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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

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PNC Park says: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled massses”

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My buddy Brownie* visited PNC Park over the weekend to watch the Pirates take on the Boston Red Sox. He sent me this view from his seats and told me that yes, those buildings in the background are in fact real and spectacular. He went on to say that the Pittsburgh skyline borders on hypnotic and that when you watch a Pirates game from the upper deck of PNC Park, you can’t help but stare at the Clemente Bridge and the tall buildings behind. He equated it to a Cowboys game at the new stadium in Dallas where fans can’t help but be distracted by the massive jumbotron hovering above the field.

*It’s true what they say, every group of friends has someone called “Brownie” and “Murph”.

I have to admit, I’m starting to develop a bit of a “fan crush” on Pittsburgh and the Pirates. The Steel City has emerged as the hippest port of call between New York and Chicago – sorry Cleveland – for young professionals in their late 20’s/early 30’s. With a strong university system, gobs of entrepreneurial spirit, and affordable housing, Pittsburgh has everything that a wayward soul with latent ambition could possibly ever need. Think about it as grittier version of Portland, Oregon.

The Pirates are quietly becoming my National League team. As a Baltimore Orioles fan, I have empathy for the plight of the Pittsburgh Pirates fan base and share their longing for a winning season. With loads of young talent, Andrew McCutchen as the centerpiece of this youth movement, and a beautiful ballpark, this is a team that should be able to turn things around, if ownership ever becomes willing to invest money in improving the quality of their on the field product.

Hopefully the great migration of “coasties” who have abandoned their studio apartments in Red Hook for a new lease on life in the Steel City will be able to go out to PNC Park and watch a winner sometime in the near future.

Even Baseball Players Perspire

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We’re having a heat wave. I’m mean it’s hot, dang hot. The kind of heat where it doesn’t cool off even after the sun goes down. Last night, I sat on the couch to watch a few minutes of the Bruins/Canucks and was seated for a total of five minutes before sticking to the fabric. Not pleasant. I had to spend the rest of the evening pacing back and forth in front of the television.

Later, I was able to catch a few innings of the Red Sox/Yankees game from the steamy Bronx and I noticed that Alfredo Aceves was having a difficult time “managing” his perspiration. The YES Network cameras were able to pick up a considerable amount of sweat dripping from his saturated cap. It looked liked he was having a tough time picking up the signs from Jason Varitek. I’m not even sure how he was even able to hold onto the ball. Didn’t seem to affect his performance however as Aceves was able to get Derek Jeter to ground into a crucial double play in the 6th.

Heading West on I-80, Andrew McCutchen’s walkoff propelled the red hot Pirates past the visiting Diamondbacks by a final score of 3-2. Pittsburgh is at .500 in June for the first time since the days of Bonds, Bonilla, and Van Slyke.* I really want to like this Bucs team and could be persuaded to purchase a McCutchen #22 tshirt jersey. He’s seems like an absolute star in the making and I don’t know when his contract is up but can only hope that Pittsburgh is able to lock him up long term.

*I made this last part up but it really does feel like a long time since the Pirates had their heads above water this late in the season.

view from PNC Park courtesy of @MalloryCowell

 

View from Spring Training: 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates

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2011 Pittsburgh Pirates

NFL Equivalent: Detroit Lions – There was really no other play here. Like the Lions, the Pittsburgh Pirates are an ongoing exercise in professional sports futility. 2010 marked the 18th straight losing season for Pittsburgh and a 57-105 record was their worst since the Truman presidency.  With QB Matthew Stafford and DT Ndamukong Suh, Detroit could be headed for a renaissance in 2011, that is if there is in fact an NFL season. For the Pirates, the future is just as foggy.

Google Search: If you’re a fan of the Pirates, how do you have any confidence in your organization once it was revealed that your ownership has been skimming off the top for the past few fiscal calendars. The roster does have a stable of young, all star caliber players in 3B Pedro Alvarez, 2B, Neil Walker, and CF Andrew McCutchen, but if ownership is unwilling to spend the Yankees and Red Sox money on future free agents, that young nucleus will go on to star in some other city.

Famous Movie Quote: “Come on, fellas. Rome wasn’t built in a day.” – Coach Morris Buttermaker from The Bad News Bears.

As I was looking for quotes from The Bad News Bears, I realized that more than half of the one liners from this ’70s classic are now way too inappropriate to republish.  Even still, the 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates are the closest thing we have to the Chico’s Bail Bonds sponsered Bears. The problem for the Bucs will once again be their pitching, hitting and defense. When you can’t throw strikes, put the ball in play or keep the ball from trickling between your legs you know you are destined for your 19th straight losing season in a row. Sorry Pittsburgh, at least your city is a desirable place to live. 2011 record: 64-98, 6th in NL Central

View from McKechnie Field courtesy of @xMusicSnob99x