Pirates' marketing department is the best in baseball

The Pirates are first in baseball at one thing: Marketing.
As bad as this team has been, they still draw decent crowds, but it's all a novelty. People don't go to games to watch baseball. They go for a show. Or to see the other team.
Fireworks, bobbleheads, free T-shirts, concerts and more. If baseball was played in the winter, no one would go. Families enjoy taking their kids to the games, and there is nothing wrong with that, but it's more to do something than really watch a baseball game. I doubt most of those families sit down and actually watch a game on TV.
I do believe PNC Park would be soldout nearly every game if the Bucs had the success of the Steelers or Penguins. I have never doubted Pittsburgh fans' passion for the hometown team, but everybody wants to watch a loser.
Case in point to that passion was everyone making reservations for the playoffs when Pittsuburgh had a lead in the division race after the All-Star game.
I give them props for getting people to the game and making money. Although, they are not concerned with the product on the field.
I also know that most sports have sideshow attractions. Every sport, every hockey, parades good looking girls on the sidelines. I like a pretty girl as much as the next guy, but they have nothing to do with the game, although sex sells.
I don't know how it was 30 years ago at sporting events, but times sure have changed.
Enjoy the rest of the baseball season, but I'm sure most of you all are thinking about next Sunday when the Steelers travel to Baltimore.