As Spring Training nears, the Pittsburgh Pirates players are spending their last weeks of the offseason with family, friends and celebrating milestones.
This tweet from Pittsburgh Pirates Clubhouse manager Scott Bonnett says it all…
.@Pirates all packed and ready to load Monday.#Springtraining pic.twitter.com/aaxaO7tBO4
— Scott (@bonnett_scott) February 2, 2017
Monday the trucks get loaded and the journey to Bradenton and Pittsburgh Pirates Spring training truly begins! Meanwhile, players are still grinding away, working to get stronger, faster and better every day.
Getting in Gear
Jose Osuna, looking to stay on the big league roster come the start of the 2017 season, continues to get his workouts in.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQFrHN7gtS2/?taken-by=joseosuna36
One look at Starling Marte’s offseason workout and its no wonder why his teammates agree that he’s the “fittest” of all of the Pirates…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP-UGCtDIqg/?taken-by=marte06
Elias Diaz, who was sidelined with injuries at the worst times last season, gave a peek into his offseason training on Instagram as well. The difference between the baseball field he’s training on and the one Marte’s on could not be more apparent…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQBCtPaDgbz/?taken-by=eliasdiaz29
Jameson Taillon was all over social media/the Pirates website recently, where cameras followed him to his training facility in Houston.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP8DM19BjMo/?taken-by=j_taillon19
That’s young @Pirates stud @JTaillon19, getting after it. #NoOffseason pic.twitter.com/LFNWScF6rP
— MLB (@MLB) February 2, 2017
Felipe Rivero wins the contest for cutest workout partner of the offseason, hands down…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP5WrlYgqfj/?taken-by=felipe_43rivero
One of the Pirates said last season in an interview that the hardest thing about getting back into the groove where baseball is concerned is having to play baseball again while wearing a belt. Ivan Nova is hoping to blow past that feeling, working out yesterday in baseball pants…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQDkCaJgjKj/?taken-by=inova47
Jared Hughes took a “business trip” recently to the University of Texas in Austin.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQCEBf5AKX4/?taken-by=_jaredhughes
#FamaleeForever
Gregory Polanco made sure to get in come cuddle time with his adorable nieces in advance of leaving the Dominican Republic to start Spring Training.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQEwLyOD14-/?taken-by=gpolanco25
The Williams family are also trying to squeeze every bit out of their final days together before Spring Training.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP_DQVTB0Ws/?taken-by=mellamotrevor
Happy Birthday to Wade LeBlanc’s son Jackson! The whole family got in on the celebration in their offseason home in Louisiana.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQEL7vLllp9/?taken-by=wleblanc23
It was hard to determine if this tweet from Daniel Hudson should go in the workout section or the family one, but given Rivero’s son made workouts, I figured we’d balance things out with Huddy and his girls filed under family…
https://twitter.com/DHuddy41/status/826490514581057538
Steven Brault enjoys mugging for the camera as much as the next guy. Apparently it’s not something he’s picked up as he’s risen through the ranks of baseball but a trait he’s had for many years according to this TBT…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP_YT31Dbls/?taken-by=skoobuh
Last weekend Pirates nation learned that former Pittsburgh Pirates utilityman Sean Rodriguez, his wife Giselle and two of their four children were involved in a terrible auto accident when the SUV Sean was driving was sideswiped by a car driven by a criminal fleeing police. While Sean was banged up but had no major injuries, Giselle suffered multiple breaks to her leg and underwent surgery for a wrist injury and their son Sean Jr., who they call GoGo, was hospitalized with a broken leg and some stitches. Get well soon! #SameFamilyDifferentTeam
#Braves' Sean Rodriguez was involved in a car accident. He's said to be okay. https://t.co/mgkKXT7iY6
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 30, 2017
Sean’s former team, teammates and Pittsburgh media and friends rallied around the family…
Our thoughts are with Sean Rodriguez and his family as we pray for their quick recovery.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 30, 2017
Please pray for Sean and his family. Please!!! https://t.co/rxyDEV3Ky0
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) January 30, 2017
Prayers to SRod and his Family!!!
— Jordy Mercer (@jordy_mercer) January 30, 2017
Thinking of Sean Rodriguez and his family this morning. These kids are everything to him. https://t.co/vH6YlCg3nO pic.twitter.com/M3OH8YkSG4
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) January 30, 2017
Sean has remained quiet on social media about the crash, but Giselle posted this update recently:
And so thankful for your prayers, calls and flowers!!
— Giselle Rodriguez (@Giselle69CRod) January 30, 2017
Jordy Mercer to the Hall!
Congratulations to Shortstop Jordy Mercer, who was inducted into the Oklahoma State Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame recently! It was bound to happen sooner or later (couldn’t resist).
Awesome having these Pokes back in Stilly last weekend for induction in Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame! Congrats @tyjwright & @jordy_mercer! pic.twitter.com/Zff0JExdcQ
— OSU Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball) January 30, 2017
We Flash In' #GoPokes #P4L pic.twitter.com/0oLBlZ25l1
— Jordy Mercer (@jordy_mercer) January 29, 2017
(Rumor has it AJ Burnett did Jordy’s hair for the event – LOL!)
@jordy_mercer congratulations on your great honor! So proud to know you and be apart of your great adventure. Very proud! #okstate #HOF pic.twitter.com/wiR6ecqn3Q
— Zak hobgood (@zak_hobgood) January 29, 2017
Good Deeds
Not exactly sure what’s going on here, but when Josh Harrison, Cam Heyward and the Dreambuilders’ Foundation are involved, you know it’s for a good cause.
Here's some star power doing good in Pittsburgh…@jhay_da_man @CamHeyward with @edgarsnyder #GreatGuysDoingGood pic.twitter.com/G4dH3z95sh
— Dreambuilders (@Dreambuilders_1) January 30, 2017
Speaking of doing things for a good cause, David Freese (who according to the Post Gazette’s Stephen Nesbitt and MLB’s Adam Berry, married girlfriend Mairin O’Leary at Shadyside coffee shop Crazy Mocha in September) and new wife, Mairin, recently hosted a wedding and reception in St. Louis. So what do you buy for a guy with a World Series ring and a renewed outlook on life with a new team he loves? Help for others. They asked guests to donate to their St. Jude “wedding” instead of the traditional gravy boats and ramekins from Crate and Barrel. You can donate too if you’re so inclined, by going to their St. Jude’s fundraising page.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQDwFaJlZeR/?taken-by=davidfreese
Freese’s teammates were on hand to celebrate the pair.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP3CmrUhKPx/?taken-by=j_taillon19
One of the featured items on the menu? Imo’s Pizza.
Freese recently signed on to promote the popular chain, which he repped while he played for the Cardinals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BP-mFdug8lE/?taken-by=imospizzastl
Happy to Play
As baseball draws nearer with every day, Francisco Cervelli has a simple message about how he feels to be the Pirates’ backstop:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPz2Fy3hM2n/?taken-by=fran_cervelli
Pittsburgh Pirates Fan Fun
Don’t forget that the Pirates are doing all kinds of fun stuff on social media to help bridge the gap until spring training. They feature a new fan of the week each Friday on their Facebook page, they’re also doing a #BucsFanFriday contest on twitter (and Snapchat). They throw in #BucsTrivia contests randomly throughout the week on Twitter as well. Pay attention and some autographed Buccos swag could be yours!
That’s all this week for the Pittsburgh Pirates Social Media Round-up. Have a great week and #LetsGoBucs
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