Pittsburgh Pirates spring training

Do you remember the 1992 National League Championship Series? The Pittsburgh Pirates had a 2-0 lead in the ninth of Game 7 in Atlanta before a three-run rally was punctuated by slow-footed Sid Bream beating a throw home from a young (and gangly) left fielder named Barry Bonds and Pittsburgh lost its third straight NLCS. If you remember that, you not only remember Pittsburgh’s last playoff appearance, but their last winning season. Coming off a year where they led the NL Central as late as July before slipping under .500, hopes are high that this Pittsburgh team can hit the magic number of 82 wins—and maybe more. TheSportsNotebook uses our usual evaluation points of the ability to get on base, hit for power, starting pitching and relief pitching.