I took 2 of my nephews, Brandon and Justin, with me to my first game at PNC Park. We arrived at the parking garage across from the Clemente bridge at 5 PM. First pleasant surprise was the $3 charge to park. The walk across the bridge was a delight. PNC Park, although brand new, looked like it had been there for years and it is a gem. The first thing that struck me was the beauty of Forbes Field II. The choice of tan limestone to cover the outside of the park and accents inside was a perfect choice to get the Forbes Field look.

We got off the bridge near the Center Field entrance and the Roberto Clemente statue. It was moved from Three Rivers Stadium and It looks great at the end of the bridge. We continued our walk toward left field and came upon the new Willie Stargell statue. It is awesome how this bronze statue could be so life like down to the whiskers on POPS mustache. I have not seen any statue that captures the man like this one does! The way it shows him holding the bat is perfect. I was waiting for a couple of wind mills and a little chicken on the hill! We continued to the home plate entrance and the site of the Honus Wagner statue. That statue was first erected at Forbes Field, then moved to Three Rivers Stadium and now at PNC Park. It still looks brand new.

I found my Bucco Brick next to the Honus Wagner statue. It is located on the block of bricks with 1922 in the center just to the right of Honus Wagner. My Bucco Brick is at the bottom right corner of that brick group.

It was now about 5:20 and time to go inside the park. I had chosen to enter the the Home Plate entrance to get the view of the Pittsburgh's skyline right away. Well, I was glad I did! My mouth must have dropped a foot when I first saw it! I was speechless for a few seconds and then yelled a loud WOW!!! I said to my nephews it looks like a 3D postcard with the Clemente bridge as the centerpiece and the classic Pittsburgh skyline as the background. They both agreed and were impressed as much as I was.

Before the game we walked around both decks and were impressed at the close open view of the field from everywhere. So many choices of food for the fans and wide open corridors everywhere. Our seats were down the first base line in section 2 and we thoroughly enjoyed the Bucco 6-1 victory over the Brewers.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Forbes Field II! The statues and all the photos of former Buccos all over the place and the sellout crowd just added to the old park/modern conveniences festive atmosphere.

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