FanPost

The PNC Vibe

Last night my wife and I went down to PNC park to watch the Pirates go at it with the Red Sox.  We sat in the dug out box section amidst several Boston fans, who were, for the most part pretty respectful.  They got a little testy in the 9th inning when Joel The Hammer came in to lay the beat down in the 9th.  One fan actually suggested that Hanny will be playing for them in October, so what he does tonight doesn't really matter.  That comment was annoying, but what can you expect.  I have grown use to hearing comments like that over the years from opposing fans coming to PNC park.  I guess it just comes with the territory of being a Pirate fan. 

However, there was one thing that my wife and I could not get over and discussed it at length on the way home.   PNC park was rocking and rolling last night.  I mean it was actually fun to be in the ball park and I have a feeling that while the Bo Sox coming to town added a bit more juice to the festivities, there was something different.  When Ortiz grounded out last night I was yelling/cheering like I was at a Steeler game.  My cell phone was ringing off the hook with my old Pittsburgh buddies saying they should have gone to the game.   For the first time in a long time I came home from a Pirate game with a sore throat from cheering.  I have a feeling I wasn't the only Pirate fan to do so last night.

I know its been talked about a lot as to whether or not the Pirates should go shopping for some offense in July.  There is no question that there is a lot of baseball wisdom on this blog that is against it and I understand the conventional wisdom behind it.  That being said who knows?  What if the Bucs would roll the dice and do some shopping this summer.  I know it would be a gamble, but I can tell you this.  If there is any organization in sports that is due for some luck it is the Pittsburgh Pirates

If the Bucs can make a run even for second place this summer you watch.... it will suddenly become cool to be a Pirate fan and Mr. Nunning will see that Pittsburgh was, once upon a time, one hell of a baseball town.... we've just been a sleep for a while.  I don't know, but after feeling the vibe last night at the game.....  I think people are slowly beginning to wake up..... and its pretty exciting.

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