Did the talking heads not watch any Pirates games this season? The Pirates took the pitcher with the worst ERA in baseball last season, RH Edinson Volquez, and turned him into a Comeback Player of the Year candidate. Eddy is even starting Wednesday night's game against San Fran. They also have a player that was always the 25th man coming out of spring training and wasn't in the starting lineup for the first month and a half. This player has gone on to become an All-Star, an MVP candidate and contended for the batting title. 3B Josh Harrison became the catalyst for this ball club as it's leadoff hitter and a rock at the hot corner.
The Pirates also had to contend with various injuries to key players throughout the season. C Russell Martin was out for the first month with a hamstring injury. 2B Neil Walker missed time due to appendicitis and a balky back. LH Francisco Liriano and RH Gerrit Cole both had extended stays on the DL. And, of course, there was the rib injury that sidelined CF Andrew McCutchen for a few weeks just as the pennant race was heating up.
Let us not forget all the obstacles our Buccos had to overcome. RF Marlon Bryd and 1B Justin Morneau signed with other teams in the offseason. The Pirates also lost RH A.J. Burnett to free agency, a death knoll in many people's eyes. The Pirates only had a shell of 3B Pedro Alvarez this season as the defending NL batting champ watched his home run total plummet and his errors at third base skyrocket. Let us not forget how former closer Jason Grilli practically buried the Pirates early in the season with blown save after blown save. Their seven-game losing streak, including a sweep at division rival St Louie, was also surely the end of their playoff hopes.
Through it all, Clint Hurdle and his crew persevered. It was if they had a charmed season, if you will. What other team has overcome so much and still come out smelling like a rose? Many "experts" didn't even expect this year's version of the Pittsburgh Baseball Club to make .500, let alone the playoffs. But here come the Pirates. JHay had not one, but two, highlight-reel rundowns in which he avoided certain outs mere weeks apart. Cutch thrilled thousands with his inside the park homer. RF Gregory Polanco gave fans a taste of what's to come with his five-tool talent. Super Russ showed why he should in be consideration as the Best Catcher in Baseball and as MVP. Don't forget that around-the-horn triple play. And it all began on Opening Day, in walkoff-fashion. The Real Deal greeted the new season with the first of his record-breaking 23 home runs, most ever by a Pirates second baseman.
All this adds up to a team of destiny, to me. One that is destined to celebrate a championship with a victory parade down Grant Street, when all is said and done. Yes, I'll say it again: the 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates are a team of destiny. A team that is destined to achieve greatness and win the World Series this year. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
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