For years now, I have lived my life like any other normal High School boy living in Pittsburgh. However, underneath my skin I have a horrific secret... I am a hard-core Pirates fan.

Every now and then, my abominable little secret comes to the surface and rears its ugly head, butting into a conversation with one of my friends or acquaintances.  The initial response, accompanied with an annoying little grin, is always the same: "You're kidding, right?".  After I answer this incredibly annoying question with "nope", the person will, without fail, respond with the irritating, inevitable inquiry:

"Why?"

The most vexatious part about this ever-present question is simple: I do not know my answer. I have never witnessed a winning season by my all-time favorite sports team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Why, why, oh why, do I love the Buccos? Is it the incredible feeling I get every time the field comes into sight when I walk into the stadium? Is it the immense volume of stats that arise every night from the promising minor league and major league players? Is it the statistical analysis of every players skill-set? Is it the fact that, win or lose, I have never been heartbroken over the outcome of a game? (Here's looking at you, Steelers and Pitt basketball)

The feeling I get when I think of baseball is inexplicable. The only way anyone else can understand it is if they, too, are overcome by this feeling. I suspect you men also understand the feeling that I am writing about.

"Why?"

It is for this question, my fellow sufferers of Pittsburghpiratitis, that I write this fanpost. Why do you, personally, love the Pirates? I'd love to hear the feelings of people who also understand the beauty that is the Pittsburgh Pirates. Feel free to let your emotions floweth forth in the form of a internet blog comment.

And, as always, GO PIRATES!