Pirates fans look forward to another great season

Fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates can expect another promising season, if the team’s spring training is any indication of what is to come.

The teams best players will be returning for the next season, including left-fielder Starling Marte, who recently signed on to a six-year contract extension with the Pirates. A native of the Dominican Republic, Marte completed his first full season in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Pirates last season.

Last season’s MVP, Andrew McCutchen, will also be returning for another season with the Pirates. Coming off of a great season, and an even greater on-air proposal (McCutchen proposed to his girlfriend of four years, Maria Hanslovan, on “Ellen”, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, on December 11, 2013), McCutchen is excited for what is to come in the upcoming season.

The Pirates’ 2013 season made history in the franchise as the team’s first winning season since 1992. They played in the Wild Card Game, which they won over the Cincinnati Reds. Their success was short-lived, however, as the team lost in five games to the St. Louis Cardinals in the Division Series.

Their 2013 season record ended with a 94-68 winning season, landing them in second place in the National League Central division. They were the first team to record 50 wins throughout the MLB.

After decades of loss in the Pirates’ franchise, fans are rejoicing at the prospect of another winning season. The team will play their first regular season game on Monday, March 31 at 1 p.m. against the Chicago Cubs.