Good thing I am laying on the floor...

[Mudhippie]

Because I would have fallen out of a chair just now. The Pittsburgh Pirates are only, I stress ONLY 3 games back of the leader Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central Division. They won again tonight. They have broken a 13 game losing streak in AL stadiums. They had the opportunity to sweep the Boston Red Sox.

OK, I am getting a little excited here but let's be honest, after 18 losing seasons, being this close to 1st place this late in the season is really something to be excited about. I don't know if Clint Hurdle, the Bucco skipper, is the real deal but I am starting to believe. Almost halfway through the season and they are actually competing. If they finish the season 1 game over .500 I will throw a party and you will ALL be invited! HAHA!

[Setharion]

I'd love if the pirates became contenders again! We will see tho

[Mudhippie]

Jun 28, 2011 22:08:40 GMT -5 Setharion said:

I'd love if the pirates became contenders again! We will see tho

I know Seth...but if they are FINALLY turning it around then that is something to root for. Pittsburgh has such an amazing history when it comes to major league baseball and for this 18 season disgrace to finally end would be a good thing for baseball in Pittsburgh. Names like Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutcheon could be the next known guys like the Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slykes...ya know?

But again, yes, it is still early. Hopefully they make the right moves, keep the right players, and make a push to be something.

[bottle]

I love it. All these years I've been trying to talk to these guys about baseball and they'd look at me like I'm crazy. Now they're coming to me. ;D

The division is ridiculously tight right now. 3 games out of first and only a 1/2 out of fourth.

[BuckFly]

Pitt, when it gets to the end of the season just please pay the guys you know are important to your core.


Please.

[Obiwan316]

I remember Bonds and Bonilla for a couple years but that was the last time I think.

[BingJohnson]

RTJR! AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

[potterscrow]

Hey I am rooting for the Pirates. It is sad how in the early 90s they were a legit WS contender and then they lost their big guys because they couldn't afford them and they have been bad since. No money to sign players combined with poor drafts have really killed them. There should never be a disparity of over a hundred million between teams.

[Mudhippie]

Jun 29, 2011 9:04:12 GMT -5 potterscrow said:

Hey I am rooting for the Pirates. It is sad how in the early 90s they were a legit WS contender and then they lost their big guys because they couldn't afford them and they have been bad since. No money to sign players combined with poor drafts have really killed them. There should never be a disparity of over a hundred million between teams.

That is the truth. Looking at the salaries of the rosters and you see the same teams making a playoff run every year and they are paying players ridiculous sums of money. Look at the Pirates...they are floating around .500 and their stud player, Andrew McCutcheon is making...get this...

$452,500 this season. He is going to want more money and will be a quality player, but will the Pirates fork the cash to keep? They rarely do. I hope that things keep going well.

[bottle]

The thing is they don't have to sign Cutch right now. He isn't arbitration eligible until after next season, and isn't a free agent until 2016. Right now they have to worry about signing Josh Bell, Clay Holmes, and every other pick that has any upside. Bell alone can cost upwards of 8 million.