Sex, Drugs & Pirates Mascots
The Pirates are back and so is their beloved mascot — the shaggy, round, lime green Parrot with the bright yellow beak and a backwards baseball cap. He’s ubiquitous to us now, but he actually has a birthday and a backstory, plus a bunch of wild stories behind the men who’ve worn the suit. We’re with author and former Mr. Met AJ Mass to talk about the sordid history of our Buccos’ best luck charm and biggest curse.
Check out AJ’s book, “Yes, It’s Hot in Here: Adventures in the Weird, Woolly World of Sports Mascots,” in print or ebook.
Today’s news!
- President Joe Biden officially announced his bid for re-election. If you’re new here, Biden announced his 2020 campaign at the Teamsters Hall in Lawrenceville.
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit is participating in a national study to see how our transit system lines up against others. You can fill out a survey through Sunday for a chance to win a 31-day pass.
- The city is investing more than $18 million to mill and pave 32 miles of city streets this year. You can see a full schedule on the city website.
Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Pittsburgh.
We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
County Executive Sara Innamorato on New Taxes, Election 'Observers' & Paid Leave's Potential Windfalls
Will the county raise sales taxes to help fund our pension system? Should we be concerned about the federal election monitors arriving at...

Tax the Rich? Plus, Día de Los Muertos & Your Next Favorite Gym
Pittsburgh has a new proposal to tax the rich, Allegheny County’s fully paid parental leave policy is officially law, and local listeners...

Pittsburgh’s Top 10 Restaurants & What Makes Them Great
What makes a restaurant one of Pittsburgh’s best? Is it the food, the service, the atmosphere or something harder to put your finger on?...

Mallo Cup Lore, Hot Tamale Goss & More PA Candy Trivia
If you're planning to go trick-or-treating this weekend, a lot of your haul will probably be made right here in Pennsylvania. We have one...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Is Chicago More Prepared for Climate Change Than Every Other City? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
How prepared is Pittsburgh to deal with the effects of climate change? In a recent report, Chicago was ranked as the most climate resilie...

Garrity’s Slopaganda, Paid Leave Passes & How Pgh Humbled Emmanuel Macron
It’s official: Allegheny County council just passed a first of its kind paid parental leave policy. Host Megan Harris, executive producer...

Runaway Pelicans, Aging Ambulances & Waterproof Warhol Art
It's been a big week for Pittsburgh: two local innovations landed on Time Magazine's Best Invention list and a pair of animals made a dra...

Sports Bars & Specials for Steelers in Paris
The Steelers are heading to Paris to take on the New Orleans Saints this Sunday, but you don’t need to be in the City of Love (and tbh, y...

Could Ozempic Treat Addiction? Plus, Cryptid Hunting & Poll Worker Tips
Could GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy help people struggling with addiction? Pittsburgh is about to find out. A new $13.3 million stu...

Why Pittsburgh's at the Center of the Grocery Store War
For better or worse, Giant Eagle has long been the main grocery store in town — beloved for its sheetcakes, bemoaned for its high prices....

