Name change for Steelers ...

Nailed it on the avatar.

 

But those teams had a decent or above average payroll when they won the WS. I sure the hell would not call Chicago a small market and I believe the Astros are in top 5 when it comes to payroll. Marlins and Royals flukes but if memory serves they had larger payroll when they won then ripped the ballclub apart.

 

Yes. Hence, buying the WS.

 

But your original argument was that money can’t buy you a title. It clearly can. Marlins and Dbacks both did it. Won the series and then had a fire sale. Most teams can’t afford to do that. If your theory worked, it would be Dodgers/Yankees every year.

 

You can be cheap and occasionally compete in MLB. You can't be cheap and incompetent though.

 

You can be excessive & incompetent. The Pirates don't have to worry about that.

 

You can be excessive and have the other team cheat and steal your signs. See: Dodgers/Astros

 

MLB needs a salary cap!

 

Marlins in '97 dbacks in '01.

 

Who is your team santeesteel, Padres? I've always liked the Reds & Orioles.

 

I don't really like baseball but, Dodgers!

 

I miss the days of the Pirates being good! Growing up, the Pirates were on the radio in our house every night....except during dinner.

 

Now there is a flashback to my kid days, sitting on my grandfathers porch, listening to the Pirates on KDKA radio.

 

This is what pops in my head when someone says Pirates baseball.

 

Hey steel machine.

Absolutely as far as they are an "embarrassment". No doubt. Given that, I love the Pirates. I will always be dedicated to them; have been since 1970 as far as I can remember and I will continue too. I feel for them. They were once such a great and proud franchise. They are not even a shell of what they use to be. I remember when they won the World Series in 1971 and I went shouting down the street as a kid. They did it again in 1979. Again coming back from being down 3 games to 1 to the "tirds". I live in the "tird/rat" area and I love it. When I bring it up with those who remember, you should see the "anger" in their faces. "Shades" of Red that Crayola has not even invented yet (smile).

I can not pinpoint where the downfall all started. Yes, there were some good moments in the early 90's (Bonds, Bonilla and Van Slyke) only to be let down three years in a row. The same with the McCutchen era not too long ago. Now, there has not been too much to cheer about for the last decade or so. Oh well, I will never abandon my beloved Bucs. I love them and will always be dedicated to them. I actually was a baseball fan before any other sport. The Steelers followed very shortly after and then the Penguins. All three have brought me great memories up to this point in my life. Many, many great memories.

STEELWINDS AKA The East Side Kid

 

About 20 years too late.

 

Yep. As a kid I would try to incorporate his submarine style into my pitching repertoire. I also remember Stargell's bat looping while waiting for the pitch.

 

Who will have more wins this season @steel machine , Steelers or Pirates?

 

Well I am kicking a tiny bit of ass among the older fellows on the golf course so no doubt I'll beat the BUCS.

 

Seeing Teke and Willie in this thread reminded me of that moment in game 7, 1979. O's were making a move and Teke comes in. Stargell walks over to him with a smile and told him something to the effect, he would pitch if Teke wanted him too. I always remember that I couldn't breathe and Stargell is out there joking around.

The 70's were an awesome time. Steelers and Pirates made the Burgh known big time in the sporting world and for this then young man the chicks were back pass the word the chicks are back. (I think that was from some old commercial, for what I'll never remember.)