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"It's critically important that they understand that 2011 is not going to be a year where small bits of incremental progress are adequate," Nutting said, referring to the message he delivered his players. "Until we win a National League championship, we're not going to be satisfied with incremental progress."
The Pirates project a payroll of about $45 million, which will be among the lowest in the majors. Though the team's pitching rotation remains suspect, they do have a group of young players to build around, such as outfielder Andrew McCutchen, third baseman Pedro Alvarez, second baseman Neil Walker and left fielder Jose Tabata.
It's going to take more than talk, though, to convince the fans up north, such as Neft.
"We've got an ownership group that doesn't want to do anything to make them a good team other than make them a major league farm club," said Neft, who attended one game last year and wore a White Sox jersey to it. "They promised us a winning team when we bought them a stadium. They've had their stadium coming up on 11 years, and we have a (bad) team."
Greta Dunn is a bartender at Mullen's Bar and Grill, located across the street from PNC Park. She said the place is only busy when the Pirates hold a big home promotion -- the fireworks displays are popular -- or if a high-profile team, such as the New York Mets, are in town.
"It's sad," Dunn said. "Fireworks night, that's when you know we're going to be busy. It's none of this, 'This is a great team or something.'"
Now 26 years old, Dunn was 11 when her family relocated to Pittsburgh. She never warmed to the Pirates, reflecting a generation of young fans that the franchise has lost and neglected.
Asked where one might find Pirates fans in the city, Dunn said: "You've got to find the old men."
[Associated Press;
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