Pittsburgh Pirates Adopt 'Hoist the Cone' as Symbol of Team Resurgence
The Pittsburgh Pirates, currently tied for first place in the NL Central with an 11-7 record, have introduced a unique celebration ritual involving an orange traffic cone. This tradition, dubbed 'Hoist the Cone,' has become a symbol of the team's surprising early-season success and blue-collar identity. The phrase originally appeared on a Fanatics T-shirt, confusing fans who speculated about its meaning. Players Billy Cook and Jake Mangum clarified that the ritual began as an inside joke during a road trip to Cincinnati. After obtaining a traffic cone from a clubhouse attendant, the players decided to incorporate it into their dugout festivities. Cook explained that if a cone is present, someone must lift it, leading to the celebratory hoisting after significant plays like walk-off wins. This ritual joins other team traditions, such as wearing a welder's helmet after home runs, reflecting Pittsburgh's steel industry heritage. The adoption of this quirky prop highlights the team's camaraderie and has resonated with local fans, contributing to the positive atmosphere surrounding the Pirates' unexpected strong start to the 2026 MLB season.
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Pittsburgh Pirates Adopt 'Hoist the Cone' as Symbol of Team Resurgence
The Pittsburgh Pirates, currently tied for first place in the NL Central with an 11-7 record, have introduced a unique celebration ritual involving an orange traffic cone. This tradition, dubbed 'Hoist the Cone,' has become a symbol of the team's surprising early-season success and blue-collar identity. The phrase originally appeared on a Fanatics T-shirt, confusing fans who speculated about its meaning. Players Billy Cook and Jake Mangum clarified that the ritual began as an inside joke during a road trip to Cincinnati. After obtaining a traffic cone from a clubhouse attendant, the players decided to incorporate it into their dugout festivities. Cook explained that if a cone is present, someone must lift it, leading to the celebratory hoisting after significant plays like walk-off wins. This ritual joins other team traditions, such as wearing a welder's helmet after home runs, reflecting Pittsburgh's steel industry heritage. The adoption of this quirky prop highlights the team's camaraderie and has resonated with local fans, contributing to the positive atmosphere surrounding the Pirates' unexpected strong start to the 2026 MLB season.
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