Not only did the Pirates break the Sid Beam curse.
Not only did they make it into the Wild Card game.
They won.
Last night, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-2. Andrew McCutchen stated after the game "We're real." Manager Clint Hurdle said that the discussion of "one and done" never came up; it was all about one and run. And running they are. Right into St. Louis for the National League Division Series.
Some the Pirates acquisitions from during the season continue to prove their worth, such as Marlon Byrd, who hit a home run during the game. In PNC Park's first playoff game, the atmosphere was electric. McCutchen called for a "blackout" from the fans, and the vast majority obliged. Pittsburgh waited 21 long years from this, and it would seem that the players are feeding off of the excitement. It will be interesting to compare with the atmosphere in St. Louis, a town that has gotten used to postseason appearances.
For the Reds, their 90-plus game regular season ended on a six game losing streak, the majority of which were handed to them by the Pirates. The Pirates had 94 wins during the regular season, an amazing improvement after the 21 years of torture that fans and players both dealt with.
For Pittsburgh, this has been an amazing change. It has been a great environment and really enjoyable. Experiencing baseball playoffs for the first time in my hometown has been fun. Baseball playoffs are fun. I like this a lot.
Who would have thought that the 2013 sports season would have the Pirates in the NLDS and the Steelers starting 0-4?
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
They Did It!
The hits just keep on coming.
But I mean that in the best way possible. Not only was the Sid Beam curse broken-more than good enough for me. Every year, yes, the goal is to win a World Series. For a team that had decades-worth of losing seasons, I would have been disappointed with missing playoffs, but more than happy with breaking the curse. Struggles in the past few Pirates game were frustrating, but they were still going to have a winning season.
After 20 years, what else could I ask for?
Well, the Pirates delivered more. Last night, a win by the Buccos and a loss by the Nationals clinched the Pittsburgh Pirates their first playoff berth since 1992; the year I was born. At six months old, those playoffs meant nothing to me. At 21 years old, this playoff berth is a dream come true. They did it.
Last night's win by the Pirates was stressful. Starling Marte broke the ninth-inning tie with a home-run, and an absolutely beautiful, heart-stopping throw to home plate got the final out of the game. The cardiac kids. They like to keep it interesting.
With the Nationals' loss, I have no been so happy for a team to lose. For many in this city, the Pirates making playoffs is a dream come true. Pour the champagne, and pour/spray they did. Loved the old school chemistry goggles.
Andrew McCutchen said that it was a night he'll never forget. We won't either, Andrew. Other sports fans might laugh at the city's celebration, but the Buccos were down on their luck. For a long time. But, honestly, this is why I love the game. We're contenders. There is a legitimate chance that we could win the World Series. Now that would be the comeback of a lifetime. The first winning season results in a World Series championship? Simply epic.
Clint Hurdle said "Abso-BUCN-loutely" (please excuse the spelling). I hope that catches on.
But the most epic moment of the night? Had to be when they went to the booth and Greg Brown and John Wehner were smoking celebratory cigars. Legendary.
But I mean that in the best way possible. Not only was the Sid Beam curse broken-more than good enough for me. Every year, yes, the goal is to win a World Series. For a team that had decades-worth of losing seasons, I would have been disappointed with missing playoffs, but more than happy with breaking the curse. Struggles in the past few Pirates game were frustrating, but they were still going to have a winning season.
After 20 years, what else could I ask for?
Well, the Pirates delivered more. Last night, a win by the Buccos and a loss by the Nationals clinched the Pittsburgh Pirates their first playoff berth since 1992; the year I was born. At six months old, those playoffs meant nothing to me. At 21 years old, this playoff berth is a dream come true. They did it.
Last night's win by the Pirates was stressful. Starling Marte broke the ninth-inning tie with a home-run, and an absolutely beautiful, heart-stopping throw to home plate got the final out of the game. The cardiac kids. They like to keep it interesting.
With the Nationals' loss, I have no been so happy for a team to lose. For many in this city, the Pirates making playoffs is a dream come true. Pour the champagne, and pour/spray they did. Loved the old school chemistry goggles.
Andrew McCutchen said that it was a night he'll never forget. We won't either, Andrew. Other sports fans might laugh at the city's celebration, but the Buccos were down on their luck. For a long time. But, honestly, this is why I love the game. We're contenders. There is a legitimate chance that we could win the World Series. Now that would be the comeback of a lifetime. The first winning season results in a World Series championship? Simply epic.
