The Pittsburgh Pirates had an unexpected surprise as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson joined their roster briefly. Wilson showcased his baseball skills by taking batting practice at PNC Park before the Pittsburgh Pirates faced off against the Boston Red Sox.
Videos surfaced on social media showing Wilson’s impressive hits during the practice session. Additionally, Wilson demonstrated his versatility by throwing a football and completing a pass to Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, adding an exciting twist to the day’s events.
Russell Wilson crushing some BP before throwing out the first pitch tonight! @SNPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/X7nMf20Wg6
— Hannah Mears (@mearshannah_) April 19, 2024
Russell Wilson crushing baseballs in Pittsburgh 😤 pic.twitter.com/mpUIOV2Sjr
— MLB (@MLB) April 19, 2024
Wilson’s visit to PNC Park was part of his ongoing tour of Pittsburgh sports, as he had previously attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game the weekend before. Despite being primarily known for his football career, Wilson has a history with baseball.
Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2007 and later by the Colorado Rockies in 2010, Wilson played minor league baseball for the Rockies organization in 2010 and 2011. Although he ultimately pursued a career in the NFL, his ties to baseball remained evident, as seen in his spring training appearances for the New York Yankees in 2018.
Let me know if you had this on your bingo card!!
Russell Wilson’s first Pittsburgh completion … is to … Andrew McCutchen! 🏈@SNPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/lz2AdKVSc9
— Hannah Mears (@mearshannah_) April 19, 2024
While Wilson’s stint with the Pirates may have been short-lived, it sparked some speculation about the team’s bullpen needs. The Pirates had recently experienced difficulties, including a three-game sweep by the New York Mets, largely due to struggles in their closing pitching. Despite a strong start to the season with a 9-2 record, the Pirates had faltered in their recent games. The addition of Wilson, albeit temporary, prompted discussions about potential improvements in the team’s pitching lineup.
Maybe not the result @DangeRussWilson wanted, but a fun cameo for the fans (and it looks like Wilson, too). #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/RZ3LFawpnf
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 2, 2018
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers had reason to anticipate a promising upcoming season with the acquisition of Wilson. Despite being two seasons removed from his last Pro Bowl appearance, Wilson’s Super Bowl experience and reasonable price tag brought optimism to the Steelers’ quarterback room. Alongside Justin Fields, another addition to the team, Wilson’s arrival hinted at a potentially successful season ahead for the Steelers, who had been striving for a playoff run since 2017.
Wilson’s unexpected appearance with the Pittsburgh Pirates added an exciting twist to the team’s dynamics and sparked discussions about both baseball and football in the city. While his visit was brief, it left a lasting impression on fans and raised anticipation for the upcoming seasons for both the Pirates and the Steelers.
