When baseball season begins, Pittsburgh Pirates fans are like the fans of every other team. In the words of John Fogarty, "We're born again; there's new grass on the field." Yes, it's all good. We pray for an opening day victory. Why? For at least one day there's a chance to say that our beloved Buccos are tied for first in the NL Central. It's hard to believe that this is the same franchise that won two World Series titles in the seventies. The list of names of the players who have been through Pittsburgh is astounding: Clemente, Stargell, Mazeroski, Wagner...and, yes, Barry Bonds.

Barry Bonds! His departure can be described as the beginning of the end of competitive baseball in Pittsburgh. Sports fans, I am a long since out of the closet Barry Bonds apologist, and I've lived my baseball life vicariously through him for a number of years. I'm holding out hopes that the sports writers will forgive him someday and that he will go into the MLB Hall of Fame as a Pirate. All of this is tongue-in-cheek...no, actually I'm lying about that. "Barroid" being enshrined in the black and gold would probably make me happy. I'm sorry. It's all we have.

Long about Cinco de Mayo-when the Bucs have been mathematically eliminated-visions of Steeler greatness start dancing in my head. Okay, I admit that the Penguins were a nice diversion this year. But, alas, while "Sid the Kid" found the net with puck after puck, Pirates pitchers continuously served up fastballs that soared over Pirates Cove and into the nearby Allegheny River.

Fortunately, our heroes suit up 162 times a year, and even if they stink it up to record breaking proportions, they're still going to win fifty or sixty times. The Yankees are coming to town this week, and winning ONE game would make the season worthwhile. Here's one scenario: wouldn't it be nice if the Bucs won two of three and the Yanks lost out to the Red Sox by a game? That would make my season. There are nearly ninety games left, and the Bucs are already reduced to being spoilers.

Before going to bed at night, I thank God for the time I got to spend with my father, my job, my health, and the fact that the Nats, Mariners, and Royals stink even worse than the Pirates. Ten months from now, the boys in black and gold will run out onto the new grass in PNC Park and give us all a thrill as they try to stay in the playoff race for more than a week. Don't get me wrong! The Pittsburgh Pirates are my favorite team, regardless of the sport. My 1979 World Series CD is so worn that it skips game six completely, but there is always hope.

Memo to the people in the Pirates front office...sell the team to Mark Cuban already!

Learn more about this author, T.C Leonard.
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