THE BULLPEN

94-68. The first winning season since 1992. Also, the first trip to the postseason since '92. Yes, 2013 was a special time for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their fans. It was certainly never without excitement. Whether it was the 1-0 opening-day loss to the Chicago Scubs down to the 4-2 season-ending win over Cincy that gave the Pirates the sweep en route to the first playoff game ever in PNC Park. Thanks for the memories. Thanks for what we hope is an M-V-P season for CF Andrew McCutchen. Thank you for, hopefully, the Comeback Player of the Year season from LH Francisco Liriano. And yes, thank you, for the NL Manager of the Year in Clint Hurdle. How many times were we "hurdled" this season. Well, guess what. The Pirates have "hurdled" all of MLB. The Pirates hurdled the naysayers and the "fans" calling for their collapse in the second half of the season. Of course, the Pirates cleared those hurdles and many others. When several members of the Pirates starting rotation  had stints on the DL (Rodriguez, Burnett, Liriano, Morton) there was always someone there to help hold it together. Even after All-Star closer Jason Grilli was lost to injury, there was Mark Melancon to raise the Jolly Roger. Even when the Pirates offense looked positively anemic (1-hit twice this season), they still kept it together. How great was it when the Pirates finally got the, ever elusive, game #81 under their belts? About as great as when they secured win #82. And who could forget the champagne party in the locker room at Wrigley when the Pirates clinched the playoff berth? Everything after #82 was icing on the cake. Boy, was that cake delicious. Thanks again, Pittsburgh Pirates, for an absoBUCNlutely memorable 2013 season.