The Pittsburgh Pirates, currently tied for first in the NL Central with an 11-7 record, have adopted an orange traffic cone as a symbol of their resurgence. This quirky celebration reflects the team's connection to Pittsburgh's blue-collar work ethic.
Key points
Pittsburgh Pirates tied for first in NL Central
Pirates have an 11-7 record
Team adopts orange traffic cone as symbol
Welder's helmet used for home run celebrations
Celebrations reflect Pittsburgh's blue-collar work ethic
They seem to embody the city's blue-collar work ethic, in the way they play − and in the way they celebrate their success.
One of the more interesting rituals so far this season is the welder's helmet, which goes on the head of any Pirate who hits a home run when he returns to the dugout.
The connection to Pittsburgh's steel industry is fairly obvious. But another celebration the team is enjoying requires a bit more detailed explanation.
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
Q&A
Why did the Pittsburgh Pirates choose an orange traffic cone as their symbol?
The orange traffic cone symbolizes the team's resurgence and reflects Pittsburgh's blue-collar work ethic.
What is the Pittsburgh Pirates' current record in the NL Central?
The Pittsburgh Pirates have an 11-7 record and are tied for first place in the NL Central division.
What unique celebration do the Pirates have for home runs?
The Pirates celebrate home runs with a welder's helmet, which is worn by the player returning to the dugout after hitting a home run.
How does the Pirates' celebration connect to Pittsburgh's industry?
The celebration, particularly the welder's helmet, connects to Pittsburgh's steel industry, emphasizing the team's local roots and work ethic.
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April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
1 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
1 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
2 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
3 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
4 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
5 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
6 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
7 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
8 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
9 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
10 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
11 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
12 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
13 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
14 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
15 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
16 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
17 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
18 / 18
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
Since the beginning of the season, an orange traffic cone has been a constant presence inside the Pirates dugout. And when good things like a walk-off win happen, it's usually part of the festivities.
Pittsburgh Pirates players (from left) Jake Mangum, Nick Yorke and Brandon Lowe celebrate with a traffic cone after Yorke's game-winning RBI single to defeat the Baltimore Orioles on April 4.
Pittsburgh Pirates players (from left) Jake Mangum, Nick Yorke and Brandon Lowe celebrate with a traffic cone after Yorke's game-winning RBI single to defeat the Baltimore Orioles on April 4.
What's with the Pirates' 'hoist the cone' celebration?
The idea for using a traffic cone as a prop began, as many inside jokes do, by making fun of someone else's mistake.
Fans were left wondering what the words meant. Was it supposed to be the Pirates' "Hoist the Colors" slogan instead? Or maybe something to do with an ice cream treat at PNC Park? No one really knew for sure.
So a couple Pirates players decided to create their own definition.
SportsNet Pittsburgh reporter Hannah Mears flagged down outfielders Billy Cook and Jake Mangum to get the inside story.
During an early-season road trip to Cincinnati, Mangum says he asked a clubhouse attendant if he could obtain a traffic cone. When one showed up, it was just a matter of figuring out what to do with it.
Cook took responsibility for it in the dugout, and the rest is history.
"If we're gonna have a cone in here, someone's gotta lift it up," Cook explained. "It's not gonna hoist itself."
Whether it's because of the traffic cone, the welder's helmet or perhaps an improved roster, the Pirates are off to an excellent start this season. And the Steel City is happy to celebrate with them.
