ONE MORE WEEK TO FIND A PIRATE FAN

The much-ballyhooed "Search for the World's Biggest Pittsburgh Pirate Fan" has only one week to go before the finalists are announced. And at this point, all I can surmise is that people are embarrassed to admit their Pirate fanhood, because "trickling in" would be a good way to describe the frequency of the entries, despite a pretty high level of exposure. Of course, another theory is that there are no true Pirate fans left and all that remains are apathetic PNC Park customers, which is also not too far-fetched.

While I blame no one for their decision to cloak their love of the Pirates in anonymity, the contest is wide open, so get your entries in before the May 1 deadline. The winner (as decided by you) gets a Pops Stargell signed and framed lithograph AND a pair of Freddy Sanchez's autographed, game-used batting gloves.

Contest sponsored by www.steelcityauctions.com

10% off Playoff Sale going on now!

Looking for the World's Biggest Pirate Fan

The fact that the Pittsburgh Pirates have had a rough run since the conclusion of the 1992 NLCS is well-chronicled. But despite this decade and a half of less-than-spectacular baseball, fans continue to flock to PNC Park. Yes, there are certainly reasons other than the product on the field, but we're pretty sure that all 2,527,968 people didn't come to a Pirate game strictly for the fireworks last year.

You have to admit that there a number of truly die-hard Bucco supporters. And we're trying to find them.

We're looking for the people who show up year after year sporting the jersey of the current face of the team, be it Jason Bay or Jason Kendall; the fans who don't know the meaning of the word "apathy"; the fans that have invested thousands of dollars in decorating their game room in Pirate memorabilia; the fans that continue to wonder if this is the year. We want to hear their stories.

With that in mind, it's time to introduce the world to what we hope will be our most interesting contest ever: we're looking for the World's Biggest Pittsburgh Pirate Fan.

Here are the ground rules:

--Make your case in as many or as few words as possible. Photos are encouraged but not necessary.

--We will post (10) finalists chosen internally by May 1, 2008. The 10 finalists' stories and pictures will be up for vote by the public, with the winner officially announced on Monday, May 12th, 2008.

--The winner will receive the following prizes:

*A 20x23" lithograph featuring the authentic signatures of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell and artist Rich Marks.

This beautiful lithograph, a limited edition #2244/4000, features an authentic autograph from WILLIE STARGELL. It has also been signed by artist RICH MARKS.

The final size is a huge 20x23", and it is professionally framed and matted.

Value $200

*A pair of Freddy Sanchez's game used 2007 batting gloves (both signed). Value $100

Contest and prizes sponsored by Steel City Auctions

Please visit steelcityauctions.com for additional rules and directions on submitting your entry.

Win a REAL WILLIE STARGELL AUTOGRAPH!

Congrats to Joe V. of Pittsburgh, who wins the Andrew McCutchen Autographed Rookie Card from the last email contest.

This week is one of the most exciting prizes of all time!

Wilver Dornel "Willie" Stargell was one of the most beloved Pirates in team history. Unfortunately, he passed away on April 9, 2001, at the age of 61, making his authentic autographs highly sought after among collectors.

One lucky winner will receive this baseball card which was hand signed by Willie in 1992.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, the rules are easy...all you have to do is send your interesting sports, entertainment, and odd news and tips to mondesishouse@gmail.com. And what the heck, I'll even expand it to include all of you who take the time to send an email comment or question for the Mailbag segment!

I will randomly choose one winner to receive this week's prize.

The Stargell contest is sponsored by Steelcityauctions.com, offering a special on Stargell bobbleheads - only $9.99!