Skenes bobblehead causes such a frenzy, Pirates decide to give everyone one

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates chairman Bob Nutting saw what everyone passing PNC Park saw Saturday afternoon: long lines of fans waiting for a Paul Skenes bobblehead.

Saturday was the first giveaway bobblehead the Pirates have held for the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, and there was certainly high demand. Three and a half hours before first pitch, the line at the center-field gate alone was already halfway across the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

Originally, the promotion was just supposed to be for the first 20,000 fans in attendance. The Pirates decided to pivot from that, and are instead offering a bobblehead to every fan who scans into the game.

“We all saw the lines and unprecedented response for this unique giveaway,” Pirates team president Travis Williams said in a released statement. “Bob [Nutting] called me, and we discussed how we can ensure every fan coming to today’s game received one. I give a lot of credit to our internal team for the quick response to make that happen. More details to come.”