On a Pittsburgh Pirates game day, the experience starts well before fans reach their seats at PNC Park, a stadium widely regarded as one of baseball’s most scenic settings.
Many fans begin their journey with the walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge, one of the most recognizable stadium approaches in professional sports. On weekend game days, the bridge is closed to vehicle traffic, allowing pedestrians to walk freely across its center as the city skyline and Allegheny River frame the scene.
The bridge is named for Roberto Clemente, the Pirates legend who spent his entire career in Pittsburgh. Clemente recorded 3,000 hits, won two World Series championships and became revered not only for his achievements on the field but also for his humanitarian work off it. Clemente was killed in 1972 when his plane crashed on the way to deliver supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake survivors.
Fans heading to PNC Park encounter baseball history, skyline scenery and traditions before first pitch.
As fans stream toward the ballpark, the atmosphere builds. The combination of downtown skyscrapers, flowing rivers and a steady current of black-and-gold jerseys gives the approach to PNC Park a distinct sense of occasion.
Pittsburgh's baseball legacy
Roger Peckinpaugh, of the Washington Nationals, sliding safely into 2nd base on a delayed steal during the 1925 World Series between Washington and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Firpo Marberry at bat during a 1925 World Series game.
Fans sit in the bleachers during the 1925 World Series game.
A view of the field during the 1925 World Series.1 / 4
Revisit the 1925 World Series, a Roaring Twenties fall classic from 100 years ago
Roger Peckinpaugh, of the Washington Nationals, sliding safely into 2nd base on a delayed steal during the 1925 World Series between Washington and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Revisit the 1925 World Series, a Roaring Twenties fall classic from 100 years ago
Roger Peckinpaugh, of the Washington Nationals, sliding safely into 2nd base on a delayed steal during the 1925 World Series between Washington and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Revisit the 1925 World Series, a Roaring Twenties fall classic from 100 years ago
Firpo Marberry at bat during a 1925 World Series game.
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Revisit the 1925 World Series, a Roaring Twenties fall classic from 100 years ago
Fans sit in the bleachers during the 1925 World Series game.
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Revisit the 1925 World Series, a Roaring Twenties fall classic from 100 years ago
A view of the field during the 1925 World Series.
Along the riverwalk near the stadium, large baseball sculptures pay tribute to Pittsburgh’s Negro League history. The city was once home to iconic teams such as the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords, who played long before Major League Baseball was integrated.
Nearby, the Pirates’ retired numbers are prominently displayed outside the stadium. Clemente’s No. 21 and Willie Stargell’s No. 8 are honored alongside Jackie Robinson’s No. 42, which is retired across all of Major League Baseball in recognition of his role in breaking the sport’s color barrier.
Just outside the gates stands a statue of Bill Mazeroski, another cornerstone of Pirates history. The monument commemorates Mazeroski’s walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series — the only walk-off homer in a Game 7 in World Series history. Surrounding the statue are plaques honoring fans who witnessed the moment in person, underscoring the deep connection between the city and its baseball past.
Apr 15, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; View of the statue outside of the ballpark honoring former Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski before the Pirates host the San Diego Padres at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Even before first pitch, the area around PNC Park is packed. Nearby bars fill up, sidewalks bustle with fans and the North Shore takes on a distinctly festive feel. On certain game days, special events add to the scene, including “Bark in the Park,” when fans can bring their dogs along to enjoy the game.
From the bridge and riverwalk to the statues, skyline and history embedded throughout the grounds, a Pirates game at PNC Park offers more than nine innings of baseball. For many fans, the experience itself is as memorable as the game on the field.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inside the full Pittsburgh Pirates game day experience
