Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Visits Pirates At Spring Training
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Whether it's inside the foul lines, the sidelines or the boards, Pittsburgh's professional sports teams share fans and a camaraderie.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stopped by McKechnie Field today to spend a little time with Clint Hurdle and the Pirates.
Tomlin: It's really an awesome fraternity and one that I'm humbled to be a part of.
Shumway: How are your baseball skills?
Tomlin: Minimal, but pretty good in my mind.
Coach Tomlin's visit is a welcome break in the routine in the clubhouse.
"Gave us a little pump up speech and saying that he's behind us and he realizes what we are creating here and he wants to be a part of it," shortstop Jordy Mercer said.
This is an annual trek for Coach Tomlin and Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert. Tomlin says he's gotten to know some of the players pretty well.
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Tomlin and Hurdle share a genuine interest in their respective players, and he came with a message for the Bucs.
"Be where you are when you get towards the end of a training session. It's human nature to kind of pack your bags mentally and physically and sit 'em in the hallway and I always make a conscious effort not to do so," Tomlin said.
Utility player Sean Rodriguez explains.
"Essentially, he was emphasizing on finishing, you know don't pack your bags mentally. Try to get every last drop you can out of Spring Training," he said.
Coach Tomlin said he enjoys taking his kids to games at PNC Park.
Tomlin: We've seen quite a few over the years and I don't think that's going to change.
Shumway: Are they bigger baseball or football fans?
Tomlin: You know, they view baseball and football differently. Football in Pittsburgh is dad's job and guys that work with dad. Whereas, if they see Cutch or J-Hay, those are sports stars. It's a little bit of a difference Antonio is just a guy who works with dad.
Hear the entire interview Tomlin did with the "KDKA Morning News" with Larry Richert and John Shumway here: