Since 2004

I'm sure everyone wants to caution Pirates fans not to get too excited. Fair enough, but pay attention:

This is the first time the Pirates have been three games over .500 at any point in a season since early 2004.

TWO THOUSAND FOUR.

So just let us rant and enjoy our good opening series and just smile and nod when we talk about hope.

Duke, Snell, Gorzalanny and Maholm are all 25 or younger. They're bound to have plenty of rough starts this season. But oh man, do they have some exciting talent.

Now if only The New Guy could help us out.

(I think I will refer to LaRoche as The New Guy until he hits a really important home run.)

The Pirates are off Thursday after a hard-fought sweep. I'll post again Friday night.