The Pirates are on course for their 17th consecutive losing season, which would be a record-breaker (breaking the Phillies' stretch of 1933-1948).

Immediately before that, the Pirates were a power what with a young Bonds, Bonilla, and their ace, Doug Drabek.

So, when you suffer about your team sucking this year (e.g. my Athletics were sub-500 before the All-Star break for the first time since 1999) just thank God you're not a Pirates fan.

And to show that God is both vengeful and merciful, the Phillies look REALLY good what with a murder's row batting order and a multitude of starting pitchers (hello Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez.)