A Tale of B's and 3's

I've always been intrigued by curses, and as an ex-Red Sox fanatic, I know a thing or two about going through the pain and agony by which these curses manifest themselves.  In 2003, Boston almost got to the World Series, if it wasn't for Aaron Boone.  In 2004, they broke the Curse of the Bambino, winning their first World Series since 1918, a span of 86 years.  '86 is also the year they were last in their Series, the infamous Buckner series (although Bob Stanley was really to blame).  In 2005, The Chicago White Sox broke the Curse of the Black Sox Scandal, winning their first World Series since 1919, also a span of 86 years.  Oddly, both Sox Curses were founded in consecutive years: the gambling scandal of 1919 and the selling off of Babe Ruth in 1920.  Oh, and the team the Red Sox beat in 1918 and almost met in 2003?  Another Chicago team, the Cubs, who won their last championship in 1908, courtesy of Merkle's Boner.  With two curses on them since (The Billy Goat and Steve Bartman) it's looking pretty hopeless on the northside of the Windy City. Notice the B Theme?  Boston, Bambino, Babe, Buckner, Boone.  Black Sox, banned.  Boner, Billy and Bartman.

What does this have to do with the Pirates?  Well, of course we remember the last time the Pirates had a winning season, now 20 years ago.  The 3 year window of 1990-1992 are littered with B's.  In 1990, Sid Bream, Jay Bell, Bobby Bonilla and Barry Bonds won 95 games and lost in the NLCS to the Cincinnati Reds.  After the season, Sid Bream was granted free agency.  In 1991, the Bucs won 98 games, but lost in the NLCS to Bream's Atlanta Braves.  After the season Bobby Bonilla was granted free agency.  In 1992, the Bucs won 96 games, only to lose again to Bream's Braves in epic fashion.  Guess who was granted free agency pastures after the season?  Yep, Barry Bonds.  And the Bucs haven't had a winning season since.  The last Killer B left in 1993?  Jay Bell, who wore #3 for the Bucs (and then wore #33 for the 2001 World Series Champion Arizona Diamondbacks).  OK, this is getting creepy ...

In 1927, the Pirates lost the The World Series to the New York Yankees.  Fast forward 33 years, and the Bucs beat the Yankees in the Fall Classic in 1960.  In 1979, the Bucs beat the Baltimore Orioles for the 5th (and last World Championship).  Fast forward 33 years ... to this year.  The year the Pirates try again to break a curse, the .500 plateau.  So what did the front office do to Reverse the Curse, and bring winning baseball back to Pittsburgh this year?  They went out and got a bunch of B's, naturally.  Erik Bedard, Rod Barajas, Clint Barmes and A.J. Burnett.  Crazier things have happened ...