Gov. Josh Shapiro sets tone for Pirates victory with 1st strike of the day

The first pitch of the day was right down the middle. The catcher never moved his glove.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was so proud of it that he was eager to offer proof when approached for comment.

“Did you throw a strike, Governor?” a reporter asked.

“You bet I did,” he replied, reaching into his glove to produce the baseball. “I have proof. No scuff marks.”

Shapiro and his catcher, PNC Financial Services Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tom Lamb, composed the opening act for the highly anticipated second first pitch thrown moments later by A.J. Burnett to his catcher from the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Russell Martin.

A.J. Burnett and Russell Martin, back together again. pic.twitter.com/bIoSx71qYh

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) April 7, 2023

Before the game, Burnett and Martin met with reporters and were greeted with a lone round of applause from the back of the room by former teammate Neil Walker, now a Pirates broadcaster.

“He’s a suit now, look at him,” Martin said after Walker declined to join them on the interview stage.

Befitting the freshness of a home opener, Martin said he felt a vibe while walking through the PNC Park crowd.

“You sense the buzzing, the energy,” he said. “People are excited for the season.”

Martin said he wasn’t expecting a return of the blackout that was a highlight of the wild-card playoff game against the Cincinnati Reds in 2013.

“That brings back memories,” he said. “To get those vibes again, I haven’t felt that in a long time.”

Said Burnett: “In other words, he wants to put the (catcher’s) gear on.”

Shapiro and his contingent were among the sellout crowd of 39,167 who helped welcome the 2023 MLB season to Pittsburgh. The Pirates did their part, defeating the Chicago White Sox, 13-9, to extend their winning streak to four in a row.

Shapiro didn’t draw the loudest or longest ovation of the day. The cheer that earned those distinctions rose from all corners of PNC Park when the crowd chanted “MVP,” MVP” for 2013 National League Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen, who singled twice. Bryan Reynolds’ three-run homer in the fourth inning also topped the ovation for Shapiro, even the Burnett/Martin battery.

Fans were eager to take part in the festivities, also reprising the popular, sing-song “Cueto, Cueto,” when video of the 2013 wild-card game played on the new, 5,680 square-foot scoreboard.

Keeping with the theme of nostalgia, the Pirates invited McCutchen’s mother, Petrina, to sing “The Star Spangled Banner.” She did the same during the 2013 and 2014 playoffs at PNC Park and appreciated the opportunity to return.

“It’s important to me because, No. 1, I get to share in the moment with my son,” she said on the field while waiting to sing. “And, also, I was (welcomed) back into the city and was able to bring back some of the nostalgia that was here previously.”

“You get a little nervous, but like any good journalist, you do what you have to do. I’m just grateful that they thought of me.”

While wearing McCutchen’s signature No. 22 jersey, she said she was happy to see her son back in a Pirates uniform.

When he was deciding whether to return, McCutchen didn’t seek his mother’s approval.

“He and his wife, they had a very good lengthy discussion,” Petrina said. “He let us know that he was having a meeting with Bob (Nutting, team chairman and owner) and was hoping for the best and here we are.

“It does your heart good to know that he is still loved, even though he was not here, that he was still loved and revered and respected in that light. It does us proud as parents. If you don’t do anything, I can look at my son and say we did something right.”

After the game, McCutchen said hearing her voice brought back good childhood memories.

“She’s been doing it my entire life. I’m thinking about all the times I was a little kid, riding in the car, listening to her rehearsing a song she needed to sing the next day,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to see her shine. She always got to see me do it. It’s nice I’m able to watch her be amazing at her craft.”

McCutchen said his mother’s father also was a singer, but he has no plans to join them.

“I will not be singing. Don’t even ask. I’m just going to keep doing my craft, which is playing baseball.”