Recall that back in 1998 and 1999 when the Plan B for the new Pirates ballpark was being assembled and sold to the legislature and the RAD Board, the mantra of the Pirates owners and their supporters was "give us a new ball park and we will put a competitive team on the field." Nine years into PNC Park it is clear the owners have no intention of living up to that promise. The team is well on the way to their 17th consecutive year with more losses than wins. This will set a new record for futility for any major professional sports franchise, surpassing the 16 season mark set by the Phillies decades ago.