Random Baseball Musings

[Clem Fandango]

The Pirates have the best record in MLB.

 

Could've sworn they were in 3rd place in the central a week or two ago... winning 8 out of your last 10 can fix that while the Cards and Reds are 4-6 over that span

[UMFan83]

I'm interested to see how they are going to screw this up and finish under .500 again.

[Derwood]

I'm interested to see how they are going to screw this up and finish under .500 again.

 

They'd have to go 32-52 to do it

[Guest]

The Pirates have the best record in MLB.

 

Could've sworn they were in 3rd place in the central a week or two ago... winning 8 out of your last 10 can fix that while the Cards and Reds are 4-6 over that span

 

They were 3rd with a very good record and behind two teams who also happened to be at the very top of baseball, so it's not that surprising.

[Clem Fandango]

I'm interested to see how they are going to screw this up and finish under .500 again.

 

They'd have to go 32-52 to do it

 

Don't stop believing!

[XZero771679666304]

I'm interested to see how they are going to screw this up and finish under .500 again.

 

They'd have to go 32-52 to do it

 

Don't stop believing!

 

I would love to see the Bucs win the division overt he Cards and Reds, but after the past couple seasons I can't view their chances with anything but incredulity.

[UMFan83]

I'm interested to see how they are going to screw this up and finish under .500 again.

 

They'd have to go 32-52 to do it

 

Don't stop believing!

 

In 2012 they were 63-47 and finished 16-36

In 2011 they were 53-47 and finished 19-43

 

This can happen!

[Pushfrog98]

Where's Jake?

[Clem Fandango]

I'm interested to see how they are going to screw this up and finish under .500 again.

 

They'd have to go 32-52 to do it

 

Don't stop believing!

 

I would love to see the Bucs win the division overt he Cards and Reds, but after the past couple seasons I can't view their chances with anything but incredulity.

 

Yeah. I really would like the Pirates to take the division. I know the Cubs haven't won a World Series and all that, but at least they've had several successful seasons in the last decade. The Pirates deserve a taste of glory for once.

[XZero771679666304]

I'm interested to see how they are going to screw this up and finish under .500 again.

 

They'd have to go 32-52 to do it

 

Don't stop believing!

 

I would love to see the Bucs win the division overt he Cards and Reds, but after the past couple seasons I can't view their chances with anything but incredulity.

 

Yeah. I really would like the Pirates to take the division. I know the Cubs haven't won a World Series and all that, but at least they've had several successful seasons in the last decade. The Pirates deserve a taste of glory for once.

 

I have memories of the early 90s when the Pirates were really good and I hated them, but that seems like a lifetime ago. And to be honest, I don't have any fear of them staying good for a prolonged period, and that makes them easier to root for.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah. I really would like the Pirates to take the division. I know the Cubs haven't won a World Series and all that, but at least they've had several successful seasons in the last decade. The Pirates deserve a taste of glory for once.

 

F that. Pittsburgh fans have had plenty to cheer about during that stretch.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I love the Pirates current streak. They don't deserve to win anything.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I have memories of the early 90s when the Pirates were really good and I hated them, but that seems like a lifetime ago. And to be honest, I don't have any fear of them staying good for a prolonged period, and that makes them easier to root for.

 

They've got every bit as much young talent as we do, are already actually good, and have a fairly smart front office. I'd be at least a little worried.

[Cubswin11]

Soooooo, there's this thread on brewerfan.net in which they debate what player between Trout, Harper, Machado and Segura you'd rather have moving forward. There are guys who would actually take Segura over the other 3.......

 

http://forum.brewerfan.net/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=30144

[XZero771679666304]

I have memories of the early 90s when the Pirates were really good and I hated them, but that seems like a lifetime ago. And to be honest, I don't have any fear of them staying good for a prolonged period, and that makes them easier to root for.

 

They've got every bit as much young talent as we do, are already actually good, and have a fairly smart front office. I'd be at least a little worried.

