It is 3am EDT on Saturday July 16, 2011 and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in 1st place in the National League Central division. No, that is not a typo! Believe it or not, it's true. The 2011 Pirates are 5 games over .500 and in 1st place. Although, they are currently tied for 1st with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates have the edge by a mere few percentage points better than their divisional foes from the "Show Me State." It is the first time since 1997 that the Pittsburgh Baseball Club is at the top of the division.
Can you believe it? The 2011 installment of this baseball team has been playing very well. While good baseball hasn't been seen in the "Steel City" for a long time, fan support and interest in this team is at the highest in two decades. There is a buzz around town about our Pirates. Wherever you look, Pirate gear is all around us. In light of the current NFL lockout, this city is electrified over the success of this team. In years past, the talk on the radio, in newspapers and on street corners would be how the Steelers are looking going into training camp. Typically, sometime in June, the Steeler chatter really gets going. Not this summer. The lockout helps keep the chatter down, but the Pirates are the focal point of sports conversations in Western PA.
Has the national stage taken notice? Not yet, but starting to. Does it matter? Not really. This team relies on young talent and the teamwork concept, which is eloquently choreographed by the newest manager of the Pirates, Clint Hurdle. Not only has he brought some success to town, he has demonstrated poise, character and the ability to put together this masterpiece that is the Pittsburgh Pirates. In an early season interview, manager Hurdle revealed that as soon as being hired as skipper, he read a few books about the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise. Great move! One of my biggest complaints of managerial choices in the past was the lack of knowing what it means to be a Pittsburgh Pirate. Clemente, Stargel, Bell and Bonilla, are just some of the names that brought success to town. Oh, there are others. Bill Mazeroski, Steve Blass, Bert Blyleven, Kent Tekulve, Dave Parker, Andy Van Slyke, Bob Walk, John Smiley and Doug Drabek. These players are the history of the Buccos. By Clint Hurdle realizing how important it is to reconnect to the past, he could in fact be prepairing to add his name to the list of successful bosses of this team. Murtaugh, Leyland and especially the late Tanner, would be proud to add Hurdle next to their names. With the trade deadline just around the corner, could there be a push for the playoffs? Only time will tell.
Let's Go Bucs!!!!
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