The ups and downs of being a sports fan
For those who might not know, I've always been a die-hard fan of Pittsburgh sports -- namely the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins.I've seen the Steelers win two Super Bowls, watched the Penguins raise two Stanley Cups (although I was only nine or 10 and remember very little) and I've watched the Pirates pretty much just stink.
Their 16-year streak of losing seasons will probably continue this year and in the next few years to come, making them the most inept franchise in professional sports history. They're hard to watch at times, even though baseball is my favorite sport. They haven't won a World Series since 1979 and haven't had a winning season since 1992.
Why you ask? Bad ownership (pick one), bad management (pick one), bad coaching (pick one), bad scouting (Kris Benson, Chad Hermansen, J.J. Davis to name a few great first-round draft picks), bad trades/signings (Derek Bell and Matt Morris?!?) and most of all, bad players, too many to name in a blog.
It's especially hard to take because PNC Park is by far one of the best ballparks in the country. Think I'm biased? Go to a game and look at the Pittsburgh skyline at night from the third base side and then tell me you disagree. Fans come to see a great ballpark with great food and a great atmosphere, but are deprived of anything resembling a winning team.
So why not get a new team you ask? Well, that's called a bandwagon fan. You have to take the good with the bad, no matter how long it lasts. I'll keep watching and hoping that the Pirates and the ownership turn things around. Besides, it's all that much sweeter when they do.
Here's hoping: Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 World Series champs.
Posted by
on 03/14 at 07:05 PM
