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Opened: July 16, 1970
Final Game: October 1, 2000
Capacity: 47,971
[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”3″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1514556759928-50e697e6-ef62-0″ include=”4639,4638″][vc_column_text]As a Pirates fan it was necessary to get out here. I saw my first game here in 1995 and saw games there every year except for the two I saw the Bucs play in the Vet, 1996 and 2000.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
How did I get there?
My dad brought me and most of the time some of my friends. Took the Turnpike and came in on 376. Parked on the North Shore.
Ticket prices
Dad paid. Don’t remember but they couldn’t have been that expensive.
Finding my seat and amenities
Outside of 1997 and 1998 the Pirates really weren’t that good so there was always plenty of room. There was nothing remarkable about the stadium other than one game where I got autographs before the game.
In game experience
Apathetic crowds and an old jumbo tron made for not much in the way in entertainment. The funniest thing I remember was from my first game there in 1995. The bat boy, who had a BB on his jersey which could easily be mistaken for 88 was sitting along the sideline late in the game. Someone walked up to him and asked him for his autograph. The bat boy declined. I did see the Giants with a certain outfielder play in Pittsburgh. He pinch hit in the game and was greeted to a chorus of boos. The radio guys said that it should be obvious who was coming up. He struck out to wild cheers.
Getting out
The drive is a long one home and it was usually dark by the time I got back home. It was not hard to get out of Pittsburgh following the game. It was easy access to the Parkway and a few turns later we were heading out 376 towards the Turnpike.
Wrap
I can’t say I like this place but this was where my team played. When PNC Park was opened there was no comparison. The Pirates were not very good but there was some buzz during the Freak Show year and the next year. By the time I had my own car PNC Park was open so I had to depend on my dad to get me here.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Back to the National League” style=”3d” color=”black” align=”left” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftheworldneedsmorekevin.com%2Fbaseball%2Fnational-league%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]