I was in middle school the last time the
Pirates
had a winning season and am way too fired up about them right
now. I'm not the only person who thinks their current prospects
look more like Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla than Kevin Young and Kris
Benson, but half of my life tells me I'm settings myself up for a
disappointment. The town's still hung over from the Super Bowl,
but I think it's quietly hoping to carry the excitement on to the
Pirates.
In light of this, the
Pirates announced their new marketing theme
of "WE WILL" (I didn't add the caps). Am I the only person who
thinks this is a dumb name? We will what? Have our 14th
straight losing season? Have the monkey off our back if we're
.500? The Post-Gazette also reported Pirate officials see it in a
similar light to Nike's "Just Do It." Well . . . just do
it. Really.
When you're good you don't have to tell anyone, just ask the New
England Patriots. It might take some time, but everyone will
know. You don't have to tell them. The marketing department
should be focusing on the excitement generated by the potential of
these young players.
I can't wait to see the young guys this year. Chris Duffy excite
me the most by far. I'm not sure I've ever seen someone that fast
down the line to first. It must be because I'm a slow, overweight
former distance runner hoping to bat leadoff for my softball team at
least one more year. He isn't even one of the guys with the
greatest potential. The Pirates WILL not get where they
ultimately want to this year. They may not even be .500, but this
year can be a giant step on the way there.