JustSON Numbers: The Pirates suck for the 17th straight season

The Pittsburgh Pirates have long been the poster boy for the small-market suckitude that professional baseball seems to foster. Today with a loss to the Cubs, they've ensured their 17th straight losing season.

By losing their 10th in 11 games, the Pirates are guaranteed of finishing below .500, just as they have every season since 1993. The 17 consecutive losing seasons represent the longest streak for any team in the four major North American pro team sports, and only the Phillies (1933-48) have also had as many as 16 in a row.

The Vancouver Canucks (NHL, 1976-91) and Kansas City/Sacramento Kings (NBA, 1983-98) had 15 consecutive losing seasons each and the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a 14-year streak (1983-96).

I was seven the last time the Pittsburgh Pirates were above .500, and Vanilla Ice was popular. If you're a Pirates fan I have to commend you on sticking with the team because that's dedication. You've had to live through this...

1993	75-87
1994	53-61
1995	58-86
1996	73-89
1997	79-83
1998	69-93
1999	78-83
2000	69-93
2001	62-100
2002	72-89
2003	75-87
2004	72-89
2005	67-95
2006	67-95
2007	68-94
2008	67-95
2009	54-82

Yeaaaah... Go Bucs!