Pablo's Misc Corner - Gameday Report

On a night that was much talked about and much debated, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 7-2 on one of the most gorgeous nights of the year.

First off, the protest must be addressed. It was not nearly as well supported as I had thought. I would estimate somewhere between 500-1000 folks actually walked out, most of them returning to their seats after the 4th inning. I also noticed that there were a few fans in green shirts who did not leave at all. Really the protest blended in quite harmlessly with the normal crowd of people who would exit to the concourse for bathroom or concession runs anyway.

When I got to the seats, Leyland mentioned that he was not going to protest. I told him I wasn't either and I felt pretty good at doing what Leyland did. One thing that was discussed on the radio on the way home was the fact that the season ticket holders for the most part did not walk out. I was made to feel by the protesters that the true die hard fans who really cared were the ones that walked out. I disagree. The die hard true fans are the ones that plop down their hard earned cash in December on season ticket plan or a partial season ticket plan. We can decide for ourselves if we are going to walk out, and if we feel that we need to cancel our plans because we don't like how things are done, maybe we will.

Another thing that disturbed me about the protest is that I saw alot of green in the seats that nobody buys for a season ticket plan. There are certain sections, like the GA and the $16 Grandstand seats that nobody buys, unless its a walkup. I saw alot of green shirts in those sections. If those folks walked up and bought tickets to walk out, well, thats just dumb.

Interestingly, the Pirate half of the 2nd might have been the most exciting inning of Bucco baseball on the year, as the PBC scored 6 and sent 10 men to the plate. I looked around and saw folks in green with smiles on their faces, enjoying the game, enjoying the evening, enjoying the runs. They were into it and having fun. Isn't that what its all about? Having fun and getting good entertainment value? Frankly, thats what the games are about. Its just entertainment. Its supposed to be fun, and its more fun when we win. I just think that some of the protesters lost sight of the big picture.

I am happy to say that most of the regulars in 307 did not protest. "Superfan" did protest... walking out after the 3rd, only to resurface an inning later with a fresh Coors Light in his hand. Genius, sheer Genius.

That being said, it was an awesome night at the game. Best weather on the year, fantastic win and alot of fun. Gorzalanny won his 8th game of the season and the 10th of his career. Do you realize that he only has 10 career wins? Yes, 10. And we are ready to crown him king of the Burgh... Hope we aren't rushing to conclusions on him.

Highlight of the night, besides seeing the protest fail had to be a moment between innings. Ryan Doumit was warming up in RF when one of the fans in the Clemente stands dropped a plastic beer bottle down on the warning track. Doumit hustled over and I figured he'd give it to an attendant or somebody to toss out. Instead he made eye contact with the owner of the bottle and threw it 21 feet up to the accepting hands of the guy that dropped it. Awesome moment and may I say that Doumit is the man.

Pablo's Corner has improved to 3-7 on the year.

Petey Pablo OUT!!!