Ballpark review: PNC Park (and some thoughts on Steelers quarterbacks)

Going to a Pirates game for cheap and watching a hodgepodge of nothingness; also some quick thoughts on the Steelers quarterback situation.

It is rare that the Boston Red Sox visit Pittsburgh, and with them in town this week I decided to take in a game on Tuesday night.

That means it is time for another ballpark review with what is considered to be one of the crown jewels of Major League Baseball stadiums: PNC Park.

Obviously this is the stadium I have been to the most so there might be some personal bias here, but it is a really great park if you can get by the fact the team playing in it sucks. The Pirates lost on Tuesday, 5-3, in a game that was never really as close as the score would indicate. It was 5-0 until Ben Gamel hit a 3-run double in the eighth inning to make the score look a little closer, but they were never actually a threat to tie the game (or win it) as a minor league lineup was absolutely baffled by …. *checks notes* …. Nick Pivetta? Holy shit that is bad.

This game will forever be known as the game baseball Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley absolutely roasted the Pirates and called their lineup a “hodgepodge of nothingness” on the Red Sox broadcast, and honestly, it might be the best possible description of this team.

Awful Announcing @awfulannouncing

Dennis Eckersley on the Pirates (roster construction, payroll, etc): "You talk about a no-name lineup. There's no team like this." "This is a hodgepodge of nothingness." "It's ridiculous. It really is. Pathetic."

Even when they are fully healthy they have two guys that would be starters on a contending team: Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes, and the latter would probably only be a No. 7 or 8 hitter in a good lineup. It is just bleak, man, and one of the worst lineups and one of the worst short-term outlooks I can recall in over 30 years of watching and following this team.

It just sucks. It sucks this year. It will suck next year. There is no sign of it not sucking within the next few years.

What does not suck, though, is PNC Park.