from now till the final series of the season in Milwaukee. I would love to finally see some October baseball in the Burgh'.

[SPC_67]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

I love it. Pitching is fantastic. I think we're just a good shortstop and a legit power hitter away (hoping Pedro fills that role) from being a legitimate contende

Yepp. I think right now Neal Huntington is being too patient with Ronny Cedeno. He is not the answer there in my opinion. Chase d'Arnaud has impressed, but we'll have to see if they stick with him or go outside the organization.

[SPC_67]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

What a surprise Joel Hanrahan has been! 25/25 in saves that's outstanding.

Awesome stuff. Without a doubt my favorite Bucco right now. Yet again there is an example of another genius move made by Hurdle to go with him instead of last year's All-Star Evan Meek. A bold move that really is paying off. In my opinion the best closer in the NL right now.

[slickdtc]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

If I weren't a Reds fan, I'd feel a lot better about the Pittsburgh Pirates playing good baseball right now. As it stands, I only care a little bit; just because I want to see a pretty rich baseball history town in Pittsburgh (just got done reading about the '71 Pirates) come back to respectability. It's been almost my whole life that they've been cellar dwellers, they've been completely irrelevant for the last 10 years (when I really started to get into baseball) to the point where you forget about them as a team. Such a huge shame for a team that once had the Stargell's and the Clemente's of the Majors.

I don't think they're going to get it done this year, but just having a positive record at this point, and maybe by season's end, will be huge for the organization and city. It'll get people excited again, show that the Pirates are making their way back, and I think it'll be a springboard for the team. I don't think you'll be cellar dwelling for another 20 years.

[24]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

I honestly love it. Not only is it a great story but the Pirates and their long time dedicated fans deserve something for all the years of loosing. Its great to see a team with alot of promising young talent succeed. I wish the Pirates and there fans the best as you guys deserve to actually win.

[daflyboys]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

This is absolutely a tremendous thing for baseball. The Bucos are a much heralded team and I would think it is safe to say that even back in the 60's and 70's, if you weren't directly a fan, you would probably root for them if your team was tanking at the time. Did you guys know that for 13 seasons in the 60's/70's, the Pirates were close to or over 90 wins and had 98 wins during their '78 WS season? This teams competitiveness has been sorely missed over the years and this will not only enhance the game today, but it will give broadcasters and the like to talk of the franchise's history more often.

I mean c'mon.... who doesn't love that old Willie Stargell helicopter wind up??!!??

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WaDrciZppT0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SPC_67]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

If I weren't a Reds fan, I'd feel a lot better about the Pittsburgh Pirates playing good baseball right now. As it stands, I only care a little bit; just because I want to see a pretty rich baseball history town in Pittsburgh (just got done reading about the '71 Pirates) come back to respectability. It's been almost my whole life that they've been cellar dwellers, they've been completely irrelevant for the last 10 years (when I really started to get into baseball) to the point where you forget about them as a team. Such a huge shame for a team that once had the Stargell's and the Clemente's of the Majors.

I don't think they're going to get it done this year, but just having a positive record at this point, and maybe by season's end, will be huge for the organization and city. It'll get people excited again, show that the Pirates are making their way back, and I think it'll be a springboard for the team. I don't think you'll be cellar dwelling for another 20 years.

Yeah I've never seen a winning baseball team in the Burgh in my lifetime. Feeling this is the year. As for division title goes, it will be tough. I feel like the Cards and Reds are underperforming right now and could turn it up to the next level in August. Brewers are tough, too. If we pick up a big bat or two though, hey, who knows....

[SPC_67]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

I honestly love it. Not only is it a great story but the Pirates and their long time dedicated fans deserve something for all the years of loosing. Its great to see a team with alot of promising young talent succeed. I wish the Pirates and there fans the best as you guys deserve to actually win.

Yes yes thank you! This fan base has suffered so much and although many have became too impatient and left many have stayed loyal (myself ) so it is really rewarding for me personally. Thank you.

[SPC_67]

Re: Thoughts on the Resurgent Pirates?

This is absolutely a tremendous thing for baseball. The Bucos are a much heralded team and I would think it is safe to say that even back in the 60's and 70's, if you weren't directly a fan, you would probably root for them if your team was tanking at the time. Did you guys know that for 13 seasons in the 60's/70's, the Pirates were close to or over 90 wins and had 98 wins during their '78 WS season? This teams competitiveness has been sorely missed over the years and this will not only enhance the game today, but it will give broadcasters and the like to talk of the franchise's history more often.

I mean c'mon.... who doesn't love that old Willie Stargell helicopter wind up??!!??

<IFRAME height=390 src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WaDrciZppT0" frameBorder=0 width=480 allowfullscreen></IFRAME>

Much appreciation. And I did not know that! But I actually read a book that I still have from a few years back about the 79' Fam-a-lee Bucs. Awesome stuff. It's such a toss up for my favorite Pirate of all-time. Stargell and Clemente were both great people and great players. I felt good for the Rays back when they did this a few years back and I really think it did good for baseball. I hate to see the same teams in the NLCS and ALCS every year, so hopefully the Buccos can make a run!!