4/9 From 1970: PNC's First Opener; Sweep; Petey, Russ, AVS Double Dingers; Kris & Larry Sharp; Youth City; RIP Willie

• 1973 - Bob Prince and Nellie Briles (who sang a solo piece during the program) organized a 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 support the cause. 
• 1983 - 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 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 and went to third on a bad throw by Pujols, then scored on a passed ball. 

Larry McWilliams - 1983 Fleer

• 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 homers by Andy Van Slyke (2 HR, 2B) and Bobby Bo. That pair plus Jay Bell and Jose Lind collected three hits each. At 0-1, Gooden had a losing record for the first time in nine seasons. It was also the first time in 21 years that the Mets lost a home opener. 
• 1999 - Rookie RHP Kris Benson beat the Cubs 2-1 in his first MLB start. He became the second #1 draft pick to win his debut, following Texas’ David Clyde who did the deed in 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. Kevin Young doubled home the first run and Warren Morris’ homer was the game winner. 
• 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. PNC Trivia: Casey homered, the first regular season blast at PNC Park, three days after he banged the first longball at Miller Park. They were both 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 years, he batted .282 with 2,232 hits, 423 doubles, 475 home runs and 1,540 RBI, helping his team to six NL 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. 

RIP Willie - 2004 Donruss Blast From The Past

• 2014 - The Pirates hit five home runs at Wrigley Field but lost the game 7-5 to the Cubs. Pedro Alvarez and Russ Martin each had 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. The tally was a case of go long or go down for Pittsburgh - the Pirates had only one other hit and never put a runner in scoring position. 
• 2017 - The Bucs swept the Braves at PNC Park, but the final win was a struggle. Down 4-2 after seven, the Pirates put up individual markers in the eighth and ninth to tie the game only to see the Bravos score in the 10th to regain the lead. But the Pirates rolled up their sleeves and two batters later sent Jose Ramirez and Atlanta to 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, if you’re keeping count, the 100th walk-off in PNC Park history. Felipe Rivero, who was in line for the loss, instead picked up the win.

Cubs Hit Homers, Pirates Don't In 4-2 Home Opener Loss

Today's Game: It's a beautiful day for baseball in Pittsburgh; God did his part, and we'll see if the Pirates follow suit. Kris Bryant homered off Tyler Anderson to draw first blood, so at least he liked it. The Bucs opened with a an Adam Frazier single against Jake Arrieta but out later, Bryan Reynolds bounced into a successfully challenged (by the Cubs) DP. Chicago started the second with a pair of knocks, but an around-the-horn DP and whiff closed that door. Gregory Polanco doubled ahead of Jake Stallings & Dustin Fowler walks with two away before Anderson fanned. Chi-Town stranded a double in the third; the Bucs started with a single/walk duet and a fly tag put Pirates on the corners. Colin Moran didn't see a pitch near the plate but still managed to K and another fly ended it. The Cubs got a single in the fourth, erased on a pickoff/rundown. Gregory and Jake got it going with knocks to occupy the corners. Fowl's sac fly to the track knotted the score before Anderson K'ed again, but Fraze came through with a single for the lead.

Anderson remains steady as she goes - photo Pirates

The Baby Bruins got a two-out rap in the fifth, quickly cut down at second by B-Rey after an ill-advised attempt to stretch it to two. Redbeard doubled with an out, but two well stroked balls afterward found Cubbie mitts. The long ball did Anderson in again; Javy Baez's two-run golf shot off a shin-high change in the sixth reclaimed the lead for Chicago. A seeing-eye single brought on Clay Holmes to finish up. Pittsburgh went 1-2-3 in their half. Kyle Crick was called on in the seventh and worked a quiet frame, as did Rex Brothers. Sam Howard took the ball with an out in the eighth; Bryant sent his first pitch into the seats to make it 4-2. A walk, stolen base and bouncer brought on David Bednar to get the third out. Dan Winkler toed the rubber with an out and walked the bases full. Craig Kimbrel was waved in and knuckle-curved a pair of swinging punch outs on balls outside the zone. Richard Rodriguez and Kimbrel exchanged clean ninths, and that was all she wrote.

