The Pirates’ announced upgrades to PNC Park are the latest smoke-and-mirrors act from the Bob Nutting Bank and Trust (“PNC Park getting enhancements in advance of Pirates’ season opener,” April 4, TribLIVE.) Ooh. Ahh. More barstools. Giant bobbleheads. More overpriced food and drink options.
None of these enhancements, while nice, do a blessed thing to improve the ball club on the field. If anything, they distract fans from the overmatched, underfunded Buccos. Which might be Nutting’s plan all along. Watch the TV commercials. They’re all about the ballpark, the views, the fireworks. Everything except what happens between the white lines.
I have just one question: Who paid for those capital upgrades? The Pirates or the taxpayers?
Dan Skantar
North Fayette