Pirates somehow look even worse after new details emerge in Bucco Bricks fiasco

The rate at which the Pittsburgh Pirates keep finding new ways to embarrass themselves on and off the field ought to be studied. Seriously, it's remarkable.

Thanks to an investigation conducted on behalf of the Pittsburgh Sports and Exhibition Authority (SEA), some new damning information has come to light involving the controversial removal of the Bucco Bricks outside PNC Park.

The investigative report revealed that early on in the removal process, the Pirates were provided the option to preserve the bricks or give them back to fans who originally purchased them. According to the report, the bricks were removed and placed on pallets divided by year, which were shrink-wrapped to protect the bricks before being placed in the team's possession.

And yet, even though these measures had been taken, the Pirates still deliberately elected to discard the bricks in a nearby recycling facility without notifying the SEA.

“It was the Pirates, not the SEA or any of its contractors, that made the decision to dispose of the Bucco Bricks,” the report stated. “The Pirates did not communicate their intent or decision to dispose of the bricks to the SEA in advance of discarding them.”

Pirates somehow look even worse after new details emerge in Bucco Bricks fiasco

When the bricks were discovered at the recycling facility last month, Pirates owner Bob Nutting issued a public apology and offered commemorative replica bricks to those who had purchased the originals – many of which memorialized family members and loved ones.

Pirates president Travis Williams also claimed last month that the original messages on all of the bricks would return to PNC Park and that plans for a new "permanent" display were being finalized. The team has not provided any updates on those plans since.

The findings of the SEA's investigation were discouraging, but not surprising. It's clear, based on the report, that the SEA never intended for the bricks to be destroyed and actually took many steps to ensure their preservation. It was the Pirates organization that made the deliberate choice to destroy the bricks without notifying the fans who had purchased them more than 25 years ago.

The Pirates' actions were shameful and disrespectful – but again, unsurprising for a team that has an uncanny knack for embroiling itself in PR disasters at every turn.

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