A fraternity brother of mine, BJ, is a huge Pirates fan, and quite knowledgeable when it comes to baseball. Since Bob Nutting became the controlling owner of the Pirates four years ago, BJ is the only fan I know who has supported him. BJ and I can discuss anything in a calm, rational, intellectual fashion; except the Pirates. When it comes to the Bucs, BJ and I butt heads like two rams at mating season. He always argued that Nutting is a savior who kept the Pirates from leaving Pittsburgh and had led them out of financial ruin. I always argued that Nutting was a Dark Lord who had a formula for profiting from losing and has kept us from having any chance at a winning season. The majority of the fan base was on my side, and I thought I would never be proven wrong. However, if the Pirates team and organization keeps moving in the direction it is moving, I may owe BJ a beer, or two. It's starting to look like he may be right, and Nutting is not the Evil Lord I thought he was. Again, this is still a maybe. I'm not sold yet.
Dejan Kovacevic, of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, did an interview with Bob Nutting right before the All Star Break. I have to admit, I liked what I read. Nutting seemed willing to increase the Pirates' $47 million payroll via trade. And he doesn't want to part with the teams elite prospects. Imagine that, the Pirates not parting with their elite prospects. You mean we wont be the farm team for the entire league anymore?
″One thing we won't do is mortgage the future of the club ever again,″ Nutting said. ″Neal's (Huntington) going to need to make decisions that are good for the long term of the Pittsburgh Pirates and be able to make sure we're playing important games this September but also next September and the year after that.″
Wow, if that's true, I may actually start to like this guy.
″I'm thrilled, happy, ecstatic ... proud of what Clint Hurdle's done, what the organization has done and what the players have accomplished so far,″ Nutting said. ″Most of all, I'm humbled by the response of the fans: the attendance, the ratings, seeing people walking around town wearing Pirates gear ... that's what really feels good. They deserve this. We're just beginning to deliver back to them.″
I like what Clint Hurdle has done as well. Nutting doesn't sound like a Dark Lord in this interview. But remember, Dark Lords live to deceive. I am not ready to jump on the "Nutting Bandwagon" just yet. I want to see what moves GM Neil Huntington really makes before the July 31st deadline, and where we end up in September. Will he go for the big bat the Pirates need, or trade off our future? I hope it's the former. Will the Bucs be competing in September, or not? Is Nutting the Dark Lord we all thought he was? Or did he have a good plan and the gumption to stick to it?
Again, I like what I've seen so far this year, but I am not sold on any of it yet. So come on Bob, prove me wrong!! Make me eat my words!! I Double Dog Dare ya!! Make a good trade for a clean up batter. Compete in September!! Bring the Pirates back to glory!! I'll be the first to congratulate you if you do. Prove to me you are a good guy, and not akin to this guy. Evil Spock!!
