The Harrisburg Alumni Association

Right-hander Brett Gideon is the starting pitcher in the modern-era Harrisburg Senators’ first-ever spring training game 39 years ago today in Bradenton, Fla.

The Senators begin their inaugural season as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Class AA affiliate that day with a 5-4 victory over the Birmingham Barons.

The Senators finish that inaugural season with the first of six Eastern League titles in a 13-season span.

Along the way in 1987, Gideon becomes the first Senator of the modern era to reach the major leagues, making his debut on July 5 with an inning of scoreless relief in the Pirates’ 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Three Rivers Stadium.

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