4/10 Through 1974: Openers & Roberto, #200 For Starg, Casey Signs, Buc-Dome, Mexican Mayhem; RIP Ginger, HBD Alberto, Lee, Jay, Roger & Howdy

• 1906 - 2B Howdy (short for Howard) Groskloss, who played for the Bucs from 1930-32 and hit .261, was born in Pittsburgh, the son of an opera singer. He became the oldest living major league baseball player in 2005 at the age of 99 and survived past the century mark before shuffling off to the stadium in the sky in 2006. The Pirates signed him for $10K, but he lost the starting 2B job to Tony Piet and switched gears by entering Yale Medical School, earning his MD degree in 1937. He served during World War II as a Chief Medical Officer and Flight Surgeon on a carrier in the Pacific theater, and later in life he moonlighted as a pro golfer and swung the clubs well enough to win several tournaments. 
• 1911 - RHP Roger Wolff was born in Evansville, Indiana. He spent seven years in the majors, closing out his career in 1947 with the Pirates, slashing 1-4/8.07 in six starts. The knuckleballer won 20 games for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945, but when the Bucs got him two years later at age 36, he was tossing on memory. His Bucco days not only ended his MLB career but his run in the pros which had begun in 1930 as a 19-year-old. After he retired, he eventually became the AD at Southern Illinois Penitentiary after a series of jobs, including night club manager. 
• 1919 - Casey Stengel ended his holdout by accepting the Pirates original offer, which wasn’t disclosed. He had requested a trade but the Bucs couldn’t swing one to their liking, and with the season about to begin, Casey decided to swallow his pride and take the money. He did eventually get his wish to move along, being shipped to the Phils in August for Possum Whited. Casey was no happier across the state; he refused to report unless he got a sweeter deal, which was not forthcoming. So he went to Kansas City to join a barnstorming team to earn his daily bread, finally reaching a deal with Philly during the off season. 

Joe Gibbon - 1964 Topps

• 1935 - LHP Joe Gibbon, who began his 13-year MLB career as a starter and finished it as a reliever, was born in Hickory, Mississippi. The lefty spent eight seasons as a Pirate, going 44-46-16 with a 3.61 ERA. An all-around athlete, he was blessed with good wheels to go with his strong arm, with the Bucs using him occasionally as a pinch runner. As a rookie, he pitched for the 1960 World Series club and returned to Pittsburgh to toss in the 1970 NLCS after spending four seasons with the Giants. Joe climbed the hill until 1972 when he was 37, posting a final slash of 61-65-32/3.52. He coached the Clarke College nine for eight seasons and was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988 and honored as a member of the Ole Miss Men’s All-Century Basketball Team (he was an excellent collegiate hoopster and was drafted by the Boston Celtics after he graduated). He also remained an active Pirates alum and he joined up with his old mateys in a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1960 World Series at PNC Park during a 2010 reunion weekend. He passed away in Mississippi in 2019. 
• 1948 - OF Lee Lacy, who spent six years in Pittsburgh (1979-84), mainly as a fourth outfielder, was born in Longview, Texas. Lacy hit .304 as a Bucco and was a member of the 1979 title team. In his 16-year career, he was part of three Los Angeles Dodger World Series teams, all of which lost. His ‘79 Series appearance was the third straight year he got to play in the Fall Classic. It also was his last, and the only one he won. After he retired, Lee became active in various community programs sponsored by the LA Dodgers Foundation. Sports run strong in his family genes; his daughter Jennifer Lacy played in the WNBA for 10 years. 
• 1956 - OF Clarence “Ginger” Beaumont passed away in Burlington, Wisconsin at age 79. Starting his career in Pittsburgh, he played here from 1899-1906, batting .321 with 200 stolen bases. From 1900–1904, Beaumont led the National League in hits three times, scored 100 runs four times, and took the 1902 batting title with a .357 mark. The speedster was the Pirates' leadoff man, and as such became the first player to bat in a World Series game in 1903 at Boston. Nicknamed "Ginger" for his red mop (Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss gave him the moniker, replacing “Clarry”), he’s the only man to collect six hits in six at bats and score six times in a game - and all his knocks were infield hits! 
• 1958 - The Pirates took the third game of a Mexican preseason swing by a 10-2 score over the Mexico City Reds behind Bob Friend’s pitching and homers by Roberto Clemente, Frank Thomas, and Johnny O’Brien. The crowd wasn’t pleased with the Bucs manhandling their hometown club and the umps threatened to call the game when many of the 5,000 standing-room fans found their way onto the field during play. After the contest, the spectators on the second level of Social Security Stadium began throwing cans and lit newspapers at the Pirates as they made their way off the field. Despite the passionate and rowdy response of the home loyalists, the Buccaneers made plans to return next season as their three-game visit drew over 65,000 fanaticos. 

Roberto Clemente - 1962 Topps

• 1962 - Roberto Clemente spanked a third-inning grand slam and Bob Friend twirled a complete game, five-hit shutout as the Bucs blanked the Phils in their Home Opener at Forbes Field, 6-0. Clemente’s blast was the first and only Pirates Opening Day grand slam until Neil Walker banged one in 2011. Don Hoak also went deep as the Pirates made the most of their seven hits. 
• 1963 - A group of developers tried to cash in on the sixties dome fad (Civic Arena, Astrodome, etc) and proposed a $40M enclosed stadium to replace Forbes Field as a new home for the Pirates and Steelers. The project was to be built off the Parkway West by Campbell’s Run Road, halfway between the airport and downtown. Its permanent seating capacity would be 40,000, expandable to 60-65,000, with a parking lot for 15,000 vehicles. But by the time the back room smoke had cleared and a deal was cut, the North Shore proponents won out, and Three Rivers Stadium opened in 1970. 
• 1968 - Roberto Clemente hit a homer and made an unbelievable grab of Hal King’s drive down the right field line in the season Opener, but his heroics went for naught. The Bucs scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth at the Astrodome to take a 4-2 lead, but Jim Bunning, Juan Pizarro, and Ronnie Kline couldn’t hold off the surging ‘Stros, losing, 5-4, to Houston when Bob Aspromonte tripled home two runs with two outs for a dramatic walk-off win. Maury Wills was an energizer bunny at leadoff with two hits, a run scored, two RBI and a stolen sack. 
• 1970 - RHP Alberto Reyes was born in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. The Pirates signed the 32-year-old vet as a minor league FA for the 2002 season after stints with Milwaukee, Baltimore and the LA Dodgers. He was called up late in the year, pitched creditably in 15 outings (0-0/2.65), then was released during the following camp. He signed with the Yankees and tossed for them, St. Louis and Tampa Bay through 2008, ending a 13-year MLB career at age 38. 
• 1971 - Willie Stargell hit three homers, including career #200, and drove in all four runs in a 5-4 loss in 12 innings to the Braves at Atlanta Stadium. Al Oliver added three hits. Steve Blass pitched nine innings, but with two down in the ninth walked Ralph Garr and then gave up a two-run homer to Hank Aaron to send the game to extra innings, with Nellie Briles taking the loss.

4/10 From 1975: Openers & TRS, Game Tales & Firsts, Mike & Jay Sign, B-Rey POTW, Smiley Starts, Jim's 500th. Milo Joins, Kranky Keaton; HBD Mike

• 1975 - The Bucs were the Opening Day foes at Wrigley Field and flexed some long ball muscle to tame the Cubs, 8-4. Pittsburgh started off hot with first-inning homers by Richie Hebner and Willie Stargell, then padded the lead with a two-out, two-run rally in the third. Chicago got to Dock Ellis in the fifth with a barrage of doubles and tied the game. It stayed at four-all until the eighth when Pops went deep again, Manny Sanguillen tacked on a two-run dinger and Rennie Stennett added the cherry on top with a two-out RBI knock. That was all she wrote as Sudden Sam McDowell, Larry Demery and game winner Dave Giusti shut the gate after Dock. Captain Willie wielded the hottest bat - he went 4-for-5 with two dingers, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored. 
• 1975 - RHP Mike Lincoln was born in Carmichael, California. He debuted as a teen for the Twins and pitched for the Pirates from 2001-03. He had two effective years as a reliever, but arm troubles hounded him in 2003 and throughout the rest of his career; his ERA was 5.56 from that season forward. As a Bucco, Lincoln went 7-9-5/3.50. His last campaign was in 2010 as a Red. 
• 1976 - Milo Hamilton replaced Bob Prince as the voice of the Pirates, marking the first time that an MLB team followed one future Ford Frick winner with another. Prince won the award posthumously in 1986 and Hamilton was recognized in 1992. Milo had a tough go in the Steel City as his quiet, polished style didn’t go over well with the fans who were brought up on the Gunner’s colorful, folksy delivery. Hamilton moved on to the Chicago Cubs broadcasting team in 1980. Lanny Frattare also made his broadcast debut as Hamilton’s partner. Frattare went on to become the Pirates longest tenured announcer, announcing victories with his tagline "...and there was nooo doubt about it" for 33 seasons before his retirement into academia at Waynesburg University. 
• 1976 - The Pirates defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4, at Veterans Stadium in the season Opener. Dave Parker scored the winning run in an 11th inning collision at home that cost C Johnny Oates two months of the season with a broken collarbone. Willie Stargell was the batting hero with three hits, a walk and three RBI while Larry Demery claimed the win after three scoreless innings of work. 

