Our day on the Bucco Brigade
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The Pirates may be eliminated from postseason contention, but the race for fastest pierogi is still anyone's game.
The intrigue: Alexis and I got an up-close encounter with the Pirates Pierogies during their regular fifth-inning race at the Pirates game against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
- It was a dream come true to know for a fact that the pierogies could hear me yelling at them as they ran, which I do every time I watch a game at PNC Park.
🏁 The results: Cheese Chester broke through the tape first, overtaking Bacon Burt and Jalapeno Hannah.
- His win vaulted him to the top of the standings with 16 wins.
- Oliver Onion is second with 15 wins, and Sauerkraut Saul and Jalapeno Hannah are tied for third with 14.
- With three home games left — and three races left — Chester, Oliver, Saul and Hannah still have a chance to be crowned top dumpling.
💭 Ryan's thought bubble: I held one side of the tape with Bucco Brigade — the Pirates hype team. The pierogies really sprint hard and came up to the tape much faster than I would have imagined.
- "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys pumps up the pierogies to start the race, and it really seems to work.
🍕 Flashback: Cheese Chester got injured in 2014 but eventually returned after a minor league rehab assignment in Altoona.
- Pizza Penny had a short-lived run in 2017.
- Mrs. T's Pierogies has sponsored the race since 1999.
Context: The Pirates are 65-88 after losing to the Cubs on Wednesday, destined for last place, and can't make the postseason.
Yes, but: There is one last homestand starting Friday against the Athletics. It's fan appreciation weekend, the weather forecast is ideal for baseball, and there is a lot of non-baseball fun going on.
🎆 What's next: A Zambelli fireworks show follows Friday's game.
- Former Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson will sign autographs Saturday at the Pirates clubhouse store.
- Sunday is prize day, and a fan will win a game-worn jersey from a Pirates player and get a meet-and-greet.