Baseball is perhaps the most difficult sport for an underdog team to rise to prominence because of the lack of a salary cap and the length of the regular season. But when an unexpected team does enjoy success, it's often as captivating as it gets.
This season, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a chance to become baseball's Cinderella team. After finishing in last place in the NL Central for four consecutive seasons, not making the playoffs since 1992 and having one of the lowest payrolls in the league, no one expected them to make a postseason run in 2011. After all, the team has become notorious for developing young talent before eventually trading it away to bigger market teams.
But this season has been different. The Pirates continue to battle atop the NL Central and have actually become buyers rather than sellers at this year's trade deadline.
The Pirates don't field the most talented team, as their roster is comprised mostly of relative unknowns — with the possible exception of Andrew McCutchen. Yet, as they continue to win ballgames, baseball fans across the country are taking notice and fans in the Pittsburgh are suddenly showing up to games at PNC Park.
Boston sports fans know a thing or two about miracle seasons. There's the 1967 "Impossible Dream" team, the 2001-02 New England Patriots, the 2004 Red Sox, among others — all of which had the city buzzing. So while the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't exactly a team that most Boston fans keep tabs on, it's still possible that there could be some interest in what they're accomplishing over in the NL.
Monday, July 25: What's the most exciting off-field part of baseball?
Are you rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates to pull off a miracle season?