Johnny Ray - 1982 Donruss

• 1982 - Johnny Ray went deep for the first time in his career to help the Pirates beat the Cardinals, 11-7, on Opening Day at Busch Stadium. Ray led the Pirates with three hits (homer, double, single), while starter Rick Rhoden also went deep (it was RR’s sixth career dinger - he hit nine - and the only Opening Day long ball ever smacked by a Pittsburgh pitcher). Dale Berra also had three hits, including a pair of two-baggers, as the Buccos banged out five doubles and two homers among their twelve hits to go along with nine walks and four Redbird errors as Pittsburgh stranded 11 runners. Rod Scurry took home the victory and John Candelaria claimed the save. 
• 1983 - John Candelaria was hit hard and the Bucs found themselves down, 7-2, to Houston at the Astrodome after three innings. But Manny Sarmiento, Jim Winn, Jim Bibby, Kent Tekulve and Rod Scurry allowed just one more run over the last six frames and the Bucs bats kept grinding away, eventually taking a 10-8 victory from the Texans. The Buccos only had nine hits, led by Jason Thompson’s homer/double combo, but seven ‘Stro walks, four leading to scores, and three steals, with two setting up tallies, kept the runners moving along. Bibby was credited with the win while Scurry nailed down the save. 
• 1987 - The Pirates beat the Cards, 4-3, at TRS in the Home Opener in front of 52,119 fans, the biggest baseball crowd in Pirates history to date. They did it the hard way, with Don Robinson giving up a 3-1 lead in the ninth. The Redbirds almost took the lead that frame but 3B Jim Morrison threw out Curt Flood trying to score on a dink to short left. The Bucs and Mo weren’t to be denied - Morrison scampered home from first on Sid Bream’s two-out double off Dave LaPoint for the walk-off win. Morrison was the game’s hero; he went 4-for-4 with two homers, a double and a walk. It also marked the passing of the torch. PA announcer Art McKennan, 80 years young with 38 years behind the mic, announced the game before handing over his chair to Bucco broadcaster Greg Brown, who was at that time a member of the Pirates PR department. Art had been fired in the off season, but the public outcry was so loud that the Pirates relented and allowed McKennan to announce Sunday games, which he did until 1993. 
• 1988 - After 76 appearances out of the bullpen, John Smiley made his first MLB start. He didn’t get the win, though he did leave ahead after five frames, 3-2, creating a good enough impression that he started 116 of his remaining 119 career outings in Pittsburgh. The lead at Busch Stadium almost held up; the Cards tied the match in the ninth to send it into extras. With two gone in the 11th inning, Sid Bream’s opp field pop fell between three Redbirds for a double, and Spanky LaValliere followed with a two-bagger for the lead. John Cangelosi’s knock added an insurance run as the Bucs took home a 5-3 victory, with Bob Kipper the winner and Jim Gott earning the save. 

John Smiley - 1988 Parker Brothers

• 1992 - The Pirates presented skipper Jimmy Leyland with his 500th win, defeating the Phils, 3-2, at Veterans Stadium. The Bucs scratched out a 3-0 lead, survived a two-run, seventh-inning blast by Philly pinch hitter Jim Lindeman, and hung on for the win as Roger Mason and Stan Belinda came on to finish off the victory for Randy Tomlin. Barry Bonds homered, Lloyd McClendon drove in and scored a run and Steve Buechele singled home the game-winner in the sixth. It would be Tomlin’s first win in his standout season, when he posted a 14-9/3.41 line. 
• 1993 - The Pirates announced that they signed SS Jay Bell, 27, to a four year/$17.5M contract extension to begin in 1994, after his current $2.6M deal expired. Bell received $3M (‘94), $4.2M (‘95), $4.5M (‘96) & $4.8M (‘97) along with a $1M signing bonus by giving up his final arb year (1994) and three free agency seasons. The agreement jumped him into elite company, making him the third-highest paid shortstop in the league, behind only Cal Ripken and Barry Larkin. 
• 1995 - The Bucs signed veteran RHP Mike Maddux, 33, to an NRI contract worth $200K (a $1M cut from his ‘94 deal) if he made the club. He did, but not for long. Maddux appeared eight times, all from the pen, posting a 9.00 ERA and was released May 15th. He survived for a decade in MLB and would last five more years in the show, pitching for five more teams through 2000. 
• 2006 - The Bucs were dissed by actor Michael Keaton, who threw the first pitch at the PNC Park home opener and then said afterward of ownership "I fear they will take advantage of the goodwill of the people who continue to show up. For my money, that's disrespectful. At some point, you...have to write the check.” The Pirates seemed to agree as the Dodgers bombed Zach Duke for an 8-3 win. 

Pedro Alvarez - 2014 Topps Finest

• 2014 - The Pirates roared back from a 4-0 hole at Chicago’s Wrigley Field with a five-run seventh inning to blast out a 5-4 win over the Cubbies. Travis Snider began Pittsburgh’s comeback with a pinch-hit two-run homer while Pedro Alvarez came through with the game-winner, a three-run, 446’ shot with two outs. It was El Toro’s fifth home run in six games. Gerrit Cole went six innings for the win that was carried home by Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli, who earned the save but made it exciting by leaving the bases full of Cubs in the ninth. 
• 2018 - The Pirates were rude visitors, defeating the Cubs 8-5 in Chicago’s Home Opener. Corey Dickerson went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI while Francisco Cervelli also collected three hits, including a three-run homer in the seventh inning. Ivan Nova went seven innings to pick up his first win on the season. Dickerson, who the Pirates had picked up in a deal with Tampa Bay for RHP Daniel Hudson and prospect Tristan Gray, took over left field and hit .300 during the campaign. 
• 2022- Lotta firsts were posted for the Bucs today. Their 9-4 win over the Cards at Busch Stadium was their first win of the season. Diego Castillo had three hits in his first big league start. Miguel Yajure earned his first MLB win while Wil Crowe closed it out to claim his first save in the show. Michael Chavis cranked out three hits, including a grand slam (his career second, spoiling the first-time vibe) to get Pittsburgh rolling after dropping the first two games of the Opening Day set.
• 2023 - Bryan Reynolds was named the NL Player of the Week. He batted .480 with four homers, 12 RBI, nine runs scored and a couple of stolen bases added to the package. The Pirates started the year off 6-3; B-Rey had raps in all nine games, including a trio of three-hit games. A step below, Tucupita Marcano rolled seven and was selected as the International League POTW, batting .526 with seven runs driven home, seven runs tallied and a seven-game hitting streak.

4/9: Opener, Game Tales & Gems, PNC Opens, Benson Debut, Gleaton & Waner Sign, Grimes Dealt, Oneil Out, Jeep Beaned, Cy *Sigh*; Roof Shot, Cobra Cover, Youth City Show; RIP Willie, HBD Claude

