While one Steeler was spouting off conspiracy theories about Osama bin Laden's death, the Pirates were taking a well-timed visit to the U.S. Navy SEALS on Monday in San Diego. In what has become an annual tradition during the Bucs' trip to southern California every year, the team stopped at Coronado Island to check out the SEALS' training facility, where all members of the strikeforce that took out Bin Laden trained.
↵The Pirates were able to get some hands-on time with some weapons and even got to poke around the SEALS' obstacle training course. Team members were most thankful, though, to be there only hours after a momentous achievement for the unit and to be able to interact with the nation's heroes, reports MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.
↵↵↵"Those guys were upbeat and proud of their brother SEALs for the job that they did yesterday," said pitcher Paul Maholm. "You could tell that there was a little pep to their step. It was cool for us to kind of say thank you for all they do for us."
↵"It was a neat day," added bench coach Jeff Banister, "to see how proud these guys were to be Navy SEALs."
↵For security reasons, the SEALs were unable to share other details that they had received since President Barack Obama addressed the nation on Sunday night.
↵"But when we did bring it up, they had smirks on their faces," said first baseman Steve Pearce. "They were proud. You could tell."
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The Pirates take this trip routinely, now, but you can bet these guys won't forget this one any time soon after Sunday night's events.