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OAKLAND, Calif. — Mason Miller has a vivid description of growing up as a Pirates fan.
“The dark years,” recalled Miller, a rookie sensation who has emerged as one of the most dominant closers in the game with a 103-mph fastball in his rookie season with the Athletics.
“There were a couple good years in there. But there were about 18 losing seasons in the heart of my childhood.”
One of those “good years” was ended by the Cubs, who eliminated the Pirates in an ultra-tense 2015 National League wild-card game. And the Cubs were the opponent in Miller’s major-league debut 14 months ago.