Clint Hurdle said "Abso-BUCN-loutely" (please excuse the spelling). I hope that catches on.
But the most epic moment of the night? Had to be when they went to the booth and Greg Brown and John Wehner were smoking celebratory cigars. Legendary.
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| Just a fun photo of me enjoying the Buccos playoff berth representing with the 412, Zoltan, and a gold bow. Yup. |
Monday, September 23, 2013
The Blame Game
Pittsburgh sports fans are not very forgiving. They expect championships, like, yesterday.
And lets be real. No one enjoys losing, especially when your football team-who's Super Bowl wins are constantly boasted-starts off 0-3. That is how the Pittsburgh Steelers have shockingly started the 2013 season.
I thought it was going to be a rough season; it's been a transitional time for Pittsburgh. I sure as hell didn't expect this.
I watched the entire game Sunday night, a 40-23 loss against the Bears. I honestly cannot say why I watched the entire game, other than it was so odd and brutal I could not look away.
I know that there was a lot of blame going around to Todd Haley. But hold on a second. There were five turnovers on the offensive side. The Bears scored 23 points off of the Steelers defense. Four of the turnovers led to the Bears scoring directly.
Briefly, bizarrely, it seemed as if the Steelers could make a comeback. That went downhill, fast. I don't see it as the play calling. I don't see the Steelers players producing. It's not just the offense. The defense isn't exactly forcing turnovers. Ryan Clarke and William Gay both struggled on tackles Sunday night. Something isn't clicking. The team definitely is in a transitional year-how much is it affecting what's going on in the locker room? Is Ben still bitter about Haley? Is Tomlin just stuck in a rut?
After the game, LaMarr Woodley commented that the team could still go 13-3. While I appreciate his optimism, I don't see it happening. I'd be okay with a 8-8 record. I see a long season ahead, and am curious as to Tomlin's job security. Never one to give a lot of details, I felt that he seemed a little defensive in his post game press conference. Yes, he's going to be frustrated, but he knows what this city is like-people are going to be clamoring for answers. People keep jumping on Haley's case, but at the end of the day, Tomlin is the head coach. Although, I do find it interesting that more people aren't commenting that Ben needs to be benched. This is really going to be an interesting season.
And lets be real. No one enjoys losing, especially when your football team-who's Super Bowl wins are constantly boasted-starts off 0-3. That is how the Pittsburgh Steelers have shockingly started the 2013 season.
I thought it was going to be a rough season; it's been a transitional time for Pittsburgh. I sure as hell didn't expect this.
I watched the entire game Sunday night, a 40-23 loss against the Bears. I honestly cannot say why I watched the entire game, other than it was so odd and brutal I could not look away.
I know that there was a lot of blame going around to Todd Haley. But hold on a second. There were five turnovers on the offensive side. The Bears scored 23 points off of the Steelers defense. Four of the turnovers led to the Bears scoring directly.
Briefly, bizarrely, it seemed as if the Steelers could make a comeback. That went downhill, fast. I don't see it as the play calling. I don't see the Steelers players producing. It's not just the offense. The defense isn't exactly forcing turnovers. Ryan Clarke and William Gay both struggled on tackles Sunday night. Something isn't clicking. The team definitely is in a transitional year-how much is it affecting what's going on in the locker room? Is Ben still bitter about Haley? Is Tomlin just stuck in a rut?
After the game, LaMarr Woodley commented that the team could still go 13-3. While I appreciate his optimism, I don't see it happening. I'd be okay with a 8-8 record. I see a long season ahead, and am curious as to Tomlin's job security. Never one to give a lot of details, I felt that he seemed a little defensive in his post game press conference. Yes, he's going to be frustrated, but he knows what this city is like-people are going to be clamoring for answers. People keep jumping on Haley's case, but at the end of the day, Tomlin is the head coach. Although, I do find it interesting that more people aren't commenting that Ben needs to be benched. This is really going to be an interesting season.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Exit Sandman
It is finally here. Mariano Rivera is about to exit Major League Baseball. Cue the music one more time: Exit Sandman.
As a baseball and Yankees fan, I can't believe how hard this has been to watch, especially since now it is actually real. When I think of Mariano Rivera, I think of stable, consistent, dependable. It's going to be weird without him. Maybe if I had been a little bit older when Mario Lemieux retired, I could relate it to that. But Mo is a gem in baseball. He is the last baseball to ever wear number 42. He will be remembered as a legend. The best closer in a game. Fun fact: He didn't start pitching until he was 18. Bet he's glad he made that change. Five World Series rings.
