This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf¡¯s Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
It hadn¡¯t registered with Chase Shugart until he was back in the clubhouse around the seventh inning Tuesday. He had just thrown two innings in relief, the Pirates were cruising to a victory and starter Bailey Falter didn¡¯t throw enough innings to qualify for a win.
The rookie right-hander was going to get his first big league win. His teammates would close it out and celebrate with one of the more jovial postgame clubhouses of the season.
It took Shugart some time to realize he could get the win. His answer, when asked postgame where the game ball was going, was instantaneous: it¡¯s going to his grandparents, Wanda and Ronnie Shugart. They have been collecting all of his baseball highlights since he was seven years old, ranging from his collegiate hat, to the Little League jersey he wore when his East Texas team made the Southwest Regional Final, to everything in between.
"I think they've taken up two rooms with all my baseball stuff,¡± Shugart said. ¡°Maybe they can find some room on the wall."
Looking at those walls, there doesn¡¯t seem to be that much space once you factor in those Minor League jerseys, pennants, bats and balls to commemorate just about every ¡°first¡± from college to the pros:
Maybe it¡¯s time for a third room?
Shugart is making a good impression with his new club after being acquired this winter from the Red Sox. His high spin sweeper is missing bats and Joey Bart was quick to compliment Shugart¡¯s confidence after that first win Tuesday. That drive to win and compete should put him on the path for more career firsts and accomplishments and more presents for his grandparents.
This baseball journey he¡¯s on was only possible because of them. His maternal grandparents are not only the docents for the Chase Shugart museum. They also raised him, taking legal custody when he was just days old.
¡°My mom and dad were young, weren¡¯t in the headspace to raise a child at the time,¡± Shugart said. ¡°¡ It really was a blessing to be raised by two amazing people.¡±
Wanda and Ronnie attended every game Shugart played growing up (it¡¯s a little harder now that he¡¯s a big leaguer, but they should make the trip from his hometown of Bridge City, Texas to Pittsburgh once the weather gets warmer). They made the trips to help him play on those regional teams growing up.
Ronnie worked into his 70s as a pipefitter, only retiring after Shugart was drafted and started his pro journey in 2018. Wanda and his uncle, also named Ronnie, were two of his earliest coaches.
All of those experiences, and the extra time they put in, has stuck with Shugart and molded him into the person he is today.
¡°They gave me the opportunity to be here in the big leagues, and the sacrifices they've made, I carry that with me daily,¡± Shugart said. ¡°Being able to represent them while playing the game I love. It's bittersweet."
Shugart is still at the start of his Major League journey, but is already endearing himself to his new teammates and members of the bullpen by being authentic and attacking hitters. It¡¯s why that first win was a cause for celebration after a turbulent month of April for the club.
"These guys are here for me,¡± Shugart said. ¡°Coming into a new org and not knowing anybody, I feel like they've really accepted me and I really want to do what I can to help these guys win. I felt pretty good."
Shugart got to celebrate that win with his new baseball family. When he gets home, he¡¯ll ship off the ball to the family that made that win possible.
¡°Being able to look up to someone like that, who put so much on the line for me to achieve a goal, I think that¡¯s what sticks out the most,¡± Shugart said. ¡°They were always in my corner.¡±