Notes: Bucs show support; KDKA to air classics
PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates thought they’d find themselves in Florida on Thursday, getting ready to play the Rays at Tropicana Field on Opening Day. Instead, they found a way to give back in Pittsburgh.
With the start of the regular season on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pirates players continued to support those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Led by player representative and coffee connoisseur Jameson Taillon, the Bucs all chipped in to purchase more than 100 bags of coffee from Pittsburgh-based Commonplace Coffee and distributed them to healthcare workers and first responders.
The coffee went to a Pittsburgh police station, a local fire station and hospital and the Greater PGH Restaurant and Service Workers Mutual Aid Group.
They delivered a variety of coffee, including the Lending Hearts Blend -- a special blend created by Taillon and Commonplace Coffee, with proceeds benefiting Lending Hearts, a local nonprofit organization that supports children and young adults living with cancer.
It was the second delivery sponsored by Pirates players to provide for both local businesses and hospital staff this week. On Monday, they ordered more than 400 pizzas and pasta for the staff at Allegheny General Hospital.
Non-roster left-hander Derek Holland, who figures to be a part of the Pirates’ rotation whenever the season begins, also gave back in his community. According to the Dallas Police Association, Holland made a generous donation to the Assist the Officer Foundation, which provides financial assistance to police officers.
Opening Day strikeout
Like so many fans around the world, Trevor Williams was sad to miss out on a regularly scheduled Opening Day. As he tweeted, it was the only thing on his calendar on Thursday.
The Pirates' right-hander still managed to get some work in, however, taking to his backyard and pitching to his son, Isaac. Clearly, the competitive juices are still flowing even with baseball on hold.
Pirates radio plan
Without regular-season games for the time being, the Pirates’ radio rights holder will re-air a handful of Pittsburgh classics over the next month.
KDKA-FM 93.7 The Fan got things going on Thursday by airing the broadcast of the Pirates’ famous triumph over the Yankees in Game 7 of the 1960 Fall Classic, when Bill Mazeroski became the first and only player in Major League history to hit a walk-off homer in World Series Game 7.
Other featured broadcasts include Game 5 of the 1990 National League Championship Series (Monday at 8 p.m. ET), the 2013 NL Wild Card Game (April 2 at 1 p.m.), Game 1 of the 1991 NLCS (April 8 at 8 p.m.), Game 4 of the 1991 NLCS (April 13 at 8 p.m.), Game 2 of the 1979 World Series (April 15 at 8 p.m.), Game 5 of the 1979 World Series (April 20 at 8 p.m.), Game 6 of the 1979 World Series (April 22 at 8 p.m.) and Game 7 of the 1979 World Series (April 27 at 8 p.m.).