From the shouts of the Renegades of the Rotunda to park side wedding vows, solemn memorials, and the renditions of the National Anthem crossing home plate from stars just starting to shine, opening day is a sight and soundtrack all of its own. Take a look through the years at PNC Park home openers as seen through the eyes of the Post-Gazette photo staff.
It was a joyous day and also one of deep loss. Pirates Hall of Famer Willie Stargell died the morning PNC Park opened its gates for the first time on the North Shore. Fans file past the Willie Stargell statue and makeshift memorial to him that day on April 9, 2001. (John Heller/Post-Gazette)Todd Ritchie is on his way to the mound, as doves fly over the field at the end of the ceremony during Monday’s home opener of the Pirates at PNC Park on April 9, 2001. (Franka Bruns/Post-Gazette)“I’m gonna be happy” was only one of the few songs organist Vince Lascheid played during Monday afternoon’s home opener of the Pirates against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on April 9, 2001. Lascheid started playing during ball games in 1970, and has had 28 seasons on his record. (Franka Bruns/Post-Gazette)Spectators crowd the sidewalk on the Roberto Clemente Bridge to watch the early innings of the Pirates’ home opener against Cincinnati at PNC Park on Monday, April 9, 2001. (Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette)The Pirate Parrot is teased by a fan as he watches the ninth inning from left field of the Pirates home opener at PNC Park on April 9, 2001. (Martha Rial/Post-Gazette)Pirates pitcher Mike Williams video tapes pregame ceremonies before the home opener at PNC Park on April 9, 2001. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)James E. Jones power washes seats at PNC Park Thursday in preparation for the home opener Monday against the Phillies on April 10, 2004. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Actor and Pittsburgh-native Michael Keaton practices his pitching in the batting cages inside PNC Park as he prepares to throw out the first pitch for the Pirates home opener on Monday, April 10, 2006. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Catcher Benito Santiago tags out Milwaukee’s Lyle Overbay in the sixth inning of the Pirates’ season opener, April 4, 2005, at PNC Park. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)The Pirates’ Ian Snell touches the Roberto Clemente quote on his way to the field for the start of the home opener, April 7, 2008, at PNC Park. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)Jackie Evancho sings the The Star-Spangled Banner before the Pirates home opener, Monday, April 5, 2010, at PNC Park. The 10-year-old Richland resident had been competing on Americas Got Talent. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Noah Baumcratz, 3, of Clarion, rests against his father, Ed Baumcratz, while they wait for the gates to open at PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener, April 7, 2011. This is the first game that Noah will remember, having been taken to one when he was less than a year old. (Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette)Bob Shapiro, of Ligonier, gets his photo taken with Angela Kemper, of East Liberty during the Pirates home opener against the Rockies Thursday, April 7, 2011, at PNC Park. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Fans watch watch as the Pirates take on the Rockies during the home opener Thursday, April 7, 2011, at PNC Park. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Amanda Washburn, center, of Greensburg, listens to the Rev. Nate Newell, right, as she and John List, of Greensburg, are married on the Riverwalk next to PNC Park before the start of the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener April 5, 2012. Washburn and List had their first date at a Pirates game and decided to get married on opening day and attend the game after the ceremony. (Larry Roberts/Post-Gazette)Pirates manager Clint Hurdle greets his players after being introduced before his team’s home opener against the Cubs Monday, April 1, 2013, at PNC Park. (Matt Freed /Post-Gazette)Pirates teammates line up for the National Anthem before their team’s home opener against the Cubs Monday, April 1, 2013, at PNC Park.(Matt Freed /Post-Gazette)Reggie Howze of Garfield plays the saxophone on the Roberto Clemente Bridge before the start of the Pittsburgh Pirate’s home opener at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, April 1, 2013. (Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette)Tom Earhart of Murrysville holds a sign that reads “this is our year” at the start of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, April 1, 2013. (Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette)Fans cheers as pitcher A.J. Burnette strikes out the first batter during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, April 1, 2013. (Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette)Center Fielder Andrew McCutchen jogs off the field after the third inning during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, April 1, 2013. (Michael Henninger/Post-Gazette)Gannon Carothers, 11, of Hampton, gets one last look at PNC Park on opening day as he crosses the Roberto Clemente Bridge Monday, March 31, 2014. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette )Vince Masi, 33, of the North Side, surfs with Surf Pittsburgh in front of PNC Park on opening day, Monday, March 31, 2014. (Julia Rendleman/Post-Gazette )Pirates manager Clint Hurdle walks to a press conference Monday morning before his team’s home opener against the Tigers at PNC Park on Monday, April 13, 2015. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Lawson Hammond left, Jessica Passinita and Greg Krayer take the Mon Incline to Carson Street before heading to PNC Park for Pirates home opener against the Detroit Tigers, Monday, April 13, 2015. (Nate Guidry/Post-Gazette)Marion Mays of Oakland, a Pittsburgh sports enthusiast and a Santa look alike, hangs out at the tailgate at PNC park before the Pirates home opener, Monday, April 13, 2015. (Sarah Collins/Post-Gazette)Outfielder Marte Starling goes after a fly ball in the first inning of the Pirates home opener against the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on Monday, April 13, 2015. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison and Starling Marte talk on the field Monday, April 13, 2015, during warmups before their team’s home opener against the Tigers at PNC Park. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Pirates’ Josh Harrison takes a photo on a tablet for the team’s social media site during warmups Monday before his team’s home opener against the Tigers at PNC Park, April 13, 2015. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Louis Lambros, aka “Bucco Louie,” 28, of Mt. Lebanon, cheers the Pirates during the team’s Home Opener at PNC Park. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Art Astringer, a member of Renegades of the Rotunda, bumps up the fans while attending the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on Friday, April 7, 2017. (Lake Fong/Post-Gazette)The American flag is displayed during the Pirates home opener against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on Friday, April 7, 2017, on the North Shore. (Lake Fong/Post-Gazette)Minnesota TwinsÕ Joe Mauer slides home and scores on a wild pitch by PiratesÕ Edgar Santana on opening day on Monday, April 2, 2018 at PNC Park in North Shore. (Antonella Crescimbeni/Post-Gazette)Pittsburgh Pirates fans lean over the outside bar as they intently watch the seventh inning of the Pirates home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, April 1, 2019, at PNC Park on the North Shore. (Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette)Jim Dunstan of the Southside, left, and Eric Baldauf of Brentwood, right, raise their drinks in the air as they cheer on the Bucs in the bottom of the seventh inning during the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, April 1, 2019, at PNC Park on the North Shore. (Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette)Post-Gazette Pirates beat writer Jason Mackey watches the Bucs take on the Brewers during the home opener Monday, July, 27, 2020, at PNC Park. The grandstands were empty spare a few approved guests due to COVID-19 precautions. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)Sunrise over Pittsburgh and PNC Park on April 8, 2021 as Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for their home opening day of the 2021 season. (Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette)Fans gather on Federal Street for the Pirates’ home opener at PNC Park on Thursday, April 8, 2021. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
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