Wearing a Roberto Clemente jersey, Marc Fogel walked to the mound, tipped his cap and blew two kisses to the sold-out PNC Park crowd at the Pirates’ home opener Friday.
He then threw a ceremonial first pitch toward the plate to phenom pitcher and reigning National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes’ glove-side.
Former Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel throws out the ceremonial first pitch of the Pirates home opener to pitcher Paul Skenes @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/A7PK7pnlT3
— haley daugherty (@halzdoc) April 4, 2025
The two met in the middle, shook hands, hugged and posed for a photo with Pirates owner Bob Nutting.
Prior to the pitch, Fogel talked with former Pirates pitcher and broadcaster Steve Blass. The two could be seen laughing and hugging.
Former Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel shakes hands with former Pirates pitcher and broadcaster Steve Blass @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/PvuEJj0bhg
— haley daugherty (@halzdoc) April 4, 2025
According to a statement from the Pirates, team chairman Bob Nutting surprised Fogel on March 17 with an invitation to toss out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the home opener.
The crowd warmly welcomed Fogel, who is back home in Pittsburgh after being detained by Russian authorities in 2021. Fogel, who was sentenced in 2022 to 14 years in prison, was freed in February after three-and-a-half years in prison.
“I was surprised and excited when Bob called with the invitation to throw today’s first pitch,” Fogel said in a statement. “As a diehard Pirates fan, being on the field today is an amazing opportunity. I’m grateful to him, and the whole Pirates community, for a wonderful welcome home.”
“As I watched the news coverage of Marc landing in the United States draped in an American flag, wearing his Steelers winter cap and drinking an Iron City beer, I knew this moment just had to happen,” Nutting said in a statement. “I can’t think of a better way to officially welcome him back home to Pittsburgh.”
Fogel, formerly of Oakmont and now living in Pittsburgh, also was recognized by the Pittsburgh Penguins when he attended a recent hockey game.
