Pirates trade acquisition becomes instant fan favorite for his take on Pittsburgh

Sometimes you just know when a guy gets it.

Jake Mangum had been a Pirate for all of 25 minutes when he jumped back on social media and essentially said, “Pittsburgh — I’m in. All the way.”

No PR filter. No polished, corporate statement. Just pure, unfiltered excitement and a full-throttle “Raise the Jolly Roger!” capped with pirate flag emojis, like he’s been waiting his whole life to say it.

And here’s the thing — Pirates fans felt that. Instantly. Because this isn’t a fanbase that asks for much. No one is demanding poetry. No one is asking players to kiss the city skyline.

What Pirates fans want is simple: buy in. Understand that this city — this strange, beautiful, towel-waving, pierogi-eating city — cares deeply about their sports teams. Understand that this is a blue-collar place built on pride, tradition and loyalty, and if you show up and show respect? They’ll love you forever.

Mangum wasted zero time proving he’s that guy when he spoke with local media last week. First, he noticed the black and gold thing –– which sounds small, until you realize that every person who moves to Pittsburgh eventually has the same epiphany:

“Wait… the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates all wear the same colors? Why doesn’t every city do this?!”

Mangum didn’t just mention it — he celebrated it. And then came the full immersion tour. Talking about learning to say “yinz.” Acknowledging the legendary sandwich stuffed with French fries. Recognizing that this is a fanbase that desperately wants — and frankly, deserves — a winner.

And then he dropped the line that sealed the deal:

“I can’t promise I’ll hit .350 with a .900 OPS, but I will do everything I possibly can to be the best version of myself and help the team win baseball games.”

That’s it. That’s the formula. Honesty. Humility. Work ethic. Respect for the city.

Jake Mangum immediately endears himself to Pittsburgh fans following trade to Pirates

Mangum isn’t guaranteeing superstardom. He’s promising effort. Accountability. A connection. And after years of watching players come and go — some fully engaged, others clearly half-interested — Pirates fans know sincerity when they see it. This feels real.

It also doesn’t hurt that Mangum just radiates enthusiasm. He sounds like a guy who still can’t believe he gets to play Major League Baseball for a living. The kind of player who’ll sprint out every ball, crash into the wall if he has to, and probably sign every kid’s hat on his way back to the dugout. The kind of guy who’ll appreciate the skyline view from the Clemente Bridge like the rest of us.

Pittsburgh connects with people like that. Always has. And Mangum, intentionally or not, is already speaking the native language. He knows the fans care. He knows the history matters. He knows the expectations are real, and he isn’t running from them. He’s leaning in.

So yeah — call it early if you want. But Mangum is going to be a fan favorite here. Because long before he ever took an at-bat at PNC Park… he understood what it means to wear black and gold. And he respected it.