PIRATES MISS OPPORTUNITY, BUT THEY'RE FUN TO WATCH AGAIN

The Pirates had a great opportunity to make up more ground when they hosted the lowly New York Mets over the weekend. Instead, they split the four game series. The Buccos are now three games over .500 and are still in the race, although it’s hard to imagine they can leapfrog all the teams in front of them to get to the playoffs. I’d be shocked if the Pirates make it to the post-season. Nonetheless, it’s been fun to watch the Pirates turn it around. They’re suddenly an exciting team, and have gone from almost dead to in the thick of the race. I never would have believed that a month ago.
• It’s no secret that attendance has been way off at PNC Park, not only this year, but over the last several years. It was nice to see over 86 thousand fans turn out for the Friday through Sunday games. The Pirates deserved to have good crowds after the way they’ve been playing lately. The team really responded to the big crowds. It would be nice if PNC Park is packed the rest of the season.
• Pirates’ GM Neal Huntington said before Sunday’s game that he would like to add to the club. Only a few weeks ago it looked like Huntington would sell off players, and who could have blamed him. Making deals at the deadline is much easier said than done. Prices are often high, and often the price just isn’t worth it. It’s no secret the Pirates want a pitcher or two. But what will it cost? For me, that’s the big question.
• I’ve written many times that I don’t think trading away prospects for rentals are worth it. Most of the time those deals don’t pan out. In the case of the Pirates, it’s not like the team is loaded with prospects at the minor league level. The Pirates’ system just isn’t overly stocked with top prospects. Thus, it makes no sense for Huntington to deal them away for rental players. I would be fine with Huntington making a deal, so long as the cost isn’t ridiculous. I also wouldn’t be opposed to him trading away players who won’t be with the team next year. The next 48 hours will be very interesting.
• It’s easy to criticize the Pirates and the team’s ownership. They certainly deserve it. On the other hand, the Pirates deserve a lot of praise for what they’ve done with Pirates Charities. Over the weekend, Pirates Charities raised over 750 thousand dollars in the annual on-line fundraiser. Those funds help support Miracle League fields all across Western Pa. We’ve seen firsthand here in Indiana the impact the Miracle League makes in our community. Congratulations to the Pirates and Pirates Charities for all the good work they do.
• Steelers’ camp is finally here and the crowds are already turning out at St. Vincent. Even without Le’Veon Bell on hand, the Steelers will carry on, I’m anxious to see how some of the first year players do. We’ll get a long look at quarterback Mason Rudolph in the pre-season, along with his former teammate, receiver James Washington. I’m also looking forward to seeing second year running back James Conner. He will get a chance to show what he can do with Bell away from camp. The Steelers are set at most positions, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some interesting position battles.
• The Steelers caught a major break when Ramon Foster was not lost for the season following his injury over the weekend. First reports make it sound like Foster was done. Instead, he could be back in four to five weeks. Foster is an important part of the Steelers’ highly touted offensive line. He’s also one of the most popular players, both in the locker room and with the media.
• It’s hard to believe, but high school football kicks off in less than four weeks. Bring it on!