Your Guide to Pirates Opening Day 2014

| March 31, 2014

Photo by Jake Bauer.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – On Monday, March 31, the Pittsburgh Pirates will host Opening Day for the 2014 season of Pirates baseball against the Chicago Cubs at 1:05 p.m. 

The following guide provides information on the game, opening day activities, traffic tips, and more.

CHICAGO CUBS at PITTSBURGH PIRATES

When: Monday 3/31, 1:05 PM ET*
Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Radio: KDKA-FM 93.7
TV: ROOT Sports, ESPN, WGN (Local Blackout Rules Apply)

*Gates to PNC Park will open at 11 a.m. with pregame ceremonies scheduled to begin at approximately 12:30 p.m.

PIRATES 2013 RECORD: 94-68, 2nd place NL Central

CUBS 2013 RECORD: 66-96, 5th place NL Central

PROBABLE PITCHERS

Jeff Samardzija, RHP – Cubs

This is Samardzija’s second straight Opening Day start. Last year he held the Pirates to two hits over eight scoreless innings for the win. He’s the first pitcher to make back-to-back Opening Day starts at PNC Park.

Francisco Liriano, LHP – Pirates

The 2013 NL Comeback Player of the Year already has his first comeback of ’14: Liriano’s Opening Day start was jeopardized by a tight left groin muscle suffered on March 20, but he made a quick recovery.

PIRATES ACTIVE ROSTER

# Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
45 Gerrit Cole R-R 6’4″ 240 Sep 8, 1990
30 Jeanmar Gomez R-R 6’3″ 220 Feb 10, 1988
39 Jason Grilli R-R 6’4″ 235 Nov 11, 1976
47 Francisco Liriano L-L 6’2″ 215 Oct 26, 1983
35 Mark Melancon R-R 6’2″ 215 Mar 28, 1985
29 Bryan Morris L-R 6’3″ 225 Mar 28, 1987
50 Charlie Morton R-R 6’5″ 235 Nov 12, 1983
38 Stolmy Pimentel R-R 6’3″ 230 Feb 1, 1990
51 Wandy Rodriguez S-L 5’10” 195 Jan 18, 1979
36 Edinson Volquez R-R 6’0″ 220 Jul 3, 1983
44 Tony Watson L-L 6’4″ 225 May 30, 1985
37 Justin Wilson L-L 6’2″ 205 Aug 18, 1987
# Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
55 Russell Martin R-R 5’10” 215 Feb 15, 1983
26 Tony Sanchez R-R 5’11” 225 May 20, 1988
# Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
24 Pedro Alvarez L-R 6’3″ 235 Feb 6, 1987
12 Clint Barmes R-R 6’1″ 200 Mar 6, 1979
5 Josh Harrison R-R 5’8″ 200 Jul 8, 1987
3 Travis Ishikawa L-L 6’3″ 220 Sep 24, 1983
10 Jordy Mercer R-R 6’3″ 205 Aug 27, 1986
17 Gaby Sanchez R-R 6’1″ 235 Sep 2, 1983
18 Neil Walker S-R 6’3″ 210 Sep 10, 1985
# Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
6 Starling Marte R-R 6’1″ 185 Oct 9, 1988
22 Andrew McCutchen R-R 5’10” 190 Oct 10, 1986
23 Travis Snider L-L 6’0″ 235 Feb 2, 1988
31 Jose Tabata R-R 5’11” 210 Aug 12, 1988

 

CUBS ACTIVE ROSTER

# Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
52 Justin Grimm R-R 6’3″ 210 Aug 16, 1988
39 Jason Hammel R-R 6’6″ 225 Sep 2, 1982
36 Edwin Jackson R-R 6’3″ 210 Sep 9, 1983
56 Hector Rondon R-R 6’3″ 180 Feb 26, 1988
40 James Russell L-L 6’4″ 200 Jan 8, 1986
29 Jeff Samardzija R-R 6’5″ 225 Jan 23, 1985
63 Brian Schlitter R-R 6’5″ 235 Dec 21, 1985
46 Pedro Strop R-R 6’1″ 220 Jun 13, 1985
41 Jose Veras R-R 6’6″ 240 Oct 20, 1980
33 Carlos Villanueva R-R 6’2″ 215 Nov 28, 1983
37 Travis Wood R-L 5’11” 175 Feb 6, 1987
53 Wesley Wright R-L 5’11” 185 Jan 28, 1985
# Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
12 John Baker L-R 6’1″ 215 Jan 20, 1981
53 Welington Castillo R-R 5’10” 210 Apr 24, 1987
# Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
15 Darwin Barney R-R 5’10” 185 Nov 8, 1985
64 Emilio Bonifacio S-R 5’11” 205 Apr 23, 1985
13 Starlin Castro R-R 6’0″ 190 Mar 24, 1990
30 Mike Olt R-R 6’2″ 210 Aug 27, 1988
44 Anthony Rizzo L-L 6’3″ 240 Aug 8, 1989
24 Luis Valbuena L-R 5’10” 200 Nov 30, 1985
# Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
51 Ryan Kalish L-L 6’0″ 215 Mar 28, 1988
21 Junior Lake R-R 6’3″ 215 Mar 27, 1990
20 Justin Ruggiano R-R 6’1″ 210 Apr 12, 1982
19 Nate Schierholtz L-R 6’2″ 215 Feb 15, 1984
6 Ryan Sweeney L-L 6’4″ 225 Feb 20, 1985

 

OPENING DAY HIGHLIGHTS

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

TRAFFIC TIPS

The following parking and traffic information will be helpful to those fans coming to the game, as well as downtown commuters.

  • The Roberto Clemente Bridge will close to vehicular traffic beginning at 9 a.m.
  • All parking lots and garages on the North Shore are closed to commuter traffic.
  • North Shore parking near PNC Park will open at 9 a.m. (with event rates).

The Pirates strongly encourage fans, especially families, to arrive as early as possible as downtown parking and lots close to PNC Park will become filled early on Opening Day. Also fans should allow additional time to enter PNC Park as all guests will be screened with metal detecting wands or be asked to walk through new ballpark upright metal detectors.

In an effort to expedite the screening process, guests are asked to leave all unnecessary metal objects in their vehicles or at home.

FOR DOWNTOWN COMMUTERS AND FANS:
Commuters and fans are encouraged to ride transit the day of the Opener. Fans can utilize the free “T” service offered by the Port Authority from the four Golden Triangle stations, as well as the Allegheny Station outside of Heinz Field, to the North Side Station just outside of PNC Park’s Trib-Total Media Home Plate Gate.

For example, fans can park at the CONSOL Energy Center lots and ride the “T” to the doorstep of PNC Park for free. Also, fans who prefer to park west of Allegheny Avenue, can ride the “T” for free from the Allegheny Station outside of Heinz Field to the North Side Station outside of PNC Park.

FOR FAMILIES:

  • CONSOL Energy Center West and South Lots ($7.25) – Enter from Centre Avenue via I-579. Walk two blocks to the Steel Plaza Station and take the free “T” to PNC Park.
  • Grant Street Transportation Center (near Convention Center) – Enter via Penn Avenue or 12th Street from the 10th Street bypass. Check for space availability via iPhone (ParkPGH); Mobile(m.parkpgh.org); SMS/Text and Voice (412-423-8980).
  • Station Square, Gateway Clipper Shuttle Boats – The Gateway Clipper will take fans directly to PNC Park from this location. Children under turnstile height (30 inches) are free.
  • River Avenue Lots
    • From I-376, take I-279 (Ft Duquesne Bridge) northbound to Exit 1D (on right) to Chestnut Ramp (on right); then right on Chestnut Street and right at traffic signal.
    • From North I-279, take Exit 2B to East Street and East Ohio Street eastbound to Chestnut Street southbound.
    • From North Route 28, take River Avenue from 31st Street Bridge exit.
  • Carnegie Science Lots – Fans can enter from Casino Drive and ride the free “T” from the Allegheny Station.
  • Fulton Avenue Lot – This lot is located on the north side of the West End Bridge. Fans can ride the free “T” from the Allegheny Station.

FOR FANS OVER 21:

  • Rivers Casino Garage ($30) – Parking is available in the Rivers Casino Garage. Due to Rivers Casino policy, everyone in the vehicle must be 21 years or older to enter the garage. Fans can ride the free “T” from the Allegheny Station or enjoy the walk to PNC Park via the River Walkway.

SECURITY TIPS

In an effort to further ensure the safety of those entering the ballpark, all guests entering PNC Park will be screened with metal detecting wands or be asked to enter through the new ballpark upright metal detectors. Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early to allow for the increased security measures at PNC Park.

Each guest is permitted to bring one bag into the ballpark. All bags, purses, fanny packs and backpacks 16x16x8-inch or smaller are permitted and subject to search upon entry and within the ballpark. Softsided coolers and soft-sided briefcases are permitted. Hard-sided coolers and briefcases, ice packs and cooler inserts are not permitted. For the convenience of those guests not carrying purses, fanny packs and bags into the ballpark, express lanes are offered at each gate.

Guests are permitted to bring bottled water and food that may fit into a 16x16x8-inch soft-sided bag into the ballpark. Water bottles should not exceed 24 ounces in size, and must be clear, plastic, sealed and disposable. Children’s juice boxes and items necessary for medical purposes are permitted. Alcoholic beverages, carbonated beverages, sports drinks, cans, glass bottles and thermoses are not allowed.

Hazardous or disruptive items cannot be brought into the ballpark. Samples of items that are not permitted include boom boxes, inflatable balls, balloons, frisbee discs, laser pointers, fireworks, footballs and weapons of any kind. The Pirates reserve the right to inspect and remove any packages and/or containers.


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