Is it over yet?

The '09 season hasn't even started already EVER analyst and his brother is claiming the Bucco's are the best 100 loss team in the bigs. Something to be proud of right? No, not so much. Anybody else tired of saying "...Yeah, well, our ballpark is beautiful?"

I'm excited for opening day, like I'm sure all Pirate's fans are, but I can't help but think to myself  "just wake me when it's over". All that spring training has provided is proof that the Buccos aren't getting any better. They're not going to be able to compete against consistant major-league talent. This "great" competition for the rotation spots turned into a last day "stick 'em in there" and neither of those pitchers that made the #4 and #5 spots looked particulary inspiring, and they weren't facing full-time, regular season hitters. Pittsburgh is the place where average pitchers come to die. If a pitcher wanted to succeed in Pittsburgh he'd have to throw a no hitter every other time he was out there. No offense, streaky defense. Any of these guys in our rotation would be a, tops, TOPS, #3 in any other rotation.

The offense, wow, I could run of of character space diagnosing this offense but I don't want to cause my fingers bleed and my heart to break. We've got no power, plain and simple. Is it just me or is 22 HRs and 89 RBIs a litte lack luster and pathetic? Yeah, I thought so too. It's really pointless for Ryan Doumit to hit a solo shot into the right field bleachers in the bottom on the 9th when we are down by 8. I know it's not this managements fault that Jack Wilson is payed so much money. The fans love him and he was REAL good the year he won the silver slugger, I guess my biggest hope is that this management won't just go and drop their knees in praise after somebody finally has a good season and proclaim them the "allmighty savoir of the franchise".

After all that, I'm really ready to get this season under way to see how some of these players are molded, shaped, and broken into what they may or may not be. I'm interested in seeing the development of the young guys. I am optimistic about the group of veterans and am interested how much of a role they will play with these young guys. Erick Hinske is obviously a "puzzle piece" player. Craig Monroe had a good spring and hopefully that will tranfer over to the regular season.