Pittsburg, PA
Fans Troll Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jack Suwinski For Looking Directly at Solar Eclipse
All across the United States, people dropped what they were doing to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse Monday afternoon, and the baseball world was no exception.
Cleveland was right in the middle of the path of totality, so the Guardians opened the gates to Progressive Field early and allowed fans to watch it from there. About an hour later, the eclipse passed over Pittsburgh, although the city wasn’t quite in the path of totality.
Still, the Pittsburgh Pirates were able to bear witness to the rare astrological event as well.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Kevin Gorman shared photos of several Pirates players wearing specialized protective lenses, looking at the eclipse as it passed over PNC Park. Mitch Keller, Andrew McCutchen, Marco Gonzales and Jared Jones all had the glasses on correctly and were able to see the moon pass in front of the sun.
Jack Suwinski, on the other hand, was pictured with the glasses on his forehead. He appeared to be staring right at the eclipse, squinting.
While staring at the sun on a normal day is bad for one’s eyesight, it is widely accepted that looking directly at a solar eclipse with the naked eye is even more dangerous.
Of course, Gorman’s photo could have captured just a split second when Suwinski was staring at the eclipse without his glasses. After all, he did have the lenses resting on his face.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now’s Danny Demillo confirmed as much with the photos he posted of the Pirates watching the eclipse. Suwinski was wearing the glasses on correctly in Demillo’s picture.
Still, fans immediately ran with Suwinski’s blunder and were quick to mock him on social media.
Many made memes, while others apparently tried to profit off of the situation. In a since-deleted tweet, one sports bettor supposedly wagered $20 on Suwinski striking out in his first plate appearance of Monday night’s game between the Pirates and Detroit Tigers.
The bet did not hit, however, as Suwinski drew a five-pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the second.
The 25-year-old center fielder then singled up the middle in the bottom of the third, scoring his second run of the night a few batters later. He is now batting .194 with a .592 OPS in 2024, despite Pittsburgh’s torrid 8-2 start to the season.
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh files lawsuit against fire truck companies over alleged anticompetitive schemes
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a much-needed move ahead of the 2026 All-Star Game, bringing in another infielder and bullpen arm to improve the MLB lineup. Even with the addition of left-hander Brandon Eisert, the Buccos are still seeking further upgrades to their struggling bullpen.
The Pirates now have a few weeks until this year’s Trade Deadline, but they are expected to be active up until the final minutes.
That’s why the organization has to shoot for the stars and target San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller. The Pittsburgh-native is one of the latest names to land on the trade rumor mill, and it’s the perfect opportunity for the Pirates to take their bullpen to the next level.
Why Miller Makes Sense for Pirates
There is a rising sense that the All-Star closer is heading out of San Diego. Despite being one of the top relievers in the MLB this season, toting an ERA of 0.91 and picking up 25 saves in 39 innings pitched, he’s on the trade block.
In a recent article for USA Today, Bob Nightengale noted that the MLB is paying close attention to the Padres, with many expecting them to be a selling team as they plummet further in the standings.
“Rival executives are intrigued to see whether A.J. Preller trades Padres All-Star closer Mason Miller at the deadline with their team spiraling downward,” he wrote. “But they laugh at the notion they will receive anything close to the package they surrendered to the Athletics to acquire him.”
That’s exactly what the Pirates need to hear. Yes, they have a solid closer right now in Gregory Soto. He’s been a wonderful replacement with Dennis Santana regressing, but it hasn’t solved the bullpen’s issues.
With Miller on board as the new closer, it gives the Pirates two shutdown arms. With Soto and Miller ready to close games, it brings their mediocre bullpen to suddenly playoff-worthy.
What Would Pirates Need to Give Up for Miller?
As Nightengale noted, the Padres gave up an arm and a leg to bring Miller in last year. They parted with their number two prospect at the time, but the sentiment is that there is not as strong a market for the bullpen arm in 2026.
That’s huge news for the Pirates as well, who have plenty of young players they consider expendable.
Would a package centered around a pitcher like Antwone Kelly or Thomas Harrington be enough to entice the struggling Padres? For the Pirates, it would be a loss to give up either young arm, but the return and hopeful playoff push is beyond worth it.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh Pirates Select Incoming Tennessee Baseball Transfer Outfielder In MLB Draft | Rocky Top Insider
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Tennessee baseball transfer commit Andrew Duncan with the 558th pick (19th round) in the 2026 MLB Draft on Sunday afternoon. A Wright State outfielder, Duncan committed to Tennessee out of the transfer portal last month.
Duncan is coming off a breakout junior season at Wright State where he slashed .367/.436/.577 with six home runs, 11 doubles, eight triples and 36 RBIs. As the eight triples indicate, speed is a key part of Duncan’s game with the outfielder stealing 19 bases on just 22 attempts.
The Dunedin, Florida native spent his freshman season at Florida State where he played in just 13 games before transferring to Wright State for his sophomore season. Duncan transferred to Tallahassee State College for his sophomore season before moving back up to the division one level at Wright State last season.
More From RTI: Elite Tennessee Baseball Catcher Signee Withdraws From MLB Draft, Will Play for Vols
Duncan played centerfield for the Raiders last season and will likely slide into that same spot at Tennessee next season if he does not sign with Pittsburgh. Outfield was a major point of emphasis for the Vols this offseason after losing Reese Chapman to graduation, Garrett Wright to the MLB Draft and both Jay Abernathy and Nate Eisfelder to the transfer portal.
Losing Duncan would be a real blow because of Tennessee’s need in centerfield for next season. A number of other Vols including Levi Clark, Blake Grimmer and Mercer transfer Braydon Kersey are capable of playing in the outfield but likely could not play centerfield at a high level defensively.
Duncan is one of 11 transfers to commit to Tennessee this offseason along with Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian, Cal Baptist shortstop Chris Ramirez, Baylor infielder Travis Sanders, FIU infielder Mario Trivella, Clemson right-handed pitcher Hayden Simmerson, Louisville right-handed pitcher Parker Detmers, South Carolina left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy, Northwestern State left-handed pitcher Brody Trosclair, UC Irvine left-handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda and Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey.
-
News19 minutes agoA guard punched him on camera. It was still nearly impossible for him to sue
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoRitzy Pasadena hotel settles lawsuit for allegedly price gouging wildfire victims
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoBrother Nature at Night: Jack’s backyard & kayaking the Huron River
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoHardin Fire in Napa County burns 55 acres near Pope Valley
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoFormer Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa runs for Dallas Mayor
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoSouth Florida mother arrested for leaving daughter chained to fence, police say
-
Boston, MA3 hours agoBoston man charged after allegedly assaulting Burger King employee, punching customer
-
Denver, CO3 hours agoDenver Country Club caddie earns full-ride Evans Scholarship, becomes first in family to attend college
