PNC Park "does it right": from the architecture to the seating layout, the food, the location -- and the statues. Pittsburgh's rich baseball history includes the game's first Latino superstar, the beloved Roberto Clemente. His statue, fittingly is the first you see after crossing the bridge named in his memory, it stands near the center field gate. (Below), steps away, just in front of the left field gate, is the honoring Pops, Willie Stargell, the emotional leader of the 1979 "We Are Family" champs.
(Below) Keep walking clockwise around the park and next, you'll find
Honus Wagner, the beloved shortstop of the early Pirates. Playing before radio or TV, and when newspapers or word of mouth was how most fans kept up with the team, he was baseball's first great offensive shortstop. Click on the link and look over his stats. This man could HIT. No video to help, but then again, no coast-to-coast travel or specialized relief pitchers. Is that a wash? Regardless, Wagner was the first of the great Pirates, and still ranks at the top of those who played his position.
The final statue ringing PNC is of Bill Mazeroski. It depicts his joy after blasting the walk off home run that made the Pirates baseball's unexpected champions of 1960.
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