• 1909 - RHP Claude Passeau was born in Waynesboro, Mississippi. Passeau worked 13 years in the show, getting his start in 1935 as a 26-year-old rookie for the Pirates when he got into one game and was hammered for four runs and seven hits in three innings. The Bucs gave up on him early (Passeau claimed he had a dead arm after tossing 244 IP in the minors before the Pirates brought him up in late September) and sent him to the Phils as a throw-in piece of the Al Todd trade. Claude ended up winning 162 games with a 3.32 ERA and made four All-Star teams. After he left the game, he only had one beef - he was rumored to throw a wet one but denied the charge, claiming it came about from his ability to change speeds and pitch movement. However, Claude was herky-jerky on the mound, always tugging his cap, smoothing his uniform, etc., and that likely helped fuel the suspicion that he loaded the horsehide with some hidden hurler’s helper. 
• 1930 - After a contract clash and spring holdout, spitballer Burleigh Grimes was sent to the Boston Braves for lefty Percy Jones (who tossed nine games and was done) and “a considerable amount” of cash. Grimes was then flipped to the Cards later in the season. St. Louis made it to the Series in ‘30, losing to the Philadelphia Athletics and Lefty Grove. They took it all the following year as Grimes won 17 games and added another pair of victories in the Series as the Cards dethroned the Athletics in the rematch. Grimes had an in-and-out relationship with the Pirates; he started, spent the middle, and then ended his career with Pittsburgh, with five of his 19 MLB seasons spent here. 
• 1937 - The 1936 batting champ‚ Paul Waner‚ ended his holdout and signed his 1937 contract. No official announcement was made of the amount, which was believed to be in the ballpark of $16,000. Big Poison went on to hit .354 and earn his last All-Star berth at age 34. 
• 1939 - The Bucco preseason wound down on a sour note when starting 3B Lee “Jeep” Handley was felled by a bean ball and taken to the hospital during a spring training game played three days before the opener. “The beaning caused an uproar in the Pirate camp that hasn’t been equaled in many years…” wrote Pittsburgh Press beatman Les Biederman as the Bucs boiled over the “intentions” of Cleveland hurler Johnny Allen, who caught Jeep in the temple with a sidearm fastball. Allen had just given up a homer and his next pitch nailed Lee, leading the Pirates to believe it was a purpose pitch (the Chicago catcher defended his guy by saying Jeep was crowding the plate). Handley recovered to hit .285 during the campaign but missed the first 10 games of the season while recurring complications from the incident caused him to sit out 52 games during the year. 

Cy Blanton - 1938 George Burke photo

• 1939 - Not only was Jeep beaned, but manager Pie Traynor may have cost Cy Blanton his career. Blanton tossed a no-no against the Tribe in the same exhibition game, going the distance in a meaningless contest because the skipper didn’t want to pull him with a no-hitter on the line. It’s been hotly debated whether or not this outing led to Blanton suffering torn ligaments three starts into the season. Afterward he was never the same. In the four prior years (1935-38), he started 122 games, tossing to a 3.23 ERA, and in his last four seasons, starting in 1939, he got just 42 starts with a 4.51 ERA. In brighter news of the day, Paul Waner, who in an annual rite of spring held out during camp, agreed to a new contract that reportedly cut his previous salary by $5,000. Big Poison was a week from reaching 36 and had his worst year as a Bucco in 1938, hitting .280 w/.331 OBP. He bounced back, batting .328, but was released by the Pirates after the 1940 season. 
• 1953 - In an exhibition game at Forbes Field, 21-year-old rookie Mickey Mantle of the Yankees crushed a Bill MacDonald curve and launched it over the right field roof, joining the Babe and Ted Beard as the only hitters to date to carry the upper deck, which was added in 1925. In all, 18 balls were sent over the roof, seven put in orbit by Willie Stargell. The Mick proved his blast wasn’t just a youthful fling when he cleared the stands again during the 1960 World Series. 
• 1963 - The home season kicked off in grand style as the Benny Benack band provided the music, Jeanne Baxter sang the Anthem and Governor William Scranton tossed out the first pitch while Commissioner Bill McClelland, Mayor Joe Barr & Prothonotary Dave Roberts were at the yard. The game was pretty good, too, as the Bucs and Braves traded ninth inning runs as the Pirates rallied for a 3-2 walk off win in front of 29,615 Forbes Field faithful. With two down in the ninth, Pittsburgh got back-to-back-to-back hits from Bill Virdon, Bob Bailey and pinch-hitter Ted Savage to win the game for ElRoy Face, who had worked out a two-on, no-out pickle in the Milwaukee ninth. The first two Pittsburgh scores came on solo shots by old dawg Smokey Burgess and frisky pup Bailey. 
• 1973 - Bob Prince and Nellie Briles (who sang a solo piece during the program) organized a two-hour benefit youth concert to help fund Roberto Clemente’s “Youth City” complex dream. It featured the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and was broadcast live from Heinz Hall by WIIC-Channel 11 while being recorded for a record album sold to help support the cause. 

• 1979 - Dave Parker shared the cover and a “Who’s Best?” teaser on Sports Illustrated Baseball Special with Boston’s Jim Rice. The 1978 MVPs both did pretty well in ‘79 - All-Star Rice slashed .325/39/130 for a 91-win Bosox club while the Cobra also earned an All-Star berth with a line of .310/25/94; the World Series ring he won made him the winner of SI’s rhetorical question in our book.
•  1983 - It was tough to toss the ball much better than Larry McWilliams did at the Astrodome, pitching the Bucs to a 1-0 win against Houston. McWilliams gave up two hits, never allowed a runner to reach second, struck out seven without a walk and retired the last 22 Astros to face him. And he needed to be on top of his game; Joe Niekro pitched a three-hit gem of his own, with the only run coming in the first when Lee Lacy tortured Houston catcher Luis Pujols. Lee walked, stole second, went to third on a bad throw by Pujols and then scored on a passed ball.
• 1990 - The Bucs turned Doc Gooden every which way but loose as they won, 12-3, at Shea Stadium behind Doug Drabek’s arm and long balls by Andy Van Slyke (two homers, 2B) and Bobby Bo. Bonilla, along with Jay Bell and Jose Lind, collected three hits apiece; the foursome had 10 hits (six for extra bases), nine runs scored and eight RBI. At 0-1, Gooden had a losing record for the first time in nine seasons. 
• 1992 - The Bucs signed LHP Jerry Don Gleaton, 34, after he was released by the Kansas City Royals. He went 1-0/4.26, almost exactly his career ERA, in 23 outings, and the Pirates let him go in late July. The 12-year vet caught on with the Giants and then the Marlins as minor league insurance, but his Pirates stint would be his last MLB work stop. At last check, Jerry Don was coaching DIII baseball at Howard Payne University and active with the Pro Athletes Outreach ministry.

Jerry Don Gleaton - 1992 Mitchell Layton/Getty

• 1999 - Rookie RHP Kris Benson beat the Cubs, 2-1, at PNC Park in his first MLB start. He became the second #1 draft pick to win his debut, following Texas’ David Clyde (1973). Benson went six innings, giving up a run on two hits with three walks and three K, before Chris Peters and Mike Williams finished it up. The Pirates only had two hits, but made them count: Kevin Young doubled home the first run and Warren Morris added a solo shot, his first MLB long ball, for the game winner. Mo reached base twice - he also walked - and scored both runs for Pittsburgh. 
• 2001 - PNC Park, the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1887, opened for business along the North Shore of the Allegheny River when its first regular season game was held just hours after Pirate icon Willie Stargell passed away. Local boy Sean Casey had four hits and five RBI to lead the Reds to an 8-2 win in the park’s debut match against Todd Ritchie. The game was played in summerlike 77-degree weather and 36,954 came out to catch the action. Team owner Kevin McClatchy threw out the first pitch and Iris Brown performed the National Anthem. PNC Trivia: Casey homered, the first regular season blast at PNC Park, three days after he banged the first longball at Miller Park. Both were launched off the same bat, which was sent to the Hall of Fame. 
• 2001 - Willie Stargell, who suffered from a host of medical conditions, passed away at the age of 61. Cap’n Willie spent his career (1962–1982) as a Pirate. Over his 21-year MLB tenure, he batted .282 with 2,232 hits, 423 doubles, 475 home runs and 1,540 RBI, helping his team to six National League East division titles, two pennants and two World Series titles (1971, 1979). Pops is the all-time Pirate career leader in home runs, RBIs, extra-base hits and was the oldest player at age 39 to win a MVP award. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 while the team honored him with a statue by the left field gate, dedicated just two days prior to his passing, retired his #8 in 1982 and selected Willie as a charter member of the Pirates Hall of Fame in 2022. 
• 2014 - The Pirates hit five home runs at Wrigley Field but lost the game, 7-5, to the Chicago Cubs. Pedro Alvarez and Russ Martin each drilled a pair of long balls while Travis Snider added a dinger. It was the first time since 2004 that two Bucs had multi-homer games during the same contest. But it was a case of all or nothing for Pittsburgh - the Pirates had only one other hit and never had a runner in scoring position. Starter Wandy Rodriguez took the loss. 

