Something was missing from the Fourth of July this year — in Pittsburgh, anyway.

There was no Pittsburgh Pirate game on Monday. The Pirates, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Angels had scheduled days off.

Why?

The Yankees played in Cleveland over the weekend. By Sunday night, they were already in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are in the middle of a homestand.

The teams are scheduled for a two-game series at PNC Park Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Bill Mazeroski Bobblehead Night is Tuesday. That would have been wonderful if it was on the Fourth of July against the team with the best record in baseball.

With so many people heading to Pittsburgh for fireworks anyway, such a game — played in the afternoon — might have sold out. Regardless, Yankees-Pirates would have been a great addition to the holiday festivities in town.

MLB could have made that a three-game series, or just give both teams Wednesday off and keep it at two games.

There’s not much more American than the New York Yankees.

And how about Philadelphia? The Declaration of Independence was signed there, for goodness sakes. The Phillies played on the Fourth of July every year for a century (except for 2020, of course).

This year, a scheduled day off?

MLB, what are you thinking?

Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day — every major league team should be playing. Those are three golden opportunities to market a sport that has been fading in popularity.

Butler got it right, at least.

The BlueSox and Iron Bucks had a game Monday night at Pullman Park. That game was followed by a fireworks display.

Hmm ... baseball and fireworks on the Fourth of July? What a novel concept.

Hopefully, MLB’s schedule makers will not let any teams be inactive on the Fourth of July in future years.

As for this year?

Embarrassing oversight.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle