Pirates Fans Flock to PNC Park for Paul Skenes Bobblehead

PITTSBURGH — Fans lined up outside PNC Park Saturday afternoon, eagerly anticipating a special bobblehead dedicated to the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes. The highly sought-after collectible, designed in a card-style format, was scheduled to be given to the first 20,000 fans ahead of Skenes’ 4:05 PM start against the Cleveland Guardians.

“We’ve waited two hours or so in line for this,” said Geoff Fowler from Greensburg. Lines of enthusiastic fans stretched across the streets approaching the stadium, as they aimed to witness the game and secure their limited-edition bobblehead. Another fan, Shawn Barr from Lock Haven, shared his excitement, stating, “I took off today from work to watch Skenes pitch and to get my hands on a bobblehead. We drove three hours to be here, and I am excited.”

Fowler, who is in Pittsburgh for a bachelor party, explained the dual purpose of the trip: “One, I’m here for my bachelor party, two, for Skenes. The Pirates game is also included in that. Hopefully, they win.”

As fans continued to pour in, Pirates President Travis Williams took note of the overwhelming turnout. Originally, the team estimated that only the first 20,000 fans would receive a bobblehead, but this quickly changed. In a statement, Williams said, “We all saw the lines and unprecedented response for this unique giveaway. Bob (Nutting) called me and we discussed how we can ensure every fan coming to today’s game received one. I give a lot of credit to our internal team for the quick response to make that happen. More details to come.”

The promotional event resonated with fans, as it marks Skenes’ first career bobblehead giveaway at PNC Park. The right-handed ace, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, is entering the game with a solid 2.96 ERA and has struck out 26 batters over 24.1 innings in his debut season. His performance has created a buzz among fans, with many eager to see him pitch.

Skenes has yet to face the Guardians in his burgeoning career, adding an element of intrigue to Saturday’s game. The Cleveland team, currently at a .500 record (9-9), arrives in Pittsburgh after a recent series loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Meanwhile, the Pirates, sitting at 7-12, are hoping to gain momentum with the upcoming home series.

The bobblehead giveaway signifies Skenes’ emergence as a key figure for the franchise, aligning him with the celebrated legacy of former Pirates legends like Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, and Andrew McCutchen. With a sold-out crowd expected, Saturday’s matchup could pave the way for another remarkable chapter in Skenes’ rise within Major League Baseball.