Island hopping

The Pittsburgh Pirates line up along the first-base line for the national anthem before their exhibition game against the Class AA Harrisburg Senators 38 years ago today on City Island. ‍

The exhibition game between major league and minor league affiliate remains the only one of its kind on the island since Harrisburg rejoins the Eastern League in 1987.

In case you are wondering, that is Sid Bream, the Pirates’ gum-chewing first baseman out of nearby Carlisle High, standing in the middle blowing a bubble.

Among those working at the game that night is Max Patkin, the “Clown Prince of Baseball” whose comedic career begins 42 years earlier – in 1946 – on the island.

Oh, yeah, the Pirates win 5-2 before a crowd of 5,088 at old RiverSide Stadium.

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