Starling Marte - 2017 Topps Heritage New Age

• 2017 - The Bucs swept the Braves at PNC Park, but the final win was a struggle. Down, 4-2, after seven, the Pirates rallied in the eighth and ninth innings to tie the game only to see the Bravos score in the 10th frame to regain the lead. But the Pirates rolled up their sleeves and went back to work: two batters later Jose Ramirez and Atlanta met defeat when Adam Frazier led off with a double and Starling Marte smacked a first-pitch, walk-off dinger to ice the series, nine days before he was spanked with an 80-game PED suspension. It was the 100th walk-off in PNC Park history. Felipe Rivero, who was in line to suffer the loss, instead ended up taking credit for the victory. 
• 2023 - It was a good news, bad news kinda day. The Pirates took 2-of-3 from the White Sox on Home Opener weekend by a 1-0 score. Winner Johan Oviedo went 6-2/3 innings, giving up five hits and fanning five, then Dauri Moreto, whose punchout stranded a runner at third, Colin Holderman, who earned his league-leading fourth hold, and David Bednar, who claimed his fourth save, kept the zeroes coming. The Pirates only had two hits playing a Sunday lineup, but Canaan Njigba-Smith’s second-inning triple was followed by Jack Suwinski’s sac fly to provide just enough offense. The bad? Oneil Cruz tried to score from third on a soft bouncer and made a late slide; he was not only thrown out but broke his ankle. To add insult to injury, Chicago catcher Seby Zavala had a few words for Cruz as he lay writhing, and Carlos Santana had a response, emphasized with a shove, as both benches emptied and held an on-field dance. Cruz had surgery the next day and Mark Mathias was called up from Indy to take his spot on the roster. The locker room was somber after the game, deflated by Cruz’s season-ending injury, but two vets, Santana and Andrew McCutchen, called a team huddle to dispel the pity party and move on with who was there.

4/8 Through 1984: Long Opener, Game Tales, TSN Roberto, Rehab Rod; RIP Lee, HBD Brian, Tom, Kirby, Reddy, Smilin' Pete & John

• 1850 - Middle infielder John Peters was born in New Orleans. He played the final three years of his 11 season MLB career (1882–84) with the Pittsburgh Alleghenys, batting .273. Peters was a pretty good all-around player; once he hit .351 (.278 lifetime BA) and led the NL in putouts twice. John was also the everyday shortstop for the NL pennant-winning 1876 Chicago White Stockings. 
• 1864 - LHP “Smilin’ Pete” Daniels was born in County Cavan, Ireland. After starting as a semi-pro ballplayer, Daniels played pro ball between 1887-1902 and managed to get two years/14 MLB games on his resume. He got four starts as a rookie in 1890 for the Alleghenys, slashing 1-2/7.07 after following his Louisville manager, Guy Hecker, to Pittsburgh. Chris Rainey of SABR wrote of his nickname “All it took was an affable personality and a beautiful set of teeth.” 
• 1875 - OF Romer “Reddy” (he was a redhead) Grey was born in Zanesville, Ohio. The long-time minor leaguer was “borrowed” on May 28th, 1903 from his Worchester Riddlers club by the Pirates due to the absence of several Bucco regulars. He played left field, went 1-for-3 with a walk, and then returned to Worcester’s roster, ending his MLB career. Reddy's brother was author Zane Grey, who also played minor league baseball, a couple of times on the same club as Reddy. Romer was also an author. An avid fisherman, he wrote "Adventures of a Deep Sea Angler" in 1930. Zane also drew on his brother for “The Redheaded Outfielder,” by using lefty OF’er “Reddie Ray,” the fictionalized version of his bro, as one of the characters in his children’s tale. 
• 1915 - RHP Kirby Higbe was born in Columbia, South Carolina. He pitched for Pittsburgh at the tail end of his career as part of the rotation in 1947 and as a swingman in 1948, but began losing it by 1949. The Bucs traded the 34-year-old to the Giants that season, and after 1950, he hung 'em up. The righty put together a solid career - in a dozen seasons, he played for five teams, claimed 118 wins with a 3.69 ERA, was an All-Star twice and won a World Series with Brooklyn.

om Butters - 1965 Topps

• 1938 - RHP Tom Butters was born in Delaware, Ohio. He spent his four-year MLB career (1962-65) with Pittsburgh, compiling a modest 2-3/3.10 slash. The fireballer was signed at age 17 and spent six years in the minors trying to master the strike zone. He looked like he had earned his shot after the 1964 season (2-2/2.38) under Danny Murtaugh, but he was hurt in a car accident on the way to camp that caused him to retire three months later. Butters landed on his feet, though, and went on to have a successful 30-year career as a Duke athletic administrator before he passed away in 2016. 
• 1969 - The Pirates took a since-eclipsed NL opening-day record 14 innings to defeat St. Louis 6-2, tying their own 1958 benchmark. They scored four times in the 14th on five consecutive two-out singles, with Manny Sanguillen and Matty Alou each driving in a pair of runs. Bruce Dal Canton won and Chuck Hartenstein earned the save at Busch Stadium. Alou, along with Willie Stargell, collected three hits for the Buccos. Steve Blass and Bob Gibson were the Opening Day starters; Blass went seven innings while Gibson went nine frames with 10 K. 
• 1970 - IF Lee Handley died in Pittsburgh of a heart attack at age 56. Lee played 10 years in the show, with the middle eight seasons (1937-41, 1944-46, with a break for the service) spent as a Bucco. He hit .269 as a Pirate and was a starter for five of his eight campaigns here. Lee was tied for the NL lead in stolen bases in 1939, although his 17 swipes weren’t exactly Maury Wills-type numbers. The little guy (he was 5’7”) was plenty tough - he suffered a serious beaning in 1939 and was injured in a car crash after the 1941 season and bounced back from both. 
• 1972 - Roberto Clemente was featured on the cover of The Sporting News for the story “Mr. Big.” He went on to bat .312 and collected his 3,000th hit, winning All-Star honors for the 15th time in twelve seasons and earning a twelfth straight Gold Glove award in his final campaign. 

Cover Boy Clemente

• 1973 - The Bucs took a pair from the Cards thanks to the longball, sweeping a TRS twinbill, 4-3 and 5-3, in front of 23,391 chilly (it was in the forties) fans. In the opener, the Bucs blew an early 2-0 lead before tying the game in the ninth when Gene Clines singled, went to third on Rennie Stennett’s knock by deking CF Jose Cruz with a stop-and-go turn at second, then plating on Manny Sanguillen’s fly. Pittsburgh won it in the 10th on Bob Robertson’s homer. Nellie Briles went the first nine innings for the win with Dave Giusti earning the save. In the nightcap, the Pirates used blasts by Willie Stargell, Milt May and Gene Alley to claim a victory for Dock Ellis. He finished one out shy of a complete game, as Ramon Hernandez was called on to get the final out against St. Louis. 
• 1981 - LHP Brian Burres was born in Oregon City, Oregon. Burres toiled for six years and 106 games in MLB, with his last big league hurrah taken in Pittsburgh from 2010-11, where he slashed 5-5/4.82. He tossed at various levels of pro ball from 2001-2016 before closing out his career as an indie league pitcher. 
• 1984 - Rod Scurry checked into a 30-day drug rehabilitation program to battle his cocaine demons, returning to action on May 13th. He finished the year 5-6-4/2.53 slash, and the Pirates sold him a year later to the Yankees for New York’s September run. The day's game resulted in better news. Behind Lee Lacy’s 4-for-4, three-RBI day, the Pirates swept a three-game set against LA, 5-2, at Dodger Stadium. Rick Rhoden chalked up the win and Cecilio Guante picked up the save.

4/8 From 1985: Openers, Game Tales, 1-Hitters, Zippos, Marte & A-Ram, Hot Starts, Comeback Kids, Sly Clint, Kiner Honored, Bucs On TV; HBD Carlos

• 1986 - 1B Carlos Santana was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Pirates signed the 13-year vet (ten years were spent with Cleveland) FA for one-year/$6.725M after a down 2022 campaign (.202/19 HR), which featured stronger peripherals than counting numbers. He joined a posse of players the Pirates brought in to address 1B/DH/middle-of-the-order holes in the lineup and was slotted in the 2023 plans as a platoon partner (and mentor) with Ji-man Choi. Carlos was solid on the field and in the locker room, but like most veteran signings, was flipped at the deadline, going to Milwaukee for a teen prospect. “Slamtana” became a free agent in the off season and he’s now with the Guardians. 
• 1989 - The Pirates, who at the time were on national TV about as often as taxes get cut, not only were booked for seven outings on NBC during the season, but their game today against the Cubs at Wrigley was the season opener for the network. Alas, the Bucs struggled getting out of the gate, dropping five of their first six games, including this one, a 5-3 loss. The bottom of the order (Glenn Wilson, Rafe Belliard and Neal Heaton) rang up four of the Pirates five hits and scored/drove home all three Pittsburgh runs. Heaton took the defeat and former mate Mike Bielecki claimed the victory. 
• 1997 - The Pirates quieted the Padres, 2-0, behind Steve Cooke, Rich Loiselle‚ and John Ericks. They teamed up to toss a one-hitter, a single, while Pittsburgh had 11 raps but went 1-for-14 w/RISP against San Diego. Tony Womack was the Buc batting hero, driving in a pair of eighth-inning runs with a two-out triple to beat Sean Bergman at Qualcomm Stadium. Cooke was credited with the while and Ericks earned the save; he was a late-blooming swingman who was injured later in the season, had two shoulder surgeries and never pitched afterward.
• 2001 - The Pirates whipped the Astros, 9-3, at Enron Field behind the smokin’ bat of 3B Aramis Ramirez, who slammed three HRs and drove in six runs. Joe Beimel was the winning pitcher, lasting just long enough to toss five innings before Billy Taylor and Jose Silva put the game to bed. 

