The Pittsburgh Pirates Honor Jackie Robinson, Family and Their Roots
This week the Buccos struggled. And while there will always be those folks who hit the panic button 10 games into the season, fans of these Pittsburgh Pirates know the month of April is not typically one to look back on fondly. The season got off to a brilliant start, though, with the team sweeping their Central Division foes the Cardinals in the opening series.
So concerned were the Cards after that first series that according to Jared Hughes, they sent a “scout” down to see if they could get any intel on what the pitching staff is made of this season.
This Cardinals scout has been at Pirate City all week checking on the progress of our rehabbing players…https://t.co/JhzI9FAcnA
— Jared Hughes (@locatejared) April 11, 2016
On Friday, April 15, the Pirates all donned jerseys bearing the number 42 to celebrate and honor the man who is credited with breaking the “color barrier” in baseball. Jackie Robinson Day is special across MLB – and this team made certain to commemorate it properly.
Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison, the only two African American starters for the Pirates, wore special cleats.
S/O to @adidasBaseball for helping me honor #42 with these custom cleats. #JackieRobinsonDay pic.twitter.com/wp8pZfs5SL
— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) April 15, 2016
#JackieRobinson #42 @nikebaseball @Nike pic.twitter.com/JhkRku92Lo
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) April 15, 2016
While others on the team took to their social media accounts simply to say “thanks.”
Todos le debemos a él pic.twitter.com/X4gRMdMPdc
— Starling Marte (@Starlingmart) April 15, 2016
(Translation: All owe him)
Thank you Jackie 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/VMi4BLnUlq
— Gregory Polanco ☕️ (@El_Coffee) April 15, 2016
Always a special day in history! #JackieRobinsonDay #42 pic.twitter.com/d1Kb209IfW
— Mark Melancon (@Mark_Melancon_) April 15, 2016
Those jerseys, by the way, create a bit of an issue for teams, Pirates Clubhouse Manager Scott Bonnett explained:
@joyfc The only problem is I have to order them early in Spring Training and that can be hard since I don't know who is on team yet.
— Scott (@bonnett_scott) April 16, 2016
But that’s a small bump for the mighty Bonnett – who on Sunday finally gets to break out those new throwback threads. The debut of the new Pirates Gold jerseys and uniforms designed in honor of that magical 1979 year and team has been a long-awaited event.
Official: #Pirates unveiled the NEW Sunday alternate unis for 2016!
We’re throwing it back to 1979. #WeAreFamALee pic.twitter.com/3lBTO467nL— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) February 18, 2016
And if that isn’t enough to get you excited, according to Root, the announcers will be rocking some gold jackets to match!
Looks like @joe_block got his wish for this Sunday…we think the @pirates broadcasters will look good in these! pic.twitter.com/ihBq0J3hv7
— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) April 15, 2016
And in case you thought they were kidding about broadcaster Joe Block getting his “wish”…
And maybe, just maybe @ROOTSPORTSPIT will let us wear this on Sundays? pic.twitter.com/I1ysCamwDZ
— Joe Block (@joe_block) February 18, 2016
Hopefully he has as much pull with MLB and this wish will come true next…
I wish @MLB would let @Pirates wear Stargell stars on their Sunday caps. Pleeeeeaaaassse!
— Joe Block (@joe_block) February 18, 2016
And even though Pirates fans may have their minds clearly set on baseball this time of year – players gotta relax a little and take some time to follow their (other) favorite sports. Jordy Mercer is a big fan of ESPN’s series 30 For 30. On Thursday, he lauded the network once again for their fine work.
Another unbelievable #30for30 #ThisMagicMoment #ShaqNPenny
— Jordy Mercer (@jordy_mercer) April 15, 2016
#ThisMagicMoment pic.twitter.com/CgSYozbk77
— 30 for 30 (@30for30) April 15, 2016
And Francisco Cervelli might have finally found a kindred spirit in the clubhouse when it comes to his beloved futbol. Cole Figueroa is apparently a Liverpool fan.
@BiertempfelTrib @ESPNFC Haha not today. Needed instant gratification.
— Cole Figueroa (@Cole_Figueroa) April 14, 2016
And he got that gratification in a big way, retweeting this…
FULL-TIME: Speechless. #LFC pic.twitter.com/1PLUylhXHx
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 14, 2016
One hashtag the Pirates are using on social media this season is #WeAreFamalee. And it’s not hard to see why. These guys are all about their “team” family and those who are related by blood.
Francisco Cervelli took time last week to celebrate his mom’s birthday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BED-0tTOoyO/?taken-by=fran_cervelli
While Rob Scahill and his wife, Aurora, expanded theirs – a day before he was called up to join the team.
Rob Scahill's first child, a boy named Maxwell, was born Monday in his native Chicago. "It's been a whirlwind week," he said.
— Matt Gajtka (GITE-kah) (@MattGajtka) April 15, 2016
Lefty reliever Kyle Lobstein celebrated Sibling Day by being that annoying brother…
#NationalSiblingsDay ..she says I'm the weird one! pic.twitter.com/LBsLNjOOrr
— Kyle Lobstein (@LobsteinKyle) April 11, 2016
While Josh Harrison spent last Sunday with his Bearcat Family – celebrating Josh Harrison Day.
Thanks @jhay_da_man for coming today & for being such an ambassador for our program. #TheBearcatsAreComing @Pirates pic.twitter.com/Sx7FCIAUZr
— Cincinnati Baseball (@GoBearcatsBASE) April 10, 2016
Proud Bearcat! https://t.co/DMyvx3dwh7
— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) April 10, 2016
Mark Melancon, though, wondered if somehow, his baseball family and “blood family” might have somehow merged…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEBqAxny4XV/?taken-by=mark_melancon_
The Buccos play tonight at 7, then finish up the series with the Brewers on Sunday at 1:35 for Josh Harrison kids’ Gnome Day. They hit the road for a West Coast swing next week, so get ready for some late night BUCN!
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