The month of March contains a host of variables, with weather certainly at the forefront. Old Man Winter or Mother Nature, whichever gender you prefer, often displays their cruel sense of humor.
The old adage, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” or vice versa, sings an unpleasant melody. One day we’re lulled into a false sense of security prompting us to venture outside. Bright sunshine with its rays beaming from a clear sky beckon, temperatures on the rise as we shed our blustery winter attire.
Next day, reality sets in as winter has suddenly descended upon the area once again, complete with chilling winds and snow. It’s “Cabin Fever,” something only the true Pennsylvanian who has hunkered down for the winter understands.
March gives us Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate and has us pushing the clocks ahead one hour as daylight saving time looms. NCAA basketball gives us March Madness tournaments in every division. It’s a basketball fan’s rite of passage to watch as many games as possible in one segment until their eyes bleed.
Most importantly for those of us relinquishing hibernation, the month gives us the vernal equinox – the first day of spring. Yes, “spring has sprung” seems to echo across Western Pennsylvania every March.
Spring, for many, signifies the long-awaited return of our national pastime – baseball. Whatever the level of play, T-Ball, Little League through high school, college, minor leagues or the major leagues, baseball – and softball – are back. Let your mind drift away, close your eyes, listen to the crack of the bat, the sound of the old horsehide hitting leather, the roar of the crowd. Concession stand aromas fill the air, tempting our palates and our wallets. The one constant regardless of the weather or month on the calendar is baseball.
Preseason or exhibition games have athletes at any level whipping themselves into shape to be deemed game ready. All have that championship mentality; however, the beginning focal point leans more toward their much anticipated home opener. Unlike any other regular season contest, the opener carries a certain mystique at any level of baseball or softball.
Perhaps it’s the showcase of their talents in front of the team’s many loyal followers in their own ballpark. Could be a new beginning, so to speak, expounding on last season’s record or a change of scenery on the pro level in the hopes of resurrecting a fledgling career. Whatever the case may be, the opener, from a fan’s standpoint, sparks a renewed interest of hope geared toward a spring, summer and fall of winning.
Being a part of the baby boomer generation, I often catch myself reminiscing about days gone by. This particular episode of mind wandering has me flashing back to my youth, teenage, adult and parenting years. Past Pirates home openers at Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park race through my head.
Whatever happened to Opening Day games that were matinees as baseball was intended before the evolution of stadium lights and night games? Skipping school, with our parents’ permission, as they told that little white lie to the school that we were sick, was a rite of passage, a ritual. As a father looking back, I totally understand that euphoric feeling that engulfed my father holding my hand walking me to the gate, entering the ballpark signaling the start of baseball. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of experiencing that same feeling with my son.
Trust me: as a parent, other than the moment they are born, very few things compare to the feeling that overtakes you walking into an Opening Day game with your son or daughter. It may be the energy of the moment, excitement of the environment or simply the unforgettable look on their faces knowing their favorite players will soon be gracing the diamond. Their heroes, right before their eyes, same as the heroes of your youth were at every Opening Day or game you attended.
Back in the day, that also entailed loading bags of sandwiches, fruit, snacks and drinks – when it was permitted – to save on unnecessary trips to the concession stand. These cost-saving measures, unbeknownst to me at the time, afforded us the opportunity to attend more games during the season. Our parents, always the smart ones.
The Pirates’ regular season is underway. MLB schedule makers afforded them the luxury after spring training in Bradenton to stay in Florida. There, they opened with a four-game set against the Marlins in Miami, then three against the Rays in Tampa before making the trek north and home.
Seven games into the start of the 2025 campaign, you know the record, read the articles and saw the news footage. The only thing that remains is, how will they fare on April 4 in the home opener against the dreaded, feared and hated New York Yankees in front of a sellout crowd at PNC Park? Less than 24 hours after reading this column, that question and a variety of others will be answered as visions of a winning season, a playoff berth, and dare to say, a World Series appearance are the normal mindset.
North Shore parking lots will fill early as tailgaters transform the everyday commuter’s parking spots into an adult playground complete with children as stereos blast out various tunes. Charcoal and propane grills are at the ready awaiting placement of foods from hot dogs to steaks and more. Tables overflowing with snacks, side dishes and adult beverages provide cover for coolers loaded with beer, soda and water.
