Trending
MLB did disservice to Pirates, Phils
Why did Major League Baseball take the Pirates away from their home division many years ago (1994) and ship them to the National League Central?
Some of the greatest games I witnessed in the 1960-70s took place within the Keystone State in both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
MLB did a major discredit to the Pennsylvania fan base when they severed a summer-long series between the Phils and Buccos with a lab experiment that in my opinion has failed.
Those turnpike matchups easily could be compared to that of the Yankees-Red Sox or Dodger-Giants; just ask any Pirates or Phillies fan.
It was most important to both teams who claimed the bragging rights. Moving on to the playoffs for either team was just icing on the cake.
What great rivalry does Atlanta have in the National League East? By switching the Braves and the Pirates divisionally, in my opinion, in a short time the Braves would discover and create a rivalry with intense, fan passion.
MLB should put the best interest forward of the fans, especially in Pittsburgh, and boost a shot of needed energy into the loyal baseball fans of PA.
I believe the added interstate scheduling would create fan excitement coupled with media pressure forcing a change that just might influence how the Pittsburgh owners manage their future payrolls.
There is a lot of positive energy to be ignited in a most deserving fan base in Pittsburgh.
And, in my opinion, that fire will be lit with placing the Pittsburgh Pirates back into their original, division home.
This 70-year-old, lifetime Bucco fan has his fingers crossed that MLB will sooner than later begin to understand how much this important change could benefit the league.
Edward Biddle
Statham, Georgia
(The writer is a native of Huntingdon.)