'Unprecedented response' by fans to receive Paul Skenes bobblehead in Pittsburgh
Fans lined up outside PNC Park in Pittsburgh Saturday afternoon in hopes of getting their hands on a special bobblehead dedicated to the 2024 Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes.
"We've waited two hours or so in line for this," Geoff Fowler, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, said.
Pirates fans lined the streets and bridges to the ballpark to not only see the Pirates play but to get their hands on a limited edition card-style Paul Skenes bobblehead.
"I took off today from work to watch Skenes pitch and to get my hands on a bobblehead," said Shawn Barr, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. "We drove three hours to be here, and I am excited."
Fowler said he travelled to watch Skenes pitch and to grab a bobblehead as part of a bachelor party.
"One, I'm here for my bachelor party, two, for Skenes," Fowler said. "The Pirates game is also included in that. Hopefully, they win."
The Pirates originally said the first 20,000 fans would be able to get their hands on the limited-edition bobblehead before Skenes pitched against the Cleveland Guardians at 4:05 p.m. in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates lost to Cleveland, 3-0, on Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd.
Following the influx of people to the ballpark, however, Pirates President Travis Williams issued a statement, saying each fan could soon receive a bobblehead.
"We all saw the lines and unprecedented response for this unique giveaway. Bob (Nutting) called me and we discussed how we can ensure every fan coming to today’s game received one," Williams said in the statement. "I give a lot of credit to our internal team for the quick response to make that happen."
On the teams X page following the statement from Williams, the Pirates said fans who scanned into today's game after the first 20,000 bobbleheads were given away will be sent an electronic voucher, with distribution details to be released at a later time.
The proactive response comes after a series of not-so-well-received moments.
During the offseason, the organization removed the on the sidewalk outside PNC Park and sent them to a recycling facility.
The organization last week offered fans a replica brick in replacement and noted that a new display will honor the messages printed on the now-recycled bricks.
Furthermore, the team replaced it with a SurfSide drink advertisement. Following talks with Roberto Clemente's son, the logo was .
Fans speculated if the move was another way to make up for the blunders.
"It doesn't hurt them at all. I think it would help them out by giving out the bobbleheads, and everyone really appreciates it," said Derek Thomas from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania.
Other fans who got in line three hours early said it had the opposite effect.
"I feel like it's another PR mishap. They advertise as 20,000 fans and then 40,000 fans get it, it decreases the value," said Chris Wiley.
