Final: Pittsburgh Pirates 3, Cleveland Indians 2
Hot Dog 4/5
Great park, great game, great night.
We bought tickets from a guy out in front of the stadium. He was trying to unload seats from his two no-show friends. He threw in two Pirates hats and sold us the tickets at half price. We sat next to him and his friends during the game (great seats, by the by, in the grandstand just past first base) and he told us about the Pirates and their parks. A real friendly guy, just like everybody else we talked to here at PNC Park.
PNC is similar to the other newer, retro-inspired ballparks. The concourse feels a lot like Comerica Park and Citizens Bank Park, with its exposed steel and airy openness (is that even a word?) that lets you look at the field from anywhere along the concession area. What sets PNC apart in my mind is the view looking out. Philly had no view to speak of, and while Detroit’s Rock City skyline was really cool as a backdrop to the ballpark, Pittsburgh takes the cake. With the beautiful city (yeah, I never thought anybody would say that about Pittsburgh either), the bright, yellow bridges, and the vivid green of the playing field and walls… There’s something about it. It’s got character.
Okay, enough waxing poetic. After several minutes of CGI Pirate ships cannonballing each other on the jumbotron, the ballgame started, and it was a great one. Two very good pitchers (last year’s AL Cy Young winner among them) pitched very well late into the game.
Runs were scored not only by the long ball (which I’m told “chicks dig”), but by speed and playing “small ball,” just like a National League game should. It ended with a walk-off base hit for the Pirates… tres exciting.
Karyn was excited because we got to see another manager ejected. I was more excited by the pierogi race and hot dog launcher (that makes two parks so far with hot dog launchers… I just don’t get it). Oh, and it was free t-shirt night, so we scored more loot (since this is the Pirates’ park, I guess it would be called “booty”) to take home and sell on eBay.
Oh, and the “We’re on the baseball trip-of-a-lifetime” moment of the evening:
All in all, this was a great night.
The Zelda shirt is a nice touch.
WOW!!!! That’s so neat that you had your trip advertised!! And even better that you were quick to snap a picture!
You’s guys are getting lucky with scoring free stuff. And also, I thought that was a replica of a bridge and not a real one. That was nice of that guy to give you some history lessons, once again, did he get the link?
So have you lost weight? Chris wants to know how the hot dog was that cost $1…
Alli says “HI!!”
Jeff misses you vewy vewy much.
Sammie says she’ll see you next year..
Your favorite “daughter” sends her love.. (Rhiannon?)
Kelly says “Always remember the kazoo.”
Christopher (and I) love your “About us” section. Even though you barely mentioned the loves of your life.
Lexi says this is her computer.
Hannah says: I miss you. “That was a weird day…”
Sarah is not in the room but I’m sure she is sending her love.
I say: I love that you are wearing the tie in those cute pics. I also say that when I eat apples I still think of you. -Caren
Chris just sweated on Rhiannon… “That’s not spit!”
So we are following this for the rest of the summer, dontcha know. Hope this brightened your day!
Love Love Love <3333
Us.
Your name in lights!!! That’s fantastic!!!! (Pardon the over-abundance of exclamation marks; I realize there’s a one per sentence limit, but I just couldn’t contain myself!!!)
Wow, just going by your picture of the field with that blazing yellow bridge in the background, I’d have to agree that this is a MOST beautiful park! Also, how cool is that, having your names up in lights? Did you tell your ticket-selling friend that that was for YOU??? And who told them, do you think, MLB or the Pirates themselves knew from when you had written for tickets before you left? Rich, I think I need a few lessons in English grammar, cuz that was one really long, convoluted sentence there, ha! Anyway, I’m really impressed by your most recent “hotel room” in Pittsburgh (which isn’t such a BURG after all)! Stay safe! <3, Mom
What some people will do to get there name up in lights.
You Guys look great.
All quiet here.
Miss you, stay safe!
M&D
I’m (probably) heading out to PGH in a few weeks with Jamey and Paul. Can’t wait! I’ve wanted to go to Pittsburgh for years!! haha.
In a report from Citi Fi… I mean, New Shea. Jamey and I scored cheap, really great tix to tonight’s subway series game! CRAZY rain delay (looked like the end of the world), so I got to see the rainy-day-Mr. Met again. They didn’t play “New York State of Mind” when they lost, but instead played the Journey diddy “Lights”. Nice, and not as depressing for the Mets fans. I got A-Road’s autograph! And got snubbed by Reginald Martinez Jackson, haha!
I apologize in advance for the terrible Cellular Field (aka, “Sox Park”) on the South Side. Ugh, how miserable. Enjoy Chicago! Go to Gino’s East and get a REAL Chicago Deep Dish! (The real one is at Ontario and Wells, near Rock n Roll McDonalds, but there are some franchises around Chicagoland. Man, I miss Chicago!!!!)
Oh, and I had another Nathan’s tonight at New Shea. Dude, our last dogs must have been sub-par, because this one was awesome. Color, presentation, snap, taste, etc. wow. 4/5, but I can’t really imagine a better one that is not served at Spike’s. If we make it to another game when you’re here in August, I’ll buy you one.
As a note to all about the message board: at PNC you can send a text message to them and they will (hopefully) display it between innings. Totally worth the 20 cents.