Ron Villone - 2002 Upper Deck 40-Man

• 2002 - Lloyd McClendon’s Pirates ground out a 1-0 victory against the Reds in their home opener to hold on to first place. Ron Villone, Mike Fetters, and Mike Williams combined on a four-hit shutout, running the Bucs season winning streak to five and breaking a nine-game home opener losing streak. The run was set up by Reds pitcher Elmer Dessens. With Brian Giles on second base, Dessens balked Giles to third and he scored on Aramis Ramirez’s sacrifice fly. 
• 2003 - The Bucs honored Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner by unveiling a commemorative sculpture at their home opener. The bronze artwork is a bit oddball, showing just Kiner's hands gripping a Louisville Slugger bat, located in the left field rotunda near the Willie Stargell statue. He was honored during the pre-game ceremonies and tossed out the first pitch, but the Buccos weren’t sharing his celebratory mood. Kip Wells walked seven, the fielding was brutal, and except for a late three-run homer by Jason Kendall that made it look deceptively close, the Brewers easily had their way with Pittsburgh, winning 5-3. To add insult to injury, only 24,000+ showed up on a chilly, gray day after the original opener had been pushed back due to inclement early-April weather. 
• 2011 - The Bucs outlasted the Rockies, 5-4, in a 14-inning, five-hour, 11-minute overnighter when Jose Tabata doubled with two outs to score Josh Rodriguez. Rockies' manager Jim Tracy decided to work on JT rather than walk him, even though Pirates pitcher Garrett Olson was on deck. The Buccos didn't have any position players left to pinch-hit, but the wily Clint Hurdle had Andrew McCutchen swinging in the on-deck circle (he was the leadoff hitter) and some suspect a con job was being pulled on Tracy. Still, the bullpen was the story of the game - six Pittsburgh pitchers tossed 11-1/3 frames of six-hit shutout ball as starter Ross Ohlendorf only lasted three innings. The game was played in front of 29,192 at PNC Park; most had hit the gates for home before Tabata’s walk-off and had to read about the dramatic finish in the morning paper. 
• 2012 - Down 4-1 to the Phillies in the seventh at PNC Park, the Bucs found their two-out mojo. The Bucs scored twice in the seventh with two away, tied it in the eighth on Matt Hague’s first MLB hit, a two-out knock, and won in the ninth on Cutch’s drive to center over Shane Victorino’s head with two gone, his third hit. Casey McGehee was the glue man, coming in late to go 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, driving in one run and later touching home with the game winner. 

Starling Marte - 2016 Topps Bunt

• 2016 - Trailing 5-2 in the eighth frame with two away and the bases empty, the Bucs parlayed a walk, hit batter and infield single into a game-winning inning. Starling Marte followed the small ball by banging JJ Hoover’s hung slider into the stands for his first MLB grand slam to rally the Bucs to a 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Neftali Feliz and Mark Melancon shut the door after that to give Ryan Vogelsong his first win as a Pirate since 2005.
• 2018 - Jameson Taillon tossed the first complete game of his young career, and it was a dandy one-hit shutout at PNC Park to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 5-0. He walked two, bopped one and whiffed seven while tossing 110 pitches. Only one Redleg reached second base, and that was due to defensive indifference with two down in the ninth. JT even drove in the game’s first run with two outs in the second before homers by Gregory Polanco and Corey Dickerson in the fifth frame gave him some breathing room. It was the Pirates first complete game since Ivan Nova’s in April of 2017 and the first one-hitter since AJ Burnett fired one in 2012. Ironically, the only hit he surrendered was to mound opponent Tyler Mahle in the third frame. 
• 2019 - The Pirates were thumped, 10-0, by the Cubs at Wrigley Field, highlighted by an error-filled second inning that gifted six unearned Cubbie runs. It was the third Home Opener of the year for Pittsburgh and their third loss - the Reds had beaten them, 5-3, in the season Opener at GABP and the Cards spoiled the PNC Opener, 6-5. But once they got those bright-light games out of the way, they were otherwise fine on the field, putting together a 5-1 record for normal game dates. 
• 2024 - Bryan Reynolds closed the scoring for the Bucs with a sixth-inning blast in what ended up as a 7-4 win for Pittsburgh over the Tigers at PNC Park. The blow helped the Pirates continue a scorching start to the year, running their slate to 9-2, and it also enrolled B-Rey as the 25th member of the team’s 100-homer club; he hit his first long ball as a Bucco rookie in April, 2019.

4/7 Through 1970: Openers & Candy, Shea Opens, Reuss - Rhoden, Bob & Arky Deals, Maz Back, Dale Goes, #40 retired, Hebs #3, Allies 1st; HBD Bobby, Jack, Buck & John

• 1874 - OF John Ganzel was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He began his seven-year MLB career in Pittsburgh in 1898, getting into 15 games and batting .133 after being purchased from Grand Rapids of the Western League. John was sold to the Detroit Tigers in May, spent some time seasoning on the farm, and then played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Giants, New York Highlanders, and the Cincinnati Reds. After his 19-year pro career ended, he managed twice in the majors (Cincinnati Reds & Brooklyn Tip-Tops) and skippered for 16 seasons in the minors. The six-footer went by the moniker “Long John.” Baseball was in his blood; John also had four brothers who played pro ball. 
• 1879 - C Art “Buck” Weaver was born in Wichita, Kansas. In his second MLB campaign as a 24-year old, he was released by St. Louis in early June and the Pirates claimed him as depth behind Ed Phelps and backup Harry Smith. As the third wheel, he got into 16 games and hit .229. Weaver got in two more MLB seasons and soldiered on in the minors until 1914, signing with high-altitude clubs like Denver and Salt Lake to help him combat his lifelong battle with asthma. Beside being one of several Buck Weavers, the scrawny catcher was dubbed by the baseball press as Scissors, Stilt, the Human Hatpin, and Six O’Clock Weaver, because when he stood, he resembled clock hands pointing at six per SABR’s Bill Lamb. After surviving his asthma and a plant explosion during his post-baseball days, Buck died at age 37 from peritonitis following appendicitis surgery.
• 1882 - The Alleghenys played their first game as a major league club (albeit the American Association), a free exhibition match at Exposition Park against a collection of amateur baseball and cricket players, with the Allies romping to a 32-4, eight-inning win in front of 3,000 mostly curious fans. OF Ed Swartwood was the first big-league Allegheny batter in history; he was also the Allies’ leadoff guy on May 2nd for the first official MLB game against the Cincinnati Red Stockings at the Bank Street Grounds. The two sides staged a rematch the next day and the Alleghenys again ran away with a 20-1 win over their pick-up foes. 
• 1887 - RHP Jack Ferry was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He worked sparingly for Pittsburgh from 1910-13, posting a 10-6 record with a 3.02 ERA in 160-2/3 IP and then closing out his career on the farm in 1916. Ferry’s claim to fame: he was the first Seton Hall grad to play MLB. 

