The Art of the Scam

Have you ever watched the Robert Redford and Paul Newman movie The Sting? In it Paul Newman and Robert Redford swindle someone that killed a friend of Robert Redford's character. It was a fun movie to watch.

But in real life, it not so much fun to be swindled. That's pretty much what The Pittsburgh Pirates did around the turn of the century when they promised that the on field play would improve if they received tax payer funds to build a stadium. Well its been years and the play has been steadily pathetic.

I think its time for the public to either be reimbursed for the money the Pirates swindled from them or the MLB seize control of the franchise and find owners that will produce a watchable on field product. Preferrably someone with the name Mark Cubans.

And the MLB should be able to do this since the Pirates are receiving money from the rich clubs that is supposed to be put back in the team. They aren't doing it. They presently have a team salary that is $2 million more then it was in 1992. In contrast, the Yankees have added something like $180 million dollars to the team salary.

Why should teams that want to win be forced to support a team that has no desire to win?

And they showed their lack of desire after the 1992 season when they wouldn't even offer Barry Bonds salary arbritration after he said that he would accept it if offered. They might have different owners now but the cheapness has continued.

MLB, either take the franchise away from McClatchy and Nutting or just fold the team. PNC Park deserves better then to have these cheapskates as tenants.

And Pirates, I haven't been to a Pirate game since 1993 when Barry returned for the first time as a Giant. I refuse to support a team devoid of any desire to win. Take your fireworks and bobbleheads and shove it.