PIRATES lead NL CENTRAL.....WHAT?.....the Pittsburgh PIRATES aka BUCS aka BUCCOS lead for the 1st Time in almost 20 years.

The last time the Pittsburgh PIRATES were relevant in the NATIONAL LEAGUE they were in a PARK that has since been demolished.....THREE RIVERS STADIUM. that LINE-UP in 1992 had guys like Barry BONDS, Bobby BONILLA, Andy Van SLYKE, Doug DRABEK, and Skipper Jim LEYLAND.

The LAST Time the PIRATES won it all, in 1979 World Champions as they demolish the O's in Five they had one of their three HALL of FAMERS leading them in "PAPA" Willie STARGELL. And he was joined by guys like Bruce KISON, Kent TUKULVE, Omar MORENO, Dave "the COBRA" PARKER, Bill "MAD DOG" MADLOCK, and Skipper Chuck TANNER. AND not to be forgotten....those HATS.....the PILLBOX JOINT......and you say your NOSTALGIC with it.....Have One in the COLLECTION since 2005...an AMERICAN NEEDLE Remake.

Now it is some almost 20 years to the day that the Pittsburgh PIRATES call themselves a Frontrunners as they lead the NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL after a Win tonight in H-TOWN. These PIRATES look more like the '92 Edition because of their YOUTH in Key Places.

The 2011 Edition is led by a Very Good Manager who last time he managed took the Colorado ROCKIES for a RIDE, Clint HURDLE. They have 2 All-Stars in Center Fielder Andrew McCUTCHEN and Right Handed Pitcher Kevin CORREIA. They have a SOLID Bullpen led by Joel HANRAHAN with 26 Saves in in 26 Chances. McCUTCHEN leads the BUCS with 14 BOMBS and 2B Neil WALKER...WHO?...leads them with 60 Runs Knocked in.

So the Pitching Staff is doing by Committee and Offensively they are Jump-Started by the aforementioned McCUTCHEN and everyone else FOLLOWS. Their running neck n neck with the REDBIRDS of the LOU in the CENTRAL. And for the 1st time since they opened PNC in 2001...they have had 38,365....a SELLOUT at the BIG ATM on the ALLEGHANY RIVER on a couple of occassions.

The PIRATES outlook looks good as the REDBIRDS are starting to feel the risidual effects of losing RHP Adam WAINRIGHT for the Season, the BREWERS have difficulty winning on the ROAD, and the REDLEGS don't have it like last season....And I don't know what IT IS.....But you know IT when you see it.

The PIRATES LATE Hall Of FAMERS Honus WAGNER, Roberto CLEMENTE , and "PAPA" Willie STARGELL have to be smiling upstaris as they see their PIRATES Doing work. Now all they need is to BRING BACK the PILLBOX JOINTS, have SISTER SLEDGE singing "WE ARE FAMILY" on the LOUD SPEAKERS, and some PIRATES VERSIONS of the TERRIBLE TOWEL waving in the AIR........and you might have the 2011 NL CENTRAL CHAMPIONS.......PITTSBURGH PIRATES.