BRADENTON, Fla. -- Hello! My name is Gerard Gilberto, and a few weeks ago I accepted a job as a Pirates beat reporter for DK Pittsburgh Sports. I’ve finally made it here for spring training, and the time has come for me to get started with the company. It’s important for both Dejan and myself that the readers and subscribers, who welcomed me so openly when the announcement was made, got a chance to get to know me.
It’s odd for me to talk about myself. That’s probably not a unique thought for people in my profession, but it’s true. The first article I ever published for my local newspaper was about my own high school football team, and my name did not appear below the byline. But I suppose my interest in this industry also isn’t any different from most everyone else: play until they, whoever they are, tell you they don’t want you to play anymore, then find something to do that will keep you close.
Cats been out the bag for a while now, but the time has come. I am in Bradenton to cover my first #Pirates Spring Training game for @DKPghSports. pic.twitter.com/yEE3QG1cev
— Gerard Gilberto (@Gerard_Gilberto) March 17, 2021
My parents were from Brooklyn, and I was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. That’s just the natural progression of things if you’re from the area. I got my first restaurant job in the neighborhood when I was 12 years old, and I stayed in the bar and restaurant industry until a few days before I got on a plane for Bradenton.
I definitely look at my new job as blue-collar work. But that’s what I do, and that’s what I signed up for. This will be exhaustive, if not exhausting.
I’ve been stuck behind a desk for much of my career in sports journalism. I was lucky to be surrounded by some brilliant editors and reporters at both Turner Sports and MiLB.com. But we were doing Zoom calls and phone interviews long before it was fashionable.
I got my first opportunity to work at the ballpark in 2015 when I covered the College World Series in Omaha. By then, I knew I wanted to be a reporter, but that trip showed me how great the job could actually be.
The purpose of everything I’ve done in this business was getting back to that point. And I actually hit my goal in 2019. I was part of a group of super talented people to cover the Mets for a special website started by some huge tech company.
That project, well, ended. But the months we were operational were by far the best of my career, and I feel I’m in a similar position now.
It’s a beautiful day in Florida, and I’m back in a ballpark. I’m excited to work with Alex Stumpf and Dejan to cover this team. I’m going to ask for the same thing of the readers that I’m sure the Pirates would like to ask of their fans: patience.
I come from the prospect world at MiLB.com. I love the minor leagues and know that a strong farm system -- and the Pirates have a good one -- is an incredibly important part of any well-run franchise. Players scratch and claw to climb the ladder to the majors. And I’ve enjoyed covering their journey toward their goal. But my aim is to make sure I’m properly covering the sport at its highest level. And maybe with some time we can follow this local club to the national stage.
I’m new to the Pirates, but I’m not new to baseball reporting. I’m new to Pittsburgh and Bradenton and all the wonderful ballparks and cities in America to which I’ll be able to follow the club. But most importantly I’m excited to share those experiences with you all.
Thank you to Dejan, Dali and Dale for taking a chance on me. And I can’t wait to meet some new people at PNC Park sometime soon.
