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These Pirates aren’t pillaging
Bucs winter ‘CARE-a-van’ rolls into Youngstown for stop at The Butler
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
The 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates Charities “CARE-a-van” will host 19 events in December as the philanthropic arm of the team partners with local non-profits in order to assist with their services and various noteworthy projects.
On Thursday at The Butler Institute of American Art, Bucs players and coaches joined YSU head baseball coach Dan Bertolini and 12 Penguins team members for an invitation-only luncheon, collecting bags of non-perishable (the price of admission) items that were to be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley later in the day.
“Today was a great opportunity for us to give back to the community. It’s great to come together as a team and reach out to the community, hoping to make a difference while having a positive impact as well,” pitcher Clay Holmes said.
Joining Holmes were pitchers Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault, Felipe Rivero and Edgar Santana, and coaches Heberto Andrade, Euclides Rojas and newly hired assistant pitching coach Justin Meccage.
Kuhl, who went 8-11 a year ago with a 4.35 earned run average in 157.1 innings of work, gravitated first to the museum’s sports wing where he admired a wall photo of Pete Rose.
“It’s important to me and important to all of the players to give back, especially around the holidays,” Kuhl stated. “To be here in the area where there are both Pirates and Indians fans is nice, so to be able to give back and get out and do some special things in the community is awesome.”
He said that Clint Hurdle is one of the best managers he has had in baseball.
“We had a young rotation last year, took our lumps and learned from both our successes and failures,” Kuhl said. “It’s awesome playing for Clint Hurdle. He’s unbelievably positive and the setbacks we had last year, while tough on a ball club, become a lot easier when you have a manager who’s constantly positive and driving you forward.”
Rivero appeared in 73 games for the Pirates last season and posted 21 saves, striking out 88 batters in just 75.1 innings of relief.
“It’s just so nice to be able to share today with the fans and in the process, help the community,” he said.
Brault, who went 1-0 in 11 outings with a 4.67 ERA, called this his “spring training before spring training” when asked by a fan in attendance.
“This is the time you take it slow, build up your arm strength and get into a routine,” Brault said. “You work hard now to get ready for spring training, then let spring training get you ready for the season.”
Bertolini’s team has already logged over 350 community service hours during the soon to be completed fall semester.
“”This is a great experience for our entire team and one that we are glad to be a part of with the Pirates,” he said. “Yesterday, we rang the bell for the Salvation Army and today are very happy to take part in collecting non-perishable items for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley.”
YSU infielder Web Charles said the team enjoys helping those less fortunate.
“We embrace this type of community service, especially at holiday time,” Charles said. “Community service is a big part of the team experience and we are just happy to be able to lend a helping hand.”
Justin Meccage, who was promoted this off-season to the parent club and will serve as assistant pitching coach to Ray Searage, called Butler a beautiful setting.
“This place is unbelievable. I just walked by this statue in the sports gallery and it looks so real,” he noted. “I’m from Montana, I’ve never been to Youngstown before and it’s all so very impressive. I’ve coached a lot of these guys and I’m looking forward to working with them. I’m just happy to be a part of the staff and team.”
Bullpen coach Euclides Rojas paused to take a photo next to the lifelike swimmer that greets those who first enter the sports gallery.
“We get a lot of support from everyone, starting in spring training and over the course of the season,” Rojas said. “This is just one way that we can give back to the community and say thank you for all that they do and the help that they give to those in need.”
Dr. Louis Zona, Butler executive director and YSU art history professor emeritus, is the biggest, self-proclaimed Pirates fan,
“The Pirates sponsored the luncheon and the Second Harvest Food Bank was the recipient of the generosity from everyone who attended,” Zona said. “We have some questions that need to be answered this off-season, but I am confident they will be addressed as we officially begin the countdown to spring training.”
In addition to Youngstown, the CARE-a-van also has stops planned for the Greater Pittsburgh area, Erie, Pennsylvania, Altoona, Pa. (home of the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate Altoona Curve), Morgantown, W.Va. (home of their Single-A affiliate West Virginia Black Bears and Wheeling, W.Va.
The tour will culminate Saturday with “PiratesFest,” their themed baseball carnival, at PNC Park.