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Pirates President Frank Coonelly: 'These Fans Deserved Playoff Games'

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Pirates President Frank Coonelly joined the Fan Morning Show on Tuesday morning. Today is the first day of Buctober as the Pirates prepare to host and play in their first playoff game since 1992.

He said he is trying to keep a normal routine, but that obviously this is different. He is just excited to get this going tonight.

"These fans deserved playoff games" Coonelly said. He is quick to point out "games" and not "game" because they plan on having additional games here. The first one just happens to be tonight and Coonelly says he is excited to show off Pittsburgh to the national audience tonight.

"I know PNC Park and the Pirates fans will show off well," Coonelly said.

Part of what that audience will see is the black out here at the ballpark tonight.

"It will be a cool look" Coonelly says. The team likes wearing the black alternate jerseys, which they will wear tonight and Coonelly says it will be a neat scene to see both come together.

Coonelly said there have been many moments where he has had chills seeing this come together, but also admits that based on what happened the past couple of seasons there were nervous moments after every time there was a two-game losing streak.

So now that it's finally here, what is Coonelly most looking forward too?

"That first pitch," Coonelly said. "I just want to see Frankie throw that first pitch and see our guys get after it."

Before Francisco Liriano throws out the first pitch at 8:07 p.m. ET tonight, former Pirates ace Doug Drabek will toss the ceremonial first pitch merging the last Pirates playoff team to the one taking the field tonight.

You can hear the full interview here:

Frank Coonelly 10-1

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