Piratesdaily.com | Pittsburgh Pirates News, pirates Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>Were those actually our Pittsburgh Pirates near the top of the National League Central division this past week? Or was the team of the last 16 years lurking behind the scenes, waiting to make its gruesome reappearance? </div>That's what we fans want to know. Is this the start of something good? Just a handful of games into the season, we've watched the Pirates defeat some very good teams. So far, I like what I'm seeing. But let's get real for a moment. No one can say whether this early season success is a fluke or something special. An ESPN Radio host said recently that it's too early to get excited or depressed about a team's fast or slow start. Wait until Memorial Day or mid-June, he said. I agree. Truth be told, my interest in Pirates Baseball had fallen to an all-time low last season after the team traded its two biggest run producers, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. It's tough to compete with the luxury-suite teams of New York, Boston and Los Angeles when you're sitting in Baseball's nosebleed section. At the start of this season, there were all kinds of reasons to believe that 2009 would be a repeat of 2008. After all, it's largely the same group of pitchers, fielders and hitters. But this year's team has turned out to be a refreshing change. The 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates seem to have this "thing" that's been missing for some time. You could call it swagger, as the players step out onto the field. They don't seem to be shaken if they're down a run or two. And so far, one loss hasn't sent them into a tailspin. Winning breeds confidence, and they seem to have plenty of each. Good for them. In post-game interviews, I've heard players talk about camaraderie and wanting to "be there" for their teammates. It's not just talk. They're doing it on the field and at the plate. Again, are these our Pittsburgh Pirates ? They almost sound like -- gulp -- the 2008 Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pirates pitching has been particularly impressive. In the past five or six seasons, starters suffered from the "big inning." Big, as in lots of hits for the other team. Opposing pitchers have had some big, bad innings, too, but those have been the exception, not the rule. I think the Pirates offense is too streaky. They score runs in bunches or hardly any at all. There have been lopsided wins and losses. I wish they could save some of that offense for the next game. * I was really pleased to see the Pittsburgh Pirates honor Steve Blass this season for his service with the team. It's well-deserved. In the mid-1980s, I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Blass. He had been out of Baseball for about 10 years, but he was still well known in the Pittsburgh area. He was at a bar in West Mifflin for some event that I've long ago forgotten, but because of some miscommunication, it didn't happen. Mr. Blass, who hadn't yet stepped into the broadcast booth, patiently waited for the rest of the group to appear. They didn't. Others might have thrown a hissy fit and stomped out. Mr. Blass took it all in stride. There was a small group of people in the bar that night, and before he left, he bought a round for everyone and chatted. Through the years, I've followed him on the Pirates broadcast team and always enjoyed his stories, as well as his humble approach to the game. From listening to him, you might think he was a gentleman. And you would be right. Although I spent only a half hour or so with him, it was clear that his kindness and humanity were genuine. Congratulations, Steve Blass. * Regardless of the sport, I've never believed that a team wins because "it's their turn." Just as in life, teams must earn their way to respectability. Sure, you get a lucky break once in a while, and perhaps a call or two goes your way. But the true measure of a champion is the team that can win the improbable games, especially when the breaks and the calls don't go your way. Look at the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates . You'd like to say it was a well-oiled machine. In reality, it was a team of many aging veterans who were near the end of their careers. Whether it was the leadership of Chuck Tanner or Willie Stargell or both, they somehow found a way to win games again and again that appeared to have been lost. It made their World Series victory all the more memorable and satisfying. That's what this team must do. Not to win a World Series title -- although that would be nice -- but to regain the admiration and respect of its fans. * Pittsburgh sports fans relish focusing on the negative. Even after winning two Super Bowls, I've heard numerous talk-show callers question whether Ben Roethlisberger is the team's quarterback of the future. Come on, people -- two Super Bowl titles! What more could you expect in his first five years? In that vein of cynicism, I'm waiting for the other shoe -- "I told you so" -- to drop. I'm waiting for the horrendous string of losses that knocks the Pirates out of contention and ensures a franchise-record 17th losing season. Maybe I'm starting to think that won't happen. Maybe instead of dreaming of .500 -- yeah, we're mediocre! -- the 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates will compete for a wild card spot or the Central Division title? Just maybe. Every once in a while, the stars align and a team plays beyond itself. And that's what we long-suffering Pirates fans are wishing for this season: A bit of hope that this season will be different.