Arky Vaughan - 1937 Wheaties

• 1932 - The Pirates obtained the rights to SS Arky Vaughan from Tulsa of the Western League through a working agreement between the clubs. The Hall of Famer spent the next 10 years in Pittsburgh, winning All-Star honors for eight consecutive years while piling up a .324 BA. He and Honus Wagner may be the best 1-2 punch at short for one franchise in the sport’s history. 
• 1933 - OF Bobby DelGreco was born in the Hill District. He spent two years with the Pirates in 1952 and 1956, hitting .219. His big league career spanned nine seasons with six teams, and he played regularly with Philadelphia and Kansas City. Delgreco was one of the game's top glovemen in center field, but his .229 lifetime BA kept him from everyday work during his MLB travels. After finishing his playing career, his new day job was as a delivery driver for the Pittsburgh Press and he moonlighted by tossing batting practice for the Bucs into the nineties. 
• 1954 - 1B Dale Long announced that he wouldn’t take his demotion to the Hollywood Stars sitting down. He filed a protest with Commissioner Ford Frick, as the 28-year-old reigning PCL MVP said he had been claimed on waivers by the Kansas City Athletics and should be in their big league camp instead of the minors. The appeal didn’t pan out for him, but he was back with the Bucs in 1955 after hitting 27 bombs for the Stars to begin a nine-year MLB run, including a record-setting eight-game home run streak in 1956 which has been equaled (Don Mattingly, Ken Griffey Jr.) but never topped. 
• 1958 - Bill Mazeroski reported to camp after six months in the military, 10 pounds lighter and apparently Army Strong. The 21-year-old second-year starter played in 152 games, hit .275 and made his first All-Star appearance while also earning his first Golden Glove during his breakout campaign. 
• 1964 - Shea Stadium in New York opened for its first regular season game, with the Mets facing the Bucs. Pittsburgh spoiled the Home Opener for the New Yorkers in front of over 50,000 fans by a 4-3 tally. Willie Stargell’s homer, double and two RBI gave Bob Friend, who went the distance, just enough support for the victory as the Pirates had 16 hits, but stranded 13 to keep it close. Pops had four hits while Donn Clendennon and Roberto Clemente added three each. 

Bob Purkey - 1966 Topps

• 1966 - Bob Purkey, who began his career with the Pirates before being dealt to Cincy, where he bloomed, came back home. The 36-year-old Mt. Washington knuckleballer’s contract was bought from the Cards, where he was the odd man out in a youth movement. He slashed 0-1-1/1.37 in his final MLB season. Purkey then worked briefly as a sportscaster for KDKA before opening an insurance brokerage. He died at age 78 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. 
• 1970 - After eight consecutive Opening Day defeats, the Mets finally won a lidlifter by beating the Pirates, 5-3, at Forbes Field. It took 11 innings, but Ron Taylor, with a Tug McGraw save, whipped Chuck Hartenstein after ex-Bucco Donn Clendenon singled home a pair of runs off Joe Gibbon. Joe had relieved Hartenstein to face a pinch-hitting lefty who NY skipper Gil Hodges then yanked for Clendenon. The starters,Tom Seaver (eight IP) and Steve Blass, who went 10 frames, left the game to the bullpens. New York became the first team to have won a World Series (1969) before winning a season opener. The Pirates fans were also faring poorly, throwing odds and ends on the field before some kids took a sprint across the diamond to cap a bad day at the office. 
• 1972 - Richie Hebner wore #3 for the first time (it was during a workout during the 1972 player’s strike) instead of his usual #20 out of deference to 3B Pie Traynor, who had passed away three weeks earlier. Although Traynor had told Hebner that he wanted him to keep his old number throughout his career, Richie said that “I just couldn’t do that after Mr. Traynor died.” He was the last to wear it as the number was retired on April 18th. Hebner wore #3 through 1976 before leaving for Philly, and was issued #10 when he returned to the Buccos in 1982. 
• 1977 - Danny Murtaugh’s #40 was retired on Opening Day in front of 35,186 fans at TRS the year following his December death. He won a pair of World Series and was twice Manager of the Year. Known for his dry wit, The Whistling Irishman attributed his success to “brilliant managerial thinking and dumb Irish luck.” The game wasn’t much of a testimonial, though, as the Bucs lost, 12-6, to the Cards in what was the last time St. Louis played a home opener in Pittsburgh until 2016. It was also the home debut of Chuck Tanner, who watched Jerry Reuss, Larry Demery and Terry Forster serve BP to the Redbirds. The bats weren’t bad, though, as Duffy Dyer homered while Rennie Stennett and Dave Parker each banged out three hits. The season wasn’t a wash, either, as the Pirates finished second to Philadelphia in the NL East with a record of 96–66. 

Danny Murtaugh - Baseball Hall of Fame image

• 1978 - The Candy Man tossed a seven-hit shutout to thwart Rick Reuschel and the Chicago Cubs, 1-0, in the Pirates Home Opener at TRS. Bill Robinson was the hero; his hard slide into second after a Willie Stargell grounder broke up a potential inning-ending DP and allowed Frank Taveras to score the game’s only run. The Bucs collected just three hits in front of the 39,082 fans who got home happy and quickly; the game took one hour and 52 minutes to complete. 
• 1979 - The Pirates traded LHP Jerry Reuss to the LA Dodgers for RHP Rick Rhoden after a week’s delay as the pair first worked out new contracts. Both sides got dependable starters out of the deal, as Rhoden won 79 games for Pittsburgh between 1980-86 (he was injured in 1979) and Reuss notched 84 victories in LA from 1979-85. Rick also earned an All-Star nod as a Corsair and won three Silver Sluggers; he hit .251 as a Bucco and banged five long balls. In other news, Dave Parker shared the cover of The Sporting News in its “Baseball Is Back” issue with the Padres’ Gaylord Perry, Boston’s Jim Rice and the Yankees’ Ron Guidry. It was well-deserved ink for the Cobra, who hit .310 w/25 HR, was an All Star, Golden Glove awardee and World Series champion. The tabloid couldn’t have come out on a more copacetic day, as Parker had two hits, a walk and scored the winning run during the Bucs’ 7-6 walkoff win against Montreal at TRS. 
• 1979 - Steve Nicosia banged his first MLB homer (and hit) as the Pirates were gifted with a 7-6, walk off win against Montreal. Pittsburgh blew a ninth-inning lead at TRS when three pitchers allowed four Expo tallies to fall behind, 5-4. But never say die - with two outs and runners on first and second, Willie Stargell won the game, not with a majestic blast but a one-hop comebacker to pitcher Elias Sosa. He threw the ball away, allowing Matt Alexander and Dave Parker to score, with the Cobra seemingly dead at home before he knocked the ball loose from catcher Gary Carter to earn the Bucs the win. Grant Jackson, who had been tagged for a two-run two-bagger in the top of the frame, was credited with both a blown save and victory for his efforts. Parker and Bill Robinson also banged long balls.

4/7 From 1980: Openers Cutch & B-Rey, Game Tales & Amos, Key & Denny Sign, Pops Statue, Late Camp, PNC Party, TV Deal, HBD Hoy

• 1983 - The Bucs had to put on their rally caps at the Astrodome to overcome a late 2-1 deficit and take home a 3-2 win against Houston. The Buccos leadoff hitter in the final frame, Dale Berra, smacked a homer to tie the game. Lee Mazzilli’s two-out knock sent Lee Lacy home with the game winner after he had reached on a forceout and then stole second, Lee’s third swiped sack of the game. Rod Scurry showed off his nasty curve for the win, striking out four ‘Stros in his 1-1/3 IP while leaving a pair stranded in the bottom of the ninth. Rick Rhoden and Alan Ashby started the contest before handing the ball off to the bullpens. 
• 1983 - Major League Baseball, ABC, and NBC agreed to terms of a six-year television package worth $1.2B. The two networks continued to alternate coverage of the playoffs, World Series, and All-Star Game through the 1989 season with each of the 26 clubs receiving $7M per year, up from the last package that netted each club $1.9M per campaign according to BR Bullpen. 
• 1984 - The Dodgers banged out nine hits, but they couldn’t get on the scoreboard, losing 3-0 to the Bucs at Dodger Stadium. Pitchers John Candelaria and Don Robinson had something to do with that, but not as much as Amos Otis, who brought back a potential Steve Yeager homer and threw out two LA runners at second. Tony Pena caught another left coaster stealing; it was no wonder Big Blue was a little gun shy on the basepaths. The Pirates got a run in the fourth when a pickoff try went astray, allowing Marvell Wynne to come all the way around from first. They iced it in the seventh on Dale Berra’s two-run bloop single. It appeared to be a sure double off the bat, but Berra hit the brakes when he reached first. “I saw four guys thrown out at second (Johnny Ray had also been caught stealing),” Dale explained, “and I wasn’t going to be number five.” 
• 1995 - Camp opened late and the Bucs had one last piece of business to attend to: signing LHP Denny Neagle, the only arb-eligible player they hadn’t tied up. He agreed to a one-year/$720K deal, a nice bump over his 1994 salary of $220K. The Pirates also cut loose three veterans: CF Andy Van Slyke, OF Lloyd McClellan and IF Tom Foley. AVS joined the Orioles, Foley went to the Expos and Lloyd landed a minor league deal with Cleveland and retired after the year. 

