My last game at Three Rivers Stadium was supposed to be in late June vs the Cubs but my plans changed. In July the Pirates announced that tickets for the last game on Oct. 1 would go on sale July 29th. I knew I had to be there! I got three tickets in section 652 - great Steeler seats on the 40 yard line but lousy baseball seats. I am glad we will not have to climb so high at PNC. No matter, just being there was very special.

I got there about 1 PM with my nephew Justin and his friend Brian. We had plenty of time to take a ride on the Gateway Clipper and up the Monongahela incline. What a sight seeing PNC Park and the Steeler new stadium growing up on either side of TRS. Both are rapidly taking shape and it was great seeing them from atop Mt. Washington.

We got to our seats about 3:30, for the 4:05 game start, and saw all the introductions and Sister Sledge singing the National Anthem. They even sang a little of WE ARE FAMILY (257k RealAudio file) afterwards. The ceremonial first pitch was made by former Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis to catcher Manny Sanguillen. This was the first Pirate battery when TRS opened on July 16, 1970.

The game itself was a microcosm of this season. Too many walks, wild pitches etc. The walks etc. wasted John Wehner's 2 run homer that gave us a 8-5 lead in the 5th inning. It was the last homer (162K RealAudio File) at TRS. We lost 10-9. If John could have only got a game winning single in the bottom of the ninth instead of making the last out (306k RealAudio file) at TRS! Oh well, after this miserable season it was expected that we would find a way to lose.

I really enjoyed Steve Blass as he lead all of us in singing TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (429K RealAudio file) during the 7th inning stretch. He did a great job. He had said on TV the previous night, that he was going to be a Tony Bennett - but, that he left his VOICE in San Francisco! A great remark but his voice was excellent.

The closing ceremonies - I loved all of it except the 70's music at the start. I think they were just killing time to get all the gold glitter on the walkway for the former players. Rocket man flying home plate from TRS to PNC park was a little corny but OK.

The introductions of the past Pirates was great. All the fans showed real class cheering the introduction of Sid Bream. We were honoring him for his time with the Bucs and ignoring the Braves thing.

The most emotional part of the whole day, for me, was seeing Willie Stargell struggle to throw the ball a few feet to Jason Kendall for the last ceremonial pitch at TRS. Sadly, POPS passed away on April 9, 2001 - the day PNC Park opened and 2 days after his statue at PNC Park was dedicated.

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