I saw a great little interview today about how the Pirates fans have been disappointing in the past few weeks. Despite the fact the Pirates have all but clinched a playoff spot, are only one game out of a home Wild Card game, and still have a legitimate shot at winning the division, the Pirates aren't quite the talk of the town as they were last year. While it's true last year was the first time in 20 years they pulled together a winning season, their accomplishments this year have been no less impressive. In fact, when you consider the team was 18-26 at the end of May and have since improved to 83-70, it's been an amazing turnaround in a just a few months...and that is WITH a seven game losing streak packed in the middle. Last year wasn't a fluke...but this year shouldn't be "normal". Despite playing the Red Sox and nearing an attendance record, many fans skipped out on the weekday games last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Last night's Brewers game sold over 37,000, but still didn't technically "sell out". With only two games to go, and a lot on the line, it's time for the city to remember that moments like this, especially in baseball, don't come around often. Just because you saw something before doesn't mean it's less impressive this time. If anything, take it in while you can.
I was thinking today that as of tomorrow, over 2.4 million people will have gone to PNC Park this year, breaking the previous attendance record from 2001. That's impressive, especially when you consider that more people went to a Pirates game in 2014 than will see the Steelers or the Penguins combined...and those teams sold out every single game. Yes, the Pirates obviously have a lot more available seats, but it's still a testament to just how many people baseball impacts. The 1-1 Steelers remain the center of the attention as they prepare to lose Sunday night to Carolina, yet the Pirates remain nearly unnoticed as they find themselves once again on the brink of another landmark season.
Will the Pirates go deep into the playoffs next year? Will the Wild Card Game repeat itself? Will Russell Martin be a playoff hero? Who knows! But start paying attention...you never know when another two decades will pass before we're here again.
I was thinking today that as of tomorrow, over 2.4 million people will have gone to PNC Park this year, breaking the previous attendance record from 2001. That's impressive, especially when you consider that more people went to a Pirates game in 2014 than will see the Steelers or the Penguins combined...and those teams sold out every single game. Yes, the Pirates obviously have a lot more available seats, but it's still a testament to just how many people baseball impacts. The 1-1 Steelers remain the center of the attention as they prepare to lose Sunday night to Carolina, yet the Pirates remain nearly unnoticed as they find themselves once again on the brink of another landmark season.
Will the Pirates go deep into the playoffs next year? Will the Wild Card Game repeat itself? Will Russell Martin be a playoff hero? Who knows! But start paying attention...you never know when another two decades will pass before we're here again.
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