This essay speaks for me too

[The Polack MSgt]

https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2021/9/22/22687874/the-head-and-the-heart

[MyOwnPeace]

1. Easy for you, Sarge........

and I envy your joy in realizing the value of the moment/season.
But somewhere deep in your 'heart' I'd appreciate a bit of sympathy and pity for us long-suffering Pirate fans. You talk of 'joys' that have been long-gone from the Bucco fans!

[The Polack MSgt]

2. Although I was born in Mississippi and have lived in St Louis longer than anywhere else -

My folks are from Western PA and when my dad retired from the USAF, we went back home to Washington County.

I was a huge Bucco fan because my Grandfather and uncle were. When Roberto Clemente died I was heartbroken like only a 9 year old can be.

But I left, joined the Air Force and wound up in St Louis - I tried to be a Pirates fan but the Cardinals soak into you if you stay around here for long. It isn't that the St Louis baseball fans are better (the Best Fans In Baseball tag is bullshit) allbaseball fans are pretty much the same - The difference is that there are so many Per Capita.

It's hard to avoid the team when EVEYONE talks about them all the time.

Add in watching Pujols, Rolen, McGuire, Walker, Edmonds, Carpenter Waino and Yadi all these years and you get drawn in.

I still pull for the Pirates when they play other teams but I have a Bird on the bat as my avatar for a reason.

You guys have been cursed with horrible owners this entire century

[MyOwnPeace]

3. "You guys have been cursed with horrible owners this entire century.."

THAT is the TRUTH!!!!

PS: Don't forget - the 'Greatest Cardinal' - Stan 'The Man' Musial came from the 'burbs of Da' Burgh! (Donora, PA)