Top Ten Reasons to be A Pirate Fan

Contributor Written on June 28, 2009

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PITTSBURGH - APRIL 13: Fans enter the ballpark and receive free caps on opening day for the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to playing the Houston Astros at PNC Park April 13, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

I am not a dedicated baseball fan. A casual fan of the Pirates, living in Western Pennsylvania and as a die hard fan of the Steelers and Penguins.

My appreciation and amazement goes to the fans of Pirates that are down there spending their money at PNC Park. The Park itself is a great asset to the community. It is one of the nicest parks in the major leagues by most accounts.

As the Pirates go for the record of the most losing seasons of any professional sports team it is still good to see most of the seats filled at PNC Park on any given night.

As I write this the PIrates are down by one run in the eighth inning and the television announcers are so wrapped up in the game they are talking about how well some the Pirates can throw a FOOTBALL. (whatever...)

Pirate Fans, I Salute You.

10. PNC Park

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 13: Fans mill around outside the ballpark on opening day for the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to playing the Houston Astros at PNC Park April 13, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

One of the nicest ballparks in the Major Leagues.

9. Nyjer Morgan

CHICAGO - MAY 27: Nyjer Morgan #3 of the Pittsburgh Pirates slides safely into third base on a 2-base error by Alfonso Soriano of the Chicago Cubs on May 27, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Pirates 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan

18 Stolen bases. This kid is fun to watch when he gets on.

8. Andrew McCutchen

The most promising bat on the roster. Hopefully, he keeps the wearing the Pirate uniform for a few years.

7. Jack Wilson

BRADENTON, FL - MARCH 10: Shortstop Jack Wilson #2 of the Pittsburgh Pirates prepares to make the throw to first against the Philadelphia Phillies during the Grapefruit League Spring Training game on March 10, 2008 at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florid

Hey Jack has avoided being eaten up by management's trade monster. He can field, hit and he is an elusive fellow.

6. Zach Duke

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 13: Zach Duke #57 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the Opening Day game against the Houston Astros at PNC Park on April 13, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Duke is ranked tenth in the NL with a 3.09 ERA

5. Freddy Sanchez

NEW YORK - MAY 09: Freddy Sanchez #12 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats against the New York Mets on May 9, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Pirates 10-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Ge

Ranked 22nd in the NL with a .313 batting average.

4. We once had Roberto Clemente

1 Apr 2001: A general view of the Roberto Clemente statue outside of PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport

Roberto is rightfully honored with this statue. A great player and an even greater person. Baseball needs to retire his number.

3. Barry Bonds W/O Steroids

1990: Barry Bonds #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates takes a swing during game one of the National League Chapionship Series. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Barry was a great baseball player before he got the big muscles and the smear on his career.

2. Forbes Field/Honus Wagner

370565 02: The famous T206 Honus Wagner baseball card, is shown June 6, 2000 in New York City. The legendary baseball card will be auctioned on eBay beginning on July 5, 2000. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Newsmakers)

"The House of Thrills" as Forbes Field was called was where some of the greatest talents of the game played. It is where the Pirates and Honus Wagner gave Pittsburgh their first World Series victory.

10. 1979 World Series Champions

BRADENTON, FL - MARCH 4: Pirate Parot, the mascot of the Pittsburgh Pirates, gets the crowd going during their game against the Cinncinati Reds during Spring Training March 4, 2004 at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/G

Surprise! There are no photos available for Pittsburgh Pirates and World Series.
But the Parrot was there in 79.

For current Pirate fans: One word: "Netflix". You can rent all seven games of the last World Series the Pirates will ever win.

Of course I am daring Pirate management to prove me wrong. Huh, fat chance.

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written on June 28, 2009 Opinion

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