Both the Cardinals and the Pirates have been eliminated from playoff contention this season. But both teams are historical franchises with multiple World Series Championships and Hall of Fame players throughout the years. But one thing became crystal clear the last series between the two teams, and will remain true in the final home series of the season; Pittsburgh is the better baseball town.
Over the past decade, Cardinals fans have had tons to root for; multiple trips to the playoffs, and playoff contention in most seasons. But 2024 and 2025 arrived and the Cardinals had two bad seasons in a row. Poor them. Now in 2026, they over perform pre season expectations and the team contends into September, and the fans are noticeably absent from Busch stadium. This is a franchise of fair weather fans. Did they evacuate the city or something? Why was their ballpark so empty?
Meanwhile, the Pirates fans are still showing out with far less success over the past three decades. The only possible answer is the Pirates fans are more die hard. We’re making P’s up in the tarps off section. We got lines longer than bridges on Saturday afternoon games. We’re out here drinking Allegheny river water. Okay, maybe that last one was just me.
For a place that calls itself Baseball City, USA, I couldn’t believe that they abandoned their boys of summer so soon. Maybe it’s because our park is so much nicer, but maybe it’s also because our fandom is forged in steel. We’re with our team to the bitter end, rain or shine, win or loss. If St. Louis wants to hold that moniker of “Baseball City, USA” then you better show up for baseball. Not just when you got something to root for.
They stole Pittsburgh’s claim to fame in the early 1800s, “Gateway to the West”, so maybe it’s time we steal “Baseball City, USA”. Because it seems like Pirates fans like baseball more than Cardinals fans. Bucco fans; let’s fill the park this last week as summer has clearly shifted to fall. You’ll have excuses not to go, but you won’t make them. You’ll cheer as loud in games 79-81 as you did in games 1-3. You’ll say goodbye to your summer family with the pride and dignity worthy of the best cathedral in baseball. Prove me right Pittsburgh.
Oh one more thing; that arch is stupid.