The Pirates didn't hurt themselves with walks, fielding blunders, mental gaffes or little league baserunning today, but were 1-for10 w/RISP and stranded 10, and that did them in. They don't have much team muscle, but their potential two-base power has to show up sooner or later. As for Anderson, he's done exactly as expected, giving the team some competitive innings as a back ender which is his niche. 

Notes:

• Gregory had two hits and a walk; maybe the day off helped reinforce his stay-back approach. Jake had a hit and walked twice to help keep the bottom of the order turning.
• The attendance was 7,749, a Covid-limited sellout.
• David Bednar, Bucco reliever from Mars in Butler county, took the mound to "Renegade." Pittsburgh fans everywhere applauded his walk up musical taste.
• Pirates pitchers have allowed 14 HR, tops in the majors.

Tomorrow's Game: The teams are off tomorrow. They pick it up again on Saturday night with Mitch Keller taking on Zach Davies.

Home Opener: Tyler Anderson - Jake Arrieta Face Off Again

Today's Game: The first home contest begins at 1:35 (gates open at noon) and will be carried on AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out of market) and 93.7 The Fan. It will mark the first of three days of magnetic schedule and facemask giveaways.

Ceremonies: The ceremonial first pitch will be tossed by Highmark Health CEO David Holmberg and Allegheny General Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Imran Qadeer. They'll represent the thousands of AHN healthcare professionals (and we assume all the other docs, nurses, techies, etc. in the region) who bore the brunt of Covid care, and still do. Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher Tim Pollock will represent all essential workers (and thanks to every one of you) when he plays the National Anthem on the sax. God Bless America will be sung by Tech Sergeant Vanessa Norris of the 911th Airlift Wing of the US Airforce. Not a politician to be found!

Tyler Anderson - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Kevin Newman SS; Bryan Reynolds LF; Colin Moran 1B; Phil Evans 3B; Gregory Polanco RF, Jake Stallings C; Dustin Fowler CF; Tyler Anderson P.  It's as good as it gets with what they have.

Pitchers: In a quick rematch, LHP Tyler Anderson (0-1/5.40) goes against RHP Jake Arrieta (1-0/1.50) who already has a 5-1 Pirates win over Tyler under his belt. Anderson looked solid against the Cubs, though, going five innings and posting a line (three runs, five hits, two walks and seven K) worse than deserved thanks to some shady work in the field. Arietta spun six innings and gave up one run on six hits with a walk and five whiffs in his Wrigley win.

Notes:

• In a good sign, Ke'Bryan Hayes took some grounders today, a big step for someone with a glove hand injury. 
• Because of Covid seating limitations, the Pirates are giving out their magnetic schedules and facemasks for all three games of the Cubs series. Even though it's a sellout, the crowd will be just 7,500 or so at 25% capacity, so lots of trinkets should be available.

Tomorrow's Game: It's an off day, then on Saturday the Bucs will send RHP Mitch Keller against RHP Zach Davies for a 6:35 match against the Cubs. The game will be carried by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

4/8 Through 1984: Roberto/TSN; Rod Rehab; Long Days; 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. 
• 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 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, 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 in his works - in his kid’s book “The Redheaded Outfielder,” he used lefty OF’er “Reddie Ray,” the fictionalized version of his bro, as one of the characters. 

Kirby Higbee - 1949 Bowman

• 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 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 hard partying righty had a solid career - in a dozen seasons, he claimed 118 wins and won a World Series with Brooklyn. 
• 1938 - RHP Tom Butters was born in Delaware, Ohio. He spent his brief four-year MLB career (1962-65) with Pittsburgh, compiling a modest 2-3 record with a 3.10 ERA. The fireballer was signed at age 17 and spent six years in the minors trying to master the strike zone. He looked like he was going to get his shot after the 1964 season (2-2, 2.38 ERA) under Danny Murtaugh, but he was hurt in a car accident going to camp the following year and retired two months into the season because of the injury. Butters did go on to have a very successful 30-year career as a Duke athletic administrator after baseball 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 to earn Bruce Dal Canton the win with a Chuck Hartenstein 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 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 hurt 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 and Golden Glove recognition in his final campaign. 
• 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 got six years and 106 games in MLB, with the last pair in Pittsburgh from 2010-11, slashing 5-5/4.82. He tossed pro ball from 2001-2016, 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 with a 2.53 ERA, and the Pirates sold him a year later to the Yankees for New York’s September run.

