Guys, I'm not trying to introduce anything religious here, but would like to post an opinion piece by Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Diocese of Providence. Some of you will remember his appearance in the NFL Films "Steeler Nation" show as the "spiritual leader" of the Steeler Nation. Bishop Tobin's a huge Steelers fan here "Behind Enemy Lines" as Swiss would say, and he's also a big Pirates fan as well. There's nothing really religious about the article unless if you want to consider his message to be optimistic religious. It's all about the Pirates and Opening Day. If the mods think it is, then please delete and accept my apology. Anyway, here's the link and the article:

http://thericatholic.com/opinion/detail ... ub_id=4921

Pirates Win 2012 World Series!
BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
4/12/12 12:00 am
A lot of people know that I’m an avid Steelers fan, but on occasion someone will ask me if I also cheer for the baseball team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. There’s always an awkward pause before I answer that question.

Yes, I do like the Pirates. Yes, I try to follow them a bit from afar. But, in fact, there hasn’t been much to cheer about in the last twenty years. It’s sort of embarrassing to admit that I’m a Pirates fan. And after all, I’m living in Red Sox territory.

To say that the Pirates have fallen on hard times is like saying that the Titanic had a rough night at sea. The Pirates haven’t won anything for twenty years. In fact, their nineteen year losing streak is the longest in the history of professional sports I think. There’s an entire generation of Pirates fans in Western Pennsylvania who have never known the Pirates as a winning team. That’s pretty risky business in a sports-crazed city that enshrines winners but discards losers like empty Iron City Beer cans. And it’s also pretty disheartening for someone like me who grew up living and breathing the Pirates, even more than the Steelers.

Yes, it’s been many years since the Pirates had a winning team, but once-upon-a-time it was very different.

I remember, with special affection, the 1960 Pirates. The Pirate Yearbook that spring had this comment from the manager: “Danny [Murtaugh] is confident that he has a contending club. ‘When all our ball players are playing up to their potential, we do not have an outstanding weakness in our line-up.’” Murtaugh’s assessment was right on. This was the young team that beat the fabled and highly-favored Yankees in a thrilling seven-game World Series. The Yankees’ roster had names like Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. But, it was Bill Mazeroski’s ninth inning home run, on October 13th, 1960, that concluded an unbelievable, heart-pounding, nail-biting game and gave the Pirates their championship.

Maz’s homerun ranks one of the great moments in sports history, even better for Pittsburgh fans, I’d say, than the “Immaculate Reception” of Franco Harris that launched Steelers greatness. To this day Pirate fans still gather on October 13th at the spot where the ball cleared the left field wall of old Forbes Field to remember and celebrate.

I grew up following players like Smoky Burgess, El Roy Face, Bob Friend, Dick Groat, Harvey Haddix, Dick Stuart, Bob Skinner, Bill Virdon and, of course, the incomparable Roberto Clemente. The 1960 team also included Woonsocket’s own Clem Labine, who came to the Pirates late in the championship season.

My friends and I knew all about the players and their statistics. As we played whiffle ball in the side yard we imitated their batting stances and pitching motions; we tried to run like them and catch like them. And how I wish I still had the large collection of baseball cards I had then!

In those years I listened to Pirate games on the radio next to my bed at night, and during the day on my brand new, pocket-sized Silvertone transistor radio while delivering newspapers around the neighborhood. For awhile I scored just about every game, keeping track with my own homemade, personally designed scoring system.

Who among Pirate fans of the 1950s and 60s can forget Bob Prince, the always colorful and controversial play-by-play announcer? It was said that one disgruntled fan, wanting to write to the “Gunner,” addressed an envelope with the words, “Ocean Mouth” and nothing else written on the envelope, and the mail found its way to his office. He had quite the reputation; one of the best play-by-play guys ever.

The Pirates’ epic journey of 1960 was accompanied by the King of Dixieland (in Pittsburgh?) Bennie Benack who, with his jazz band, led the fight song, “Oh the Bucs are going all the way, all the way, all the way . . . this year.” The lyrics were basic, but singable. Quirky old Forbes Field became the scene of consistently great baseball, thrilling comebacks, and a thousand memories for a 12-year-old kid in the summer of 1960.

The Pirates have won just two World Series since that landmark season – in 1971, beating the Baltimore Orioles, Roberto Clemente’s next to last season, and 1979, beating the Orioles once again, the year of Willie Stargell and the “We are family” anthem.

So, its been a very long drought for the Pirates, but there seems to be legitimate reason to hope. The owners are finally shelling out a little money, and the team has assembled a core of talented young players who might actually be around for awhile.

And the fans are ready, that’s for sure. A recent article in the hometown Post-Gazette records the somewhat guarded optimism of the faithful. One fan said, “You never know; I think the team will be better this year.” His twelve-year old son was candid about the new Pirates team. “They’re not that great,” he said, “but they’ll be better this year.” And a third fan had equally modest expectations. “I’m not sure they have enough talent yet. Still, I like the ballpark.”

But, why not be optimistic? Why not have hope? After all it’s springtime, a season of new life, and new beginnings. The baseball season’s only a few games old, and if you can’t be optimistic in April, you’ve missed the spirit of Opening Day.

So, let’s all look forward to reading the headline this fall: “Pirates Win 2012 World Series.” How sweet would that be, and even sweeter if they beat the Red Sox to do it!

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That is a great piece, Jack! Thanks for posting it brother! Very inspirational on many levels.

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

OK, I gots ta ask...Danny Murtaugh managed the Buccos in 1960?
(I don't have the historic memory as some like MJG75, Swiss etc. Plus I was 3 years old at the time! )

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"Flappy, good news, I've decided not to kill you!"-Stewie Griffin

Yes, Danny managed the 60 WS team as well as the 71 WS team.

Should be in the HOF without question.

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

For some odd reason I didn't know that.
Two time WS winning manager!?! You're right MeanJoe, that in itself, makes him more than HoF worthy!

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"Flappy, good news, I've decided not to kill you!"-Stewie Griffin

Jack - I thought you may be playing a video game or something based on this thread title.

HAHA, I have already taken the Buccos to the 2009 World Series and won it in "MLB '10 The Show." I did have to blow up the lineup somewhat.

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First thing I thought of too!

If they win the World Series in the next 20 years I would be surprised.

Great find, Jack.

Guess I should go to church once in a while to see if the local priest ever invokes the Buccos' names.

Thanks '09. Good point! If you can believe it, not only is Bishop Tobin (a Pittsburgh guy as you can tell) the bishop of my diocese, in my local parish, there is a retired priest by the name of Father John Duggan. Some of you might know Fr. J.D. as the unofficial chaplain of the 70's Super Steelers. He was a personal friend of the Chief's and was on hand for the Immaculate Reception and all four Steelers' Super Bowl victories back then. If you go to the link below, there is an article on Fr. J.D. on the right.

http://books.google.com/books?id=QZ_C9s ... an&f=false

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