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The Professor · 07-19-2003, 09:09 PM

...to continue a thread begun in Dynasty:

http://www.400softwarestudios.com/bo...threadid=40096

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Western Pennsylvania: a special place in the baseball world.

Who, more than the good folks in and around the Steel City, are as loyal to their team? Determination, toughness and raw grit are qualities prized by the blue-collar fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Determination, toughness and grit are qualities perpetually linked to Pirates loyalty.

Loyalty means remaining faithful through tribulation. Trying times are, indeed, all too familiar to fans of the Pirates.

"Get up..."

When was the last time the Buccos hoisted the pennant?

1927.

When did they last revel in the glory of a World Championship?

Two years prior, in 1925.

The 1930s and '40s was an era of near misses and slow decline. Growing ever more distant the halcyon days of The Flying Dutchman, dimming the days of Max Carey and the Waners.

Since 1948 the story of the Pirates has been written mostly as tragedy. Only once have they posted a .500 record (1951). Losing records have piled up like stockpiled steel girters for two managerial regimes, that of Billy Meyer and the once-and-current manager, Pie Traynor.

Five second division finishes have translated into draft day busts or mediocrity bespeaking great disappointment.

Wally Hood, #10 overall in 1949 has been both a great, and sometimes merely a good, reliever. That he is often the very best of the Pirates pitchers speaks to the trials this team has endured...

Vernon Law, #6 overall in 1950 was thrown into the starting rotation almost immediately and, shell-shocked, has never recovered. Washed up at 25, he owns a 3-4 career record and 8+ ERA.

Sam Jones, #3 overall in 1951, Jones is one of, if not the most prolific strikeout artists in the National League. Unfortunately, Jones has piled up losses nearly as quickly as K's. He owns a 39-85 career record and has twice lost more than 20 games in a season.

Harvey Kuenn, #5 overall in 1952, the fluid shortstop has been a fan favorite from his first day patrolling the hard clay of the 'Alabaster Plaster' in Forbes Field. Combining great defense with a .300 hitters stroke, he remains the cornerstone of the Pirates lineup in 1955.

Al Kaline, #2 in 1953, Kaline was penciled in immediately by manager Pie Traynor. Overmatched repeatedly against Major League pitching, Kaline was sent out to the farm, but remains a tantalizing talent, the brightest star on Pittsburgh's sometimes murky horizon.

Karl Spooner, #3 in 1954, the smoke-tossing Spooner was - like so many Pittsburgh youths - a starter from Day 1. He endured a rough rookie campaign but, with experience, has emerged as a top-flight star in 1955, among the league leaders in ERA, wins and strikeouts.

"...get up, Aunt Minnie! Open the window..."

While the team's high profile draft selections haven't always paid immediate dividends, no team gets more from late round and scrap heap additions than the Bucs.

His name is Ebba St. Claire, a throw in player in a trade with the then New York Giants in 1951, St. Claire has used the wide expanse of Forbes Field to become one of the best hitters from the catcher's position in the National League.

Playing 90 feet away from St. Claire is the brightest young third sacker in either league. A steady glove who occasionally orchestrates defensive wizardry in the stadium annointed the 'House of Thrills', he is a maestro with a bat, hitting .300 with an ease not seen since a young Theodore S. Williams wowed fans more than a decade ago. All this from a 5th round draft selection, but fans will be saying Hal Bevan's name for seasons to come.

Underrated, punchless some say, but classic throwbacks to a time before the longball became commonplace these young Buccaneers play the game as it was meant to be played. Bevan, Kuenn, St.Claire, Westlake and - someday - Kaline means great hitting. Tradition handed down from Wagner and Carey. The defense is airtight, a study in the art of leather. Pride. The pitching is young, powerful, but rough hewn. Blue-collar.

The dawn of a successful new era begins just over the horizon like a springtime sun cresting the Alleghanies...

"...here she comes!"

If Albert Rowsewell knew it, maybe the greatest of Buccos fans would change his immortal call.

Here they come!

And when all is said and done, the losing will be a thing of the past and the loyal fans of western Pennsylvania will say as one:

"We had 'em allll the way..."