 

Sure, it's possible that they sustain success, but they're going to be handicapped by payroll restrictions. Not every team can be the Rays and stay good while having to continually kiss their talent goodbye, even if they have a smart front office. Financial flexibility is a huge advantage, and among NL Central teams, the Pirates have the least of it.

 

Again, anything is possible, but the Pirates will be fighting an uphill battle to remain consistently competitive. I don't like their chances of becoming a perennial powerhouse.

[Guest]

For comparison, the Cubs are drawing 32k per game, that number comes on the heels of not having made the playoffs for 5 years now and many Cubs fans are worried about what that lower number will do to their ability to spend.

 

The Pirates, conversely, have the best record in baseball, in a year they were expected to be a decent to good team, having come off two consecutive hot starts and increasing their win total each of the last 2 years. Their attendance is 23k per game thus far, only Houston and Miami are worse in the NL.

[jersey cubs fan]

I have memories of the early 90s when the Pirates were really good and I hated them, but that seems like a lifetime ago. And to be honest, I don't have any fear of them staying good for a prolonged period, and that makes them easier to root for.

 

They've got every bit as much young talent as we do, are already actually good, and have a fairly smart front office. I'd be at least a little worried.

 

Sure, it's possible that they sustain success, but they're going to be handicapped by payroll restrictions. Not every team can be the Rays and stay good while having to continually kiss their talent goodbye, even if they have a smart front office. Financial flexibility is a huge advantage, and among NL Central teams, the Pirates have the least of it.

 

Again, anything is possible, but the Pirates will be fighting an uphill battle to remain consistently competitive. I don't like their chances of becoming a perennial powerhouse.

 

Tampa struggles because people don't care about the Rays or show up even if they are good. If Pittsburgh gets good, that stadium will be packed.

[jersey cubs fan]

For comparison, the Cubs are drawing 32k per game, that number comes on the heels of not having made the playoffs for 5 years now and many Cubs fans are worried about what that lower number will do to their ability to spend.

 

The Pirates, conversely, have the best record in baseball, in a year they were expected to be a decent to good team, having come off two consecutive hot starts and increasing their win total each of the last 2 years. Their attendance is 23k per game thus far, only Houston and Miami are worse in the NL.

 

That's a horrible comparison. The Cubs aren't getting 32k in the stadium every day. They sold the tickets because people got all excited after 2003/2008 and are afraid to not keep their season tickets. Pittsburgh has been a major disappointment for 20 years. Pittsburgh fans got all excited with early success in the past, and saw it blow up in the their face.

 

Just like the ramifications of 1998 weren't felt until very late that year and in 1999, Pittsburgh won't see a renaissance in excitement until they actually do have a winning season and make the playoffs.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Sure, it's possible that they sustain success, but they're going to be handicapped by payroll restrictions. Not every team can be the Rays and stay good while having to continually kiss their talent goodbye, even if they have a smart front office. Financial flexibility is a huge advantage, and among NL Central teams, the Pirates have the least of it.

 

Again, anything is possible, but the Pirates will be fighting an uphill battle to remain consistently competitive. I don't like their chances of becoming a perennial powerhouse.

 

MLB's gotten pretty good at smoothing out the problems for small-market teams. I don't think financial flexibility is near as large of an advantage, or especially as big of a handicap, as it used to be. They won't be flush with cash, but they've been able to run a $65 million payroll this year. None of their key young players is due for free agency anytime soon, and McCutcheon's got one of those long-term extensions everybody loves.

 

I wouldn't say I expect "perennial powerhouse," but they've got a huge pile of cost-controlled talent that could sustain them to competitiveness for several more years.

[Guest]

Don't compare them to the Cubs then. They're 22nd in total attendance and percentage of capacity at the midway point of a season that they have the best record in MLB. 12 of their 38 home games have been against teams in the Top 5 of road attendance, so they're getting help from the road team too. If the fans are that scarred by the past that they aren't coming out to the ballpark at above 60% capacity until they see consistent winning seasons, then the point is still true that they'll struggle to get the revenue to be able to pay the players they've developed.

