Tribute paid to Tanner
PITTSBURGH — The weather was picture perfect for the Pirates' home opener Thursday at PNC Park.
Perhaps Chuck Tanner had something to do with it.
The popular, always enthusiastic former Pirate manager and New Castle native died this past offseason and the Pirates paid tribute to his memory during a pregame ceremony.
“Chuck always said the best thing in the world was managing a big league baseball team to a win,” Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown said. “The next best thing was managing one to a loss.”
Tanner managed the Pirates from 1977-85 and spent more than 50 years in professional baseball. Players from his 1979 World Series championship team — John Candelaria, Phil Garner, Grant Jackson, Bruce Kison, Jim Rooker, Manny Sanguillen, Dave Parker and Kent Tekulve — were on hand to honor him.
“Chuck Tanner made you a better player and a better person,” Tekulve said. “He held the club together during the bad times and allowed you to bask in the glory during the good times.
“Chuck was all about the Pittsburgh Pirates, the City of Pittsburgh and Major League Baseball.”
Tanner's son, Bruce, a former Pirate coach, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. His family was presented a framed Chuck Tanner jersey and the Pirates unveiled the likeness of a gold Tanner jersey printed on the right-center field wall.
That replica will remain there all season.
In other Opening Day news:
• Bench coach Jeff Banister, entering his 26th season with the organization, received the annual Pride of the Pirates Award. Banister was a finalist for the team's managerial opening before the club hired Clint Hurdle.
• Attendance was 39,219, marking the largest crowd ever for a Pirate opener at PNC Park and the second largest crowd in the 10-year history of the ballpark. The Bucs drew 39,392 on Aug. 11, 2001, vs. San Diego.
• The Pirates fell to 4-7 in home openers at PNC Park.
