What can be said about the Pittsburgh Pirates? They haven't been to the playoffs since 1992, they are yearly contenders for last place in their division, and they are best known for one of their players hitting a bratwurst mascot! The Pirates sit in last place once again this year, and their very young team is struggling a lot. One of the biggest problems they have this year is in the pitching staff. Not one of those starters have any kind of MLB experience. It will definitely be a long year for the Pirates.
I'll be honest, I have been watching baseball since I was a kid and I never remember the Pirates being anything to care about. I remember something about bonds being a pirate early on I thought, but that may be a false memory. Problem is that Pittsburgh has always been a football town. As long as the Steelers are the main show, their baseball team will have a hard time getting the crowds, or the money to get the team to get the crowds.
Yes, Bonds was a Pirate, for the first seven years of his career. They won a championship in '79 but I was only 2 at the time, so I can understand why you would think they weren't a good team. They did win 3 NL East division titles in the early 90's but haven't done anything since moving to the NL Central.
Hurdle, Roenicke to get first taste of Bucs vs. Brewers
Pennsylvania Local News
After not getting a day off in the season's first 10 days, the Pirates received an unexpected second straight day of rest when Tuesday's series opener against the Brewers was rained ...
Source: Pennsylvania News
Pittsburgh won its first playoff game in 21 years Tuesday and set up a National League Divison Series with the St. Louis Cardinals, which will begin Thursday at 5:07 p.m. ET. Ref. USAToday