Jason Kendall, Brian Giles to Throw First Pitch at Pirates’ Home Opener
A pair of familiar faces will team up to throw out the first pitch ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday in celebration of the 25th anniversary of PNC Park.
The Pirates will welcome back former catcher Jason Kendall and former outfielder Brian Giles to deliver the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the game.
Kendall, who played for the Pirates from 1996-04, was a three-time All-Star and compiled a .306/.387/.418 batting line with 1,409 hits, 256 doubles, 29 triples, 67 home runs, 471 RBI and 140 steals in 1,252 career games during his career with Pittsburgh.
A 1992 first-round pick of the Pirates, Kendall is the franchise leader among catchers in hits, home runs, stolen bases, OPS (.805) and bWAR (30.7).
Giles was acquired from the Cleveland Indians ahead of the 1999 season and spent five seasons with the Pirates. In 715 career games in Pittsburgh, Giles slashed .308/.426/.591 with 174 doubles, 26 triples, 165 home runs (seventh-most in franchise history), 506 RBI and 40 stolen bases. He was an All-Star two years in a row from 2000-01 and received MVP consideration both seasons.
The Pirates traded Giles to the San Diego Padres in 2003 for three players including 2004 National League Rookie of the Year Jason Bay and lefty starter Óliver Pérez.
Kendall and Giles were teammates with the Pirates from 1999-2003 under managers Gene Lamont and later Lloyd McClendon.
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