Pirates pitcher David Bednar’s walk-up song inspired one of the new food items at PNC Park.
The Renegade Dog is a footlong hot dog, with pot roast, mini pierogies and pickle slices — which all start with the letter “P” — on a bun. There are onions, too.
It will be available when the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Baltimore Orioles for the home opener at 4:12 p.m. Friday.
The Renegade Dog was supposed to be a limited time food item from Opening Day until the All-Star Break in July. It will be available near Section 133.
The limited time option might not happen, said Gabor Kovats, executive chef for Aramark, during the annual “What’s New at PNC Park” media event Tuesday at PNC Park on the North Shore.
“Word has gotten out so, at this point, we will see,” Kovats said. “If fans like it, it will stay the entire season.”
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— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 2, 2024
Kovats said he hasn’t talked with Bednar about the hot dog but hopes he likes that it’s named after him. Kovats also said it was an easy combination to come up with because anything with pierogies, pot roast and pickles does well in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates continue their collaboration with local companies, including with another hot dog — Deli Dogs — from Smallman Deli in the Strip District. One of the Deli Dogs is the Pitt Dog, which will feature a Martin’s potato roll topped with capicola, provolone cheese, vinegar slaw and potato sticks. Find it in Section 135.
Another local business the Pirates continue to partner with is Pittsburgh’s Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse, which returns to the lineup this year with pizza and now wings. Toppings include Buffalo, barbecue and honey sriracha sauce. Boneless wings and onion rings also will be available.
Find them in Section 109.
Chicken on the Hill is partnering with Coop de Ville in the Strip District for a chicken biscuit featuring a flaky biscuit topped with fried chicken, honey butter, chorizo gravy and house pickles in Section 144.
A Candied Bacon Sundae coming sometime in July will include vanilla ice cream, Belgian waffles, chocolate-covered pretzels, bacon and caramel sauce in Section 119.
The Coca-Cola Patio will be open with items inspired by local Low Key Taco in Robinson, including beef nachos featuring tortilla chips, slow-cooked birria beef topped with sliced jalapeno, queso fresco, cilantro and cilantro lime crema. There also will be caramel-stuffed churro with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar as well as roasted corn on the cob with bang-a-rang sauce, queso fresco and cilantro.
Partnering with local companies is important, Pirates President Travis Williams said. He said these are items fans enjoy outside the ballpark and they know them and want to enjoy them for their ballpark experience.
“This is also a way for local companies to get more exposure,” Kovats said. “There are thousands of fans who come to games and see their products.”
The Cannonball Burger will serve a sweet cheese pierogie topped with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar near Section 146.
Look for Big Mozz out of New York’s Big Mozz mozzarella sticks. They are 5-inch crispy cheesesticks made of whole milk mozzarella and served with marinara sauce.
The Pirates introduced a partnership with Pittsburgh’s Wigle Whiskey with three bar areas in the Club Level. It has all new carpet and tables and chairs.
Throughout the park, there are images of former players from the Crawfords and the Homestead Grays to times at Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium.
“Pittsburgh is legendary for baseball,” said Janet Marie Smith, a ballpark designer who is founder of Baltimore-based Canopy. “From the days of the Crawfords and the Homestead Grays to Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium to PNC Park, the best ballpark in America.”
In addition to food, the Pirates have expanded the team store via partner Fanatics and spent money on the players areas with an expanded dining space with comfortable chairs and a coffee bar and game area.
The team store is a larger footprint and features throwback items by Mitchell & Ness, as well as an area to make your own baseball trading card and player jersey. Stephen Perkins, vice president of marketing for the Pirates, highlighted some of the new children’s T-shirts.
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“The vintage products are fashion-forward,” Perkins said. “They highlight players such as Willie Stargell and Dave Parker and Roberto Clemente.”
In the batting cage area, the Pirates are one of 20 Major League Baseball teams to have Trajekt technology, which replicates a pitcher’s throwing motion and actually pitches a ball at the speed that player would throw it. That way, players can simulate an at-bat against an upcoming pitcher such as the Oriole’s Craig Kimbrel.
“We want to continue to make this the best ballpark in America,” Williams said.
Some of the enhancements include women’s lockers rooms and areas for female umpires or staff members for the Pirates and visiting teams. There is a sleep room and massage room for players to have treatments and relax and recharge. The Pirates also have a mental health coach available.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people and a weekly column about things to do in Pittsburgh. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
First pitch
Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in honor of his upcoming induction into Cooperstown will be Hall of Fame manager and Pittsburgh resident Jim Leyland. Leyland began his Major League managerial career with the Pirates in 1986 and led the Bucs to three straight division titles from 1990-92 while amassing 851 victories in his 11 seasons with the club.