Eric Larson

Pittsburgh Pirates Optimist. Mostly retweets about baseball.

[Clint Hurdle @ClintHurdle13]

I kept this story in my pocket for a long time....

In Pittsburgh, September 15th is Roberto Clemente Day.

Every year the whole organization fans out across the city. It's like Christmas. Roberto's family is there, Vera and the boys.

My first year as manager was 2011. We celebrated. We shook hands and moved on.
We didn't win.

19 consecutive losing seasons.

2012 rolls around. Same day, same celebration. We had another losing season, our 20th consecutive.

After the ceremony, Roberto Jr. walked over.

"My mom wants to talk to you."

We went into the dugout. Me, Vera, and her three sons.

She spoke in Spanish. I played four years of winter ball so I understood enough. She wasn't angry, but she was passionate. And I kept hearing Roberto's number come up.

Roberto Jr. translated.

"My mother wants you to know that there cannot be a 21st losing season. That was Roberto's number. It would be a disgrace to his legacy."

She was staring right at me.

Before I could even think about what to say, words came out of my mouth:
"I promise you, Vera. That won't happen."

Roberto Jr. looked at me and said, "You made my mom a promise. I hope you can keep it."

I said, "I hope I can keep it too."

I didn't tell my coaches. I didn't tell the players. I told my wife. That was it.

The next year, 2013, we broke the consecutive seasons losing streak. Ended it at 20.

On Roberto Clemente Day that September, Vera came walking across that field.

And I probably got one of the most meaningful hugs I've ever received in my life.

The players did all the heavy lifting. I just got the hug.

Some promises are worth making before you know if you can keep them.

@Pirates

[Reginald Beanstalk @ReggieHoggedUp]

Me getting excited for the 2026 Pirates

[Pittsburgh Pirates @Pirates]

Couldn’t make it to the game today?

RT for your chance to win this autographed Paul Skenes Cy Young bobblehead!

[Eric Larson @Larson321]

HANK IS A TANK! #letsgobucs

[Eric Larson @Larson321]

“A good team” 🔥

[DK Pittsburgh Sports @DKPghSports]

Bryan Reynolds says attending Konnor Griffin’s press conference was simply because he’s “one of us.” Also, wait for the end. Trust me. 😂 — From Chris Halicke in Pittsburgh

[Jomboy Media @JomboyMedia]

Companies in Pittsburgh are reportedly chasing down Pirates fans who are stealing traffic cones. Pirates players are "Hoisting the Cone" to celebrate home runs this season

(via @KDKA)

[Pittsburgh Pirates @Pirates]

In honor of a very successful Opening Weekend at PNC Park, we're giving away this team-autographed poster.

RT for your chance to win! 🏴‍☠️

[Pittsburgh Pirates @Pirates]

Opening Debut.

[Eric Larson @Larson321]

@NorthShoreNine Head of the Department of Pitch Efficiency

[Cannonball Corner @CannonballCrner]

The Pirates playoff odds are 43.9% (opening day).

[World Baseball Classic @WBCBaseball]

Shohei Ohtani hits a 117.1 MPH double on the first pitch he sees at the #WorldBaseballClassic!

[Platinum Key @PlatinumKey13]

🚨KONNOR GRIFFIN HOME RUN🚨

ABSOLUTE NO-DOUBTER.

104.8 MPH exit velocity, 374 feet, HR in 30/30 ballparks

[Jim Rosati 🏴‍☠️ @northsiden0tch]

Pitchers and catchers not the only ones reporting back today.

[MLB @MLB]

Paul Skenes had a superb sophomore season!

He is your 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner!

[Pittsburgh Pirates @Pirates]

Never a doubt.

Paul Skenes is your 2025 NL Cy Young Award Winner!

[Eric Larson @Larson321]

@SteeloCity Yankees recreated Soto in the aggregate where’d that get em?

[MLB @MLB]

Happy birthday to 5x All-Star and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen! 🥳

To celebrate, we’re giving away this @Topps card! Repost and reply for your chance to win.

[Eric Cross @EricCrossMLB]

Konnor Griffin is now slashing .356/.437/.563 in 22 Double-A games as a 19-year-old after last night's 3-hit playoff game

This is my unquestioned #1 prospect heading into 2026. The upside here is a tier above any other prospect in baseball right now.

[MLB @MLB]

If you finished reading this, it's too late.

Paul Skenes struck you out, too.

[Eric Larson @Larson321]

@DALLASBRADEN209 @Section10Pod