There is just something about him, beyond his superb athletic ability that people respect him for. I wish I could just go up to him and shake his hand.
Guess how many post season saves he has. 42. Brad Lidge is second with 19. Of all the numbers...42? One of those things that gives me chills, something I love about the game.
Rivera blew a save in 2001. Joe Giardi says he has never seen anyone so unaffected and ready to keep going after the fact. A good quality to be sure. The game he blew? It was game 7 of the World Series. Sure as hell won't be the defining moment in his career. Someone else? That might have ruined his career. Not Mo. His mindset is just incredible.
There has never been a farewell tour like this before. I doubt that there will be anything comparable again. No one doubted that the Yankees would retire Rivera's number 42 in Monument Park. But they did it today, the last, regular-season home game of Rivera's career. Members of Jackie Robinson's family attended the ceremony. Metallica showed up and performed "Exit Sandman" live for Rivera to walk out to during the ceremony. Teams have given him gifts throughout the series, like a rocking chair made of wooden bats like the Twins did. Some teams donated checks to Rivera's charities. The Mets gave him a mounted fire hose nozzle, in recognition of the how the two teams helped New York heal after 9/11, and a mounted call box. One of the gifts the Red Sox gave was Fenway Park's #42 from the hand-operated scoreboard. Red Sox fans also gave Rivera a standing ovation. The best closer who happens to be their team's biggest rival. Who else gets that type of respect? Check out this page to see some of the gifts Mariano Rivera received.
I can't imagine when Jeter finally retires. I'll be a mess. But as a closer, Rivera had a type of pressure on him I wouldn't want to imagine. And this guy just kicked ass. I like to think he is not walking away with any regrets. He knew it was time to go, even though he could probably still kick ass a little bit longer.
Enjoy retirement, Mo. You deserve it. I'm gonna miss ya.
As a baseball and Yankees fan, I can't believe how hard this has been to watch, especially since now it is actually real. When I think of Mariano Rivera, I think of stable, consistent, dependable. It's going to be weird without him. Maybe if I had been a little bit older when Mario Lemieux retired, I could relate it to that. But Mo is a gem in baseball. He is the last baseball to ever wear number 42. He will be remembered as a legend. The best closer in a game. Fun fact: He didn't start pitching until he was 18. Bet he's glad he made that change. Five World Series rings.
There is just something about him, beyond his superb athletic ability that people respect him for. I wish I could just go up to him and shake his hand.
Guess how many post season saves he has. 42. Brad Lidge is second with 19. Of all the numbers...42? One of those things that gives me chills, something I love about the game.
Rivera blew a save in 2001. Joe Giardi says he has never seen anyone so unaffected and ready to keep going after the fact. A good quality to be sure. The game he blew? It was game 7 of the World Series. Sure as hell won't be the defining moment in his career. Someone else? That might have ruined his career. Not Mo. His mindset is just incredible.
There has never been a farewell tour like this before. I doubt that there will be anything comparable again. No one doubted that the Yankees would retire Rivera's number 42 in Monument Park. But they did it today, the last, regular-season home game of Rivera's career. Members of Jackie Robinson's family attended the ceremony. Metallica showed up and performed "Exit Sandman" live for Rivera to walk out to during the ceremony. Teams have given him gifts throughout the series, like a rocking chair made of wooden bats like the Twins did. Some teams donated checks to Rivera's charities. The Mets gave him a mounted fire hose nozzle, in recognition of the how the two teams helped New York heal after 9/11, and a mounted call box. One of the gifts the Red Sox gave was Fenway Park's #42 from the hand-operated scoreboard. Red Sox fans also gave Rivera a standing ovation. The best closer who happens to be their team's biggest rival. Who else gets that type of respect? Check out this page to see some of the gifts Mariano Rivera received.
I can't imagine when Jeter finally retires. I'll be a mess. But as a closer, Rivera had a type of pressure on him I wouldn't want to imagine. And this guy just kicked ass. I like to think he is not walking away with any regrets. He knew it was time to go, even though he could probably still kick ass a little bit longer.
Enjoy retirement, Mo. You deserve it. I'm gonna miss ya.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Sid Beam Curse
My name is Victoria, and this is the first winning season for the Pittsburgh Pirates that I can remember in my lifetime.
