Pirates Fans...Calm Down, Its Baseball

The Pirates are 85-61 this year...Baseball is Weird

The Pittsburgh Pirates have won 4 straight games and have re-energized the bi-polar fan base as they returned home last night to PNC Park for the last time this season.  This might not be the best timing for the article with the Buccos winning 4 straight, but I can't help but notice and get frustrated with some fans and their thoughts and statements towards the team, players, and the organization.  I'll be the first to say that the Pirates front office often times doesn't pay enough for certain players, that the team's hitting is too inconsistent, and that the pitching staff is starting to show some kinks in the armour.  All those thoughts are fine and dandy, but sometimes it seems that people forget they are watching the sport of baseball.  One of the more inconsistent and strange games one can comprehend.

Can someone tell me what other sport that you can go 3 for 10 and be considered an everyday starter and a possible all star?  If you go 3 for 10 from the floor in basketball, you'll find yourself next to the coach on the bench.  If a QB goes 3 for 10 you might see the backup QB starting to warm up.  If a goalie in hockey saves 3 out of 10 shots face there is no doubt he won't be in the game anymore.  If a golfer hits 3 out of 10 fairways he won't be playing on Saturdays and Sundays too often.  You get the picture...but in baseball if a hitter goes 3 for 10, they are hitting .300 and are an every day starter.  Sometimes, in baseball, you have to remember that this is a different game. 

Pirates fans have been outraged with players for slumping and not producing.  Look, I understand that it is their job to perform on the biggest stage, but at the same time you can't expect each player to be able to hit like Andrew McCutchen.  The season is 162 games long, and there will be ups, downs, turns, and the occasional blunder, but that doesn't equate to a death sentence.  The Pirates got swept by the Cardinals this past weekend and you would have thought Armageddon was on our doorstep.  Now that the Pirates have won 4 in a row, all is right with the world again.  Remember when the Pirates took 4 of 5 from the Cardinals at PNC Park?  Everyone thought the Cardinals were done...nope, still tied at the top of the NL Central.  Players and teams will go through hot streaks, cold spells, and will always strive for consistency.  You have to remember that these players and teams are trying to win a championship.  Does Pedro Alvarez WANT to strikeout consistently with RISP?  I sure as heck hope not, but some fans will react like he has a personal vendetta against them as human beings.  Jeff Locke is the perfect example of how players have struggles and can work through them.  Locke has been horrible since the All Star break, and some wanted him gone.  I even saw several fans suggesting that he be designated for assignment (DFA).  I laughed at the possibility of an All Star pitcher being DFAd.  This isn't Kevin Correia we are talking about.  Locke hit a rough patch and proved he can still be effective last night against a sub par team.  He did his job and held them to 3 hits and 1 run, earning himself his first win since the Clinton administration (okay, maybe not THAT long ago). 

Pirates fans, enjoy the baseball, but remember that although this team has won 85 games, they have also lost 61 games.  Thats right, 61 games.  Baseball is a confusing and imperfect science, but remember that next time you look to go ballistic on a player for hitting a cold spell.  It happens...its baseball.