Jeff Banister Says He & The Pirates Can Finally Hold Their Heads High
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Pirates' bench coach Jeff Banister has been with the organization for 28 years, and has had to deal with the losing streak for most of that time.
He joined Starkey, Miller and Mueller to discuss what it's like finally putting an end to the streak and what the team's goals are from here.
"It gives me an opportunity to hold my head up and look at the rest of the baseball world and tell them we're still are relevant, that we do have a good ball club, and that we're on our way," he said. "But truth be told, it's still just a number that we had to get to to go to where we want to go."
As big of a deal as wins 81 and 82 are to the fans, Bannister told us that when they wrapped up win 81, that wasn't the biggest celebration they were having in the clubhouse after the game.
"We celebrated more in the clubhouse the 100th home run by Andrew McCutchen...81, 82, 83 is a footprint in the sand of where we need to go, where we want to go," Banister said. "It's ultimately to play in the playoffs, and ultimately in a World Series."
Bannister also talked about the feeling that this team is never out of a game, and the vision he has had of PNC Park being packed with fans celebrating a winning season.