Sounds almost like an admission of guilt, doesn't it? I was only six months old in '92, which is an infamous season for Pittsburgh Pirate fans. After that season, the Pirates would start having a plethora of losing seasons. At first, I'm sure the reaction of the fans, while not happy, was something similar to "OK. It happens." But then the next year. And the next. And the next. The losing seasons kept continuing. At some point, someone had to stand up and say, "Oh shit."
The "Oh shit" attitude is the Pittsburgh Pirates I grew up with. I'll be honest. Even from my childhood, I knew that something just wasn't right with the Pirates. Teams should not lose that often. It is just not normal.
Yet, somehow, I could not look away. My summers were filled with watching and listening to the Pirates game. My family and I would head down to the stadium-many memories at Three Rivers Stadium, including going to the last Buccos game there-and the stadium wasn't always very crowded. When games started to get ugly, I'd watch many people leave. Not many family. I have never left a sporting event early in my life. Through thick and thin, right?
I have witnessed games lost by 20-odd runs, managers who picked up second base, and a blown call that ruined an epic game that went into two in the morning.
And now. I have seen the curse broken.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are more epic than the classic movie "Major League." We don't have an owner trying to move the team (to my knowledge). We do have a Pedro who can hit the long ball (but it seems like it's either him killing the ball or nothing). Instead of Jobu, we have the Zoltan. I don't know if there is some kid in the stands seeing angels, but I know number 21, the legend himself, Roberto Clemente, is watching over this team now. And probably shaking his head at the shenanigans of Steve Blass in the booth. Clint Hurdle doesn't have Lou Brown's 'stache, but he does always have a huge wad of gum in his jaw.
Put all of this together, and apparently this is the equation to a winning season. I'm not knocking it.
When the Pirates won magical number 82, I'm pretty sure I scared my roommate with my reaction. But years from now, I'm pretty sure I will remember where I was when they won that game.
I've witnessed the Pirates at their worst. Now, I'm seeing the start of something new. The Pirates have gone from being the joke of the MLB to playoff contenders. I am not thinking past playoffs. That concept itself is magical.
This is what sports are all about. Eye of the tiger, or in this case, Zoltan. The curse has been broken. It's a little bit harder to get Buccos tickets now, which is both weird and annoying. But I can't wait to see where they go next!
Sounds almost like an admission of guilt, doesn't it? I was only six months old in '92, which is an infamous season for Pittsburgh Pirate fans. After that season, the Pirates would start having a plethora of losing seasons. At first, I'm sure the reaction of the fans, while not happy, was something similar to "OK. It happens." But then the next year. And the next. And the next. The losing seasons kept continuing. At some point, someone had to stand up and say, "Oh shit."
The "Oh shit" attitude is the Pittsburgh Pirates I grew up with. I'll be honest. Even from my childhood, I knew that something just wasn't right with the Pirates. Teams should not lose that often. It is just not normal.
Yet, somehow, I could not look away. My summers were filled with watching and listening to the Pirates game. My family and I would head down to the stadium-many memories at Three Rivers Stadium, including going to the last Buccos game there-and the stadium wasn't always very crowded. When games started to get ugly, I'd watch many people leave. Not many family. I have never left a sporting event early in my life. Through thick and thin, right?
I have witnessed games lost by 20-odd runs, managers who picked up second base, and a blown call that ruined an epic game that went into two in the morning.
And now. I have seen the curse broken.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are more epic than the classic movie "Major League." We don't have an owner trying to move the team (to my knowledge). We do have a Pedro who can hit the long ball (but it seems like it's either him killing the ball or nothing). Instead of Jobu, we have the Zoltan. I don't know if there is some kid in the stands seeing angels, but I know number 21, the legend himself, Roberto Clemente, is watching over this team now. And probably shaking his head at the shenanigans of Steve Blass in the booth. Clint Hurdle doesn't have Lou Brown's 'stache, but he does always have a huge wad of gum in his jaw.
Put all of this together, and apparently this is the equation to a winning season. I'm not knocking it.
When the Pirates won magical number 82, I'm pretty sure I scared my roommate with my reaction. But years from now, I'm pretty sure I will remember where I was when they won that game.
I've witnessed the Pirates at their worst. Now, I'm seeing the start of something new. The Pirates have gone from being the joke of the MLB to playoff contenders. I am not thinking past playoffs. That concept itself is magical.
This is what sports are all about. Eye of the tiger, or in this case, Zoltan. The curse has been broken. It's a little bit harder to get Buccos tickets now, which is both weird and annoying. But I can't wait to see where they go next!
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