4/8 From 1985: Kiner's Klaws; Opener Blues; TV Time; A-Ram Afire; Starling Granny; Big Date For Pitching; Rally Time

• 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 this campaign, dropping five of their first six games, including this one, a 5-3 loss to the Cubbies. The lower half of the order (Glenn Wilson, Rafe Belliard and Neal Heaton) rang up four of the Pirates five hits and scored/drove home all three runs. Heaton took the defeat and former Bucco 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 off Cooke by Steve Finley. Tony Womack was the Buc batting hero, driving in a pair of eighth-inning runs with a double to beat Sean Bergman at Qualcomm Stadium. Ericks was a swingman who was injured later in the season 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. 
• 2002 - Lloyd McClendon’s Pirates earned a 1-0 victory against the Reds in their home opener. 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 was awarded third base and scored on Aramis Ramirez’s sacrifice fly. 

Kiner's Mitts - photo Pittsburgh Murals

• 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. It’s in the left field rotunda near the Willie Stargell statue. He was honored in pre-game ceremonies and tossed out the first pitch, but the Buccos weren’t in a celebratory mood. Kip Wells walked seven, the fielding was brutal, and except for a late three-run homer by Jason Kendall to make it look close, the Brewers had no problems with Pittsburgh, winning 5-3. To boot, only 24,000+ showed up on a chilly, gray day after the original opener had been pushed back due to bad weather. 
• 2011 - The Bucs outlasted the Rockies 5-4 in a 14-inning, 5-hour, 11-minute overnighter when Jose Tabata doubled with two outs off Franklin Morales 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 and the Bucs didn't have any position players left to pinch-hit. 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 pitchers tossed 11-1/3 frames of six-hit shutout ball as starter Ross Ohlendorf only lasted three innings after giving up a three-run bomb to Jason Giambi in the opening round. 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 score and later touching home with the winning run. 
• 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 against the Cards. 

Jamo - 2018 photo Joe Guzy/Pirates

• 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 when Mahle rolled a fastball into center. 
• 2019 - The Pirates were thumped 10-0 by the Cubs at Wrigley Field, highlighted by an error-filled second inning that tallied 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 on normal dates.

Bucs Bopped Again 11-4

Today's Game: The Pirates didn't get a ball out of the infield in the first against Luis Castillo; the Reds Tyler Naquin homered on the first pitch Chad Kuhl served. That was followed by a two-base misthrow by Wilmer Difo and a three walks. A sac fly and chalk-kissing double made it 5-0. The Pirates responded with a 1-2-3 second. Kuhl took a deep breath, started over and struck out the side. Dustin Fowler led off the third with a infield rap but never reached second. Chad issued a walk, bopped a batter (he drilled Jonathan India in the helmet; Kuhl looked more shaken than India) and fanned two in a scoreless frame. Difo opened the fourth with a two-bagger. He was thrown out at home on Phil Evan's one-out rap to right on a questionable wave from Joey Cora (one out, down by five), resulting in another zero. Kuhl survived another free pass. 

Chad had a rough start again - photo 2021 Pirates

The Pirates got a walk in the fifth; Nick Castellanos homered off Chris Stratton. A single, double, single combo plated two more Redlegs to make it 8-0. The Pirates managed a Difo single in the sixth while Strat tossed a quiet inning. The Buccos went three up, three down in the seventh. Michael Feliz gave up another tally via a two-out single followed by a three-bagger. Lucas Sims got the eighth and little diff: three batters, two K. David Bednar took the ball and Tyler Stephenson went deep off him; Aristides Aquino did the same a pitch later to pile it up to 11-0. Amir Garrett gave up a leadoff double to the smokin' Wilmer Difo in the ninth. A walk and knock loaded the sacks for Eric Gonzalez, who banged one out of the yard. It was his 10th career dinger and first grand slam. Pittsburgh returned to SOP after that with a pop and two whiffs to go down 11-4.

