Top 5 Pittsburgh Sports Moments of 2024
As we get ready to put a bow, on 2024, I’ve decided to put together a Top 5 list of the most memorable Pittsburgh sports moments from this year. Honorable mention that just missed was Pitt football’s dramatic, 38-34 victory over West Virginia. Here now are the Top 5 going from 5 to 1.
5. Paul Skenes’ MLB debut: 10 months after being selected as the #1 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates, in the 2023 MLB Draft, Paul Skenes made his very much anticipated big league debut against the Chicago Cubs, on May 11th.
PNC Park, as well as the entire baseball world. was an absolute buzz, in regards to the 21-year-old rookie phenom. He pitched four innings, allowing three runs, and striking out seven.
While it may not have been the best debut from a statistical standpoint, it was the magnitude of Skenes’ debut in general that made it special.
4. Andrew McCutchen clubs 300th homer: In September of 2023, Andrew McCutchen was sitting on 299 career home runs, before suffering a partial tear of his Achilles tendon.
The Pirates re-signed McCutchen last offseason, to a one-year deal for $5 million, which would give Cutch the opportunity, to get 300 homers, in a Pirates uniform.
On April 14th at Citizens Bank Park, in Philadelphia, the former NL MVP homered off Phillies reliever, Ricardo Pinto, for his 300th.
McCutchen is currently the 12th active MLB player to reach 300 home runs.
3. Paul Skenes shines in Midsummer Classic: Despite not being called up to the Majors until the middle part of May, Paul Skenes’ dominance was getting more hard to ignore. Fans agreed, as they voted him to the All-Star Game, in Arlington, Texas.
Arizona Diamondbacks manager, Torey Lovullo, revealed on The Dan Patrick Show that Skenes would be the starter, for the National League. It marked the first time ever a Pirates rookie started an All-Star Game.
Skenes took the Globe Life Field mound, to open the bottom of the first. He got leadoff man Steven Kwan to pop out, followed by a groundout from Gunnar Henderson. After issuing a walk to Juan Soto - a cross up with William Contreras that should’ve been a strikeout - Skenes faced Aaron Judge and promptly retired him on a weak grounder. It was a proper showcase, for the eventual NL Rookie of the Year.
2. Evgeni Malkin reaches 500: While Sidney Crosby eclipsed the 500 goal milestone, on February 15th, 2022, Evgeni Malkin didn’t want his greatness to be overshadowed.
Taking on the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena, on October 16th, the Penguins were victorious, 6-5, in overtime. During the third period, Malkin placed himself, in Penguins’ lore by scoring his 500th goal. Crosby picked up the assist, on the Malkin tally. It was poetic irony, as Malkin recorded the assist, when Crosby got to 500.
Malkin became just the second Russian born player, to score 500 NHL goals; joining Alex Ovechkin.
1. 600 for Sidney: As mentioned previously, Sidney Crosby reached 500 goals, in February of 2022. The future Hall of Famer, as always, had his sights set higher.
On November 23rd, the Penguins squared off with the Utah Hockey Club, for the very first time, and lost by a score of 6-1. However, the PPG Paints Arena crowd got to witness their Captain add to his growing legacy, as Crosby scored via a 5-on-3 power play, for the 600th goal of his illustrious, hockey career.
The 600 goals made Crosby only the 21st NHL player all-time to reach the milestone.