As spring training starts, what makes Bradenton’s love affair with the Pirates special?

Yeah, it’s a little taboo.

Sure, we love our Tampa Bay Rays. The Tampa Bay Lightning, too. And though they make it hard at times, we cheer on our Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But we love our Pittsburgh Pirates. After all, the average marriage in the U.S. today lasts just over eight years. The city of Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates have been partners for more than a half century.

On Saturday, the Pirates opened the 2020 Major League Baseball spring training season against the Minnesota Twins at Lecom Park. The park is the Pirates’ second home and the first home of the organization’s High A minor league tea, the Bradenton Marauders.

So what makes the relationship so special?

“It’s not just a contract with the city of Bradenton, it’s a relationship,” said Jeff Podobnik, vice president of Florida operations. “It’s a partnership. It’s truly a partnership. It’s almost like a family environment we have with the city of Bradenton because we are not going anywhere. We are a part of this community.”

Podobnik said between the Pirates and the Marauders organizations, as well as Pirate City, “Our staff lives here, works here at Lecom Park and are involved in all aspects of the community.”

That close connection to the Pittsburgh area is pretty noticeable when you see the Pirates in town — or when you go to a sports bar during football season and see all the Steelers jerseys. It’s no secret Pittsburgh fans not only love Bradenton, but make life choices when it comes to their relationship to both cities.

Lee Fagley, now 85 years old, shares his time between the two cities, living in each a half year at a time.

“I’ve been a season ticket holder here for 20 years,” Fagley said. “It was the Pirates that brought me here to Bradenton.”

It was a familiar conversation throughout the stands at Lecom. Pirates fan introducing themselves to one another shared common bonds in expressing where in Pennsylvania they’re from and how long they have called Bradenton home.

For others, that journey is just beginning.

“We came last year to catch some spring training games,” said Stephanie Shanahan. “So we decided to come back this year.”

Steve Shanahan has been taking his son Joe, now 8, to Pirates game in Pittsburgh since Joe was toddling along at 3. For Joe, life is simple.

“I just like watching the games,” he said.

Steve Shanahan and Fagely have much in common though they never met. They love their Pirates, are hopeful for a new season, but not confident.

“I’m excited for some of the younger players,” Shanahan said. “But if I’m going to be honest, I don’t think they made any big upgrades to make this our year. But it’s great to get out of Pittsburgh this time of year and enjoy this weather.”

Fagley said, “You always have hope when a season starts. You hope they can do something special, but it will come in time.”

The weather was perfect on Saturday for the game, especially after a frigid Friday night that saw temperatures fall into the mid-40s. By game time, it was 67 degrees and climbing.

“It’s a beautiful day and couldn’t be better,” said Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston. “We can tell all the folks who are from Pittsburgh because they are here in flip flops and shorts. We’re here in long sleeve shirts because we’re from Florida. We’re excited about this year and everyone is in a great mood. Come out to Lecom and see the Pirates play.”

The Pirates announced Friday they will extend protective netting at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Lecom. In 2017, the Pirates became one of the first MLB clubs to extend safety netting from home plate to the end of both dugouts.

That netting system will be replaced with a new system down the first and third base lines designed for maximum transparency while still ensuring fans stay safe.

“The netting expansion provides even more options for fans to sit close to the actions along the baselines without concern for their safety and that of their family and friends,” said Pirates President Travis Williams. “While we understand it will be an adjustment from what we are all accustomed to, fan safety has to be a top priority, as is maintaining a direct connection between our players and our fans.”

Sure, Pittsburgh fans stand out at the park, but locals love them, too. Just because one spouse is from Pittsburgh and the other is from Bradenton doesn’t mean there isn’t love in the air. Does it?

“I love the PIttsburgh Pirates,” said Bradenton resident Jean Morrow, who celebrated her 31st birthday on Saturday by throwing out the first pitch. “I’ve been coming to these games since I was 4 years old. It’s good to be here and how lucky am to get to throw out the first pitch?”

Lucky indeed.

As Podobnik said, “We like to say it all begins in Bradenton ... Our partnership with the city goes back 52 years and we’re excited to continue this partnership and to continue to grow this relationship. It’s all about families, entertainment. We are very proud of Lecom Park and it’s just a great, fun family environment to come out to this ballpark.”

The Pirates are away on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies, but return home to Lecom on Monday and Tuesday to take on the Phillies again and then the Boston Red Sox.

For a complete spring training schedule, visit mlb/pirates/schedule.

This story was originally published February 22, 2020 at 3:46 PM.