Longtime Pirate fan here and I was inspired to post from a super bowl nation story I read today calling Kansas City the least consequential city in MLB.

Believe me, I completely understand the frustration you guys are experiencing, but the answer isn't to rip your own city, because KC and the Royals are more than the recent struggles. Using the guide of teams in their current cities, the Royals have impressive tradition when talking about accomplishment. I would place them ahead of roughly half of MLB, with more success than teams like the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and Tampa Bay Rays, etc. And that's a valuable commodity to possess, and when winning returns, so will the excitement of the 70s and 80s.

You're ten games under .500 at the break, but the season isn't over. There's time to improve and build momentum for 2013 and beyond. It's my understanding your organization has a bunch of young talent, and that's not something everyone else has. I think there's a way to be objective and critical when necessary when the progress isn't happening, by all means, people have to be accountable when the results aren't there. However, when the negativity reaches the point where stories are written slamming the city, that's just not productive. Sarcastic comments and articles really don't advance how to solve the problems moving forward.

Over at the Bucs Dugout, there was a strong negative tone after the poor finish to the 2011 season, when the club plummeted after playing contending baseball for the first 100 games. What was lost, and rarely mentioned even today, was the fact seven players were on the disabled list during August, which coincided with the slide. Combined with the years of losing, hope was in short supply on the Pirates blog entering 2013. But the astute trade for AJ Burnett, surprise new contract for Andrew McCutchen, and the maturation of players like James McDonald is paying off. Progress is finally being made, regardless if the team makes the playoffs this season.

Wrapping up, just because bad events have happened in past doesn't mean a repeat for the present and future. If changes need to occur on the field or above, quality analysis is the way to go in order for accountability and winning in the future. We know small market teams are at a disadvantage, but there's ample doom and gloom among outside fans and the national media who don't follow your team and rely on generalizations.

I remember pulling for the Royals in those postseason appearances in the mid 70s to mid 80s, and it would be great for MLB if someday two small market teams faced off in the Fall Classic. Keep the faith, KC.