It sucks being a Pirate fan, currently 14 losing seasons in a row, longest running streak in the four major sports and only 2 years away for setting a record for futility in the major sports. I got hook on these guys in 1971 when I would come home from school in the 4th grade and the world series was on TV during the day. Baltimore had 4 20 game winners and were a big favorite so I went with the underdog. I immediately fell in love with these guys, Stargell, Clemente, Sanguien, Manny was my favorite, always had a smile. The 70's were great, always batteling the Big Red machine it seemed. Won again in 79 despite the ugliest uniforms ever contrived. When they wore those solid yellow things, they looked like a bunch of sick canaries. By this time, only Stargell remained from the last Series visit. We had (Stickum and Glue) up the middle, Phil Garner and Tim Foley, Kent Tekulve and the Goose in the Bullpen. Bill Madlock at third, Parker the snake in right. After that we went down hill through the 80's, but Jim Leyland brought us back in the ealy 90's only to lose 3 NLCS in a row. Since then there hasn't been much to cheer for, so please excuse me if I share my excitment for just getting out of the cellar, which may last only a day. But at least today I have something to be happy about. I'll die a Pirate fan, I just hope someday baseball fixes itself and allows the small market teams to compete better. I could also use an owner willing to spend some money instead of pocketing the revenue sharing.:sadwave:
