Pirates endorse 'blackout' ahead of Friday home opener

It's a big day for the Buccos. The Pittsburgh Pirates have their home opener at PNC Park on Friday."We are loving, loving, that Cutch is back," said Jim Coen, the owner of Yinzers sports gear store in the Strip District.Fans excited about Andrew McCutchen have also been calling for a "blackout." The Pirates tweeted out a GIF of a sign reading, "When Cutch says to wear black, you wear black."Coen says there is plenty of Pirates merchandise to support the goal of fans wearing black."So we got a blackout, first game, which is pretty interesting," he said. "I'm really, really excited about baseball this year."If you're going to the Buccos' game on Friday, maybe you'll be enjoying some beer at PNC Park. It will be a good time since it will also be National Beer Day. According to Move.org, Pittsburgh is the best place in Pennsylvania to celebrate. The data is based on which city in each state has the most breweries per 100,000 residents. Their 2023 study counts a total of 35 breweries in Pittsburgh."We're expecting to be super busy for tomorrow," said Devin Welsh, an employee at Mike's Beer Bar. "I'm scheduled at 9 a.m. Everybody's going to be coming down, drinking that IC Light.""We got a bunch of different specialty cocktails made for this year. Last year was really busy, so I'm hoping this year will be the same," said Catarina Ginley of North Shore Tavern and Mike's Beer Bar.Pirates fan Jim Falbo said of McCutchen, "I've been following him since he was drafted. Seen a lot of improvement, especially second half of last season and first two starts of this year."Pirate Mitch Keller, who started for the team on opening day, was at Allegheny City Brewing on Thursday for a "hangout" in his honor."It's a Keller-style beer, so the owners decided they were going to call it 'Mitch,'" he said. "So we are just here unraveling the beer, and having a good time, sign some autographs, taking some photos with some people."With McCuthen's return to PNC Park, Oakmont Bakery has whipped up some special "Cutch" cookies to celebrate. They'll be available in-store Friday and online to get fans ready for the new season.

PITTSBURGH —

It's a big day for the Buccos. The Pittsburgh Pirates have their home opener at PNC Park on Friday.

"We are loving, loving, that Cutch is back," said Jim Coen, the owner of Yinzers sports gear store in the Strip District.

Fans excited about Andrew McCutchen have also been calling for a "blackout." The Pirates tweeted out a GIF of a sign reading, "When Cutch says to wear black, you wear black."

Coen says there is plenty of Pirates merchandise to support the goal of fans wearing black.

"So we got a blackout, first game, which is pretty interesting," he said. "I'm really, really excited about baseball this year."

If you're going to the Buccos' game on Friday, maybe you'll be enjoying some beer at PNC Park. It will be a good time since it will also be National Beer Day.

According to Move.org, Pittsburgh is the best place in Pennsylvania to celebrate.
The data is based on which city in each state has the most breweries per 100,000 residents.

Their 2023 study counts a total of 35 breweries in Pittsburgh.

"We're expecting to be super busy for tomorrow," said Devin Welsh, an employee at Mike's Beer Bar. "I'm scheduled at 9 a.m. Everybody's going to be coming down, drinking that IC Light."

"We got a bunch of different specialty cocktails made for this year. Last year was really busy, so I'm hoping this year will be the same," said Catarina Ginley of North Shore Tavern and Mike's Beer Bar.

Pirates fan Jim Falbo said of McCutchen, "I've been following him since he was drafted. Seen a lot of improvement, especially second half of last season and first two starts of this year."

Pirate Mitch Keller, who started for the team on opening day, was at Allegheny City Brewing on Thursday for a "hangout" in his honor.

"It's a Keller-style beer, so the owners decided they were going to call it 'Mitch,'" he said. "So we are just here unraveling the beer, and having a good time, sign some autographs, taking some photos with some people."

With McCuthen's return to PNC Park, Oakmont Bakery has whipped up some special "Cutch" cookies to celebrate. They'll be available in-store Friday and online to get fans ready for the new season.

Pirates endorse 'blackout' ahead of Friday home opener

Good Housekeeping