“You could say I lost my faith in science and progress. You could say I lost my belief in the holy church. You could say I lost my sense of direction. You could say all of this and worse but; If I ever lose my faith in you. There’d be nothing left for me to do. Some would say I was a lost man in a lost world. You could say I lost my faith in the people on TV. You could say I’d lost my belief in our politicians. They all seemed like game show hosts to me. If I ever lose my faith in you, there’d be nothing left for me to do. I could be lost inside their lies without a trace, but every time I close my eyes I see your face.” (From the song “If I ever lose my faith in you,” by Sting).
“Watch it sucka,” as ‘Aunt Esther’ on ‘Sanford and Son’, might say; the bandwagon is getting full. Every spring for the last several years just before opening day, I have prognosticated or prophesized, whatever method that you choose that the Pirates were going to finish above .500, make the playoffs and or advance to the World Series. There have been a few chilly spring evenings, many lazy hot and humid summer afternoons along with several early October evenings that I have visualized covering and writing about the Pittsburgh Pirates competing in and winning the World Series. I secretly never lost faith in the Bucs, did you?
There were many times that Pittsburgh baseball was on the verge of collapsing and moving in the wrong direction and to another city but those turbulent times failed to erase the vivid memories of Bob Prince screaming at the top of his lungs through my father’s Emerson radio that there was a “bug loose on the rug.” I was never lost inside of the liars who said the Pirates would never be great again. Many nights I have seen faces of Clemente, Virdon, Face, Law and Mazeroski in my dreams. The chants of “arriba, arriba have been replaced by chants of mvp, mvp. However for those of you who are less than fluent in Spanish as I am, arriba, means; up, upwards or upstairs neighbors.
I think that the Pirates are “moving on up” and taking us with them. I want to mimic George and Louise Jefferson and move up to the “press box in the sky.” With young and upcoming stars namely, MLB All-Star, Josh Harrison, 2nd year outfielder Gregory Polanco, 2nd infielders Neil Walker and Jordy Mercer and last but not least, former MVP centerfielder Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates no longer have to “fake it until the make it.” The check has already been cut. All they have to do is show that they belong and have the proper ID and get to the bank before closing time. The only ID that the bank requires is winning.
There are no longer any “chicken on the hill,” Willie Stargell chicken joints to feed the hungry after he had launched a ball to the outer reaches of Allegheny County that insured that everyone in the restaurant received a free chicken dinner. No soup kitchen was needed, just an opposing pitcher tossing a fastball down the middle of the plate. Steve Blass has taken his leave from the mound. Black or white, Blass is possibly pound for pound the greatest starting pitcher in the history of the Pirates. I am referring to his heart, not his stats. Now there is Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole, A.J Burnett and Tony Watson tossing the “pill” around for the Pirates. I don’t know about you, I am ready to hear the vendors chant; “hot dogs here and cold Coors light” because what I really hear him saying is; “baseball here.”
“The cultural phenomenon called Jackie Robinson”
On the April 15, 2015, MLB and the Pittsburgh Pirates will again honor and remember the legacy of the late great baseball star Jackie Robinson at PNC Park. Mr. Robinson was crucial in African American players gaining access to the economic windfall of Major League Baseball. However, what is just as important is the social and economic impact that it would have and continues to have on the corporate world and society in general in America.
According to information provided by the Pirates, as part of the 2015 celebration;”Emerald Electrical Services has been selected as the recipient of the 9th Annual Jackie Robinson “MVDBP” (Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner) Award. In recognition of the extraordinary contributions of Jackie Robinson we think it most befitting on this, the 68th Anniversary of Jackie breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, to recognize those Diverse Business Partners we believe reflect the character and commitment to excellence of Jackie Robinson.” This is a celebration for all Americans. Black Americans should honor Jackie Robinson by coming to PNC Park every day, not just on Jackie Robinson day.
I have listened to Black Pittsburghers complain for years of the lack of diversity of the Pirates roster. That is no longer true and has not been true for several years but baseball fans must support players of all races and every walk of life. Jackie Robinson’s sacrifice was not based upon MLB baseball being comprised of just Black players, he suffered indignities so that all players would have the opportunity to live out their dreams and compete in “the big leagues.”
Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412.583.6741. He is also is also featured on urbanmediatoday. Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe