"I've Got a Fever ... "

" ... and the only prescription is more 'LET'S GO BUCS!'" 

I admit it. I have it. I have it bad. Like most young adults in the Pittsburgh region, I am too young to truly remember what it was like to watch a winning baseball team. Also like many, I remain cautiously optimistic when it comes to my faith in the Pirates' ownership not to trade or sell our best players before they make it to their bobblehead nights.

I began boycotting the Pirates about five years ago on principle. I jobbed the team, their owners, and joked that PNC Park was the world's best Little League field. This season I ended my five-year boycott of all things related to Pittsburgh baseball. I only ended it because I want my son to enjoy baseball as a sport. At his first Major League Baseball game, we nabbed Ryan Doumit's game-winning homerun ball. I have to confess that that moment began to change my attitude toward the Buccos more than their undeniable talent.  

In May, we all watched intently on the quest for .500. Then fans began to creep into Bucco Fever town. Before we knew it, we entered the quest for first place. Last night, the Pirates battled the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Starting pitcher Jeff Karstens' performance can only be described as perfection. The Pirates led the Astros 4-0 going into the 9th inning. We watched on the edge of our seats as ROOT Sports showed clips of all-star closer Joel "The Hammer" Hanrahan warming up in the bullpen. Karstens remained on the mound for the bottom of the 9th. Pitching a league-wide low for the season of just 83 pitches for a pitcher to play the entire game, Karstens turned us all into believers as he helped to propel the Pirates into first place in the National League Central. 

First place. The Pirates are in first place. Keep saying it. It's true. It is the most surreal and fantastic feeling I have had as a sports fan since James Neal's overtime goal in Tampa in round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Man do I hope it stays.

This team is doing something special. Our new manager Clint Hurdle deserves to be named Manager of the Year for his contribution to bringing baseball back to Pittsburgh. After countless seasons of a near-empty ballpark (an absolute crime if you realize the beauty of PNC Park), the Pirates have sold out nine games this season, breaking the record for biggest crowd in PNC Park history twice in one weekend in June against the Boston Red Sox.

This team and this season will be on your lips for the rest of the year if they continue on the path they are on. Get to the ballpark before there aren't any tickets left for the rest of the season. Being a Bucco fan has never felt this good!