Hoy Park - 2022 Topps Gallery

• 1996 - IF/OF Hoy Jun Park was born in Seoul, Korea. He signed with the Yankees as an international free agent in 2014 and spent most of his time in the minors, getting one at bat with the New York nine. He came to Pittsburgh in 2021 as part of the Clay Holmes trade and spanked a double during his debut Bucco at bat for his first MLB hit. He went north with the team the following season, earning a roster spot as a versatile bench guy. Hoy got into 23 games, hitting .216 while playing short, second, third and right field for the big club. He was DFA’ed during a November housecleaning, leading to a trade with the Red Sox. Hoy was then part of a Bosox swap with the Atlanta Braves, moved on to the Oakland organization and is now a free agent. 
• 1999 - It was a party night in Pittsburgh with an hour of speechifying featuring Senator Rick Santorum, Governor Tom Ridge, Mayor Tom Murphy, County Commissioners Mike Dawida & Bob Cranmer and owner Kevin McClatchy, a 10-minute fireworks display and a laser show with rock music to celebrate the groundbreaking of PNC Park. The cherry on top was the renaming of the Sixth Street Bridge to the Roberto Clemente Bridge (the consolation prize for not having the Stadium christened for the Great One), with wife Vera and sons Luis & Roberto Jr. present along with Dick Groat, Bob Friend and Willie Stargell. 
• 2001 - Two days before Willie Stargell died, his statue was unveiled at the Pirates' new stadium, PNC Park, as part of the opening-week ceremonies. Chuck Tanner and former players Bobby Del Greco and Nellie Briles were on hand, as was Vera Clemente and her & Roberto’s two sons, Luis and Roberto Jr. Pirates GM Cam Bonifay, Pittsburgh City Councilman Sala Udin and the statue's sculptor, Susan Wagner, were also there to unveil the 12-ton statue on Federal Street. 
• 2008 - The Pirates lost the first Home Opener of the Frank Coonelly/Neal Huntington era, dropping a 10-8 decision to the Cubs at PNC Park in 12 innings. The Bucs fell behind, 7-0, rallied to tie the score, and were set to win it in the ninth when Jose Bautista laid down a squeeze with Brian Bixler at third. Bix inexplicably lost his nerve and retreated back to the bag, costing Pittsburgh its last grab at the day’s brass ring. Rule 5 reliever Evan Meek walked four batters in the 12th frame, gifting Chicago two runs without a hit, to earn the giveaway loss. 

Jeff Karstens - 2012 Topps

• 2012 - Jeff Karstens and four relievers held the Phils scoreless for 9-2/3 innings to take a 2-1, 10-inning decision at PNC Park. After Juan Cruz stranded a pair in the top of the final frame, Rod Barajas led off the tenth with a double. Mike McKenry ran for him, and a hustling Alex Presley brought him home by legging out a bleeder to third with two outs for the walk-off win. 
• 2017 - It was more like hockey weather than baseball in Pittsburgh’s 5-4 Home Opener victory against Atlanta. The game-time temperature of 37 degrees was the coldest for a Pirates Home Opener since the 2007 but 36,484 fans were announced as braving the elements at PNC Park. David Freese and Francisco Cervelli went back-to-back in the fifth frame to give the Bucs a lead they’d not relinquish. Andrew McCutchen had three raps while Starling Marte and Jordy Mercer chipped in with a pair apiece. Ivan Nova allowed one unearned run over six innings for the win while Tony Watson picked up the save, tossing a scoreless ninth after the Bravos put up three eighth-inning tallies against Wade LeBlanc and Daniel Hudson to draw within a run of the lead. 
• 2022 - Pending his physical, the Pirates and 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes agreed on an eight-year/$70M contract extension with club option (2022-23, $10M; 2024-27, $7M; 2028-29, $8M; 2030, $12M club option; $6M buyout), eclipsing Jason Kendall’s six-year/$60M deal from 2000, the largest deal in team history before today The contract was officially announced when the Pirates returned home on April 12th. The good vibe didn’t carry over to the season’s kickoff; Ke left the game in the first frame with a wrist cramp and the Pirates suffered their worst Opening Day defeat since 1922, losing 9-0 to the Cards and nemesis Adam Wainwright at Busch Stadium. This loss was deja vu all over again. The last drubbing a century before was also at the hands of the Redbirds, 10-1, at Sportsman’s Park.
• 2023 - Pitching was not the name of the game in the Pirates Home Opener that Rich Hill started against the Chicago White Sox (AJ Burnett & Russ Martin formed the first-pitch battery and governor Josh Shapiro tossed a ceremonial ball; both fared better on the bump than Hill), but a sellout gathering of 39,137 fans, the biggest crowd at the park since 2016’s Home Opener against the Cards, still went home happy. The Bucs outpunched the Chicago White Sox, 13-9, behind a 19-rap attack led by Bryan Reynolds, who went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and a bases-clearing triple good for six RBI/three runs scored. At the bottom of the order, Connor Joe added four hits while Jason Delay and Ji Hwan Bae chipped in with three more for a total of 10 hits for the 7-8-9 hitters. Dauri Moreto got the win while Wil Crowe earned the save. The two teams combined for six dingers and 30 hits. Petrina McCutchen set the stage for her son Andrew’s first PNC Park game in a Bucco uni since 2017 when she sang the National Anthem. Plate ump Ryan Willis relaxed the pace-of-play rules when Cutch stepped up to allow for the raucous “welcome home” ovation, and he delivered a single to right. #22 had two hits, went on to bat .256 over the year while posting his 2,000th career knock and then re-upped for another go-round in 2024 (and ‘25)

Notes: Bad Week On The Field, Pitching Staff Musical Chairs, Bruises, Moves & News

Comin' home...

Pirates Stuff:

• 2022 first-rounder RHP Thomas Harrington was called up Tuesday. He's a Top 100 (#73) Baseball America/(#78) MLB Pipeline prospect and the third-rated rook in the Pirates org. The club optioned RHP David Bednar to Indy and DFA'ed C Jason Delay to open up active and 40-man slots for Harrington. The Renegade ran out of rope and it's hoped a trip to Indy will kickstart him while Delay was a victim of a catcher's logjam; he was sold to the Atlanta Braves.
• The NY Mets sold the contract of OF Alexander Canario, who they had DFA'ed, to the Pirates. The 24-year-old plays all three spots in the pasture (primarily the corners) and interestingly enough was getting some offseason work at first. He’s hit .286 in 45 MLB PAs and was a .252 hitter with some pop in AAA to go with swing-n-miss issues. He was added to the active roster on Thursday, and INF/OF Ji Hwan Bae has been optioned to Indy. Jared Jones was bumped to the 60-day IL to clear 40-man space.
• IF Jared Triolo was scratched from the Sunday lineup with lower back discomfort. The club announced his status as day-to-day.

Jack-of-all-trades Jared Triolo (image Pirates)

• RHP Chase Shugart was recalled from Indy and RHP Colin Holderman went on the 15-day IL on Sunday with a right knee sprain. 
• If you're wondering why he's been DH'ing, Bryan Reynolds is dealing with right triceps soreness, which is not a problem batting but affects his throwing.
• Paul Skenes made the 25th start of his career on Wednesday, posting a 1.92 ERA with 183 strikeouts over that span to become the first pitcher in MLB history with 175+ strikeouts and a sub-2.00 ERA over his first 25 games.
• OF Josh Palacios refused his assignment to Indy after clearing waivers last week and opted for free agency, signing a minor league deal with the White Sox..
• Pirates have been featured in a whole host of sports and local media, but Paul Skenes took it to another level when he and galpal Livvy Dunne were the stars of April's GQ story "Mr. & Mrs. Rizz." The article chronicled their relationship intermeshed with a fashion photo shoot.
• The club suits remain tone deaf...they removed the Roberto Clemente 21 Tribute Marker in the RF corner and replaced it with an ad. The Pirates response was that the marker was meant to be temporary (it was put up in 2022) but it will go back up on the Clemente Wall.

Game Stuff:

• Carmen Mlodzinski's surprise start Monday didn't work out so well; he gave up four runs in 3-2/3 innings (three good innings, but the fourth was a bridge too far). Although he was the victim of some soft but well-placed dinks, it lent support to keeping him in a bullpen, once around the order, role. It led to a 6-1 ho-hum win for Tampa.
• RHP Thomas Harrington was called up to debut against the Rays the next day. Maybe nerves were in play, but he gave up three runs in the first and six total in four frames. It ended up 7-0.
• When in trouble, give the ball to Paul Skenes. He went seven three-hit innings with six K, giving up one unearned run after 102 pitches and left with a 3-1 edge. The Bucs then traded runs and snapped their four-game cold snap, 4-2, with Dennis Santana getting the save, replacing optioned closer David Bednar, and Oneil Cruz driving home a pair.