Were those actually our Pittsburgh Pirates near the top of the National League Central division this past week? Or was the team of the last 16 years lurking behind the scenes, waiting to make its gruesome reappearance?

That's what we fans want to know. Is this the start of something good?

Just a handful of games into the season, we've watched the Pirates defeat some very good teams. So far, I like what I'm seeing.

But let's get real for a moment. No one can say whether this early season success is a fluke or something special. An ESPN Radio host said recently that it's too early to get excited or depressed about a team's fast or slow start. Wait until Memorial Day or mid-June, he said. I agree.

Truth be told, my interest in Pirates Baseball had fallen to an all-time low last season after the team traded its two biggest run producers, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. It's tough to compete with the luxury-suite teams of New York, Boston and Los Angeles when you're sitting in Baseball's nosebleed section.

At the start of this season, there were all kinds of reasons to believe that 2009 would be a repeat of 2008. After all, it's largely the same group of pitchers, fielders and hitters. But this year's team has turned out to be a refreshing change.

The 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates seem to have this "thing" that's been missing for some time. You could call it swagger, as the players step out onto the field. They don't seem to be shaken if they're down a run or two. And so far, one loss hasn't sent them into a tailspin. Winning breeds confidence, and they seem to have plenty of each. Good for them.

In post-game interviews, I've heard players talk about camaraderie and wanting to "be there" for their teammates. It's not just talk. They're doing it on the field and at the plate. Again, are these our Pittsburgh Pirates ? They almost sound like -- gulp -- the 2008 Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Pirates pitching has been particularly impressive. In the past five or six seasons, starters suffered from the "big inning." Big, as in lots of hits for the other team. Opposing pitchers have had some big, bad innings, too, but those have been the exception, not the rule.

I think the Pirates offense is too streaky. They score runs in bunches or hardly any at all. There have been lopsided wins and losses. I wish they could save some of that offense for the next game.

I was really pleased to see the Pittsburgh Pirates honor Steve Blass this season for his service with the team. It's well-deserved.

In the mid-1980s, I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Blass. He had been out of Baseball for about 10 years, but he was still well known in the Pittsburgh area.

He was at a bar in West Mifflin for some event that I've long ago forgotten, but because of some miscommunication, it didn't happen. Mr. Blass, who hadn't yet stepped into the broadcast booth, patiently waited for the rest of the group to appear. They didn't.

Others might have thrown a hissy fit and stomped out. Mr. Blass took it all in stride. There was a small group of people in the bar that night, and before he left, he bought a round for everyone and chatted.

Through the years, I've followed him on the Pirates broadcast team and always enjoyed his stories, as well as his humble approach to the game.

From listening to him, you might think he was a gentleman. And you would be right. Although I spent only a half hour or so with him, it was clear that his kindness and humanity were genuine.

Congratulations, Steve Blass.

Regardless of the sport, I've never believed that a team wins because "it's their turn." Just as in life, teams must earn their way to respectability.

Sure, you get a lucky break once in a while, and perhaps a call or two goes your way. But the true measure of a champion is the team that can win the improbable games, especially when the breaks and the calls don't go your way.

Look at the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates . You'd like to say it was a well-oiled machine. In reality, it was a team of many aging veterans who were near the end of their careers. Whether it was the leadership of Chuck Tanner or Willie Stargell or both, they somehow found a way to win games again and again that appeared to have been lost. It made their World Series victory all the more memorable and satisfying.

That's what this team must do. Not to win a World Series title -- although that would be nice -- but to regain the admiration and respect of its fans.

Pittsburgh sports fans relish focusing on the negative. Even after winning two Super Bowls, I've heard numerous talk-show callers question whether Ben Roethlisberger is the team's quarterback of the future. Come on, people -- two Super Bowl titles! What more could you expect in his first five years?

In that vein of cynicism, I'm waiting for the other shoe -- "I told you so" -- to drop. I'm waiting for the horrendous string of losses that knocks the Pirates out of contention and ensures a franchise-record 17th losing season.

Maybe I'm starting to think that won't happen. Maybe instead of dreaming of .500 -- yeah, we're mediocre! -- the 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates will compete for a wild card spot or the Central Division title? Just maybe.

Every once in a while, the stars align and a team plays beyond itself. And that's what we long-suffering Pirates fans are wishing for this season: A bit of hope that this season will be different.