Pirates to have Ben Roethlisberger throw out first pitch

Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Pirates to have former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger throw out first pitch

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/20/22

The three major professional sports teams in the city of Pittsburgh have been intertwined for decades, so it wasn't surprising to see the Pittsburgh Penguins honor Pittsburgh Steelers legend and future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a couple of months after he announced he was retiring as an active player.

The Pittsburgh Pirates of MLB will follow in the Penguins' footsteps later this month.

As Kevin Gorman explained for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates will welcome Roethlisberger to PNC Park to have him throw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the July 29 home matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies as part of the club's "Yinzerpalooza" festivities:

It wouldn’t be Yinzerpalooza without a proper first pitch!

Big Ben will be doing the honors on July 29.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 20, 2022

According to Gorman, "Yinzerpalooza" will include a pregame pierogi eating contest, a postgame performance from local music icons The Clarks, and appearances from an assortment of Pittsburgh celebrities and Pirates alumni.

Roethlisberger is, of course, no stranger to the Pirates. He took batting practice with the club at PNC Park ahead of a game versus the Chicago Cubs in June 2014: