I know there has been a focus on the Pirates securing their fifth losing season in a row and their 27th losing season out of the last 31, but I have to say that this is the first year in at least a decade that I was avidly listening to games in September. The core of this team is strong, their leadership in the locker room seems to have a winning attitude and for once the owner didn’t hold an annual fire sale to shed our best players.

With Oneil Cruz coming back next year, and, with hope, and with the hometown discount, having another year having Cutch back in the dugout and the locker room, I anticipate that we’ve seen the end of the Bucs’ run of losing seasons.

So, when you feel yourself getting down about the ball club in 2024, just go on You Tube and watch the highlights from the 13-12 comeback win against the Reds on Sept. 23. This team had heart, and I’m looking forward to where this core of young stars takes us next year.

Let’s go, Bucs!

Sean Cantella

Rockville, Md.

The writer is a Brighton Heights native.

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