PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - It’s Opening Day for the Bucs at PNC Park and while it will be a little chilly, the sun is expected to be shining when Chris Archer takes the mound for the start against the St. Louis Cardinals.
You’ll want to be in your seat early for the Home Opener festivities.
The Pirates will honor broadcaster Steve Blass, who will retire from full time broadcasting at the end of the season.
The team will also honor former Pirates MVP and 2x World Series champion Dick Groat. Groat retired from broadcasting the Pitt basketball game at the end of this past season.
Pirates President Frank Coonelly thinks Groat is possibly the greatest athlete to ever come out of Western PA.
“The only man to be a member of both the college baseball and college basketball halls of fame, MVP, two time World Series champion,” said Coonelly.
The Pirates will also take time to give thanks and honor the first responders who went into the Tree of Life Synagogue last October when a shooter killed 11 people and injured six including police.
“The four men who were injured in that shooting, for their bravery are going to be on the field here throwing out a first pitch and that will be special for the organization and I know it will be special for the City of Pittsburgh to see them and see the fact that they’re doing well in their recovery,” said Coonelly.