Time to Jump Ship?

I am sitting on my couch watching the Pirates game. The score is 7-3 Pirates. "Finally!" I say to myself. After an abysmal road trip that followed an mass exodus of Pirates talent for prospects, which left the offense impotent, the Pirates were in line for a tough win against the World Champion Phillies. It is the bottom of the 9th and as I sip my lemonade Matt Capps takes the mound. Anyone who has be around me while watching Pirates games knows my extreme dislike of Matt Capps. For a closer, he pitches far too many long balls as his favorite pitch, as far as I can tell, is a fast ball across the center of the plate. Yet over the past month Capps has been solid, not blowing a single save opportunity, although he has come dangerous close. Yet he has a four run lead, typically enough even for this pitcher with an ERA in the 6's. But Capps always has a way of surprising me by achieving all new levels of awefulnesses.

I proceeded to watch Capps give up a towering home run. OK, its just a solo, now we'll get out of it. Then Capps, with one out and a runner of first proving a double play opportunity, Capps decides to be his usual self and totally ignore every base runner. It is a stolen base without contention. No double play. Ryan Howard is at the plate. All he needs is a homerun now to tie the game 7-7. Surely such a feat is extremely improbable! Yet with one swing of the bat the improbably becomes a reality has Howard hits a fly ball that is gone. Ok 7-7. No base runners, 1 out. Let's finish this and get to extra innings. Oh but Matt Capps is truly ready to outdo himself. Now common sense would tell you to pull Capps out of the game. Yet John Russell decides to place continued trust in his closer and let him continue. Next thing I know the bases are loaded, still 1 out. Then comes a walk off hit to win the game. I sit stunned. A five run inning in the bottom of the ninth. I send a text to my friend "Why do I still watch these games...." And its true. Being a Pirates fan means being a glutton for pain. Yet as St. Paul says, suffering produces peserverence. Perhaps by keeping the virtue of faith and suffering I home to further my sanctification.

Now this is another blog about why the Pirates suck. No, no. I have vented my anger enough. Before us today is a very, very important question: Is it time to abandon the Pirate ship? Or should I go down with the ship? The decision to forsake your fandom is a very serious one. It's even harder when the team is your hometown team that you have cheered for since youth. For awhile now it is no secret that I have cheered for the Red Sox come October. I love the city of Boston (yes, I loathe the Patriots BUT they are technically from Foxborough) and I despise the Yankees. Below are a series of pros and cons for jumping ship. Please read them carefully and everyone who reads this blog, comment and tell me your opinion.

Pros for ceasing to be a Pirates Fans
1. Its not bad luck that makes the Pirates an aweful team. It's sheer incompetence. We aren't talking about the Cubs or pre-2003 Boston. We're talking about a team that has successfully managed to destroy itself from within over the past 17 years. Does that team deserve support?
2. When you love something, sometimes you have to let it go. As long as the Pirates continue to sell tickets to PNC Park and make lots of $$$ management simply doesn't give a damn about the team's record. By continuing to give unquestionably blind and loyal support I only further the apathy that the front office has. Only when they have to win will the Pirates actually win.
3. I love baseball. When you love a sport its fulfilling to actually enjoy the thrill of the playoffs. Yet as a Pirates fan my season always ends with September. Its like loving cake, but never getting the icing.

Cons Against jumping ship.
1. Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens. OK the Pirates don't deserve my support but maye I should still stick it out. I am a Pittsburgh native and a Pittsburgh sports fan I ought to remain. Don't be one of those "bandwagon" fans (Cowboys, Yankees).
2. If I jump ship now, the taste of victory (if it ever comes) will not be as sweet. If they win when I am 70 years old I won't be able to tell my grandchildren through tears how I kept faith in the Pirates through all these years and have finally been vindicated.
3. I love baseball. Since baseball does not have the good sense to be as nationally televized as football I can maybe watch 2 games a week on ESPN if I'm lucky. And out of that two a week every week maybe a dozen will be Red Sox games (providing they remain successful). The best place to find baseball fulfillment is at PNC Park. If I cheer for any other team I can say goodbye to watching my team play in their ballpark. I may be watching the Pirates suck but at least I'm watching them!