Pittsburgh Pirates / MLB category, Page 2
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Bucco Fever is boiling again, and it’s an odd disease
It was a great day at the ballpark for the Pirates’ home opener Friday. I didn’t go. I’m getting prepared for that area being under martial law — worse yet, Roger Goodell’s iron fist — when the NFL Draft comes April 23-25. I can’t wait to stay away. Or till...
Pirates farm report for April 3, 2026: Alika Williams delivers 4 hits, game-winning RBI in Indy’s 1st victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 1-6) rallied from a 9-2 deficit with an eight-run seventh inning to beat Columbus (Guardians), 11-10, for its first victory of the season. SS Alika Williams (.667) went 4 for 5 with the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth and a pair of doubles. LF...
Konnor Griffin creates cheers, savors silence in dazzling debut for Pirates in home opener
The electric environment for the home opener was interrupted Friday afternoon when Konnor Griffin stepped into the batter’s box for his first plate appearance with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The announcement that No. 6 was now batting brought a clamoring of cheers from the sellout crowd of 38,986 at PNC Park,...
Konnor Griffin hits RBI double in 1st MLB at-bat, helping Pirates top Orioles in home opener
Despite already possessing a reputation for maturity and calmness, Konnor Griffin must have felt an indescribable amount of pressure on his shoulders Friday. Griffin, 19, who’s ranked as the top overall prospect in baseball, made his MLB debut at PNC Park when the Pittsburgh Pirates hosted the Baltimore Orioles for...
‘Hoist the cone’: Players, fans embrace Pirates’ viral dugout celebrationsVideo
When diehard Pirates fan Ricky Duncan saw the Pirates “hoist the cone” meme going viral, he knew he had to show up and show out for the Bucs’ home opener Friday. Duncan spent Friday afternoon tailgating and walking throughout PNC Park with a felt traffic cone on his head. “I...
Tim Benz: Now that Konnor Griffin is up, tomorrow needs to be todayVideo
In the 34 years since the Pittsburgh Pirates were eliminated from the 1992 National League Championship Series, the list of things that this franchise does better than other MLB clubs is very short. In fact, the list might simply be one entry: selling the future. Whatever semblance of a fan...
Bob Nutting 1-on-1: After pumping up payroll, Pirates owner says ‘today really feels different’
Bob Nutting had every reason to smile before the Pittsburgh Pirates played their home opener Friday as PNC Park was abuzz with anticipation for the major-league debut of Konnor Griffin. The energy inside the ballpark was decidedly different because the Pirates pumped up their Opening Day payroll north of $100...
Konnor Griffin’s Pirates teammates excited for big-league arrival of 19-year-old top prospect
As Konnor Griffin navigated what undoubtedly has been a dizzying lead-up to a highly anticipated MLB debut Friday afternoon, reminders of home have abounded. Griffin’s parents, Kim and Kevin, arrived at PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener, ready to watch their 19-year-old son — the top-ranked prospect in...
Jason Kendall, Brian Giles threw the first pitch at Pirates’ home openerVideo
Play ball! Pittsburgh Pirates greats and former teammates Jason Kendall and Brian Giles were met with a standing ovation as they threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the 2026 home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at 4:12 p.m. Friday. A former first-round draft pick by Pittsburgh, Kendall was a...
Mark Madden: The Pirates made a bold move with Konnor Griffin, but it can’t stop there
I never thought the Pittsburgh Pirates would sign Konnor Griffin long-term. I never thought the overlap of having both Griffin and Paul Skenes would be as lengthy as it now could be. Might be three years beyond this one. I never thought the Pirates would suddenly show legit ambition concerning anything...
Joe Starkey: Top 10 most memorable Pirates’ openers at PNC Park
Don Kelly will try to Buc history Friday. It has been 58 years since a Pirates manager won his first home opener. The likes of Chuck Tanner, Jim Leyland and Clint Hurdle — not to mention Bill Virdon, Gene Lamont, Lloyd McClendon, John Russell, Jim Tracy and Derek Shelton —...
Konnor Griffin’s MLB debut has the baseball world talking about his potential for the Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates promoting Konnor Griffin to make his major league debut in the home opener was the talk of the baseball world Thursday, and with good reason. The 19-year-old shortstop is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the game, has dominated every level of the minor leagues and is...
