The year that Dan Shea was born, the Pittsburgh Pirates went to the playoffs.

As those who follow the team know painfully well, the team hasn’t had a winning season since. But that hasn’t deterred Dan from catching, as they say, Bucco Fever.

“I’ve been following the Pirates all year long, and I’m really excited about them right now,” said the John Carroll University junior, who resides in Upper St. Clair, following a recent round at USC’s three-hole golf course.

He’s not alone among folks his age and younger, despite the 19-year drought.

With Pittsburgh in first place with one of the best records in Major League Baseball in advance of Tuesday’s All-Star Game, we talked to members of the so-called “lost generation” of Pirates fans about how they think the rest of the 2012 season will play out.

And although they’ve never seen anything remotely resembling championship-caliber baseball when it comes to the home team, they seem to be optimistic.

Check out what they have to say.