OnlyBucs

I`m a huge Pirates /Steelers fan .I spend too much time reading message boards and newspaper articles about those teams.

But i never get depressed about the losing.I don`t let it get to me .Its a game and i enjoy it for what it is.

I see so many people get wrapped up in how the ownership runs the team etc.



  When Sid slid and a I threw a bottle at my dads big screen TV.That changed how i watch games.There is always tomorrow,next week next season. ::)



I cant decide if Kuhl is going to become a dominate starter one day or just an average Joe..I like his mound presence, he is relentless but he just needs to be consistent.

0F343E35195D0 wrote:

I cant decide if Kuhl is going to become a dominate starter one day or just an average Joe..I like his mound presence, he is relentless but he just needs to be consistent.
It's interesting that in his 5th pro season he has suddenly developed into a power pitcher. He shows a lot of potential but is basically a 5 inning pitcher at this point. Many years ago, pitchers often began their careers as long relievers and transitioned into starters. That may benefit Kuhl. I think he would dominate as a long reliever for 2-3 innings while getting accustomed to being a power pitcher, i.e. using his fastball to set up other pitches, working on a good change up. Then put him back in the rotation.

444C4F786E4B6C630D0 wrote: 6 outs left to keep a season barely alive, on life support.



Lose this game and its over with.


I agree. I think that does it. I'm actually going to try rooting for another team the rest of the year. Not sure who, but will decide by the end of the weekend. Gonna give it a try the rest of the year. I just can't do this anymore. Good night everyone.


Well, that's not the way baseball season should end....



Can't the FO see anything besides $€£¥?



Hope you're still with OBN IA.




Realistically, I probably won't be able to abandon the Pirates.  But, I've never tried.  If 35 year old me could talk to 10 year old me when I was rooting for Bonds, Bonilla, and Van Slyke, I would have told 10 year old me to wait one more year, then become a Cardinals fan.  Seriously.  So, I need to try...I know that sounds silly, but last night was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back for me.  To just go through the motions on this entire road trip...I just can't stomach this any more.



OK...here are my criteria:



1.  Team needs to have a bright future...either a top farm system, or the financial wherewithal to overcome a weak farm.



2.  Preferably needs to play a majority of games in the Eastern or Central time zones.  (I have no desire to stay up until midnight every night watching baseball.



3.   Not be the Cubs, Brewers, Yankees, or Pirates



4.   Preferably be in the NL.  (No DH is such a better game.)



That leaves me with:  Cardinals, Nationals, Braves, Red Sox, Indians



Cards have the added benefit of being in the NL Central, so I'd get to directly root AGAINST the Pirates 19 times a year.  But, working against them is A. They have the same issue Pittsburgh does going forward...the Cubs are going to be a juggernaut for the next decade, at least, and B.  Their games are blacked out in Iowa, and I'm not getting DirecTV just to get Fox Sports MidWest.



Nats have working in their favor that they are a lock to make the playoffs this year.



Braves have a loaded farm system, probably the best in baseball.



Red Sox have won three titles in the last 13 years, and are always willing to go all-in.



Indians play in a weak division, and though in a small market, are willing to invest in their team (see Edwin Encarnacion).



But, the Red Sox and Indians also play in the AL, and I still hate the DH.



So, Nats are my leader, followed closely by Braves, Cards, and Red Sox (in that order) with the Indians a distant fifth, but not yet eliminated from the competition.



Anyone have any thoughts?



Sorry...I feel like a traitor.  But, I honestly think last night broke me.  I either need to follow the Pirates less, follow a new team, or perhaps even give up baseball entirely.  But I realize that being this impassioned and being crushed so often is not good for me, or those around me.


I hear ya IBF. As you know I have been a Bucs fan for over 60 years. Have seen 3 WS teams and wish I had seen more.



Have had some times when like you I wanted nothing to do with the Bucs. They were losers but it was not so much money oriented as it is now. More of a scouting and evaluation thing. Yet they found Roberto and Groat and a few others. It is only in the last generation that money has become such an important thing in success.



Now to answer you and your quest for an "new" team. I went through that back in 1969. When the Mets came from last to first that year and won it all I became a "closet" Mets fan. Had just entered my Sr in college. Did take some heat from my Dad. But I stayed a Mets fan and they are still my 2nd favorite team.



But it was just 2 yrs later when the Bucs took it all and Roberto showed his stuff. I rooted hard for the Bucs that year and in essence each year since. Though during some tough times not so hard.



Its okay with me that you move on to the Nats or whomever but I warn you that deep in your heart the Bucs will have a special place for all the near misses you have enjoyed these last couple years. Time to move on but you will always be part of OBN.



Considering your profession, you need to make a decision on who to root for based on what is in your heart and not the terrible emotions we all experience.



By best to you my friend. Hope you enjoy what ever you do.

Kuhl has me perplexed. Why can't he pitch deep into games once in awhile. 100 pitches to go 5 innings. Where is big Ray and his ability to teach guys how to pitch? Maybe it is the fact that Kuhl needs a mentor and I thought Nova might be the guy. Guess not. We need to find a way to get AJ back for awhile to talk with Kuhl and teach him what he needs to do to get deeper into games and live up to what is expected of him.



If Kuhl can't make it as a starter then why not work him as a long man with the idea of sometime moving him to 7th or 8th inning and when Rivero gets too expensive move him into closer role.