PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A year ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates captured the hearts of a fanbase until an unfortunate turn of events in Atlanta marked the beginning of the end.

This year, the Pirates are back and are on a mission. After taking two of three against the Philadelphia Phillies to start the season, fans are feeling pretty good about the prospects of another summer of Pirates baseball.

Hardcore Pittsburgh Pirates fans can tell you how Willie Stargell hit 475 home runs, but for the more casual Pirates fans of this generation, going to the games is all about family, and it’s all about the experience.

Tom Piotrowski has followed the Bucs his entire life and has passed the passion on to the next generation.

“I take my grandson because he is a fanatic with baseball and I go to about six or eight games a year,” Piotrowski said.

He will be in seats on Mother’s Day too when the Pirates host the Houston Astros.

Winning two out of three against the Philadelphia Phillies to open the season certainly doesn’t hurt to generate some buzz among fans.

“It’s the excitement. It’s part of going to the game. That’s why we bought tickets today because are going to the game. I’m taking my grandson. He’s taking his sons and his wife and his daughter,” Deborah Ramseur said.

“My son, he’ll be four, he wanted, he asked, ‘Daddy, I want to go to the Pirate game.’ Okay, well, let’s go. My wife enjoys it. She likes the food. I like the food,” Joshua Thornton said.

In spite of the 2-1 start against a very good team, fans know it’s awfully early in the year to get carried away.

After opening at home against Philadelphia, it’s on the road now for nine games.

The Pirates will be back home on April 20 to take on the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.

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