Nothin' like heading into the Home Opener on a five-game losing streak and the wrong end of 14-1 and 11-4 tallies. Governor Wolfe may not be the only reason that PNC Park will be at 50% capacity.

Notes:

• Wilmer Difo had three hits, including two doubles, and Phil Evans had two raps. Evans also threw out two runners from left, one unassisted.
• Odd box score stat: the Pirates stranded more runners (4) than Cincy (3). Pretty efficient bat work for the clubs to plate 15 guys and only leave seven on base.
• The Reds hit three homers on the first pitch. Cincy hit eight homers and scored 30 runs in the three game set.

Tomorrow's Game: The Pirates Home Opening Day starts at 1:35 v the Cubs with Tyler Anderson on the bump against Jake Arrieta. It'll be aired on AT&T SportsNet and MLB Network (out of market), with radio on 93.7 The Fan/100.1 FM/1020 KDKA AM.

Wednesday Getaway: Chad Kuhl v Luis Castillo

Today's Game: The starting time is 12:35 and the game will be on AT&T SportsNet & MLB Network (out of market), with radio coverage on 100.1 FM/1020 KDKA AM..

Lineup: Kevin Newman 2B; Wilmer Difo 3B, Colin Moran 1B; Phil Evans LF, Erik Gonzalez SS; Gregory Polanco RF; Dustin Fowler CF; Michael Perez C; Chad Kuhl P. Not exactly the A-Team with a day game following a night game; Fraze, B-Rey and Jake get the day off.

Wilmer Difo joins the third base carousel - photo 2021 Pirates

Pitchers: RHP Chad Kuhl (0-0/3.00) meets RHP Luis Castillo (0-1/21.60). Chad lasted three innings and issued three walks in the Opener v the Cubs, and that's been the story of the rotation so far; hopefully he (and they) discover a little efficiency and distance in their game. Castillo was rocked against the Cards in his first start, an oddity as he's been the ace of the Reds staff. He's only 4-3 in 10 starts against Pittsburgh but with a 2.64 ERA and 61 K in 58 IP.

Notes:

• The Reds have won four in a row. OF Tyler Naquin has been quite the generator for them; he's got 12 RBI in 14 ABs and an OPS+ of 286. The Reds signed the former Cleveland #1 pick (15th overall in 2012) as a free agent this winter.
• The injury report is that everyone is progressing and no one is near returning according to team medico Todd Tomczyk. Most notably, they're unsure yet whether Ke'Bryan Hayes will return after his 10-day IL break or need more time.
• The Pirates aren't, as of now, going with a designated closer per Shelty. Two of the back end, high leverage guys they'll turn to, per coach Justin Meccage, are Ric Rod and David Bednar.
• If you're going to the game tomorrow, there are some changes so should be aware of.

Tomorrow's Game: The Pirates Home Opening Day starts at 1:35 v the Cubs with Tyler Anderson on the bump against Jake Arrieta. It'll be aired on AT&T SportsNet and MLB Network (out of market), with radio on 93.7 The Fan/100.1 FM/1020 KDKA AM.

4/7 Through the 1975: Arky Deal; Long Face; Maz Reports For Duty; Bucs Open Shea; Hebner # Game; Mets Take Opener At Last; HBD Bobby, Buck, Jack & Popup John

• 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 160-⅔ 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.
• 1874 - OF “Popup 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 Detroit in May, spent some time seasoning, 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 was also known as “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 but played in the minors until 1914, signing with high-altitude clubs like Denver and Salt Lake to help him combat his life-long 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 young at age 37 from peritonitis following appendicitis surgery. 

Arky Vaughan - 1930's photo NL Service Bureau

• 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 career spanned nine seasons, and he played regularly with the Phils and A’s. After finishing his playing career, his day job was as a delivery driver for the Pittsburgh Press and he moonlighted by tossing BP 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 planned to file a protest with Commissioner Ford Frick, as the 28-year-old reigning PCL MVP said he had been claimed on waivers by the KC Athletics and should be in their big league camp instead of the minors. The appeal didn’t work 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 as a Pirate. 
• 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. 
• 1964 — Shea Stadium in New York opened for its first regular season game, the Mets v 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.

