It Ain't Easy Being a Pittsburgh Pirates Fan

You know, I have a lot of respect for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. I really do. They have had nothing to be happy about for the past 17 years. The pitching has been awful, offense mediocre, and front-office moves questionable. And then, of course, the losing season after losing season. But this year really might have been the one. There was a definite chance that this team could finish at .500, maybe a game or two over. The pitching certainly hasn't blown people away, but there has been improvement. That plus a good crop of young talent gave people hope. Then the trades started. First outfielder Nate McLouth was traded to the Atlanta Braves for three prospects. That was a great move for Atlanta, bad for Pittsburgh. McLouth is signed until 2011 and at a good price. He was one of the top players in the lineup, and some players had no trouble expressing their disagreement. "Wow," second baseman Freddy Sanchez said Thursday of the trade, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think ... (link)