Fans excited for home opener despite lackluster team results
More than three hours prior to the first pitch being thrown in the Pirates' home opener, Paul 'Mu' Kuchta was among the first fans in line at PNC Park's center-field gate this afternoon.
Kuchta, a Brentwood resident who attends 10 to 15 games per year, is like most Pirates fans in the sense that he believes more could be done to make the ball club more competitive. Still, his love for the game outweighs any type of pessimism he might have regarding ownership or the current state of the organization.
That's especially the case on opening day, a regular tradition Kuchta has taken part in since he first attended back in 1969. That's part of the reason why he's continued to show dedication to the Pirates after all these years. Through the good and the bad, he fondly recalls his first opening day when he was just seven years old, cheering on the Pirates against the Cardinals at Forbes Field. On that day, Kuchta watched eight Hall of Fame players suit up, including three for his home team: Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Bill Mazeroski.
From then on, he was hooked. And nothing could get in the way of his love for the game and his team.
"I'm a Pirates fan, win, lose or draw," Kuchta said. "This park will be filled today and it's a great time to have. I enjoy it."
JOSE NEGRON / DKPS
The line of fans waiting to enter PNC Park through the home plate gate two hours before game time this afternoon.
Donning his classic Dave Parker jersey and vintage 1970s Pirates cap, Phil Bisceglia of McKeesport is attending opening day with the same positive mindset. Bisceglia regularly attends the first home game with his son, Matt, and said he has around 40 under his belt.
"Opening day means life," he told me. "It means you have a chance to do whatever you want to do in life. Besides my kids being born, this is the greatest thing."
For Bisceglia, there's no putting a damper on this day full of baseball.
"I listen to this team on the radio all the time, I don't care if they lose, stink, nothing," Bisceglia said. "I grew up in the 70s and I love it all. Win or lose, I don't care about the owners. I'm not here for the owners. I'm here to watch my team."
JOSE NEGRON / DKPS
Fans enter the center field gate at PNC Park this afternoon.
Harry Knauf and his son, Grady, are eager to make new memories this afternoon. Harry has attended home openers in the past, but this is a first for Grady.
When I asked the two how they're feeling about the Pirates and this day in particular, Harry immediately turned to Grady and said, "Go ahead, you're younger and more optimistic."
"I've never been to something like this, so I definitely think it's cool," Grady said. "I love baseball and it means summer is close. It makes me happy."
In regards to the current state of the team, Grady passed the baton over to his dad, who without hesitation said, "They need to sign some hitters," before predicting a 100-loss season and a long summer for the Pirates.
"I just want them to spend a little more money and get to the $100 million mark because this division is so winnable. And they've got (Paul) Skenes. You can't waste that. He's a generational talent," Harry said. "I'm excited, though. It's still baseball. It's a great sport, this is a great baseball town and it's something I look forward to every year."
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THE ASYLUM
José Negron
7:26 pm - 04.04.2025North ShoreFans excited for home opener despite lackluster team results
More than three hours prior to the first pitch being thrown in the Pirates' home opener, Paul 'Mu' Kuchta was among the first fans in line at PNC Park's center-field gate this afternoon.
Kuchta, a Brentwood resident who attends 10 to 15 games per year, is like most Pirates fans in the sense that he believes more could be done to make the ball club more competitive. Still, his love for the game outweighs any type of pessimism he might have regarding ownership or the current state of the organization.
That's especially the case on opening day, a regular tradition Kuchta has taken part in since he first attended back in 1969. That's part of the reason why he's continued to show dedication to the Pirates after all these years. Through the good and the bad, he fondly recalls his first opening day when he was just seven years old, cheering on the Pirates against the Cardinals at Forbes Field. On that day, Kuchta watched eight Hall of Fame players suit up, including three for his home team: Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Bill Mazeroski.
From then on, he was hooked. And nothing could get in the way of his love for the game and his team.
"I'm a Pirates fan, win, lose or draw," Kuchta said. "This park will be filled today and it's a great time to have. I enjoy it."
JOSE NEGRON / DKPS
The line of fans waiting to enter PNC Park through the home plate gate two hours before game time this afternoon.
Donning his classic Dave Parker jersey and vintage 1970s Pirates cap, Phil Bisceglia of McKeesport is attending opening day with the same positive mindset. Bisceglia regularly attends the first home game with his son, Matt, and said he has around 40 under his belt.
"Opening day means life," he told me. "It means you have a chance to do whatever you want to do in life. Besides my kids being born, this is the greatest thing."
For Bisceglia, there's no putting a damper on this day full of baseball.
"I listen to this team on the radio all the time, I don't care if they lose, stink, nothing," Bisceglia said. "I grew up in the 70s and I love it all. Win or lose, I don't care about the owners. I'm not here for the owners. I'm here to watch my team."
JOSE NEGRON / DKPS
Fans enter the center field gate at PNC Park this afternoon.
Harry Knauf and his son, Grady, are eager to make new memories this afternoon. Harry has attended home openers in the past, but this is a first for Grady.
When I asked the two how they're feeling about the Pirates and this day in particular, Harry immediately turned to Grady and said, "Go ahead, you're younger and more optimistic."
"I've never been to something like this, so I definitely think it's cool," Grady said. "I love baseball and it means summer is close. It makes me happy."
In regards to the current state of the team, Grady passed the baton over to his dad, who without hesitation said, "They need to sign some hitters," before predicting a 100-loss season and a long summer for the Pirates.
"I just want them to spend a little more money and get to the $100 million mark because this division is so winnable. And they've got (Paul) Skenes. You can't waste that. He's a generational talent," Harry said. "I'm excited, though. It's still baseball. It's a great sport, this is a great baseball town and it's something I look forward to every year."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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