07-19-2003, 09:09 PM	#1
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	Profiles of SO49... ...to continue a thread begun in Dynasty: http://www.400softwarestudios.com/bo...threadid=40096 PITTSBURGH PIRATES Western Pennsylvania: a special place in the baseball world. Who, more than the good folks in and around the Steel City, are as loyal to their team? Determination, toughness and raw grit are qualities prized by the blue-collar fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Determination, toughness and grit are qualities perpetually linked to Pirates loyalty. Loyalty means remaining faithful through tribulation. Trying times are, indeed, all too familiar to fans of the Pirates. "Get up..." When was the last time the Buccos hoisted the pennant? 1927. When did they last revel in the glory of a World Championship? Two years prior, in 1925. The 1930s and '40s was an era of near misses and slow decline. Growing ever more distant the halcyon days of The Flying Dutchman, dimming the days of Max Carey and the Waners. Since 1948 the story of the Pirates has been written mostly as tragedy. Only once have they posted a .500 record (1951). Losing records have piled up like stockpiled steel girters for two managerial regimes, that of Billy Meyer and the once-and-current manager, Pie Traynor. Five second division finishes have translated into draft day busts or mediocrity bespeaking great disappointment. Wally Hood, #10 overall in 1949 has been both a great, and sometimes merely a good, reliever. That he is often the very best of the Pirates pitchers speaks to the trials this team has endured... Vernon Law, #6 overall in 1950 was thrown into the starting rotation almost immediately and, shell-shocked, has never recovered. Washed up at 25, he owns a 3-4 career record and 8+ ERA. Sam Jones, #3 overall in 1951, Jones is one of, if not the most prolific strikeout artists in the National League. Unfortunately, Jones has piled up losses nearly as quickly as K's. He owns a 39-85 career record and has twice lost more than 20 games in a season. Harvey Kuenn, #5 overall in 1952, the fluid shortstop has been a fan favorite from his first day patrolling the hard clay of the 'Alabaster Plaster' in Forbes Field. Combining great defense with a .300 hitters stroke, he remains the cornerstone of the Pirates lineup in 1955. Al Kaline, #2 in 1953, Kaline was penciled in immediately by manager Pie Traynor. Overmatched repeatedly against Major League pitching, Kaline was sent out to the farm, but remains a tantalizing talent, the brightest star on Pittsburgh's sometimes murky horizon. Karl Spooner, #3 in 1954, the smoke-tossing Spooner was - like so many Pittsburgh youths - a starter from Day 1. He endured a rough rookie campaign but, with experience, has emerged as a top-flight star in 1955, among the league leaders in ERA, wins and strikeouts. "...get up, Aunt Minnie! Open the window..." While the team's high profile draft selections haven't always paid immediate dividends, no team gets more from late round and scrap heap additions than the Bucs. His name is Ebba St. Claire, a throw in player in a trade with the then New York Giants in 1951, St. Claire has used the wide expanse of Forbes Field to become one of the best hitters from the catcher's position in the National League. Playing 90 feet away from St. Claire is the brightest young third sacker in either league. A steady glove who occasionally orchestrates defensive wizardry in the stadium annointed the 'House of Thrills', he is a maestro with a bat, hitting .300 with an ease not seen since a young Theodore S. Williams wowed fans more than a decade ago. All this from a 5th round draft selection, but fans will be saying Hal Bevan's name for seasons to come. Underrated, punchless some say, but classic throwbacks to a time before the longball became commonplace these young Buccaneers play the game as it was meant to be played. Bevan, Kuenn, St.Claire, Westlake and - someday - Kaline means great hitting. Tradition handed down from Wagner and Carey. The defense is airtight, a study in the art of leather. Pride. The pitching is young, powerful, but rough hewn. Blue-collar. The dawn of a successful new era begins just over the horizon like a springtime sun cresting the Alleghanies... "...here she comes!" If Albert Rowsewell knew it, maybe the greatest of Buccos fans would change his immortal call. Here they come! And when all is said and done, the losing will be a thing of the past and the loyal fans of western Pennsylvania will say as one: "We had 'em allll the way..." __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are." Last edited by The Professor; 07-19-2003 at 09:13 PM.