Pirates hoist the cone craze is only part of a much bigger culture shift

For being in Pittsburgh, a city with such a defined identity, the Pirates have lacked a clear sense of self for quite some time. Sure, the fans have done their part to establish clear roles — just look at the Rotunda Renegades — but the team has been woefully short on iconic moments and traditions in recent history… until now.

By now, baseball fans across America are likely familiar with the cone and the welder’s mask. The prior highlights the 2026 Pirates’ sense of humor while the latter ties the team inextricably to the blue-collar history of Pittsburgh. With Yinzer Don Kelly at the helm and millennial Bill Murphy as pitching coach (he’s only a year older than Marcell Ozuna), the Pirates are developing an identity that is equal parts light-hearted and gritty.

The Pirates are leaning on Pittsburgh iconography and work ethic to develop a new team identity

At every turn, the Pirates are repping Pittsburgh. The welder’s mask, donned as a home run celebration, could lead to a player receiving a yellow hard hat after the game, the equivalent of receiving the “game ball” for exceptional play. Each game’s best pitcher is recognized with an orange hard hat with 412, Pittsburgh’s zip code, emblazoned on the side. Pitchers also receive a red ticket in their locker for each strikeout they record.

Murphy’s greatest contribution to clubhouse culture, as far as pitching is concerned, is the implementation of the skyline tracker. The indelible image associated with PNC Park is Pittsburgh’s skyline, including the U.S. Steel Tower, PPG Place, and Roberto Clemente Bridge. Each day, Murphy arranges the starting pitchers on a replica of that skyline: the better the performance, the higher the building. It takes one glance from the mound to the space beyond center to remind a pitcher where he stands.

What could have been a hodgepodge of competing traditions and gimmicks in Pittsburgh's clubhouse has become a centralized representation of the city itself, and the unity is paying off. The Pirates are playing loose, and the clubhouse is filled with positivity and support.

As the Pirates continue their road trip at 14-11 with a plus-20 run differential, it’s amazing what a traffic cone, some PPE, and a gift-shop replica of the Pittsburgh skyline – not to mention committed coaches – can do.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow