Pirates honor longest tenured season-ticket holder who passed away

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates honored longtime season ticket holder Irene Delong Friday night before the game.

Delong passed away Sept. 7 at the age of 89. She was a season ticket holder for more than 40 years and attended thousands of games.

The team she loved observed a moment of silence in her honor before the game and fans placed flowers at her seat above the right-field scoreboard.

Pirates fans also have been leaving their condolences on the funeral home’s website. One fan posted a picture and wrote, “As we honor the memory of our friend, Irene Delong.”

Pirates officials said Delong, a Marine Corps veteran, was the longest tenured season-ticket holder. She attended more than 5,000 games since 1947.

WPXI