Local watering holes and eateries on and around Federal Street appear to be bursting at the seams as fans clad in black and gold attire fill every seat, inside and out. It’s the home opener; anything less than a capacity crowd would be unacceptable.
This season begins shrouded in controversy unlike that of any predecessor. Grassroots groups and individuals sprung up in and around the city, organizing peaceful protests, erecting billboards, appearing on radio talk shows. Their goal was simple: convince the ownership, mainly Bob Nutting, to sell the team or invest more in pursuit of a winning on-field product.
Fans’ frustrations and criticisms cropped up yet again late last season, calling for Nutting to sell the team. Their battle cry was based on the team’s performance along with the perceived lack of investment.
At last season’s home opener, as I ventured outside the media gate to gather some crowd images as fans entered the ballpark, one particular fan carrying a sign immediately caught my eye. I won’t share the image here or describe it; I’ll simply quote it. It read: SPEND NUTTING…. WIN NOTHING, referencing the Pirates owner.
Nutting is the principal owner of the Pirates, assuming that role in January 2007 when he replaced previous owner Kevin McClatchy, who purchased the team in 1996. Much like the McClatchys, the Nutting family has a history in the newspaper industry. Bob also served as chairman of Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
Perhaps now is the ideal time to loosen the purse strings, open the checkbook and spend the money to complement what we have. What we have is a bona fide star pitcher in starter Paul Skenes. A year ago, after starting the season in Triple-A Indianapolis – ostensibly for more seasoning – he was called up amid the cries from the fans as the season started heading for disaster early.
Skenes quickly erased any doubts early with his stellar performances from the mound, so much so that he earned a spot on the National League roster of the MLB All-Star Game and was named to start the game for the NL. Skenes was voted the National League Rookie of the Year, beating out a talent-laden field after posting one of the best rookie seasons for a pitcher in MLB history. For this year’s season opener, Skenes became the youngest Pirate given the starting nod since 1893.
The Pirates’ foundation formula for winning has been laid now as well as for future years. A stud pitcher like Skenes comes around nearly as infrequently as a locust invasion – about every 13 or 17 years. Seems as if that time frame is the last time we witnessed the Pirates having a winning season.
I’m in total agreement with the fan base in every aspect of the gripes, concerns and views they have expressed publicly or privately over an adult beverage at the local pub of their choice. Now is the time to invest not only in Skenes but his teammates as a collective group. Spend the money and get another bona fide 20-game winner. Key positional players need to be added to the roster to complement stars like Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz. Solidify your bullpen with middle relievers, a nice setup man and a proven closer. Maybe it’s just a rocky start to 2025, but former All-Star closer David Bednar appears to be lacking something.
(Photos by Mike Longo Jr.)
What the ownership views as key off-season acquisitions were not the players needed to bolster the troops. Pittsburgh has a history of trying to resurrect the careers of aging players or dumping a large sum of money on a player who will serve no useful purpose.
As a so-called sports insider, maybe there is some credence to my opinion and views. Then again, maybe not. Perhaps the outcry from disgruntled fans should be taken on a more serious note. After all, they are the basis of putting money into the team through ticket purchases, merchandise, parking and concession sales.
I’ll leave our loyal readers with a few quotes and the suggested meanings of each from one of baseball’s most iconic movies, “Field of Dreams.” Envision if you will the voice of the legendary James Earl Jones in his character role as Terrance Mann.
“America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.” This powerful imagery emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and how baseball has remained a constant, a symbol of the past.
“This field, this game: it’s a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good and it could be again.” This reinforces the idea that the field and game of baseball are a tangible link to a cherished past, a place where good things happened once and could happen again.
Perhaps good things will happen once again for the 2025 edition of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Those quotes can apply to every baseball fan and the ballparks they grace with their presence, creating their own field of dreams. Young and old alike can certainly relate to spending time with family and friends viewing America’s pastime.
One thing for sure, it’s spring and as the age old adage states, “Spring: when a young man’s fancy turns to baseball.” Wherever your particular field of dreams is, make it enjoyable and make it memorable, as you are the ultimate winner and champion.
Photos by Mike Longo Jr.
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