The first time Brandon Lowe visited PNC Park, he made a point to step onto the field and see the city skyline so that he could appreciate the view of one of baseball’s most beautiful ballparks.
After seven seasons of playing at Tropicana Field and one makeshift season at a minor league stadium, when damage to the dome forced the Tampa Bay Rays to use the New York Yankees’ George M. Steinbrenner Field, the two-time All-Star second baseman is looking forward to his first home opener with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday at PNC Park.
“It’s definitely exciting to call that place home,” said Lowe, who was acquired along with outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery in a three-team trade that sent pitcher Mike Burrows to the Houston Astros.
“It’s a beautiful ballpark. That’s pretty cool, especially coming from an organization where people constantly trashed our home ballpark. It’s pretty exciting to get a place where it feels like everything is the exact opposite. I feel like everybody I’ve talked to about it loves PNC. I’m excited to get there and find the place I’m calling home. I have three games there my entire career, so I’m not really all that sure what to expect. But I’m excited to stand out there and hear the fans and see what it’s like to play in Pittsburgh.”
The Pirates are hoping their fans share that excitement, especially with their spending $45.25 million alone this season on the additions of All-Stars in Lowe, first baseman/right fielder Ryan O’Hearn, designated hitter Marcell Ozuna and left-handed reliever Gregory Soto.
Lowe and O’Hearn have made an immediate impact offensively. Lowe homered twice against the New York Mets on Opening Day and has a .333 batting average and team-best 1.344 OPS through his first five games. O’Hearn is batting .421 with two home runs, six RBIs and a 1.259 OPS through his first five games, including a three-run homer Tuesday at Cincinnati that proved a turning point in an 8-3 win.
Soto has shined in high-leverage situations, allowing one hit and no runs in four relief appearances, and is tied for the team lead with eight strikeouts.
“That’s why we brought them in,” Pirates ace Paul Skenes said. “They’re doing a really good job. It’s been fun to watch.”
O’Hearn can’t wait to wear the home white uniforms for the first time Friday, when the Pirates (3-3) play host to his former team, the Baltimore Orioles. He spent nearly three seasons in Baltimore before being dealt to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline last July.
Since signing a two-year, $29 million contract as a free agent, O’Hearn has embraced Pirates fans in both his introductory news conference in early January and by making a video appearance before a Q&A session with the team’s management at PiratesFest later in the month.
Two months later, O’Hearn is ready to feel their energy.
“I’m just excited to play in front of our fans,” O’Hearn said. “When we do something good, we’ll have the fans behind us.”
Neither Lowe nor O’Hearn have much experience playing at PNC Park — a combined seven games between them — but as left-handed hitters they find the 390-foot power alley in right-center and the short 320-foot porch inviting, with the thought of hitting one over the 21-foot Clemente Wall in right field and into the Allegheny River a challenge.
“There’s definitely a comfort factor to know I don’t have to hit a ball perfect to be rewarded,” said Lowe, who is coming off a 31-homer season and has three in five games with the Pirates. “That’s definitely something that’s extremely enticing. As for putting the ball in the river, that’s a shot. We’re not going to be trying to put the ball in the river but if one comes through, I’m more than welcoming the opportunity.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound O’Hearn said he “100%” is enamored with the idea of joining the company of those who have homered into the Allegheny, a 456-foot shot from home plate to the river. At Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, players who hit a ball onto Eutaw Street have plaques to commemorate where their baseballs landed.
“I was trying to put a ball on Eutaw Street for three years and never did it,” O’Hearn said. “This is the same kind of situation. You don’t get a plaque, but putting a ball in the river sounds great.”
Ozuna, a three-time All-Star, has 296 career home runs but only one of them has come at PNC Park. The left field dimensions, including the 410-foot North Side Notch, aren’t particularly kind to right-handed hitters like Ozuna. But after playing for the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves over the past 13 seasons, the 35-year-old slugger is hoping to make a powerful impression on the Pirates.
Ozuna is off to a 1-for-20 start (.050), so he hasn’t had the immediate impact of Lowe or O’Hearn, but Pirates teammates have credited him for creating a fun clubhouse dynamic that has helped Oneil Cruz relax and enjoy the game more. Ozuna is ready to make his Pirates debut at PNC Park and hopes the fans will embrace the newcomers.
“The only thing I want from them is for them to give us their support. We’re going to come in every day and give our best,” said Ozuna, who has batted .225/.295/.310 with nine doubles, one homer and 13 RBIs in 36 career games at PNC Park.
“I feel blessed. Not the great start I’m used to having every single year. It’s taking time to get ready and be in position to help the team the most I can. I’m trying to get ready to go to PNC Park and see if things go well. I like the stadium. Now that I’m on that side, I’m happy to be on that side. Let’s go play.”