“Why do you like the Pirates? They suck.”
I’ve heard this question countless times throughout my life when the topic of my fandom is broached. This question, while true for the majority of my life, ignores some very crucial pieces of information: the Pittsburgh Pirates history, a series of (unfortunate) events and my father.
The notion that I had any say about whether or not I became a Pirates fan holds no water. Of course, like many, it was bestowed unto me. Sure, I lived in central Ohio, which meant I could’ve had a pick of Cleveland or Cincinnati, but it was never really an option.