[jersey cubs fan]

Don't compare them to the Cubs then. They're 22nd in total attendance and percentage of capacity at the midway point of a season that they have the best record in MLB.

 

And you know that is because they have sucked for 20 years. This is stupid.

 

12 of their 38 home games have been against teams in the Top 5 of road attendance, so they're getting help from the road team too. If the fans are that scarred by the past that they aren't coming out to the ballpark at above 60% capacity until they see consistent winning seasons, then the point is still true that they'll struggle to get the revenue to be able to pay the players they've developed.

 

Again, this is stupid. It takes a season of winning. They've seen a strong couple months before. It won't take 10 years of success. But just like the Cubs, the real difference will be seen the year after the success happens. Your point is completely wrong.

 

If people think they may have short-term success but then struggle to maintain it because nobody will ever come out to support them, like Tampa, then they don't know what they are talking about. Pittsburgh needs to get over the hump from sucking balls for two decades to at least being respectable. They need to win once to give fans a reason to come back. The Penguins went deep this year and them and the Steelers have spoiled the fans to what success could and should be. But if the Pirates just enjoy some success, they will not struggle nearly as much as small market teams that have horrible fans bases struggle.

[XZero771679666304]

I have memories of the early 90s when the Pirates were really good and I hated them, but that seems like a lifetime ago. And to be honest, I don't have any fear of them staying good for a prolonged period, and that makes them easier to root for.

 

They've got every bit as much young talent as we do, are already actually good, and have a fairly smart front office. I'd be at least a little worried.

 

Sure, it's possible that they sustain success, but they're going to be handicapped by payroll restrictions. Not every team can be the Rays and stay good while having to continually kiss their talent goodbye, even if they have a smart front office. Financial flexibility is a huge advantage, and among NL Central teams, the Pirates have the least of it.

 

Again, anything is possible, but the Pirates will be fighting an uphill battle to remain consistently competitive. I don't like their chances of becoming a perennial powerhouse.

 

Tampa struggles because people don't care about the Rays or show up even if they are good. If Pittsburgh gets good, that stadium will be packed.

 

Pittsburgh is good, and has been competitive for significant stretches of the prior two seasons, and they still aren't drawing. If they get into the stretch drive and are competing for a playoff berth, I'm sure PNC will be packed, but the attendance numbers don't suggest a fanbase chomping at the bit for a reason to show up.

 

It's getting close to the ASB, they have the best record in baseball and are 22nd in MLB in attendance. One might suggest that is because the fans are being cautious after two hot start/flat finish seasons, but they were 22nd in 2011 and 2012 as well. I recall stretches in recent years where they were packing fans in PNC, but the totals suggest a fanbase that is just as quick to jump off the bandwagon as on it. Maybe they're just jaded by years of being terrible, but I don't think that it's a forgone conclusion that they're sitting on a potential attendance gold mine.

[Guest]

No one's saying they should be selling out every game immediately. But they were in first place in late July in 2011 and 2012, and they won 79 games last year. How long do they have to be decent or better before they can even get to 2/3rds capacity?

[Guest]

Also, 20 years is a long, long time. How much of the younger demographic even cares about what the Pirates do after 20 years of complete irrelevance? Basically that means anybody in their 20's and 30s, which is a lot of the sports going public.

 

I suppose they could be a sleeping giant, though, like the Blackhawks.

[Guest]

Also, 20 years is a long, long time. How much of the younger demographic even cares about what the Pirates do after 20 years of complete irrelevance? Basically that means anybody in their 20's and 30s, which is a lot of the sports going public.

 

I suppose they could be a sleeping giant, though, like the Blackhawks.

 

I was gonna say Blackhawks before I read your last sentence. I really think this is a possibility with Pittsburgh, maybe after, say, 2 consecutive playoff appearances.