I hate that I love the Pirates.

I hate that I would rather watch a 15-5 or 13-2 blowout loss to the Padres than ANYTHING else, including a Steeler Super Bowl victory, a Pens Stanley Cup victory or a Pitt National Championship. I hate that I would easily trade Sydney Crosby and Troy Palamalu to see just a single playoff series, not a playoff series win mind you, just a playoff series in Pittsburgh.

I hate that I love that buy season tickets every year and somehow convince myself that every year will be better than the last.  I hate that just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in.  I hate that I get sick to my stomach when they lose.  I hate that I somehow think Cedeno will become a competent and consistent mlb player.

I hate how jealous I am of the fans at  beautiful PNC Park, when I'm not there.  I hate that this town is begging for a winner and we haven't seen one in 20 years.  I hate that the org. is trying to do the right thing and it's not noticed by the majority of the fans.

I hate the Cubs.

I hate that I am passing down my love of the Pirates to my 4 year old son and 16 month old daughter.  I hate that I love that my son already has two Pirate Parrot stuffed animals, a Cutch jersey, a Pirate poster, two baseball gloves and that he has been 5 games in his 4 years.  I hate that I love that he will see well over 1,000 games at the ball park with his father, and love every single one of them, regardless of outcome.

I hate that I love waking up every morning and looking at boxscores, and not because I'm into fantasy baseball, because I'm not.   I hate that baseball is the greatest game in world and that I'm lucky to have a mlb baseball team just 20 miles away.

I hate that when the Buccos become good, and I'm not talking about good until August, that I will be accused of being a bandwagon fan.  I hate that when they become so good, I probably won't be able to afford my season ticket package.

I hate Tony Shingles, aka Tony LaRussa.

I hate that I love when my son will randomly shout "Raise the Jolly Roger!" 

I hate that I love this team.