PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – What makes the connection for Pirates fans and Don Kelly special is he was one of them, and the Mt. Lebanon native still is. Going into his first home opener as manager, he knows the excitement.
Because he understands the heartbreak, even going back to when he was a kid and the Pirates hope for a World Series was dashed on a play at the plate.
“Having my heart ripped out like all of us when Sid Bream scored and now to see these guys who have gotten drafted, went through the minors, there's been all this hype to now see them in Pittsburgh, in the big leagues,” Kelly said.
“They're all gonna be out on the line today ready for the home opener. It's an extremely exciting time.”
There was excitement due to the free agent signings and the potential with this pitching staff, but then on Thursday the announcement of Konnor Griffin being called up. Almost immediately the prices for tickets on the secondary market doubled or even tripled, some more than that.
"I've heard it's a sellout crowd and I heard it's going to be bumping so I'm ready to go out there and stand on that line for the national anthem, just kind of really take it all in and when that first pitch is thrown, it's ready to go and (give) the crowd something to cheer for during the game," Griffin said.
“Can you believe he's 19 years old, the way he handled the press conference, how he's been able to handle everything,” Kelly said minutes after Griffin held a news conference to a packed press room at PNC Park. “Just fascinating the way that he carries himself and the way it works. And in everything that he says, he backs up every single day and just really pumped about. You know, being back in Pittsburgh for the home opener, it's going to be a fun day.”
After a 1-3 start to the season, the Pirates won the last two in Cincinnati to come home .500. Expectations are as high as they’ve been in over a decade.
“I'd be lying if I said it wasn't driving in this morning and feeling the buzz,” Kelly said. “I mean, we feel it as a team, it's up to the staff and the players. We try to keep everything level and on opening day being from here. Yeah, it definitely is special.”
Kelly said they excitement is earned with the moves made in the offseason, Griffin being called up and the returners taking another step, plus a rotation anchored by the National League Cy Young Award winner.
“The players have earned that and I hope that the fans show them that excitement,” Kelly said. “I believe that they will.”
“There's a bright future ahead for Pittsburgh baseball.”
LISTEN to Don Kelly’s thoughts, plus Konnor Griffin
