Top 10 Unforgettable Pirates Openers at PNC Park

Bassyonni

Published: April 3, 2026 9:01 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a storied history with their home openers at PNC Park. As the team prepares for another season, excitement builds around the potential debut of Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball. On April 17, 1968, the last Pirates manager to win his first home opener was Larry Shepard, who led the team to a 13-4 victory over the Houston Astros at Forbes Field. This victory marked a significant moment, as it has been 58 years since the team achieved such a feat.

Top 10 Unforgettable Pirates Openers at PNC Park

Here’s a look at the top 10 most memorable Pirates home openers at PNC Park, showcasing dramatic moments and pivotal players.

10. Phillies 1, Pirates 0 – April 5, 2012

PNC Park record crowd: 39,585.
Roy Halladay pitches eight scoreless innings.
Halladay strikes out Nate McLouth in the eighth inning.

9. Pirates 7, Astros 0 – April 13, 2009

Pirates pay tribute to fallen police officers.
Zach Duke pitches a complete-game shutout.
Freddy Sanchez doubles three times.

8. Rockies 7, Pirates 1 – April 7, 2011

Chuck Tanner honored before the game.
Clint Hurdle’s first home opener as manager.
Esmil Rogers contains the Pirates’ offense.

7. Cubs 10, Pirates 8 (12 inn.) – April 7, 2008

Pittsburgh celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Game features 15 pitchers from both teams.
Bill Mazeroski throws out the ceremonial first pitch.

6. Pirates 5, Twins 4 – April 2, 2018

Third-lowest attendance in PNC Park’s history.
Colin Moran hits a grand slam in the first inning.
Jameson Taillon strikes out nine batters.

5. Cubs 3, Pirates 1 – April 1, 2013

Clint Hurdle predicts a successful season.
A.J. Burnett ties club record with 10 strikeouts.
Free-agent catcher Russell Martin makes his debut.

4. Pirates 11, Dodgers 5 – April 5, 2010

Joe Torre debuts as manager for the Dodgers.
Garrett Jones hits two home runs, one landing in the Allegheny River.
Pirates mark 50th anniversary of Mazeroski’s home run.

3. Yankees 9, Pirates 4 – April 4, 2025

Fan frustration grows after a poor start to the season.
Paul Skenes becomes a focal point for fans.
This opener foretells a challenging season ahead for the Pirates.

2. Pirates 1, Cubs 0 (10 inn.) – March 31, 2014

Andrew McCutchen receives his NL MVP Award.
Neil Walker hits the first walk-off home run of his career.
This game sets the stage for a strong playoff run for the Pirates.

1. Reds 8, Pirates 2 – April 9, 2001

Mourning the death of Willie Stargell, a team icon.
Sean Casey hits the first home run in PNC Park history.
Fans pay tribute to Stargell with a video montage.

The upcoming season will hopefully add another memorable chapter to this historic list. Fans are eager to see if Don Kelly can start on a winning note and if Konnor Griffin can spark excitement in the franchise. With a legacy of unforgettable moments, PNC Park remains a cherished venue for Pirates fans.