'Something huge': As Pirates return to Cincinnati, players reflect on cone origin

CINCINNATI — Jake Mangum knows a sideways look or awkward conversation could be coming.

When the Pirates return to Great American Ball Park on Thursday, it’s technically the scene of the crime — theft. Or Mangum asking a visiting clubhouse attendant for a traffic cone ... and then the team packing it on the team plane along with a series victory and some early-season momentum.

Who knew a fun gesture back at the end of March could turn into all this?

“He might ask us to return the cone, but we’re gonna have a fight about that,” Mangum said. “Doubt it happens.”

It’s all in good fun. It’s hard to imagine the Reds needing a traffic cone so badly.

And, as Pirates fans can attest, it’s not like it’s hard to find one and, um, legally repurpose it.

But the cone game did signify the first big step this team took in 2026 — and it represents a little of what must again happen over four games against the Reds, as the Pirates look to move past a homestand that should’ve been better.

Back then, the Pirates had lost three of four, and the offense was lifeless. In fact, Pittsburgh went six for 45 with runners in scoring position through the first four games of the season, stranding 40.

It’s why Mangum felt they needed some additional direction.

“We’ve had a lot of traffic on the bases recently,” Mangum said. “We just haven’t directed ‘em home. We needed a traffic cone to make sure they got home.”

Prior to that Tuesday game, Mangum planted the cone in the middle of an empty dugout. Those who saw it assumed it was for some sort of stadium project, not as the Pirates’ good luck charm or the future subject of Strip District T-shirts.

Despite amassing just four singles in their previous game, a 2-0 loss, the Pirates hit four home runs, including two from Oneil Cruz, one of those traveling 444 feet.

Part of the reason, Mangum explained, was assistant clubhouse manager Nik Cook slapping a Pirates sticker on the cone and the team rallying around it. But also the gimmick it presented and allowing everyone to relax a little.

“We were so loose out there, just having a good time playing ball,” Mangum said. “It was cool. ... We have a good thing going here, man. We have to stay positive."

It would be unfair to players or coaches to pin the Pirates’ offensive turnaround on a cylindrical piece of orange rubber, but what Mangum said makes sense. This group has played loose for much of this season, starting that night.

“Bringing them to games, seeing them on top of buildings and the skyline, it’s crazy,” Mangum said. “It’s fun, though. Fun little baseball thing.”

The cone became a way for Thursday’s starting pitcher, Yohan Ramirez, to catch a home run in the bullpen. It was also the subject of myriad explainer pieces, the Fanatics mishap where a T-shirt was likely supposed to say “Hoist the Colors” and a way the Pirates found to carve out their identity.

Four months later, it’s hard to imagine where this Pirates season would be without the link to the cone.

“I did a Q&A recently, and some of the questions were about the cone,” Billy Cook — the cone’s primary caretaker since its inception — said. “That was fun. The fans make a big deal of it, too, which is great.”

The day after the cone was born, the Pirates hung another eight-spot on the Reds. Cruz and Reynolds homered again. Paul Skenes went five scoreless. And the Pirates came home and swept the Orioles.

Much like real cones, there have certainly been some speed bumps around it. But it really has served as a road map of sorts for their season.

“I don’t know if they’re missing it. But if they try to take it, I’ll put my life on the line for it,” Cook joked before turning serious. “It’s just a traffic cone, but we’ve turned it into something huge.”

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.