Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a four-run inning in the top of the ninth to erase the Washington Nationals’ lead and tie the score, 7-7.   This was one of the rare times I was able to find a Pirates game on television here, and the rally was fun to watch.  Sadly,  the Nationals proceeded to hit a two-out home run in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. So much for that.

It takes a certain kind of fortitude to follow a baseball team all season long.  For one thing, even if your team is having by all definitions a great year, you are certain to watch them lose at least 60 times.*

I will be attending a Pirates game in person this year for the first time in over twenty years.  I can’t wait, but I hope I can stand the pain until then.

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* A baseball team plays 162 games a year.  A team has an outstanding year if it wins 5 of every 8 games it plays.  A team has a terrible year if it only wins 3 out of 8.  Squirrels would make great baseball fans.  Even if a squirrel finds seed in your bird feeder only 3 times out of 8, it will be sure to visit every day.