Pirates division rival Cardinals add Brandon Crawford, bringing back bad memories

Of particular interest to Pirates fans is Crawford's history with the Giants, notably his role in the 2014 National League Wild Card Game.

It's a painful memory for Pirates faithful, as Crawford and the Giants crushed Pittsburgh's hopes of advancing in the postseason for a second straight year. Madison Bumgardner gets a lot of the credit for shutting down the Pirates' bats, and he deserves a lot of credit. However, Crawford belted a grand slam in the 4th inning off Pirates starter Edison Volquez. The game quickly went from a 0-0 stalemate to a large lead for the Giants. In post-season ball, a 4 run lead is hard to make up no matter the opposing pitcher.

As Crawford puts on a Cardinals uniform, it's a reminder of the cyclical nature of baseball. There are plenty of players who have had those moments against the Pirates so it is hard not to think of these moments. While his signing may not dominate headlines, it represents a significant addition for a team looking to make waves in the NL Central. As always the Cardinals continue to find ways to frustrate fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is the second notable addition of the week by a National League Central team, with the Cubs bringing back Cody Bellinger as well.