It was a question that had been asked in various different ways this past week to the manager and players in the clubhouse. "Is the worst behind you?" "Are brighter days ahead?"
This time, it was "How far away is this team, Shelty?"
"That's a good question. I think we’re closer," Derek Shelton said shortly after game 162 was in the books. "To say how far away we are right now, I think it’s going to matter on what we do into the offseason, but I think we’re in good shape."
On Wednesday, the Pirates concluded their 136th season of play with a 5-3 win over the Cardinals, ending their season with a 62-100 record.