Starting at third base for the Pittsburgh Pirates: Mario Lemieux.
The Milwaukee Brewers could be forgiven if they're a little confused when their opponents show up for Friday night's game home game. The Brewers are scheduled to play the Pirates, but the jerseys will represent the Penguins.
The Pirates are showing their support for their NHL brethren by planning to wear Penguins jerseys on their five-game road trip at the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers.
The Pens lead the New York Rangers 3-1 in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal and can advance to the Eastern finals with a win Friday night.
"We're all in," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said in a story on NHL.com, adding that he has stayed up later than he should have in recent weeks because he's been captivated by the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"It's hard to beat playoff hockey... It's a wonderful time of the year, and our team's in it."
Pirates third baseman Brandon Inge showed off his team's spirit Thursday when he entered the clubhouse adorned in Mario Lemieux gear, including jersey, helmet, gloves, pads and roller blades.
According to NHL.com, Penguins wing Matt Cooke said he received a picture text of Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez wearing his No. 24 jersey. The report said several Pirates put on the corresponding numbered Penguins jersey.
"I think it's a really cool thing," Cooke said. "I've always said, especially in a city with the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, you want everyone to enjoy in the fruits of the fans and winning and what this town -- this city -- is really all about.
"It's just a neat thing to see, and I think in the fall when we're back here we'll be wearing the Pirates jerseys."
According to USA Today, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle jokingly said not all his players began the day as Penguins fans, or even hockey fans for that matter.
"Maybe half of us," he says. "Now, the other guys have no choice."
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