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Former Pirate Michael McKenry Still Rooting For His Old Team

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - He might be playing for the Colorado Rockies as they come to PNC Park for the Pirates first post-All-Star Game series, but former Pirates catcher Michael McKenry says he still has fond memories of his time in Pittsburgh and pulls for them to have success.

Talking with Joe Starkey and Chris Mueller of the Starkey and Mueller show, McKenry admitted he wants the Pirates to do well, but there is one exception to that.

"I can't thank the town and the organization enough for one giving me an opportunity," McKenry said.  "Seeing those core group of guys who I still keep up with continue to do well, and continue to grow and get better and better, it's just fun to see.  Unless you're playing the Rockies, I'm rooting for you at all times.  I'm still a Pirate fan deep down inside, but tomorrow I'm going to try to put that "L" up on the column for you guys any way I can, but at the end of the day, a truly, truly big part of who I am and where I'm at today is because of the fans and the organization."

McKenry got to play behind current Pirates catcher Russell Martin who most experts agree is one of the major reasons for this team's success, and he tells us what it is about Martin that makes him special.

"His want-to, his will to win; he's a competitor," McKenry said.  "Whatever it is, he doesn't like to lose and when you have a guy that's a catcher that has that kind of attitude, it carries over and it's special."

Click the audio link below to hear McKenry also talk about what it was that finally helped this organization get over the hump and into the playoffs, and which other professional athlete he's constantly getting confused for in Colorado.

Michael McKenry On Rockies-Pirates Series

(Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

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