PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are in first place at the All-Star break for the first time in 15 years and have the Steel City embracing the power of Zoltan.
No, Zoltan isn't a player, but a fictional character in the 2000 comedy "Dude, Where's My Car?" The team was watching the movie in the clubhouse during a game in Atlanta earlier this season when second baseman Neil Walker made a letter Z with his two hands as a joke.
The phenomenon caught on. When catcher Rod Barajas hit a walk-off two-run homer against Washington in May, the entire team waited at home plate and flashed the Z.
It has taken on a life of its own and manager Clint Hurdle said the goofy tradition is a way of his players taking ownership for their success.
The Pirates begin the second half with a three-game series in Milwaukee starting Friday, followed by a three-game series in Colorado.
The Bucs then return home for a six-game homestand with the Marlins and Cubs.
WPXI
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