Two Quick Thoughts on the ALCS

So these two quick thoughts have everything to do with what it's been like to be a Pirates fan since 1992 (by the way, TBS, thank you oh so very much for the reminder of that '92 NLCS series).

I was rooting for the Red Sox. Not because I like them, mind you, but just because I wanted to see Jason Bay win something. I mean, after spending the formative years of one's career mired in Pittsburgh, well...I was just hoping to see Bay win something. And here's what I got from watching Bay: he didn't look out of place. He was help, not a hindrance, to the Boston Red Sox. Was he an MVP? No how, no way. But was he a legitimate piece of a team that came within 1 game of going to the Series? Absolutely. And so, for this Bucco fan, knowing that an ex-Pirate can produce in the playoffs, well, let's be honest: it's somewhat reassuring, on some level, to know that there actually have been really good major league players on my team over these long, endless summers of losing baseball. And as for Jason Bay--better luck next season.

Speaking of really good major league baseball players, watching the Tampa Bay Rays--and their incredibly young team--celebrate made me envious. As a hockey fan, I got to watch a young Penguins team celebrate earning the chance to play for the Stanley Cup (it was a muted celebration, and Sidney Crosby refused even to touch the conference championship trophy), but watching the Rays, I just found myself wondering if and when the Piratse would ever again be able to celebrate winning an NLCS. Seriously--when could I potentially see the Pirates winning an NLCS? I allowed myself to daydream for a moment...perhaps in 5 or 7 years' time, after great draft after great draft followed by yet another great draft, the Pirates will be as deep as the Rays currently are. Perhaps the Pirates will someday have pitchers who do what David Price and Matt Garza did in this series. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps....oh, forget it, I know I'm dreaming. But something about watching the real, live, actual talent on the Rays just made me remember that the Pittsburgh Pirates have a l-o-n-g way to go before one can even dare to dream of Wild Cards...and .500 play....and there's probably a different word than "dreaming" that should be used for things like going to the World Series. Hallucination, perhaps? Insanity?

But back to having those great drafts....hmm...hmm...maybe someday. And, you know, too, maybe someday Jason Bay gets to win the World Series, too. That'd be nice.