The Pittsburgh Pirates spent the past week thinking about others – from a charity bowling outing to celebrating mom to cheering on teammate Jameson Taillon.
The Pirates are grinding out more wins these days as the season is really getting underway. And players are taking to their social media to share their baseball moments with the world!
Having Fun
During the most recent collective bargaining agreement with MLB, the MLBPA agreed to a ban on player hazing rituals – specifically those that included men dressing as women or in demeaning or offensive attire. The opinions on whether that was a good move or overzealous regulation are split. I, for one, am pleased to see that at least one harmless “rookie” ritual hasn’t gone away – the wearing of/using kids’ backpacks. And from the looks of it, reliever Johnny Barbato doesn’t mind it either…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUIFe8OArCe/?taken-by=johnny_barbato
Speaking of having fun, Gerrit Cole appeared on MLB Network’s PlayBall today. Geared towards kids, according to the MLB Network site, the half-hour show “features one-on-one baseball demonstrations and conversations with some of the top personalities in the game. Each week, Play Ball will also include tips on how kids can participate in all forms of baseball activities, plus highlights on and off the field throughout MLB.” In this clip, Cole walks Dan Plesac through how he preps the mound when he starts.
.@Plesac19 talks pitching mechanics and more with @Pirates hurler Gerrit Cole on #PlayBall at 10aE! https://t.co/1B4cP9eK7e
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 20, 2017
Juan Nicaso posted a #TBT Insta video of some fun he had in the Pirates Clubhouse…must be fun to get to ride your toys inside! (Also, jockstrap alert!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUNVvE8gzo8/?taken-by=juan_nicasio
Bowling for a Cause
The Pirates BullPen held its annual BowlPen charitable bowling event to benefit children and families in need.
#PiratesBOWLPEN, hosted by the @Pirates bullpen pic.twitter.com/mYE8iMKrMt
— Pirates Community (@BucsCommunity) May 19, 2017
What a great night with the @Pirates Thank you so much for including us in this amazing event! We had a blast!! @DHuddy41 @TGlasnow pic.twitter.com/qxp2wgLVHp
— One Day to Remember (@1daytoremember) May 19, 2017
XXOO MOM
Mother’s Day was last Sunday and Pirates players made like good sons/men and gave their moms (and moms in general), and the moms of their kids, lots of love:
#HappyMothersDay to all the moms! pic.twitter.com/nyrHxrvETI
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 14, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUFIbZNF0Gz/?taken-by=tylerglasnow
https://twitter.com/DHuddy41/status/863803603818958850
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUFGOptA5qI/?taken-by=chad_kuhl
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUE-jadALEp/
(Josh Lindblom)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUFFmR6BdSO/?taken-by=mellamotrevor
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUGBIOMF-Dy/?taken-by=a_fraz12
#HappyMothersDay to my mom and all the mothers out there! I love you mom. pic.twitter.com/eUZe76tdW8
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) May 14, 2017
Happy Mothers Day to my Mom and beautiful wife! #HappyMothersDay
— Jordy Mercer (@jordy_mercer) May 14, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUFVe3dA2DG/?taken-by=mgngoepe
Jose Osuna covered all his bases and wished his mom, sister and wife a Happy Mother’s Day. Man of the Year candidate right here!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUE4CXUFkCS/?taken-by=joseosuna36
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUE4S6PFWP2/?taken-by=joseosuna36
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUE3pDFl_Nc/?taken-by=joseosuna36
Gregory Polanco’s mom (and dad) arrived a little bit past Mother’s Day, but you can tell by that smile he was thrilled to have her in town! I bet a shopping trip is in order – as well as some home cooking!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUIa7guFZXT/?taken-by=gpolanco25
Along with the requisite post of pink cleats to honor the day, Josh Harrison tweeted a reminder about the Josh and Brittney Harrisons for Hope Foundation, which provides clothing for children in need from birth through college. What a way to help all moms!
Help me provide necessities for in-need mothers in Pittsburgh by donating at https://t.co/t4M3N4YZPv #HarrisonsForHope
— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) May 13, 2017
Got Ink?
Not sure if he has any tattoos that say “Mom” but if Felipe Rivero were to get one, here’s the guy who’d be giving it to him:
https://twitter.com/Rivero43/status/864290284187918336
Here’s a closeup of his work…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUIFltSj3D7/?taken-by=felipe_43rivero
Get Well Jamo
We were all shocked by the announcement that Jameson Taillon was diagnosed with and underwent surgery for testicular cancer. But like the other times he’s met adversity in his young life, Jamo isn’t letting it get him down. After spending a little time recovering, he was out and about recently – even participating in some games of catch and press conference at PNC yesterday.
"I can't worry about how I got here or what it is, I just have to worry about the plan going forward." #Jamo50 https://t.co/mcKQeQ2FYQ
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 20, 2017
He’s been cleared for light baseball activities and says that some things are still being monitored, but is facing this latest hurdle like he has his others – head on – and likely with coffee in hand.
As hard as pitching a MLB game seems, according to him, watching is way worse:
Get way more nerves and butterflies watching these games than I do pitching in em! What a game, and way to finish the trip 🙌
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon50) May 15, 2017
The Pirates created a card for fans attending games at PNC this week to sign for him:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUK3bpQhR8x/?taken-by=pittsburghpirates
He posted this Insta of thanks:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUSUTlKF-9W/?taken-by=j_taillon19
as well as this message to Pirates Twitter:
A message from @JTaillon19.#Jamo50 https://t.co/UIBynFVFav
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 19, 2017
When news of the diagnosis first broke, the Pirates added a purple sash to their Twitter timeline photo and created purple bracelets for the team and staff to wear:
"At least Jameson knows that we're thinking about him each and every day"
-Clint Hurdle https://t.co/7CGSVcDj2I— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 11, 2017
Why purple you ask? Well, according to testicular cancer society.org, “Orchid, a purple/violet color, has long been recognized as the official color for testicular cancer. We believe that this originated as orchid is a derivative of orchis, the ancient Greek word for testicle.”
Originally the bracelets were just for internal use, but the Pirates have started distributing them to the fanbase at PNC Park according to this tweet from last night. They’ll be tweeting locations for bracelet give-aways all weekend. Great idea – What a lovely way to support this talented and determined young man and raise awareness about the disease too.
At PNC tonight?
Stop by the Riverwalk behind section 141 to get your Jamo bracelet! We'll be here until the 5th. #Jamo50 pic.twitter.com/sN89g21Av8
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 20, 2017
Parting Thought
Andrew McCutchen recently shined a light on the sacrifices his dad made to help him achieve success. Make sure you take a few moments this week to thank someone who has gone beyond for you!
It was never easy, but @TheCutch22’s dad did everything he could to #GoBeyond.
The story, from @sheratonhotels. https://t.co/9eSWot9EVo pic.twitter.com/pD7ola7urB
— MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2017
That’s all this week for the Pittsburgh Pirates Social Media Round-up. The Pirates take on the Piladelphia Phillies in game 2 of their cross-state showdown at 4:05 p.m. at PNC Park. Have a great weekend and #LetsGoBucs!
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