Willie Stargell - 1964 Topps

• 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. As for the Pirates fans, well, they acted up at the end, 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 during the home opener. Hebner wore #3 through 1976 before leaving for Philly, and was issued #10 when he returned to the Buccos in 1982.

4/7 From 1976: #40 Retired; Rhoden Deal; Squeaker Openers; PNC Groundbreaking; Pops Statue; Cobra Cover; TV Package

• 1977 - Danny Murtaugh’s #40 was retired on Opening Day in front of 35,186 fans at TRS the year following his 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 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. 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 in the NL East with a record of 96–66. 
• 1978 - The Candy Man tossed a seven-hit shutout to thwart Rick Reuschel and the 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 Los Angeles Dodgers for RHP Rick Rhoden. 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 made one All-Star club with Pittsburgh and won three Silver Sluggers; he hit .251 as a Bucco and banged five long balls. 

• 1979 - 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 Yankee’s Ron Guidry. It sure was for the Cobra, who hit .310 w/25 HR, was an All Star, Golden Glove awardee and World Series champion. 
• 1983 - The Bucs had to put on their rally caps at the Astrodome to overcome a late 2-1 deficit to take home a 3-2 win against Houston. The Buccos leadoff hitter in the final frame, Dale Berra, banged 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. 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 the bullpens determined the outcome. 
• 1983 - Rolls in, rolls in...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 was a sure double off the bat, but Berra hit the brakes at 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.” 

Otis' gloves LA - 1984 Topps

• 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 during the festivities, with wife Vera and sons Luis & Roberto Jr. there to rechristen the span. 
• 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, wife of Pirates' legend Roberto Clemente, and their 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 in exciting fashion, 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, giving Chicago two runs w/o a hit, to take the loss. 
• 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 Alex Presley brought him home by legging out a bleeder to third with two outs for the walk-off win.

Pirates Taken To The Woodshed By Reds 14-1

Today's Game: Wade Miley flipped a 1-2-3 first frame; Tyler Naquin knocked Trevor Cahill's fourth pitch over the fence before the righty settled in with a pair of K. The Pirates got a walk in the second and the Reds got some ball luck as a pair of bloops dropped to put Redlegs on the corners. A single through the left side made it 2-0 and a soft roller to second moved the runners up a notch. After a whiff, Naquin homered again and the game was waving bye-bye at 5-0. There was no third inning noise from the Bucs, and a single-pop-GIDP made for a calm Cincy half. Bryan Reynolds doubled with a out in the fourth to no avail. A leadoff single for Queen City moved to third on a very wide pickoff throw and plated on a sac fly. Another single, wild pitch, deflected ball off Cahill and bouncer made it 7-0. 

Phil the Thrill does it all - image MLB.com

It was another big nada in the fifth for Pittsburgh and Clay Holmes got the ball. A couple of walks around a single got him in the jackpot with an out, and it got worse. After 30 pitches and the score at 10-0, Duane Underwood was waved in, and a dink and double made it an even dozen for the Redlegs. Subs flew around like a spring back lot game. The Reds got a couple more off Underwood in the sixth with a two-out single, triple, single trifecta and Phil Evans went deep of Sal Romano to avert the shutout in the seventh. Underwood and Richard Rodriguez got out of the seventh unscathed and jack-of-all-trades Evans tossed a clean eighth inning after another Pirates goose egg. The final dash of salt to the wound: Carson Fulmer tucked the Bucs away in the ninth.

Let's hope Chad Kuhl can salvage a little Pittsburgh pride tomorrow afternoon. 

Notes:

• Holy '27 Yankees: the Reds have scored 46 runs in their first five games.
• BTW, Gregory Polanco wasn't benched for some refresher work; he's just getting a scheduled day off against a lefty per Shelty.
• Pitt, a borderline Top 25 baseball nine this year, ended a six-game losing streak to WVU with a 5-1 victory at the Cost Center this afternoon.

Tomorrow's Game: It's a 12:35 getaway day before the Bucs Home Opener, and the finale will be on AT&T SportsNet & MLB Network (out of market), with radio coverage on 100.1 FM/1020 KDKA AM. The opposing twirlers are righties Chad Kuhl and Luis Castillo.