Neal Huntington is the Real Super Genius.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a diehard fan base.  I am fortunate enough to see the results of this on a daily basis when I view the number of people who take the time to read my awful writing.  It impresses me to no end.

And at the same time it’s hard for me to comprehend.

As Pirates fans we have watched an insane amount of losing.  Sure some of us get frustrated, but we still watch.  We still check out all of the blogs, go to games, listen to the Pirates network, check out Rocco, and take the time to attend PirateFest.  It’s a lot of work being a Pirates fan.  We get hassled a great deal from our friends, the talking heads spend the spring and summer telling bad jokes, and even when we attend games it seems each of us sits by the asshole who is still pissed about Nate McLouth (it happened last week for me.)

I enjoy being a fan.  When we went to DC to see the Stephen Strasmus debut, it was cool to see a good turnout by Pirates fans at the Bullpen, at the park, and even more fans checked out the pictures we posted.  It’s also nice to see the interest Pedro Alvarez has created on our blog.  We have some huge numbers lately.  It is very humbling.  Thank you for taking the time to stop in for a visit.  It means a great deal and we appreciate you.

Pirates fans are shown appreciation in numerous ways by the organization.  But as excited as we are right now, there is something we all need.  The word is shown on the numerous Pirates commercials shown on FSN.  Pittsburgh Pirates.  Pride.  Passion.  Wait for it….

Patience.

We know the first two words of the slogan very well.   Each of you are proud of your Pittsburgh roots.  We boast about the numerous World Series victories.  Despite the losing, we still have a passion for the game.  I will never question that.

But this patience thing is a lot to take.  Frankly, I’m anxious to see Pedro Alvarez.  But I don’t like being treated like I am some hilljack that doesn’t understand the game of baseball, how it works, the fundamentals of the business.  I get it.

What makes it sting even more is when Neal Huntington says,

"“As much as everyone would love to snap his fingers and be a 95-win team with the best farm system in baseball, it doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process.”"

This is the part that bothers me.  It seems as if Neal is saying… Pirates fans need to understand, it doesn’t happen overnight.   No.  Fucking.  Shit.  Neal.

What makes it even harder for me when I hear that quote a few times a month is not my reaction to it, but to those that might be older than me.   They have worn a Pirates hat for so long, the black has faded to a brownish-grey.

It’s an intelligent group of people.     The organizations core.

So as much as anyone, I would be thrilled to see Pedro Alvarez electrify PNC Park.  But that call was never made to PNC Field after the AAA Indianapolis Indians played the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees last night.

I guess we should revisit the quote earlier this month from Huntington.

"“The reality is, we’re waiting for some finishing touches on all these guys before we start to call them up.”"

The finishing touches that Pedro Alvarez needs to make don’t happen overnight.  The genius super genius said so.   He called up Andrew McCutchen at the right time.  Garrett Jones and Neil Walker too.  It’s one of the things, he has done correctly.   His trigger finger has been dead on when calling up the kids.  So, who am I to question when? 

He knows the talent.  He knows what the prospect to-do lists are.

He knows.

You don’t.

I don’t.

So paraphrasing Neal here, this shit doesn’t happen overnight.  Get over it.  I will bring the kid when I’m positive the kid has done all his chores.  He told him to hit better against lefties.  He did it.  He told him to get in shape.  He did it.  Now if Alvarez can just maintain these things once he arrives in Pittsburgh, Huntington will look good again.

Seriously though, I am going to show patience.

But damn, it’s hard.

A post from February 2009, Pedro Alvarez: You Want a Ball Player or a Body Builder? 

Neal Huntington is the Real Super Genius Mini Series coming soon….. the economics behind the Alvarez decision.