Paul Skenes - image SportsNet Pgh

• After an off day, the Bucs and Mitch Keller opened the home season against the NY Yankees Friday with Marc Fogel tossing out the first pitch. It didn't go well; Kells couldn't make it through the fourth, giving up a seven-spot, and the NYY ran away with a 9-4 win in front of 36,893 fans. Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes homered for the Bucs; Key's shot was worth three runs.
• Bailey Falter/Colin Holderman couldn't slow down New York on a drizzly Saturday; the Yanks rolled again, 10-4.
• Andrew Heaney was en fuego v NY, going seven innings and giving up a run on five hits with 10 K. But Ryan Borucki blew a 4-1 ninth inning lead to take it into extras, though the Bucs did salvage a 5-4, 11-inning victory. Tommy Pham broke out of an 0-for-17 slump with a drive to the wall with a runner on third to give the Bucs and Joey Wentz the dub. Mlodzinski takes the hill Monday night as the Cards open a three-gamer at PNC.

MLB Stuff:

• RHP Jesse Chavez was called up by the Braves. The 42-year-old reliever, who started with the Bucs in 2008, is entering his 18th MLB season. A couple of days later, he was DFA'ed in favor of another ex-Pirate, RHP Zach Thompson, who tossed in the Steel City in 2022. Chavez declared for free agency.

4/6 Through the 1980s: Opening Days & Postponements, Owchinko - Camacho, Bo Bombs, #21 Retired, Call A Doc; RIP Doggie, HBD Bert, Sonny & Smokey Joe

• 1885 - Hall of Fame RHP Smokey Joe Williams was born in Seguin, Texas. The fireballer pitched for the Homestead Grays from 1925-32. In a night game against the KC Monarchs, Williams allowed only one hit and struck out 27 batters as the Homestead Grays defeated the Monarchs and Chet Brewer (who had 19 K) 1-0 in twelve innings in what may have been the greatest pitching duel of all time. A 1952 Pittsburgh Courier newspaper poll of black baseball officials and sports writers named Williams the greatest pitcher in the history of the Negro Leagues. Smokey’s record was 9-2-1 barnstorming against white major-league teams with four shutouts, so his stuff played no matter what the level of competition. His nicknames were both based on his blazing fastball; Smokey Joe became his moniker during his Grays’ years, replacing Cyclone Joe. 
• 1909 - One of Pittsburgh’s most popular and colorful figures, George “Doggie” Miller, passed away in New Jersey. The C (he also played 2B, SS, 3B & OF) was the first player to spend 10 seasons with Pittsburgh, starting in 1884 as a 19-year-old for the Alleghenys, and he and Pud Galvin formed Pittsburgh’s first big-time battery. He hit .254 over his Steel City decade and was thus described by Alfred Spink in 1910’s The National Game: “Miller, a stocky little fellow (he was 5’6”) full of life and comedy, was a type of the old-time ballplayer - frolicsome, boisterous, playing the game for all there was in it every day and spending all his money merrily at night...The Pittsburgh fans considered him a marvel in every way.” He was also the only MLB player ever to be dubbed “Doggie” - he bred dogs - and also answered to “Calliope” for his foghorn voice; he was aka “Foghorn.” 
• 1929 - 3B Emanuel “Sonny” Senerchia was born in Newark. He only played one MLB season, appearing for the Pirates in 1952 and hitting .220 in 100 AB, but may have been the most interesting man to ever play in Forbes Field. Senerchia became an accomplished violinist as a boy, appearing at Carnegie Hall at the age of 10 and as an adult, he was a concert violinist for several symphonies. He also performed with Pearl Bailey, Jack Benny, and others as a jazz musician, playing clarinet, sax, flute and piano in various bands. Outside of music, Sonny became a teacher & baseball manager at Monmouth University and was also a race car driver, private pilot, and local TV & radio sports celeb. Sonny left this vale with his boots on - he died after a motorcycle accident at age 72. 

Sonny Senerchia - 1952 SABR photo

• 1951 - Rik Aalbert “Bert” Blyleven was born in Zeist, Netherlands. The Hall-of-Fame righty with the legendary hook pitched three seasons for the Pirates (1978-80) before being traded to the Indians after locking horns with Chuck Tanner. The Dutchman went 34-28/3.47 as a Buc with six shutouts and worked 697-2/3 frames. Oddly, his beef with Tanner was getting pulled too quickly, so he apparently didn’t think his 230+ innings/season was much of a load. He’s been a Twins TV analyst since 1996 and was elected into the Hall in 2011. 
• 1968 - The Pirates delayed their Season Opener against Houston at the Astrodome from Monday until Wednesday, even though that date was scheduled as the team’s travel day, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who had been assassinated on the 4th. Assistant player rep Donn Clendenon told GM Joe Brown of the players’ decision to not play until after MLK’s funeral; Brown informed the Astros, and the game was mutually moved back. Roberto Clemente told the media “We owe this gesture to his (Dr. King’s) memory and ideals.” 
• 1971 - It’s the little things that win ball games. The Pirates took a 4-2 win from the Phils at TRS’ first home opener in front of 39,712 fans, at the time the largest crowd to witness a Pittsburgh season debut. Dock Ellis won and laid down three sac bunts, one being a suicide squeeze to plate a score and another setting up an eventual run while the Phillies self-destructed with four errors that led to two unearned runs. Ellis went the distance, giving up eight hits and whiffing eight. 
• 1972 - It was supposed to be Opening Day and Bill Virdon’s managerial debut, but the player’s strike put the brakes on those scheduled happenings. Bucco GM Joe Brown reached out to player rep Dave Giusti and opened Three Rivers Stadium for the locally based players to work out if they so desired. 18 players did show up, as did the MLBPA’s Marvin Miller (Dock Ellis was the only Pirate in the area not to show at TRS, as he poured out some sweat at the Pitt Field House). But the Pirates' good-will gesture was short-lived. On the same day, NL President Chub Feeney ordered all the parks off limits to the players until a contract was reached. It took a week to settle the beef over pension money, and that kerfuffle cost the league 86 games that were never made up.

Bill Virdon - 1972 Topps

• 1973 - After being elected to the Hall of Fame a few days earlier on March 20th, 51‚695 fans were on hand at Three Rivers Stadium as Roberto Clemente’s number 21 was retired. The Pirates then beat St. Louis‚ 7-5‚ staging an eighth inning rally that saw the Bucs score five times after two were down, keyed by a Richie Hebner double and Gene Clines three-bagger. The Gravedigger had a big day, adding a homer (he missed the take sign, ooops) and three RBI while going 4-for-4 at the dish. Other honors for the Great One: PNC Park’s right field fence is now known as the Clemente Wall, and reaches 21’ high to commemorate his number while his statue sits outside the CF gates of the yard. The players wore round #21 patches on their uniforms for the ‘73 season to commemorate Clemente after sporting black ribbons during spring training. At the 2006 All Star Game in Pittsburgh, players on both squads wore yellow wristbands with the initials "RWC" in honor of Roberto Walker Clemente. Around town, The Great One has a street, bridge, and park named after him to go along with a museum, a Susan Wagner statue and a bushel basket of awards, plus plentiful international recognition. 
• 1981 - The Oakland Athletics sent a PTBNL and cash to the Pirates for RHP Bob Owchinko; four days later RHP Ernie Camacho was sent to Pittsburgh. Ernie spent most of the year at AAA Portland and went 0-1/4.98 in seven games for the Bucs. After simmering in the minors, he was traded to the White Sox in early 1981 and then pitched eight more big league campaigns, spending five years with the Tribe. Owchinko tossed for parts of five more years with a brief return to Pittsburgh in 1983, when he worked mainly AAA and faced two batters as a Bucco. 
• 1982 - The Bucs’ home opener at TRS against Montreal was canceled after an April blizzard rolled across the mid east. The Atlantic Coast was buried in an unseasonable snowfall, canceling several games, and though Pittsburgh avoided the worst, the Nor’easter pelted the town with 39 MPH winds and swirling snow. The weather was so unforgiving that the entire three game series was canceled, pushing back the Buccos Home Opener date all the way to April 16th. 
• 1988 - Bobby Bonilla went long from both sides of the dish in a 14-inning, 6-5, loss to the Phils at Veterans Stadium. It was the second time he’d done it, and only he and Dale Sveum had pulled off that feat for Pittsburgh before. Bonilla went 4-for-7 with five RBI while his teammates stranded 13 runners. 
• 1989 - In a three-day span, the Pirates lost closer Jim Gott (elbow) and first baseman Sid Bream (knee) for the season, while CF’er Andy Van Slyke pulled his rib cage, costing him a month and limiting his swing all year. A week later, catcher Mike LaValliere went down and missed much of the season, and the MASH unit Pirates finished the campaign in fifth place with just 74 wins.