I must admit that I have given the Pirates plenty of chances.  I want them to fill my summer boredom.  I must also admit I have not been the most loyal fan.  The last 15 years have been tough.  I saw my first Pirate game in the 50's at Forbes Field.  I wasn't even 10 years old.

I was in attendance for Bill Mazeroski night.  One year, I was there for 40 Pirate games.  That's half.  I actually shook hands with Roberto Clemente.  He signed a poster for me.  Unfortunately that poster is lost.  I cried when Roberto died trying to help Nicaraguan earthquake victims. 

I attended the last game at Forbes Field, actually a double header with the Cubs.  I was there for the first night at Three Rivers Stadium.  I attended playoff and World Series games at Three Rivers.  I went to Philadelphia to see the Pirates play.  I listened or watched every game like it was my lifeline. 

After they were eliminated in 1992, I blurted out that they should break up the team since they just couldn't get over the hump and get back to the World Series.  I wish I could take that request back.  The last 15 years have been pure baseball hell. 

I know that I am down on Major League Baseball because my team cannot or will not compete.  Through a decade and a half of mismanagement, we are stuck with this. 

This is a franchise which has been down so long, they will need up to identify itself when it finally becomes visible.  I've thought up was within sight at times this year.  It still may be.  But it is becoming apparent that anything that resembles a healing is years away. 

This edition of the Pirates has been entertaining at times, maddening at others and on occasion downright pitiful.  This weekend was pitiful.  Losing four straight to a team that hasn't been able to get out of their own way all season is beyond aggravating, it's embarrassing.  This team's record isn't going to look much different than those less successful teams of the last 15 years have looked. 

I can't say that this team hasn't suffered some really unfortunate breaks through the season.  The players they counted on most haven't been worth a hill of beans.  What could possibly have happened to Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell?  Is it just the Pirate curse?  They wouldn't be the first promising young starters to fall apart well before they've reached Hall of Fame status. 

This group has been so good that there's some thought that they maybe should just hold onto their trade-bait players like Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte, Jason Bay and Jack Wilson.  The question to ask here is, how could anyone else be less successful than this team's accumulation of players?

Depth is a major issue with the Pirates.  There isn't any.  When an injury comes along, the product suffers.  When Jack Wilson went on the DL, the replacements were pitiful.  With the pitching staff depleted by injury and ineffectiveness, the replacements have been minor league at best. 

The current management may have a winning plan in place, but this is not something you can take care of over night.  Unfortunately, having top draft choices in the Major Leagues doesn't always translate to developing great players.  Especially if the management has no idea what a great player is. 

In the NFL, and NHL there is a salary cap for the franchises to deal with.  Rarely does someone go New England over everyone and rack up titles.  Bottom to top is not rare in the NFL.  The NBA only employs 12 players per team so they can revamp overnight with the right moves. 

Major League Baseball is different.  There is no protection for the teams who can't keep up with the fat cat Jones's.  You have an organization at the top supported by a team at every minor league level.  You've got to be able to stock 5 or 6 full baseball teams.  We are seeing now just how many actual prospects exist in the Pittsburgh Pirate organization. 

I can no longer watch this season.  Tonight, the World Poker Tour is on the Game Show Network.  Tomorrow is the first in an every Tuesday series of World Series of Poker telecasts.  Steeler camp begins Sunday.  Sorry for jumping ship.  The baseball season just ended for me.