From a Pirates perspective, the best thing you can say about the month of August is that it’s almost over.
At least it is at PNC Park. The beleaguered Buccos don’t return home until Sept. 5 against the Washington Nationals. Between now and then, though, there is one event worth attending at PNC Park.
Green Day is in town for a concert on Sunday. I’m not a die-hard Green Day fan, but I do like them. So I’ll be in attendance, hoping for something I haven’t seen very much of at the ballpark this season: a reason to cheer.
As we’ve done for other big acts that have rolled through town in recent years, here’s my preferred Green Day setlist to honor the Pirates as they take the stage at PNC Park.
“Basket Case”: Paul Skenes’ mental state when his starts are turned over to the bullpen.
“Stab You in the Heart”: What the Pirates do to us every year.
“Pulling Teeth”: Derek Shelton any time he looks at his roster and tries to figure out how to cobble together a nine-man batting order.
“Wake Me Up When September Ends”: Because then the season will mercifully be just about over.
“1,000 Hours”: How long it took to complete Wednesday’s 14-10 loss to the Cubs.
“Look Ma, No Brains!”: Shelton’s decision to have Colin Holderman pitch to Joc Pederson.
“Know Your Enemy”: Generally, it’s the team’s own payroll.
“80”: I’m not sure, but I think it’s the number of blown saves from the bullpen this year.
“Jesus of Suburbia”: An ode to David Bednar. “He’s from Mars, you know!”
“Are We the Waiting?”: Yes. Yes, we are. And we have been since 1979.
“Best Thing in Town”: Usually, it’s the visiting opponent.
“Don’t Leave Me”: What we’ll all be saying to Skenes in 2030.
“King for a Day”: Rowdy Tellez when he got to pitch Saturday.
“Redundant”: When Rowdy had to pitch again two days later.
“Say Goodbye”: …. to Oneil Cruz at shortstop.
“Give Me Novacaine”: After allowing 41 runs against the Cubs over three games, make it strychnine.
“Longview”:The way management will describe the next installment of a five-year plan.
“2,000 Light Years Away”: How far the Pirates are from a World Series.
“21st Century Breakdown”: Come to think of it, the last seven years of the 20th century weren’t so great either.
“Desensitized”: Pirates fans when it comes to last-place finishes.
“Here Comes the Shock”: When they trade Skenes for a handful of mid-level prospects in five years.
Encore set
“Jaded”: With no playoff series victories in 45 years, don’t we have a right to be?
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams”… Also known as the Boulevard of the Allies after 35 home losses this year.
“Tight Wad Hill”: A special dedication for Bob Nutting.
“Good Riddance”: What everyone in Pittsburgh would like to say to this entire collapse of a God-awful season.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.