The Pittsburgh Pirates show their love for mom, the Pens, and Jung-ho Kang.
After a forgettable visit by the Cubs at PNC, the Pirates hit the road Wednesday for another 10-game trip, starting out in St. Louis against division rivals the Cardinals, and even though the week started out disappointing, Friday night, everything was all good again, especially once the “Kang” got back together.
Pirates fans learned a little Korean Friday –
“He’s Back!”
“Amazing!!”
놀라운!!!! pic.twitter.com/JZk6ZAeRY5
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) May 7, 2016
and “Jung-ho Kang”
강정호!
— Joe Block (@joe_block) May 6, 2016
That’s right; Jung-ho Kang returned to MLB action Friday night. And after a shaky start grounding into a double-play in his first at-bat and flying out in the second, he settled in and made a little history.
Whenever you are on a list with the likes of Garret Jones and Xavier Nady, it has to be a special feeling. pic.twitter.com/lUh2FlUs2R
— BucsRaiseIt (@bucsraiseit) May 7, 2016
I’m not sure when Korean Mother’s Day is, but tomorrow the Pirates will take the field in not black and gold – but pink – as a way to honor moms on Mother’s Day.
Andrew McCutchen recently starred in a New Era commercial promoting the unique hats and thanking his mom for all that she’s done for him.
#ThisIsTheCap that honors the woman that always had your back pic.twitter.com/OryRvDQo32
— New Era Cap (@NewEraCap) May 4, 2016
MLB Pirates Beat Reporter Adam Berry recently wrote this touching article about pitcher Jeff Locke‘s special bond with his mother that is definitely worth a read:
Every day, Jeff Locke calls home twice. A story on his mom, Pam, her battle with cancer and their special bond: https://t.co/OuNZzuPAG1
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) May 5, 2016
Mom, of course, shares a special place in the hearts of the players – but so do their teammates. Mark Melancon got a little possessive of David Freese while at a St. Louis casino…
Sorry St. Louis this guy is ours now! @david23freese #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/UMZQTpO7sy
— Mark Melancon (@Mark_Melancon_) May 6, 2016
And Francisco Cervelli celebrated the return of Jung-ho Kang in his unmatched style
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFCwciRuoyl/?taken-by=fran_cervelli
Not only was the love for mom and teammates celebrated this week – but also love for community. Like Cervelli, childhood hunger is a very important issue for second baseman Josh Harrison, who spent some time May 3 shooting spots with Edgar Snyder and Associates in support of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Live update from the set of today's shoot with @jhay_da_man and @Dreambuilders_1 at the @PghFoodBank! pic.twitter.com/InyFcSO7vq
— Edgar Snyder & Assoc (@edgarsnyder) May 3, 2016
Our favorite #Pirates player @jhay_da_man & @edgarsnyder teaming up again to help STOP hunger! #Dreambuilders pic.twitter.com/z87kBBOK3n
— Dreambuilders Fdn. (@Dreambuilders_1) May 3, 2016
And even though May 3 was an official Day of Giving, help is needed year-round. If you want to contribute to end childhood hunger, JHay makes it easy:
Great time at @pghfoodbank today! Join me in sharing food with our neighbors by making a #16DOG donation today! https://t.co/DYuduVvF1n
— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) May 3, 2016
By now the horse is twitching on this one, but we should note that in a shining example of Burgh Pride, several Pirates players were at the Penguins round 2 playoff game against the Capitals Wednesday night. Some cheered them on to their 3-2 victory from the comfort of a luxury box, like Mark Melancon…
https://twitter.com/Mark_Melancon_/status/728020106085838849
and AJ Schugel…
Lets gooooo @penguins pic.twitter.com/KKHZEIDtZa
— AJ Schugel (@Schug_Knight) May 4, 2016
and some, like pitchers Gerrit Cole and Ryan Vogelsong, chose to get a little closer to the action.
What? You thought #BurghProud was just a Twitter thing?
We ALL live it! #LetsGoPenshttps://t.co/WYKWrBKwsU
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 5, 2016
And just in case you believed those rumors that Cole was asked to settle down by a particularly cranky Consol Center usher, as intimated from this tweet,:
NBCSN caught Gerrit Cole being told to cool it on the heckling. Seemed like he was a good sport about it. pic.twitter.com/bdGCohJgmk
— Alex Iniguez (@alexiniguez) May 5, 2016
That’s not the case at all. Root Sports Pitt’s Robby Incmikoski reported during Friday night’s game that the usher was actually cautioning Cole about banging on one particular section of glass that has springs in it to enable it to easily pop out of its frame. He was apparently allowed to bang on other sections of the glass as much as any other Pens fan.
In The Media
If you’re a fan of catchers and the art of pitch-framing, check out this article about Francisco Cervelli’s approach.
Francisco Cervelli shares his pitch framing secrets: 'Love the ball' #ThatsAmore
READ: https://t.co/tQNVe5xnuM pic.twitter.com/eMKtLYkmpk
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 5, 2016
And since we’re talking Cervelli and that ALWAYS leaves the door wide open for an Amore reference, check out this article about Cutch’s signal to his wife and the inspiration behind it:
The inspiration of Andrew McCutchen’s hat-tip salute to his wife was Jackie Robinson: https://t.co/PAWqH4h0Cn pic.twitter.com/EHa0d7wKxs
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) May 6, 2016
The Pirates take on the Cards today at 2:15. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and #LetsGoBucs!
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