Editorial: Pittsburgh Pirates season start shows possibility
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On Thursday, Pittsburgh Pirates legend Dick Groat died at 92.
It was a loss for his family and friends, but it also was a sad moment for Pirates fans. Groat, who swung a wicked bat and won National League MVP for the 1960 World Series champions, was not just a “former player.” He was a touchstone to a time when the Pirates were contenders.
Perhaps he rests easy with his team on an uncharacteristic upswing.
The Bucs are in first place for the National League Central Division, with a record of 18-8 a month into the season. For some teams, that might seem like an early inning lead — nothing to get cocky about when there is still a lot of baseball to play.
But Pirates fans are parched for hope and eager to get drunk on just a few potent sips of success.
The team offered the first taste with bringing back Andrew McCutchen. It topped off the glass when it signed a team-record contract extension with outfielder Bryan Reynolds for eight years and $106 million.
It speaks to what always has been the criticism of the ownership — that it cheaps out. That it develops talent just to trade it away. That it functions like a farm team, not a Major League Baseball organization with a history older than 12 U.S. states.
Maybe this year’s good start won’t last. There have been other early promises that didn’t come to fruition, but somehow, it does seem different this year. People are catching this infectious belief in what being a Pirates fan can mean.
And it’s good for business. Maybe seat sales aren’t showing it yet, but it’s been chilly and rainy and school still is in session. There’s time. But merchandise? People are willing to put their money where their heart is. They are seeking out the logo on hats and T-shirts and more. Home game merchandise sales are up 60%. Online, it’s 50% over 2022.
Jersey sales have doubled, heavily built on McCutchen’s name.
It might seem like the most important part in keeping this going is for the guys on the diamond to keep putting up runs, but it is just as important for the front office to keep doing its part. Owner Bob Nutting has to realize it is good financial sense to continue to build the team rather than stripping it for parts like a stolen car.
And the fans need to reward it with support. Maybe everyone can make a commitment to keeping it all going to honor Groat, whose team only reached the top of the heap twice in the 62 years since he was MVP.