For the third consecutive year, the Pittsburgh Pirates will open their season on the North Shore at PNC Park. The team begins the 2014 campaign with a six-game homestand that includes a three-game series vs. National League Central rivals, the Chicago Cubs and the defending N.L. Champion, St. Louis Cardinals.
Opening Day festivities will highlight Opening Week as many former Pirates players will return to Pittsburgh to participate in on-field ceremonies and present the Pirates 2013 N.L. award winners. The Pirates will welcome back the team’s former N.L. Most Valuable Players as Dick Groat and Barry Bonds will present Andrew McCutchen his 2013 MVP award (Pirates 1978 N.L. MVP Dave Parker was slated to appear as well, but will be unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict). Pirates two-time N.L. Manager-of-the-Year Jim Leyland will be on hand to present Clint Hurdle his 2013 Manager-of-the-Year award. And former Louisville Silver Slugger award winner Jack Wilson will present McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez with their 2013 Silver Slugger awards.
The Opening Day pregame excitement is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. with the professional parachute team “Fastrax” landing at PNC Park to deliver the American flag and Jolly Roger. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early, to ensure they do not miss a moment of the special ceremonies.
Monday, March 31, 2014-Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs (1:05 p.m.) Opening Day presented by PNC Bank
Game will be telecast on ROOT SPORTS Pittsburgh and nationally on ESPN
Magnetic Schedule Day: All fans in attendance receive Pirates 2014 Magnetic Schedules compliments of PNC Bank.
Gate Time: PNC Park gates will open to ALL FANS at 11 a.m.
Up in the Sky : The professional parachute team “Fastrax,” America’s skydiving team, will fly into PNC Park and land on the field with the American flag and the Jolly Roger prior to today’s Opening Day ceremonies.
2013 Awards Ceremonies: 2013 was a memorable run for the Pittsburgh Pirates and along the way several members of the club picked up individual awards for their personal accomplishments. Today in separate on-field ceremonies these players and manager Clint Hurdle will be recognized by the Pirates and fans at PNC Park.
o MVP Cutch: Last season, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen registered his third consecutive All-Star season and at the end of the 2013 campaign was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player. Today, McCutchen will receive the award in a pregame ceremony that will include former Pirates MVPs Dick Groat (1960 N.L. MVP) and Barry Bonds (Seven time N.L. MVP, two with the Pirates- 1990 and 1992).
o Manager-of-the-Year: In 2013, Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle guided his team to a 94-68 record and a berth in the National League Division Series, at the end of the season the Pirates manager was awarded the N.L. Manager-of-the-Year award. Today, Hurdle will be presented the award by former Pirates manager and three-time Manager-of-the-Year, Jim Leyland (N.L. Manager-of-the-Year with the Pirates- 1990 and 1992).
o Silver Sluggers: Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez and McCutchen will receive their 2013 Louisville Silver Sluggers in an on-field ceremony prior to the game. The two became the first pair of Pirates sluggers to win the award in the same season since Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke won the honor in 1992. The awards will be presented by former Pirates shortstop and 2004 Silver Slugger Jack Wilson. Alvarez will also be presented the 2013 N.L. Home Run plaque. Last season Alvarez tied with Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt for the N.L. home run crown with 36 blasts.
o Comeback Player: After a 2013 campaign in which he was 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA, Pirates hurler Francisco Liriano was named the N.L. Comeback Player of the Year. He will be recognized today in a pregame ceremony.
PNC Check Presentation : PNC Bank will present a donation to the City of Pittsburgh Police K-9 Protective Vest Fund. Officer Phil Lerza, whose K-9 partner officer, Rocco, was killed in the line of duty in January, will throw a ceremonial first pitch.
Moment of Silence : Today in a pregame ceremony the Pirates, Cubs and everyone in attendance at PNC Park will observe a moment of silence for members of the Pirates family who have passed away in recent months. Honored with a moment of silence will be Pirates alumni Ralph Kiner, Johnny Logan, Eddie O’Brien and Preston Ward along with Pirates minor leaguer Evan Chambers and long-time Pirates beat writer Charlie Feeney.
Color Guard: Today the colors will be presented by a joint Military Color Guard and joined by members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police K-9 Unit.
Lineup: Members of the Pirates and Cubs will take part in player introductions on the infield lines.
God Bless America: Today, God Bless America will be performed by Staff Sergeant Charles Stoddard of the U.S. Army’s 316th infantry.
National Anthem : The National Anthem will be performed by Petrina McCutchen, mother of Pirates 2013 N.L. MVP and three-time All-Star Andrew McCutchen.
First Pitch : Scott Kiner, son of Pirates Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Information provided by the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club
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(Photo Credit: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images)
