Pittsburgh’s New Record Low

Don’t cry too hard for the city of Pittsburgh. Their city has seen two Super Bowl victories in four years. They saw a Stanley Cup in 2009 and another finals appearance in 2008.

This success, however, has not translated to the Pirates, Pittsburgh’s Major League Baseball franchise. Today, the Pirates traded Jack Wilson and Ian Snell to the Seattle Mariners and Freddy Sanchez to the San Francisco Giants. These trades all but guarantee their record 17^th straight losing season, a mark they will now hold by themselves.

The Pirates haven’t had a winning season since 1992 when Barry Bonds, Doug Drabek, and Andy Van Slyke were toiling in Pittsburgh for a team that ended up 30 games above the .500 mark. The franchise boasts five World Championships and former baseball greats like Roberto Clemente and Honus Wagner.

But, during these 16 years the Pirates have traded away a full squad of players. Players like Jason Bay, Aramis Ramirez, and Nate McClouth. They have finished last in their division nine times and are currently in last again this year.

During this time, the Steelers have won two Super Bowls, competed in another, reached seven AFC championship games and won eight division titles. The Penguins have won two Stanley Cups, reached four conference finals, and won five division titles. And yet the Pirates keep rolling out a below-average team.

It’s tough to be a Pirates fan these days. The product they are putting on the field stinks and show few signs of improving. Last year, new ownership claimed their goal was to improve a lackluster minor league system, even at the cost of their major league squad.

But, after 16 years of losing, the Pirate fans want to win now.