After 15 years, only winning will bring fans back to PNC Park

The Pirates are in last place in attendance. Not big news to most, but there are those who want to criticize the fans and the people of Pittsburgh for not supporting the Pirates. Team president Frank Coonelly said in a recent Post-Gazette article that "it is a shame that more fans have not been able to enjoy Pirates baseball at PNC Park to date." ("Fans not showing up to see Pirates," April 23).

Who cares about the ballpark? I know of a number of spectacular churches in the Pittsburgh area, but I don't see people flocking to go to church so why would you expect people to go to Pirate games just because the ballpark is nice.

Look at Mellon Arena. Most people would say it is outdated and a terrible place to watch a hockey game, yet they have a waiting list of people wanting to buy tickets. The Penguins are proof to the Pirates that the facility doesn't matter. It's the product on the field.

The sales and marketing department of the Pirates should be given accolades for their work in recent years, but the low attendance this year isn't their fault. The Pirates' fans have reached their point of diminishing returns and they are tired of fireworks and bobbleheads.

I wish the Pirates' management would tell people "Hey, we stink. We know it. We don't blame you for not coming to the games." Of course they never will admit it and instead they will continue to blame the people for not supporting them.

ANTHONY DENNIS
Munhall

Excuse me, Mr. Coonelly

Pirates president Frank Coonelly stated "it is a shame that more fans have not been able to enjoy Pirates' baseball at PNC Park to date" ("Fans not showing up to see Pirates," April 23).

Enjoy Pirates' baseball? As of April 23, the Pirates rank 14th (out of 16 National League teams) in team batting average, 13th in on-base percentage and slugging percentage (SLG) and 11th in walks.

Sadly, the pitching and defense rank even worse. Against Pirates' starters, opponents are hitting .329 with an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) of .890. This means that, on average, every batter facing a Pirates' starter is currently hitting at an All-Star level (pitchers included).

Summing the parts produces a last-place team which was beaten by six or more runs in eight of its first 20 games.

Shame related to this team is not the result of its fans and their decision [to not] "enjoy" Pirates' baseball. Rather, it is a shame that Pirates' fans have had to endure 15 consecutive losing seasons with no end in sight.

CHRISTOPHER MANDERFIELD
Gibsonia

Of course; it's a curse

I take it the other 29 major-league baseball teams buried their jerseys at PNC Park as it was being built. I'm not a fair-weather fan, but there hasn't been any fair baseball weather in Pittsburgh for 15 ... er, 16 years. Key word for the season: Accountabilty. The only thing is, where does it start and where does it end?

RICH CORDEK
Portage, Pa.

Boo to the fans

The people at Mellon Arena who are booing Jaromir Jagr every time he touches the puck have no right to call themselves hockey fans. They should research their team's history. When the Penguins were winning Stanley Cups, Jagr was an integral component. Booing him only shows a lack of hockey knowledge and respect for the players who made the great Penguins teams great.

SCOTT BLAKEMountain View, Calif.