After suffering through 16 consecutive losing seasons, many Pirate fans wonder how any team’s management could be more inept; how any team’s ownership could be more stingy. And who could blame them? The streak of sub-.500 finishes will soon be historic.
Image by Matt Bandi, MVN via Flickr
The sudden and unexpected trade of All-Star outfielder Nate McLouth on June 3 was viewed by many as a microcosm of the past decade and a half of losing. The Atlanta Braves acquired McLouth in exchange for starting pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez. While many experts feel the Pirates will come out ahead long-term — What a haul for an overrated “Gold Glover,” tweeted Keith Law — fans believe the team has given up on its present, and rightfully so. Same old Pirates.
But there is reason for hope at PNC Park. Since taking over for Dave Littlefield in September of 2007, general manager Neal Huntington has reshaped th...
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