LAROCHE: THE BEST?

Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche is currently hitting .221 with six homers. On this date last year, he was hitting .211 with seven homers. In Atlanta in 2006, those numbers were .247 and 10, and in 2005, .249 and seven.So the Pirates acquired this traditional late-bloomer before the 2007 campaign, and his early-season numbers since joining the Buccos have tailed off even below their previous depths. Although some would question the acquisition of such a player by a team that usually holds an annual fire sale in July, we've all learned to never question the wisdom of Dave Littlefield.With that in mind, a Pirate fan created this incredible YouTube montage of The LaRoche Era, set to LaRoche's own at-bat theme song, "Karate Kid's" You're the Best. For any Pirate follower, it's a must-see.With that as a backdrop, has anyone else realized that during the Pirates' decade-and-a-half of futility, the first base position has been manned by the revolving door of Sean Casey, Daryle Ward, Randall Simon, Kevin Young, Mark Johnson, and Brian Hunter? That might have something to do with the losing. Of course, pretty much every other position has the same situation, so my point is moot.