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The Pittsburgh Pirates played their first home games of the 2025 MLB season over the weekend while hosting the New York Yankees. They were beaten soundly in each of the first two contests.
The Bronx Bombers outscored the home team a combined 19-8 as they continue to flex their muscles amid a 6-2 start. If the play on the field wasn’t bad enough for the Pittsburgh crowd, the team’s disrespect of legend Roberto Clemente fueled further negativity amongst the fanbase.
The right field wall in PNC Park is dedicated to the former player who was tragically killed while doing humanitarian work. The Puerto Rican died in a plane crash while delivering emergency relief goods to Nicaragua following a devastating earthquake.
Clemente’s list of on-field accomplishments is lengthy. He’s one of 33 players to record 3,000 career hits. The Hall of Famer helped the Pirates win World Series titles in 1960 and 1971. He was named MVP in the ’66 campaign while racking up 12 All-Star honors and 12 Gold Glove awards.
To pay respect to right fielder, Pittsburgh designed a 21-foot wall at their home park. There had previously been an honorary logo located next to the foul pole. This weekend, it was gone.
WOW………….. https://t.co/qcL1O6zPZ2
— Roberto Clemente Jr (@RClementejr21) April 5, 2025
Instead, an advertisement for Surfside seltzers had taken its place. The organization was hit with immediate backlash, including a response from Roberto Clemente Jr. Management defended its decision amidst the criticism.
“Roberto Clemente is more than a Hall of Fame player to us,” said Senior VP of Communications Brian Warecki. “He 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…
“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 design in question was put in place prior to the 2022 season and was never meant to be a permanent tribute…
“We apologize that we didn’t directly communicate that fact to the Clemente family and our fans.”
That response did little to quiet the response. Rather than apologize for making the switch without communicating their intentions, they doubled down on their decision.
The off-field distraction overshadowed the team’s opening weekend at PNC Park. The Pirates will hope to get their first home win in Sunday’s rubber match against the Yankees.