Baseball season is over, but there are a couple reasons for Pirate fans to be optimistic about the 2009 season.
First, the magical run at the pennant by the Tampa Bay Rays should enlighten fans of any cellar dweller.
They went from worst to first in one season, sparked by a roster of youngsters who were hungry to win.
And they did it in one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. Second, Pirate skipper John Russell came to the Bucs from the AAA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. One would like to think that he is in some way responsible for the development of at least some of the players that can now call themselves "world champs."
Hopefully he can have the same effect in Pittsburgh.
I am not suggesting that the Pirates will represent the National League in the Fall Classic next year. However, to think that they have a legitimate shot to break the long string of losing seasons is a pretty good bet.
Hope springs eternal, especially when talking baseball in November.
Don Ciambotti, Altoona
Goodman right about Lee
When I opened the Nov. 4 Mirror sports section in search of Kellie Goodman's column, I was pleased to see it was about Sean Lee.
I have watched with a smile at Lee on the sidelines jumping around like his mentors, JoePA and defensive coordinator Tom Bradley. Lee is truly a team player.
I, too, think Sean has a future in coaching - after the NFL, of course.
Lee is an excellent linebacker who will carry the Penn State tradition into the NFL and consequently onto the coaching staff of a university, or perhaps eventually an NFL team. He can certainly teach the linebackers a few things.
William Snyder Jr., Altoona
