The Pirates' inaugural Hall of Fame induction was visited by a protestor Saturday, as former Mayoral and Congressional candidate Will Parker came with a megaphone to ask Pirates owner and chairman of the board Bob Nutting, "What are you doing for the Black community?"
The ceremony took place just inside PNC Park's center field gate. Parker was outside the stadium and began his protest after Nutting made a five-minute speech. He continued for most of the ceremony, which proceeded as scheduled.
A man who has identified himself as Will Parker is speaking with a megaphone outside of the Pirates’ HOF induction ceremony at PNC Park, asking what Bob Nutting is doing for the black community.
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) September 3, 2022
Team security has come but they are letting him speak. The ceremony is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/p6lzepeGFC
When Nutting met with reporters after the induction of the 19 inaugural class members of Pirates and Pittsburgh baseball history, he had no comment on Parker's protest, aside from saying he didn't hear what Parker was saying.
"I was listening to [National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum president] Josh [Rawitch] and [Pirates broadcaster] Greg [Brown], and I really wanted to celebrate these 19 incredible players that we were putting into the hall," Nutting said.
A team spokesman said afterward that Parker was offered a meeting with Nutting after the ceremony, but that Parker declined.
Parker was eventually peacefully directed onto the riverwalk just off stadium premises.
The team's Hall of Fame ceremony comes one day after the Pirates clinched a losing season with their 82nd loss, their 26th losing season in 30 years. Nutting has been the principle owner since 2007, and the Pirates have finished below .500 in 12 of his 16 years. The team is in last place in the National League Central, and another such finish would mark the eighth under his ownership.
When asked about the state of the franchise, Nutting declined to comment.
"I really think today is a day to celebrate the Hall of Fame," Nutting said. "I really don't want to have anything that distracts from that or takes us away from that tonight."
More to come on the Hall of Fame and ceremony.
