2013 NL WildCard – Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinatti Reds #BUCTOBER

I grew up watching my Pittsburgh Pirates. Omar Moreno, Bill Madlock, “Pops” Stargell, Kent Tekulve, Bob Walk, etc.  Last time I watched the Pirates in the postseason was that Infamous game seven 21 years ago in 1992.  I was a sophomore at Carnegie Mellon watching on the CFA mezzanine on a gerry rigged Black and White TV (remember those?).  I along with most Pittsburghers still can feel the echoes of being sick to my stomach when our best player skinny MVP Barry Bonds, failed to throw out our ex player Sid Bream (running with a leg injury) on a pinch hit from a no name, Francisco Cabrera.

I have gone to many games since then both at Three Rivers and now at beautiful PNC Park.  I have gone with friends, and family.  The last time I went with my late father was on his 70th Birthday.  As we crossed the Clemente Bridge,  he turned to me and said “just to let you know, they never win when I come.” I said, “Dad,  look around, I don’t think it is you.  They never win period.”

Times have finally changed. Twenty One years and a bunch of baseball hopelessness later, here we are.  One Wild Card game at home to continue forward into the “real” multi game playoffs.  Our team is riding a high into tonights game with the hated Cincinnati Reds.  Those same Reds, who we just swept in Cincinnati to finish the regular season.  Those same Reds that have been so dastardly at throwing right at our NL MVP Andrew McCutchen since the end of last year.

Dad, if you are watching, times have changed, they finally have turned things around.  I wish you were here to enjoy it.  but wherever you are, please give the North Side Boys a ton of offensive power and our Francisco, Mr. Liriano some awesome movement and location.  Oh yeah and Screw the REDS!

GO BUCCOS! The City’s hopes rest on you!