Once upon a time, October on the North Shore meant parades, not reminders of what’s gone missing. Now, PNC Park sits silent again, another season ending before the leaves even change. The Pirates’ 71-91 record didn’t just fall short; it marked ten straight years without playoff baseball, a stretch that’s worn patience into apathy across much of the fanbase. That’s the real embarrassment: a proud franchise with a gem of a ballpark and a loyal city still being told to keep waiting.
What makes 2025 hurt most is how close this roster feels to breaking through. Behind Paul Skenes. a true Cy Young-caliber ace, the pitching gave Pittsburgh a chance almost every night. The offense, though, never followed. The Pirates ranked dead last in runs scored and near the bottom in home runs and OPS. When your arms give you room to breathe and your bats suffocate it, it’s not just disappointing, it’s wasteful.
Pirates’ bats stalled, now the city is swinging: Council seeks change
Now, Pittsburgh’s City Council is stepping in to apply pressure where it counts. Councilor Theresa Kail-Smith is urging the city and the team to sit down, have an honest conversation, and figure out what levers the municipality can pull to “help guide the ship.” The idea is straightforward: a stronger Pirates franchise means a stronger Pittsburgh.
“The businesses generate revenue, the city generates tax revenue,” Kail-Smith said — a reminder of the shared economic reality everyone recognizes when the ballpark buzzes.
She’s right. PNC Park isn’t just an address; it’s an engine. The Allegheny River backdrop, the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and the walkable North Shore lined with bars and restaurants all come alive when the games matter. The problem isn’t the setting, it’s the stakes. You can’t fill streets with energy when the season ends before October. The city’s spirit is built in; the competitive urgency isn’t.
So what does “guiding the ship” mean for a club that can pitch but not slug? It begins with ownership and the front office aligning investment with the roster’s reality. Paul Skenes’ prime deserves a supporting cast that can hit. The arms have done their part; now the bats need to deliver.
City Hall can’t set the lineup or promise victories, but it can raise the temperature. Public scrutiny, hearings, and measurable goals bring accountability fans have long demanded. If the team wants to keep selling the “beautiful ballpark experience,” it must build a product worthy of it, because the on-field results drive the city’s energy and its revenue alike.
This council push isn’t a cure-all, and it’s not a rallying cry to sell the team. It’s a line in the sand. After ten lost Octobers, the message is clear: the status quo no longer cuts it, not for the city, and not for its fans. Whether the Pirates take this as noise or motivation will define 2026 and beyond.
Source: RumBunter
Leave a Reply