…and at last count which was late this morning so it may have grown but 41,878 signatures have been collected from people who would like to see Pirates owner Bob Nutting sell the team to someone who cares about putting a winning ball club on the field. Of course the chances of the petition putting pressure on him to do anything like that is zilch despite the possibility of having fewer fans going to the game the man is still going to make money. Sports Illustrated on Tuesday posted a story alleging how the Pirates could have been contenders but ownership cried poverty and betrayed their fans. CNBC, the television network that specializes in finance reports that Nutting is worth $1.1 billion and is the 10th richest owner in MLB. According to Forbes the franchise is worth $1.25 billion dollars but their payroll of $109 million in 2017 was the 25th in the league, some $50 million below the MLB average. Add to the fact that some point this year every MLB owner including Nutting will receive $50 million from the league, no strings attached as part of its sale of a majority stake in BAMTech to Disney on top of the $33 million each already received in 2016 for a minority state sale and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Even former Pirate Pitcher Garrett Cole who was traded to the Astros said at a press conference in Houston that it is refreshing to join the Astros who are willing to continually put resources into the club.While that may be true I’ll bet there will be more fireworks, t shirt and bobble head nights at PNC Park than at Minute Maid Park. Of course that may be contingent on getting someone else to put the resources in to sponsor them.