Thanks Bucs!
For those of us that possess an emotional connection to our Pittsburgh Pirates, this is a painful time in which many, no doubt, endured a restless night following our loss of the Division Series.
One can point fingers at the many players that underperformed amidst Cardinals pitching which was king, but this is not the time.
Today, I am thankful for a Pirates team and organization which made me proud to wear its black and gold this year.
The team brought us thrills to last a lifetime, none more vivid and exciting than the explosion of devotion and passion that occurred at the Wild Card game in which we defeated our arch-enemy, the Reds. Attending that game was something I shall always treasure and will be telling acquaintances about for years to come.
We would be remiss and poor sports if we did not tip our caps to the Cardinals, a talented, classy organization which deserves this victory as much as any organization. I now look forward to watching two of my favorite teams, the Cards and the Dodgers, compete for the National League pennant.
I do not know what the Pirates will look like next year. Justin Morneau and Marlon Byrd are not likely to return and I am not sure the club will be willing to pay $10-20 million to secure an aging and erratic A. J. Burnett even if he can be persuaded to stay in baseball. But whoever takes the field next March 31, I will be there with bells on. I will miss my team in the offseason.
Congratulations and thank you, Pirates!
Oren M. Spiegler
Upper Saint Clair