Rally Cap Time? Cuban Thinks So

There's no question a lot of business owners and fans are peeved about the Pirates dismal on-field production since PNC Park opened.

Rumors of fan boycotts, walkouts, and more yellow t-shirt protests are popping up almost daily. Even a lawsuit is being contemplated.

Pirate fans want to put the iron back in "Iron City".

And 2007 seems to be their target year.

I shot an email to Mark Cuban asking his opinion of Goose Goslin and Michael Keaton's remarks that nothing in Pittsburgh will change until the fans stop walking across the bridge. Cuban shot back:

"I'm not a fan of boycotts. I think the fans are what make the players want to play hard. The Pirates are close. If the fans back off, what could be a winner next year could turn out bad. Remember, the Bucco's had a winning home record. Stick with them for the players sake."

I have to admit, I didn't expect his answer. I guess I thought he'd give the A-typical Pirate fan remark - 'the Pirates front office has been a nightmare and it's hard not to envision another 90 loss season in 2007 under their control'.

Not Cuban.

I guess one could surmise that Cuban hopes to be a principle owner and his answer is not surprising. After all, when was the last time a potential owner walked with the fans in protest?

Bucco Blog said in late August that it was time to start believing again. I meant it then and I still mean it today. I respect the fact many fans and business owners refuse to believe anything from the Pirates anymore - that is easy to understand. I also realize that just one million tickets being sold in 2007 could hurt quite a few businesses in the District. That has a distinct possibility of happening regardless of what Cuban or I believe.

I think one large business owner summed it up really well when he said this to me a few weeks ago:

"If they don't improve the product in 2007, I will sell my soul to run the owners out of town in 2008."

One more year. It's a valid point.

2008 seems to be the Pirates window of opportunity. Bay is owed over $7m and Jack Wilson over $5m in 2009 so there is little chance of them being around after 2008. Torres is signed thru 2008. Gorzelanny, Burnett, Johnny V, Bullington, McCutchen, Walker, Lincoln, and Lillibridge could all be up and ready by then. Even a good college arm picked in the 2007 draft could be in our pen by mid-2008.

All signs point to 2008.

Now will the fans wait that long?

I don't think so.. not from what I am hearing.

One thing for sure, the Pirates better recognize that the ground is swelling.. swelling even faster then their wallets are. 2007 seems to be the last straw that will break the camel's back.

My rally cap is dusted off. My check for season tickets is made out. I agree with Cuban that we need to stand behind the players and I agree with the business owner that one more year is all the hope I have left as a fan. But maybe that is all I will need?

*Jake tips a Corona towards Cuban hoping upon hope he and Joe Hardy combine forces and they give the Nuttings an obscene amount of money to make the nighmare go away *