Pittsburgh mascots: Known & not so well-known

The Pirate Parrot waving a flag, Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette, Sep.30, 1979.

Private Pickle’s mission is to promote a sense of community among military families. He was the first-ever American military product mascot, touring U.S. and European bases, 1998

Fiddlesticks, the Pittsburgh Symphony mascot, exits a U.S. Air plane at Pittsburgh Intl Airport with Susan McClain , his creator. McClain has arrived from New York for the mascot’s unveiling, 1992, Post-Gazette photo.

Strutting his stuff atop the dugout at the season opener at Three Rivers Stadium was the new Pirate Parrot, 1979 (Edwin Morgan/Pittsburgh Press)

Pirate Parrot ‘vacuuming’ in his rain gear during rain delay, 1988, Post-Gazette photo.

Tina Runyon and David Kass get up close with T. Carnegie Rex at a South Side festival in 1991 (Terry Harris/Post-Gazette)

How well do you think you know your Pittsburgh mascots? And do you have a favorite?

When we asked those questions on Monday, you, guys, revived all sorts of memories. Best mascots. Weird mascots. Long-forgotten mascots.

Remember those rocks from Slippery Rock University?  How about Andrew Card-negie?  Or the Pittsburgh Condors? Or Private Pickle, a “Dill-itary” ambassador from Heinz Pickles? Do you know Kenny Kangaroo?  Of course, you doooo!

In our treasure trove of photographs we found mascots you either know too well or might not be able to recognize at all.

Here is a test. Do you know the mascot of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra? His name is Fiddlesticks, he is a fiddler, a feline fiddler and a musical ambassador for kids. He is going to turn 23 this year. And you should know about it because for his birthday he invites his fans and celebrates his b-day with cotton candy n’at.

The mascot every Pittsburgher recognizes is The Pittsburgh Parrot. You might have even taken a selfie with him last summer. (If you have, you should send it our way.)

But did you know that he “hatched” in 1979 at Three Rivers Stadium? Call it a joke or pure coincidence: his birthday is April 1. At first he looked as thin as a chicken. Then, in 1985, he rose like a phoenix from the ashes. Just kidding. He just gained some weight to assume a goofier appearance to appeal to the kids. According to the Pirates website, today his height is “larger than life,” his weight is “won’t sit still on scale” and his waist is “We can’t tell you that!”

His season stats are measured in high-fives, pictures taken and fans covered in silly string.

To be fair, The Pirate Parrot has lived through tough times: it’s not easy to represent a team that until recently had had 20 consecutive losing seasons.

Maybe one day, if the Pirates continue doing well, he will eventually be inducted in the Mascot Hall of Fame. Fingers crossed.