First pitch is a throwback: Blass to Sanguillen

Almost 39 years to the day after they teamed as battery mates in the Pirates' first spring-training game at McKechnie Field -- a victory against the defending world champion Detroit Tigers on March 6, 1969 -- Pittsburgh greats Steve Blass and Manny Sanguillen took part in the traditional first-pitch ceremony.

Two years later Blass, now a Pirates broadcaster, defeated the Orioles 2-1 in Game 7 of the World Series, the first of Pittsburgh's two titles in the decade. Sanguillen is a spring training instructor for the Pirates.

The toss from the mound by Blass didn't have much on it, but it cut the center of the plate. Among those watching was Sanguillen's 9-year-old grandson Isaiah, who flew down from Pittsburgh.

More hoopla

The Pirates marked the beginning of their 40th year at McKechnie Field on Friday with a pre-game ceremony hosted by play-by-play announcer Greg Brown.

Pirates president Frank Coonelly presented Louisville Slugger bats to several city officials who helped cement the team's new 30-year deal with Bradenton, including Mayor Wayne Poston, state Senator Mike Bennett, city council members Marianne Barnebey, Gene Gallo and Harold Byrd Jr. and Pirate Booster Club president Henry Perry.

On-key and sounding sharp

Fourth and fifth-graders from the Wakeland Elementary School choir sang the national anthem.

"Coming over here, they were so ecstatic," said the children's music teacher, Amelia Twinem. "They're a little nervous, but they'll get over it."

The crowd gave the choir rousing applause when they got to "home of the brave." Singers included Dakota Shaw, Wyatt Knopfke, Joshua Crispin, Savannah Dunsmore, April Velasquez, Chantel Espy, Jasmine Galarza, Yesenia Diaz and Noemi Diaz.

Morning glories

The Phillies won Friday morning's "B" game against the Pirates at Pirate City in seven innings, 4-3. Former Rays pitcher Casey Fossum hurled two perfect innings for the Pirates, striking out one. Jimmy Barthmaier started and took the loss, giving up three runs -- two earned -- in two innings.

Greg Golson was 2-for-3 for the Phillies, including a seventh-inning home run. Chris Gomez, Neil Walker and Jorge Velandia had two hits apiece for the Pirates. The Phillies had only four hits.

Up next

The Pirates travel to Ed Smith Stadium to face the Reds at 1:05 p.m. Zach Duke is scheduled to start for the Pirates against Aaron Harang. Also slated to pitch for Pittsburgh are Ty Taubenheim, Dave Davidson, Ronald Belisario, Jonah Bayliss, Daniel Moskos and Marino Salas. The Phillies return to Clearwater to play the Yankees.

- Mike Henry, Herald Staff