Raise the Jolly Roger

I just bought some cheap tix in the bleachers at the Giants/Pirates game in ATT Park. We have the front row in left-centerfield, perfect for watching Cutch and Milledge. I’m bringing my camera and my mitt, although you have to hit it a long way for it to go out there. I’ll be the only Pirate fan but, I’ll have my hat and my Clemente jersey!

I want to see the pitching staff solidify, and that will cause the rest of the team to rally around being in every game.

Can’t even recall the last time we’ve played one…If we were playing one that would probably mean it was a meaningful game which would be a plus too. You think they would let the Pirates host a national televised game just because of our stadium…

And also; I’d like to hear some optimism from people…gets kind’ve old hearing people bash the Pirates over, and over again; especially when they know nothing about baseball. The current team does’nt even resemble any of the teams that have been losing for 17 years. I’d just like to see people give these new/young guys a chance…

Hope I don’t get flammed for saying that…

I hope to see McCutchen with a .400 OBP…I think that would then put him in the top tier players in the league. With him being on base at that rate that would then hopefully have a direct corrolation to him stealing 40+ SB, scoring 100+ runs, and possibly becoming a +6-7 WAR player…

As far as the minor leagues go…I’d like to see Gorkys Hernandez, and Tim Alderson live up to their hype before coming to Pittsburghs organization. Hernandez could become a legitimate prospect again with his excellent speed/defense if he could learn how to hit again, and Alderson can become a top of the rotation guy with his excellent command/breaking stuff if he could somehow gain some velocity this year…

putting up some good power numbers that gets the fan base excited for ’11 and several years beyond.

but I’d like to see ballpark beer for maybe $3 — East End on tap — and hot dogs for $1. And nice cool sunny weather every time I have tickets. And all the Miss Mount Lebanon contestants in the next section over, dressed to go to SandCastle straight from the game. And Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers in the HoF Club after EVERY game. (Well, maybe Billy Price and Norm and FOX Japan once in a while.) And either an 11-1 win with Zach Duke getting the last out and Andy laRoche going 5-for-5 with two bombs and the cycle this time, or an 8-7 win with three runs in the bottom of the ninth, walk-off homer if I can get it. Barring that, I’d like to see a no-hitter, by either team, played in 2:10. I’d like to see free transit on the T for everyone with a ticket. Barring that, I’d like to see teleportation between my house and the ballpark, 80 miles away. I’d like to see a foul ball land in the seat beside me and magically just stick there, until I picked it up. I’d like to see you buy the next round. And the one after that. I’d like to have Lanny sitting next to me, telling stories about nearly 30 years of traveling with the team. With the Gunner (not THAT Gunner, THE Gunner) on the radio doing play by play, one more time. Preferably alive, but I’d settle for ZombieGunner. I’d like to see the Miss Mount Lebanon contestants give me a baby oil massage between every half-inning. I’d like to see the Miss Mount Lebanon contestants get drunk and flash/moon the crowd (actually, just me) every half inning. I’d like to have Charlie and Wilbur and Vlad and Patthatt and all the rest of you there with me every time I go to a game. I’d like to see a FatHead’s across the street from the park. Even better, inside the park. I’d like to see every day be Fan Appreciation Day.

Ah, that’s probably enough for now.