BUTLER TWP — The Pittsburgh Pirates could be heading for a record-extending 19th consecutive losing season.

Luckily for William “Digger” Young, his loyalty to the team reaches further than just a couple of decades.

Young, 78, of Butler was honored on Sunday at PNC Park for being a Pirates season-ticket holder for over 50 years.

Young originally acquired season tickets while working for a funeral home in the 1950s. The longtime baseball enthusiast never stopped watching his Pirates, even through the current 19-year funk.

Although the Pirates have suffered hardships through recent years, Young can always look back on arguably the greatest moment in franchise history — Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series at Forbes Field.

“Everyone thought the Yankees would definitely win. They couldn’t lose,” said Young. “When Maz hit that home run, my mother was with me. I’ll never forget that. (Pirates manager) Danny Murtaugh came right over and kissed his wife and she was sitting right next to us.”

The 1960 World Series wasn’t the only fall classic Young attended. In fact, he’s witnessed all 21 of the World Series games Pittsburgh has played — home or away — during his lifetime.

Young developed a love for baseball at an early age. He was eventually tagged with a nickname, which much like his devotion to the Pirates, never faded away.

“A lot of people call me Digger,” he explained. “That goes all the way back to when I played baseball and wore No. 13 for the Butler Athletics.”

Young pursued a playing career in baseball, trying out for the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees when he was just 15 years old.

“I lied about my age,” he admitted with a chuckle.

Young was granted a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1952, but never got into a big league game.

The player soon turned into a fan, and never stopped loving the game.

At one point in the 1950s, Young owned tickets to 32 seats and started selling them to friends and businesses.

“There were quite a few people that needed tickets,” said Young. “They would put down a deposit and then pay me the rest later.

“I never got cheated, either,” he added. “Everyone always paid.”

Although Young sold a majority of his tickets, he always made sure he had a place to sit, as well.

“I always had enough for four, maybe six seats, and I went to about 60 games a year,” said Young.

The Pirates aren’t the only team in Pittsburgh that holds a piece of his heart. Young has also owned six season tickets for the Steelers for the past 40 years. He’s been to nine Super Bowls, as well, but missed last season’s loss to the Packers due to health-related reasons.

Young previously worked for the Steelers for 31 years, providing aid to injured players.

The combination of health problems and the brutal summer heat has prevented Young from attending all but three of the Pirates games this season, but it doesn’t stop him from keeping tabs on his favorite ballclub.

Young had the opportunity to speak with Pirates manager Clint Hurdle and discussed the 19-inning marathon loss to the Atlanta Braves on July 26.

The dubious call by Jerry Meals at home plate wasn’t the topic of conversation, though. Instead, he focused on what the Pirates could have done to win.

“I was talking to Hurdle the other day and said I wish there was some way I could help,” Young elaborated. “Twenty strikeouts in a 19-inning game — that’s a crime.”

Like most Pirate fans, Pittsburgh’s recent free fall in the NL Central standings has frustrated Young.

“Back a month ago, (Hurdle) could’ve been the manager of the year, and he still could because he brought the team up from the basement,” he said. “But to lose 10 straight? That’s horrible.”

Watching the Pirates has certainly had its ups and downs throughout the past half century, but Young’s loyalty to the franchise is seemingly indestructible.

When asked if it’s easy to keep faith in the team, Young’s response was short and sweet.

“Oh my God, yes.”