6 things to know about the Pirates’ home opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates open the home portion of their 133rd season today against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park, and all eyes will be on Konnor Griffin, the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball. Griffin was called up from the minors Thursday and will make his major-league debut. First pitch...
Pirates farm report for April 2, 2026: Endy Rodriguez homers as Indianapolis falls to 0-6
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 0-6) remained winless on the season with a 9-8 loss to Columbus (Guardians). RHP Brandan Bidois (0-2, 9.00) gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth to take the loss. RHP Noah Davis (3.72) started and pitched 4 ⅔ scoreless, no-hit innings, striking out three and...
Sheetz will donate to Pittsburgh food bank for every Pirates home run
For every Pittsburgh Pirates home run hit this season, Sheetz said it will donate $100 to support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The announcement came Thursday — one day before the home opener at PNC Park. The initiative is called “Home Runz for Hunger,” Sheetz said. Fans attending Friday’s...
Cup of Joe: Konnor Griffin promotion continues Pirates’ sudden fit of competence
Cup of Joe: Starkey on sports in 400 words or less When did the Pittsburgh Pirates start doing the right thing all the time? Their streak of competence continued Thursday when they recalled super prospect Konnor Griffin from Triple-A Indianapolis in time for the home opener Friday against the Baltimore...
Pirates to promote No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin for MLB debut in PNC Park opener
Konnor Griffin will make his major-league debut in the home opener, as the Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting the 19-year-old shortstop who is the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball. The Pirates announced the news by posting a video on social media Thursday morning under the caption, Opening Debut. It showed...
All-Star additions excited to make Pirates debuts at PNC Park in home opener
The first time Brandon Lowe visited PNC Park, he made a point to step onto the field and see the city skyline so that he could appreciate the view of one of baseball’s most beautiful ballparks. After seven seasons of playing at Tropicana Field and one makeshift season at a...
First Call: Source refutes Denver’s rumored interest in Aaron Rodgers; Pirates, Konnor Griffin reportedly ‘deep into negotiations’Video
One of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ AFC rivals may have an interest in Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers may have an interest in a gigantic offensive tackle in the draft. And the Pirates may have an interest in giving $100 million to a 19-year-old. Also, we should all be interested in the...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans doubting QB and WR, while Pirates fans already angry with Oneil Cruz
Oneil Cruz got off to a bad start, but he’s playing better. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver group was in tatters, but it’s getting better. The Steelers’ quarterback situation is — well — that’s going to stay the same forever, I guess. But why focus on the hope for improvement...
Pirates farm report for April 1, 2026: Konnor Griffin singles, scores as Indy falls to 0-5
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 0-5) dropped its fifth straight game to start the season, losing 6-1 to Columbus (Guardians). SS Konnor Griffin (.438) went 1 for 3 with a walk, his third stolen base, his second caught stealing and a run scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.267) went 1 for 3 with a...
Paul Skenes returns to form with 5 strikeouts as Pirates pound Reds to win 3-game series
CINCINNATI — After being pulled two outs into the first inning of his Opening Day start against the New York Mets, Paul Skenes had a statistical line that sounds more appropriate for an April Fool’s joke. The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander, who led the majors with a 1.97 ERA and was...
What you need to know if you’re going to the Pirates home opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates open their 2026 season at PNC Park on Friday with a matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. Continuing tradition, the first pitch is set for 4:12 p.m., a tribute to Pittsburgh’s 412 area code. The Pirates started the season losing two of three games to the New York...
Forecast is cloudy with a chance of baseball for Pirates’ home opener
Meteorologists predict that it will be pleasantly warm but potentially rainy when the Pittsburgh Pirates play this season’s home-opener Friday afternoon at PNC Park. But forecasting the game’s outcome based on the elements doesn’t bode well for the Buccos. “Let’s start with the fun part of the forecast for Friday,”...
‘When Oneil Cruz goes, we go’: Pirates center fielder goes from lighting rod to lightning bolt
CINCINNATI – Bubba Chandler was in the tunnel of the visitor’s dugout when he heard commotion in the crowd and wondered who hit the home run, only to find out that Oneil Cruz crushed one. The Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder drilled Brandon Williamson’s 3-1 cutter 444 feet to right field,...
