U mad, bro?: Even with the Steelers' regular season about to begin, Pittsburgh fans need to unload on the Pirates

How do we know that things are going badly for the Pittsburgh Pirates?

Well, the Steelers are about to start the 2024 regular season after going 0-3 in the preseason. The team failed to improve the wide receiver position, and the offensive line is a mess.

Yet, I’m still being bombarded with baseball fans ripping Bucco ownership, the manager, the move of Oneil Cruz to center field and the entire misfit team in general.

That’s OK. We have five months where I’m sure the Steelers will have the spotlight all to themselves.

But before the sun entirely sets on the summer, here is this week’s edition of “U mad, bro?”.

I asked for some opinions on the Pirates being no-hit at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night. This is one of the first replies I got.

As I applaud your commitment to sarcasm.

“Mlatta” sent this email about the Pirates.

“Let’s clean house, GM on down…….AND SELL THE TEAM!!! ”

Agreed. Let’s do that.

OK … hmm, how do we do that? You start.

This guy responded to the news about Oneil Cruz moving from shortstop to center field.

That’s good. Since the Pirates don’t develop any position players anyway, they’ll be just fine.

Here’s a post from Tim as soon as the no-hitter ended.

Ironic. My fantasy is just to have an interesting Pirates season.

Here’s one more.

Um, technically, it was two guys that almost hit for the cycle.

But your point is nonetheless valid.

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We’ll get back to baseball in a minute. Douglas sent this email regarding my 9-8 prediction for the Steelers.

” It isn’t your official prediction of a 9-8 Steelers season which frustrates readers, it is that you are usually right on such matters. I assume your prediction took into account Tomlin never had a losing season. ”

What?! Wait a minute. Is that right? He hasn’t? That can’t be true! Get someone on the phone with the Elias Sports Bureau, I’ve gotta confirm this.

Here’s a message from @StillMill1 in the wake of the Brandon Aiyuk contract extension in San Francisco

” Aiyuk signs a new deal with SF. Just as I’ve been saying since late March, ‘Hextall Khan ’ had NO plan. NEVER had a plan to replace Diontae with a LEGIT #2 NFL WR. Now the team enters the season with a manure-pile for a WR corps. ‘Khan Artist, ’ my (expletive). More like, con… ”

When I first read this, I thought the Ron Hextall comp was a bit extreme. Now I find myself wondering, “Can Mikael Granlund play outside the numbers, or does he just profile as a pure slot guy?”

This guy wants us to know that — unlike ESPN’s Dan Orlavsky and the rest of the national media — he was never “bamboozled” by the Steelers quarterback competition.

That’s good, Darren. I’m happy to see that. I’m also predicting that this will be the last time this season that any conversation about the Steelers quarterback competition will be considered a safe space.

Finally, Steve disagrees with my stance that if the Pirates were to move Oneil Cruz to the outfield, they should’ve just put him in right field instead of center field.

” At least CF is a premium position they could sell him on and it would allow him to cover more space. He could be their overly rangy Kelly Leak. I wouldn’t rule out him getting moved there if this doesn’t work out .”

Actually, I can buy that.

But now I can’t stop wondering if Cruz is going to show up to games on a motorcycle while wearing cheap shades and smoking a cigarette.

I’m also starting to wonder if Derek Shelton is going to start drinking on the job like Walter Matthau, and if he is going to replace Mitch Keller in the rotation with Tatum O’Neal.

One thing is for sure: I’d definitely rather see Engleberg catching behind the plate than Yasmani Grandal next year.