U mad, bro?: Pirates' failures, Penguins' trade talks have fans on edge

About a month from now, it’s going to be all-Steelers, all the time in “U mad, bro?” So for the time being, let’s enjoy the variety.

You know, like a 12-pack of those seasonal beers from Sam Adams.

This week pounding the Pittsburgh Pirates ownership will serve as the flagship citrus wheat. You can sip on a lighter session IPA with some Erik Karlsson trade talk. Knock back a Porch Rocker radler or two while taking a few swings at Bucs manager Derek Shelton. And finish off the night with the new citrus lager.

Then you can wake up angry and hungover in time for Steelers camp to start next week.

We begin with Jim, a Pirates fan frustrated to have witnessed the once lofty 20-8 Buccos tumble toward the cellar of the National League Central Division.

He basically sums up the very reason we created “U mad, bro.” I don’t know what Jim looks like. But he is who I pictured in my head the first time I posted this column.

“I’ve been a Pirate fan since the mid 1950s. I’ve lost all objectivity. I loathe the owner, think the GM is a poser, and the manager is a nice guy with the smarts of a sea cucumber.

I assume every baseball-related assessment they make is wrong. I assume every guy they call up will stink, any free agent veteran who agrees to sign with the Pirates is washed up and will be horrible, and anyone we get back in trades in return for established players will never be more than replacement value ML players.

I’m smart enough to know this is completely irrational, but stubborn enough to hold on to my beliefs until they are proven to be wrong.

It’s hard for me to believe there is a worse run club in the majors, and given the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ business environment Bob Nutting exists in, I see zero reason for things to change.”

Jim, in the words of Renée Zellweger in Jerry Maguire, “You had me at sea cucumber.”

MP is a frustrated Pirates fan too.

Pirates fans are happy to turn over their hard earned money for a garbage baseball organization as long as they get free tshirts and fireworks

— MP (@Agentzero1881) July 18, 2023

Don’t forget the pierogi races. Never forget the pierogi races.

AJ didn’t like some of the things Mark Madden and I discussed during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast about the potential of an Erik Karlsson trade.

I long for the day we ever get back to real talk rather than hyperbolic noise and borderline slander all in an effort to get clicks.

— AJ (@aj_strong) July 19, 2023

And I long for the day where people don’t scamper to social media as a way to preen, posture and act holier than thou in an effort to get likes and retweets.

But I suppose we can’t have everything we want in life, huh?

More sports

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• 'He will serve his country,' but first, Pirates have high hopes for Paul Skenes

Rick has a keen observation about the Steelers heading into training camp.

“I’m not seeing any big injuries yet. I’m surprised.”

Rick, they haven’t practiced since June 9. So … you shouldn’t be.

Jake has an opinion about the Pirates and their recent youth movement.

Young does not mean good! @KDPomp @TimBenzPGH https://t.co/QnJuM18Kb9

— Jake (@ScarQuip) July 19, 2023

As I like to say, Jake, youth is wasted on the young — especially if that youth plays for the Pirates.

I also tend to believe that height is wasted on the tall. But I might be a little biased on that one.

Thomas is wondering about the potential of Dallas Keuchel opting out of his deal with the Minnesota Twins organization.

“To Pirates?”

Sure. If they plan to sign him sometime next week, then trade him before the Aug. 1 deadline.

I think technically he might have to show up in town for at least one day, though, and report to the locker room. The Pirates may not want to spring for the airfare.

Finally, Tom emailed regarding my All-Penguins setlist for the recently announced Eagles concert at PPG Paints Arena on Oct. 15.

“The only ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ I ever got watching the Pens play was the third period of Game 6 of the 1991 Stanley Cup Final, but only after Jim Paek scored to make it 7-0 enroute to the 8-0 final score that clinched the first Cup for the Pens over the North Stars.

‘Take It Easy’ back there, ‘Desperado!’”

Honestly, Tom, I think I still needed the power-play tally from Larry Murphy at 13:45 to make it 8-0 before I got there.

I dunno. Maybe I’m just a “Certain Kind of Fool.”