Opfer's Take: PNC Park: Raise It!

Bottom of the 6^th inning. The count: 1-0. Pittsburgh trailing 2-1. 0 on, 0 out. At the plate for the home team: Andrew McCutchen. On the mound for the visitors: David Aardsma.

It was Saturday, July 13, 2013. The sun was setting over the beautiful Allegheny River overshadowing the majestic PNC Park. The temperature: high 60’s with a slight breeze. The smell of popcorn, cotton candy, brats & dogs, and fresh cut grass consumed the air. The Pittsburgh Pirates were playing host to the New York Mets. Quite simply, a perfect summer night for MLB baseball.

Since 2009, once a summer, my family makes the three hour trip from northeast Ohio across the Pennsylvania border into Pittsburgh to watch our beloved Pirates. The results from 2009-2012: a Loss. We saw the home team lose to Atlanta, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Chicago in that time span. In fact, I don’t even recall the Buccos leading in any of those games. If they did, it wasn't for very long. However, it is much more than just the game that takes us back year after year.

It’s the history –

You can’t walk around the outside of the stadium and not feel the presence of greatness. At home plate, the legend, Honus Wagner. Just outside the left field entrance, a statue of the great Willie Stargell. In center (my favorite), the greatest outfielder to ever play the game, Roberto Clemente. Finally, outside of right field, Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski (which commemorates him crossing the plate after his historic home-run in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 to win the 1960 World Series). When you take a picture with one of these legends, it’s like you become a part of the history. It takes you back to the good ole days of the Pittsburgh Pirates and represents hope for the future.

Clemente

Stargell Wagner

It’s the scenery –

From the three historic bridges crossing the Allegheny River, to the skyline of downtown, this trip is more than just a game. It’s a time to enjoy family and become acclimated to all the beautiful scenery that Pittsburgh has to offer. Taking a walk along the riverfront is spectacular. Riverboats, speedboats, and canoes explore the waters. Bicyclists activate the sidewalks. Fountains spruce up the surrounding area. And who could forget the picturesque Heinz Field in the mere distance.

The Pittsburgh Riverfront is unlike any other

It’s the loyalty –

When you root for a team, it becomes a custom (at least in my family). The Pirates have been awful since I was born. In fact, prior to this past season (2013), the Bucs hadn’t had a winning season since 1992. I was two years old! The Pittsburghers went 20 seasons without going above the .500 mark - the equivalent of me not witnessing a winning campaign in my lifetime of rooting for them. But that is what makes these moments so special. When the Pirates finally broke this barrier, we knew that we were a part of it. We never lost faith in our team and never will!

It’s the tradition –

What started as a simple trip to go watch our team and explore a park we've never been to has turned into a recurring theme ever since. And every time we go back, it seems that we find a new characteristic that we love about the place or team which resonates within us. Just as the Pirates are steeped in tradition, our annual trip is becoming just as special.

Not a better scene in all of baseball.

The ensuing pitch: Aardsma challenged the star with a fastball and McCutchen blasted a home-run to center field, sending PNC Park into a frenzy as fireworks soared into the air! An inning later, the Pirates added 2 more runs (one on a Cutch single). The following innings, the shark tank (bullpen) held the lead in check, and the rest was history.

On our 5^th try, we finally witnessed our first Buccos WIN! And boy was it special! It was in front of a season high crowd of 39,173 (102.1% full based on capacity), and it jolted the Bucs back into first place within the division! In all, it may have taken us a while to get that first W, but when we finally did, it came in the best way possible.