[ad_1]
It was the spring of 1991, I imagine. The Pirates (knowledgeable baseball workforce positioned in the identical metropolis as your Pittsburgh Steelers) had been about to start Yr 2 of a three-year run of division-championship success that will at all times go away me in painful agony on the finish (though, the primary bout of painful agony on the conclusion of Yr 1 had not but educated me to be afraid of Buctober).
Anyway, because of the rising disparity between massive and small-market Main League Baseball groups, there was actual concern that the Pirates would shortly lose all the key items to what had turn into a professional World Series contender. Bobby Bonilla had one 12 months to go on his contract, and it appeared inevitable that he would depart as a free agent. Barry Bonds had two years left earlier than he was all however gone. As for Andy Van Slyke, the perennial gold-glove centerfielder? He and the Pirates had been in a position to attain an settlement on a brand new deal that will hold him in Pittsburgh by way of a minimum of the mid-90s.
I needed the Pirates to maintain all of their stars, however Van Slyke, the humorous prankster, the person who attracted all the youngsters together with his “large child” persona, wasn’t a foul celebrity to retain.
Not lengthy after this new deal was introduced, I keep in mind seeing this Pirates business that includes Van Slyke that included highlights and a few “PUMP YOU UP!” music; I acquired actually excited and began dancing alongside.
I used to be so comfortable that a minimum of Van Slyke, to reiterate, a very talked-about participant and persona, would stay a Pirate.
Quick-forward to the current.
In the event you had been in a very quiet place on Friday, you could have heard hundreds of youngsters cheering and dancing round (doubtless performing some evil TikTok dances) because of the information that the Steelers had unbelievably re-signed receiver—and rock star to kids in all places—JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal for the 2021 season.
I do know I had long-since written Smith-Schuster off as somebody who was trying to money in on his first expertise as a free agent.
I used to be fallacious.
The youthful fan in me is worked up. I’ve at all times stated that Smith-Schuster has an excellent alternative to be the subsequent actual face of the Steelers franchise; together with his involvement in the neighborhood, charity work, loveable persona and, oh sure, the form of expertise that has already made him a damn-good all-around receiver (and after I say “all-around,” I’ve to incorporate his skill to dam), Smith-Schuster has the possibility to be this technology’s Hines Ward.
Whereas it nonetheless seems like a long-shot, and whereas I’m sensible sufficient to grasp that the NFL’s screwy free-agent market is what most likely prevented him from getting the form of prolonged contract he actually needed, I’d prefer to assume his return to Pittsburgh for an additional 12 months will purchase Smith-Schuster a while to work issues out with the Steelers and signal that form of cope with them.
However the grownup fan in me—the one who’s legally required to fret about issues like locker room tradition, effort, wage cap ramifications, blue hair and whether or not or not a participant fingers the ball to the official after a landing—is slightly apprehensive in regards to the out-of-left-field Smith-Schuster deal. Don’t get me fallacious, I’m not apprehensive about three of the 5 issues I simply talked about (I may care much less about locker room tradition, blue hair and landing celebrations), however how will this deal have an effect on Pittsburgh’s wage cap in 2021? I imply, why spend $8 million on a receiver while you’re already fairly flush with gifted, younger wide-outs, as it’s? Why not do what you possibly can to retain cornerback Steven Nelson or signal a middle? What about discovering a number-two tight finish?
Will Smith-Schuster simply bolt to a different workforce subsequent season (presumably the Bolts?) if quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retires? Is Smith-Schuster an X receiver or a Y? Ought to he play within the slot? Will his dedication to health be the identical as final offseason or, now that he has heaps and plenty of cash, will he spend all of his free-time dashing round Pittsburgh in his new Corvette, Corvette?
Moreover, ought to the Steelers have waited till the draft and chosen a receiver in one of many earlier rounds? I’ll guess they might have gotten nice worth within the second spherical.
Man, adulting is tough while you’re a sports activities fan.
I believe I’m going to take a cue from all of the little JuJu fanatics and do the Cabbage Patch Floss in honor of Smith-Schuster’s return to the Steelers.
We love you, JuJu!!!
[ad_2]
Source link
