Game 39: Pirates 8 Nationals 5

Yesterday afternoon, I got an e-mail from my dad. It read, in part: It's 5-19-09, and what are the Bucs, 17-21?  A year ago on this date the Bucs were 21-23.  And yet, why does it seem that I and many others feel like this year's version is better than last year's version?  Optical illusion?  Did we drink the Kool-Aid?  Have we been snowed? I thought about that a bit, and though I agree with the sentiment that these Pirates are better than last year's, I was unable to adequately verbalize a reason and actually, I still haven't responded (though I suppose this post counts). I just have a feeling that this team is different. I don't think they're a playoff team or a .500 team, but I do think they're different, if that makes sense. They're not necessarily good, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like maybe they're at least headed in the direction of something good. This win is a perfect example. It had all the debilitating hallmar...