Pirates players were in full uniform and shook hands
and posed for pictures with all fans who came through the
gate between 5:30-6:00pm ET before Friday night's game,
according to Mike Hasch of the PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW.
Hasch: "About the only thing they wouldn't do is sign
autographs because there were too many people and not enough
time." The promotion was "an attempt, unprecedented at
least in Pittsburgh, by the players to mingle with the
people in hopes of creating goodwill and fan interest. From
all appearances, the fans who came were glad they did"
(TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 5/10). Pirates VP/Marketing and PR Steve
Greenberg: "The players liked it and the fans liked [it] and
that's what we wanted to accomplish." He said similar
promotions may be on the way (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 5/10).
STRONG START: The Pirates strong start and the team's
future is Pittsburgh was examined by a number of MLB beat
writers in Sunday columns. In Boston, Peter Gammons notes
that with the Braves, Rockies and Marlins coming to Three
Rivers, if the team doesn't show a "significant upturn" in
attendance, "why should [Owner] Kevin McClatchy stay
around?" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/11). The team is also featured as
part of USA TODAY's cover story under the header, "Payroll
Down But Wins Up for Pirates" (USA TODAY, 5/12).
