The Pirates were hot.
The weather was not.
Chilly temperatures and snow flurries on the North Shore made Friday feel more like a wintry Steelers tailgate than a celebration for the boys of summer.
Still, fans were ready to welcome the 2024 home opener in Pittsburgh against the Baltimore Orioles. That’s how April baseball goes around here.
“The cold weather doesn’t bother me,” said Sean Janiec of Beechview, as he roamed the North Shore parking lots around PNC Park. “I remember an Opening Day when there was a lot of snow. That was pretty cool.”
Josh Meyers agreed.
“If you live in Pittsburgh long enough you know it can be cold like this in April,” said the Baldwin resident.
????☠️your starting lineup????☠️ @Pirates | @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/JOThJ8zszF
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) April 5, 2024
Optimism in the air
A chill wasn’t the only thing in the air as fans started packing the parking lots. A bit of excitement hovered around the parking lots along with the smell of burgers and hot dogs. Could this Pirates team actually be good this season?
“The Pirates have a chance to win the division because there is no clear-cut favorite,” Reagan Kirik said, while tailgating with friends and a propane heater. ”They are playing well. They will have a good shot at making the playoffs.”
Yes, yes, it’s early. But one can dream.
Get him up here
Buddies Austin Abel of Cecil and Zachary Williams of Bridgeville showed off their matching Pittsburgh Pirates tattoos. Then they offered some managerial advice about team pitcher Paul Skenes, who remains in the minor leagues.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound right-hander was selected by the Pirates with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft.
“I think the Pirates need to bring up Paul Skenes,” Abel said. “He has a big arm and he can learn better up here in the big leagues.”
‘Best day of the season’
Paul Torr of Sharon, his sons and other friends were in some of the first cars to get into a North Shore parking lot at 10 a.m.
“This is definitely football weather, but we just bundled up,” said Torr, who attended the final game at Forbes Field in 1970. He and his father saved some of the bleachers.
But Torr on Friday was concentrating on the 2024 Pirates. The Orioles won 5-2, but he still felt confident.
“They are off to a really good start,” Torr said of the team. “They are hitting and pitching.”
Torr’s son Paul Torr Jr. said they are used to dressing for this weather because they attend Steelers games.
“This feels like Steelers atmosphere,” said Kevin Dell of Johnstown was tailgating with friends Steve Marano, Justin Kiel, and Jordan Rodgers. “We would not miss the home opener. I have been to the past 23 except the pandemic season.”
They wore black after Pirates player Andrew McCutchen called out on social media for a fans “blackout.”
“The home opener is the best day of the season,” said Dell. “A little cold weather and rain is not going to stop us.”
Here’s the lineup for the home opener:
The Renegades had it made
It’s not a home opener until the renegades gather in the left field waving their Jolly Roger flags.
Chris Miller is founder of the Renegades of the Rotunda, a well-known group from Brackenridge. They attend games dressed in pirate costumes.
Friday felt like Christmas for Miller. Thursday felt like Christmas Eve.
“I didn’t sleep much last night,” he said. “I kept checking to make sure I had everything I needed for today.”
The gear included his wool coat with massive buttons — usually too hot to wear to a baseball game. It was perfect for Friday.
“This team is so good and I believe they won’t be boring this season,” Miller said. “They are fun to watch and playing well. Hope springs eternal.”
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‘Feels like an October day’
As the players swatted through snow squalls when the game began, Kathy Zabetakis marveled at the scene.
“It was unique,” said Kathy, who lives in Kilbuck. “Sometimes it’s rainy on opening day — sometimes it’s sunny.”
Either way, it was festive.
Doug Adamson of White Township in Indiana County watched the game from the left field rotunda. He dressed up as a pirate.
“There is nothing like this atmosphere,” he said.
Standing next to Adamson was Ian Weir of Imperial. He said this game felt like a Steelers game with a large crowd and the snow.
“It feels like an October day,” he said. “It’s so cold. I’d be happy standing in this cold in October. That means the Pirates are in the playoffs.”
Jim Leyland returns
Former Pirates manager Jim Leyland threw out the first pitch. How did he do? You be the judge.
Former @Pirates manager Jim Leyland threw the ceremonial first pitch here at PNC Park ????☠️⚾️ @TribLIVEpic.twitter.com/XIfzM6sE81
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) April 5, 2024
Cold weather? ‘Aint no thing’
So sayeth Pirates pitcher David Bednar. Read here.
Here at the chilly @Pirates Opening Day for @TribLIVE ⚾️
Stay tuned for sights and sounds from baseball here in Pittsburgh… pic.twitter.com/cAd1PjeXeg
— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) April 5, 2024