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July 2, 2009

Connsider This: Pirates still have a great shot at winning the NL Central

By Patrick Connelly/Sports Editor

Nothing but negativity has swarmed around the Pirates since the Penguins brought Pittsburgh its second championship this year.

And admittedly, a portion of that negativity has come from guys like me that consistently look at the glass as half empty.

So that’s why I’m about to do something I haven’t done in what feels like years when talking about the Buccos: accentuate the positive.

Let’s forget for a minute the team still has a decent shot at finishing at or above the elusive .500 mark.

The season’s just about at its midpoint and the Pirates still have a chance at winning the division or capturing the National League wildcard!

I’m serious and I’m not just pretending to be Mr. Brightside.

If the Pirates can manage not to fall victim this week to the reeling Chicago Cubs and New York Mets, the team will only be about six games out of the NL Central lead heading into the weekend.

The team will be heading to Miami for a series with the Marlins, who Pittsburgh swept in April, before clashing with the Astros in Houston, who are also beatable, despite struggles earlier this season.

The Pirates then head to Philadelphia, where the world champion Phillies have been all but miserable for much of the year.

The team could really be sitting pretty at the All-Star break, which seems odd. After trading Nate McLouth and dealing with the enigma that is Ian Snell, it seems unrealistic the Pirates could potentially even be in this position.

But nonetheless, they are.

As long as the Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers continue to beat up on one another this year, the Pirates could sneak right in with enough luck — and enough help from the organization.

By the time these words hit your eyes, Nyjer Morgan could already be a Washington National.

As long as the Pirates receive Lastings Milledge in return, I’m actually down with the idea.

Milledge, though troubled, is only 24 and can give the Buccos more power than Morgan could ever dream of.

A change of scenery could do Milledge good, as would a coupling with Andrew McCutchen.

Snell’s return as a reliever — not a starter — could also help the Bucs. The righthander looked good in a minor league start this week against Toledo and may be close to getting his mind right for the majors.

The return of Ryan Doumit from the disabled list will also add bounce to the Bucs’ bats, but to make a realistic run at the division the team will still need more help.

To get over the hump, the Pirates must be buyers at the trade deadline, not sellers.

The Buccos need another clutch bat, a solid middle reliever and another starter capable of winning games down the stretch, all of which will be available.

Let’s take that chance. When the Penguins struggled early in the season, management went out and got the parts needed to succeed.

The Pirates can easily do the same. The ownership needs to think positive and stop letting the small market excuse be a crutch. Field a winning team and fans will head to PNC Park by the droves just to be a part of it.

The only thing left to lose is more respect in the eyes of the Pittsburgh faithful. Quit making the club a doormat and go out an do it!

How’s that for some positive reinforcement?





Patrick Connelly is sports editor of The Allied News and can be reached at pconnelly@alliednews.com

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