The Pittsburgh Pirates started 2017 off with strong intentions, exploring the world beyond the US, resting up for the season ahead and celebrating life.
2017 is here, which means there’s no talk of next year or next season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The time is now. Players know it, fans know it, everyone knows it.
Welcome 2017
Steven Brault minced no words with his New Year’s resolution:
New Years Resolution: be a part of something great, like starting a new 108 year drought for the Cubs #LetsGoBucs
— Steven Brault (@SquidBrault) December 31, 2016
And he made that intention while rockin’ some mighty fresh curls…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOsutjgjisD/?taken-by=skoobuh
Jared Hughes had a nice thought about 2017 as well:
https://twitter.com/locatejared/status/815592385862336513
New Bucco Daniel Hudson spent New Year’s Day a tad frustrated by America’s OTHER favorite pasttime…
https://twitter.com/DHuddy41/status/815698451732328449
It’s nice to see professional athletes get as upset by their teams as us regular folks do.
Exotic Getaways
While some of the guys kicked off 2017 at home – where admittedly they aren’t usually anyway – several Pittsburgh Pirates players started the new year decidedly abroad.
Tyler Glasnow caught some waves in Mexico, and, it seems, a little of the laid-back surfer vibe…
https://twitter.com/TGlasnow/status/816070936893931520
Starter Jameson Taillon was also spending some down time where the vibes are good – Jamaica!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOuyViUh0K6/?taken-by=j_taillon19
Mark Melancon is a well-known world traveler. Since he was traded in July, and has now gone on to sign a mammoth contract with the Giants (Congratulations, couldn’t have happened to a more well-deserving guy), there was a void on the Pirates as to who might take his place – not as closer – Watson’s got that – but as designated explorer. Fear not Pittsburgh Pirates fans – Francisco Cervelli has stepped into that role happily. He and lovely girlfriend, Migbelis Castellanos, headed down under to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Sydney, Australia and explore the country.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOq-EJKhWz3/?taken-by=fran_cervelli
He even mentions Melancon in his Insta from a vineyard in the Yarra Valley outside of Melbourne posted a few days ago.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO3T3nABQc_/?taken-by=fran_cervelli
Felipe Rivero’s family recently spent a day on safari, but a little closer to home in West Palm Beach!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO3FYw_gQd7/?taken-by=felipe_43rivero
And while we’re not sure where this is exactly, Trevor Williams’ getaway may be the greatest one of all this off-season – one spent celebrating his father’s good health (very nice shirts, guys!)
Weekend getaway with the bros and my dad #CancerFreeCelebration pic.twitter.com/bzt13fZ0wT
— Trevor Williams (@MeLlamoTrevor) January 7, 2017
Williams and Brault also gave a nice shout-out to Pittsburgh t-shirt company CF Smoke for dropping a few new designs in the mail to them. (Read more about how CF Smoke got started in this article from the PBD archive.)
Thanks to the homie @CFSmoke for getting out some shirts for the offseason #162+ #HangLooseNotCurveballs pic.twitter.com/0A8OigVufo
— Trevor Williams (@MeLlamoTrevor) January 2, 2017
Boys Rule
While I’m not exactly sure what Jared Hughes was doing when the clock struck midnight, I’d venture a guess that there may have been a diaper, baby wipes, burp cloth, rocking chair or sweet-smelling head involved given that he and his lovely wife just welcomed a baby boy in December. The usually open Hughes hasn’t shared a photo of the little tyke on his social media sites yet, but did give followers a peek inside his nursery – sans baby…
What is strange about this picture? pic.twitter.com/zWo1lb3Hdy
— Jared Hughes (@locatejared) December 28, 2016
Meanwhile, someone in Pittsburgh Pirates Player Relations needs to send Wade LeBlanc’s family a care package ASAP! While there’s no denying his son is too cute for words, the little fellow picked out the wrong hat to wear for his first day of school!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOySIeSBC5c/?taken-by=wleblanc23
A Marte Partay
Starling Marte rang in the new year in his native Dominican Republic – but this Insta video of the celebration shows that the two-time gold glover definitely knows how to throw a Marte Partay off the field as well:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOtWe1ODu85/?taken-by=marte06
Giving Thanks
The outfielder started 2017 off with some words of thanks:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOtQh1YDPN8/?taken-by=marte06
Rough translation: So we will start 2017, thanking God for my family and all the people who want and wish good things for me. Thanks for 2016, it was a very good year in all senses. With the help of God and my mother this 2017 will be better. Happy for everything and lots of blessings.
And while Pittsburgh Pirates fans are all quite excited and thankful that the team signed Ivan Nova to a three-year deal, it’s nice to know he feels the same way.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOh_BOHgF71/?taken-by=inova47
Learning Opportunities
If you wanted to learn a little more about reliever AJ Schugel, he’s got a page on the website Like a Pro . On it he shares blog posts about his life inside and outside of baseball, talks about equipment he uses and even offers visitors chances to purchase game-used gear, etc.
https://twitter.com/Schug_Knight/status/813874621761978368
Josh Harrison and his brother Vince are hosting their Martin Luther King Day baseball camp in the Cincinnati area – here’s all the info you need:
Happy New Year! There's still time 2 sign up 4 mine and @vhay5 annual Harrison Brothers MLK Camp Jan 16. Register at https://t.co/fPqVeM032B pic.twitter.com/MuyVMbswJI
— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) January 2, 2017
MLB Network might want to learn the names of the players it tweets about…In a tweet that is now no longer in existence (but of course, thanks to the internets we have – courtesy of lockerdome and @athletesswag), the network referred to Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen as Adam McCutchen.
Cutch responded in his typical way, poking a little fun at everyone – himself included. To which the network, admitting its error, replied.
touché! We'll just stick to calling you Cutch 😀
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 6, 2017
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. Now that the new year is underway, we’re going to be back on our regular schedule, with a new column every Saturday at noon. Have a great week and #LetsGoBucs
Thanks for checking us out here at Pirates Breakdown. Make sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for the best Pirates coverage all year long!
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