One couldn’t ask for a better day for Opening Day 2014 as blue skies and springtime temperatures ascended on PNC Park on Monday. It was a welcome sight to fans, but an even better sight to the Pirate players as they have some unfinished business after last seasons Game 5 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.
“I believe we’re better prepared,” said manager, Clint Hurdle. “I believe we’re better experienced. I believe the skill-sets have every opportunity to play out and play longer than we did last season.”
Hurdle also has some new hardware in his case as he was presented the NL Manager of the Year award by former Pirate manager, Jim Leyland prior to Monday’s Opening Day game. It’s something that he shares more with his father than with himself.
“It’s an individual honor and those aren’t ones that I have many of, nor do I spend a lot of time reflecting upon it,” said Hurdle. “It will be special for me and the fact my dad will be here today and this is the award that will get to him eventually. I’m going to have it shipped to him.”
This Opening Day had a different feel to it as the clubhouse had more confidence in it than in previous years. It also is home to the reigning NL MVP, who received his award along with Hurdle’s.
“[Opening Day] always will be special and there is nothing like it. You’re not going to have a lot of these in your lifetime or your career, so it’s a very special moment.”
Cutch received the award from former Pirate MVP’s Dick Groat and Barry Bonds. Bonds said in a pregame press conference that McCutchen knows what it takes to win the award and can repeat.
“I think he’s got the formula now,” said Bonds.” Once you do it once, I expect you to do it again. (Laughs)”
Neil Walker has been apart or around the organization for quite some time, yet he still cherishes moments like this.
“This one feels pretty special, this is a special day, it’s a really special day for this team, this organization has come a long way,” said Walker. “The last twenty years have been a tough thing and to get to where we are now over the last couple of years is pretty amazing and before the game with Cutch, Liriano and everybody else that was honored today. It was just an amazing day. I think I’ve become numb to that over the past eleven seasons in this organization, but at the same time, special moments like today and being a part of a pregame like that is very, very special. I think I have a better understanding of the tradition of this organization than most guys.”
Baseball is back in Pittsburgh and it could provide many more special moments in the months to come.
Follow @TBerardi_OVA
(Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
