Reelin’ in the years: Pirates’ edition

I often find myself asking the somewhat existential question, “What does it mean to be a Pittsburgh Pirates fan?” Perhaps in the context of sport, this question is too self-aware and I would be better off simply discarding it. With that said, I appreciate efficiency and so, if my leisure activities, e.g. watching the Pirates, isn’t an efficient — or even acceptable — expenditure of time, then what am I doing?

Firstly, I think of the alleged goal of all sports teams: To win a championship in their respective sport. It’s safe to say that the Pirates primary goal year-in and year-out isn’t to win a World Series. How could it be? They haven’t been in a position to be legitimately competitive…