82

Well ladies and gentlemen it has happened.  We have reached nirvana.  The Pirates have a winning season for the first time in 20 years.  It is an unbelievable feeling.  I will be 19 years old on Tuesday and this is the first time I have seen a Pirates winning record.  Just think about that for a moment.  Think of everything that has happened in these years.  We have had four different presidents in office.  We have had gone into three wars.  Law & Order almost made it but got canceled.  Pops passed away.  PNC Park opened.  Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, 2Pac, and Biggie went from superstars when the streak started to the grave when it ended along with four of my close family members.  Just take a minute to think about what has happened in that time for you too.  It is a very humbling experience.  Brings tears to your eyes.  And after all of that happened we are still Pirates fans.

This is the ultimate example of happiness.  Pirates fans can finally be happy again.  There is no more drafting shitty players like Bryan Bullington and Chad Hermannson.  There is no more signing Chris Stynes, Pokey Reese, Lyle Overbay, Rob Barajas, etc. and getting excited about it.  There is no more trading current stars for the future.  This is the future.  For those who stuck around through all of that we can now laugh at that.  (I highly suggest this sporcle if you wanna laugh at players.  I can get 157 of them http://www.sporcle.com/games/johnmadden/pirateslineups ).

This is what I think is the best thing about win 82.  It means we don't have to be ashamed to be Pirates fans anymore.  We can raise our children to be Pirates fans.  We can taunt other bad teams.  We don't have to be embarrassed anymore.  So go to PNC Park.  RTJR after a victory.  Flaunt that gear around town.  The ride's not over yet.  We need the World Series to make this the ultimate story ever in sports.  But for now Pittsburgh, celebrate.  We have reached nirvana.