The Pirates have received online backlash after fans observed a new advertisement located just under the right-field foul pole at PNC Park. The ad for Surfside Iced Tea and Vodka currently sits in a spot on the wall where a logo honoring Roberto Clemente once sat. 

Buzz surrounding the ad placement grew on social media, even capturing the attention of Roberto Clemente Jr.: 

Pirates senior vice president of communications and broadcasting Brian Warecki issued this statement in response to the online criticism: "Roberto Clemente is more than a Hall-of-Fame player to us. His legacy helps define who we are as an organization. One would be hard-pressed to find a franchise that pays tribute to one of their historically great players more than the Pittsburgh Pirates do of Roberto Clemente, and rightfully so. Each and every day, we proudly honor and celebrate Roberto Clemente, the person, the player, and the humanitarian in and around our ballpark, as well as through our charitable endeavors. The 21-foot-high wall that officially bears Roberto Clemente’s name continues to, and will forever, display his No. 21 in two separate locations. The temporary wall sign in question was put in place prior to the 2022 season and was never meant to be a permanent tribute, simply another cap tip to ‘The Great One.’ We apologize that we didn’t directly communicate that fact to the Clemente family and our fans." 

Other ways in which the Pirates have honored Clemente's legacy, both outside and inside PNC Park, include his No. 21 on the riverwalk ramp leading up to Federal Street, the 12-foot-tall bronze statue outside the center-field gate, two separate, stand-alone No. 21 logos on the facia of the right-field wall and his No. 21 on the upper deck facia.