Billy Cook makes great throw from right field on Roberto Clemente Day

PITTSBURGH — Like every Pirate, Billy Cook was wearing 21 Sunday, a tribute to the legendary Roberto Clemente on his day. The number 21 was stenciled into the grass at his position in right field at PNC Park, the spot where Clemente won 15 Gold Gloves during his Hall of Fame career.

So it was only fitting that Cook made a Clemente-like throw in the third inning, uncorking a strong toss to home to nab Tommy Pham.

“Sometimes the angels watch over you, I guess, a little bit,” said manager Derek Shelton with a smile.

Cook also made the baserunning play of the game, scoring from first base on an Isiah Kiner-Falefa base hit in the fifth inning. Those two plays and runs were vital, as the Pirates were able to hang on to beat the Royals, 4-3.

Cook has only been up in the Major Leagues for eight days but has shown a knack for being at the center of the big plays, whether it was falling into the stands to make a catch during his debut or his two spots Sunday. The lights of the Majors can get bright, but the rookie has looked comfortable thus far and has played the game how he wants.

“He plays fast,” Shelton said. “On top of it, he’s not timid about anything he does, which — for a young kid that’s just coming to the big leagues, new organization in the big leagues, doesn’t know a lot of these guys — stands out.”

That mindset of playing hard and fast came from his dad, Chuck, and his grandfather, Dan. Both men played collegiate ball, and if Cook didn’t play hard growing up, “I’d hear about it.”

“It’s always been the same advice from everybody — play the game hard, work hard and everything else will take care of itself,” Cook said. “That kind of ‘always earned, never given,’ that was something that was said to me young. That comes with hard work, right. Without hard work, it’s not going to be given to you. You got to earn it.”

Cook has certainly earned this chance in the Majors, even if it wasn’t the path he thought he was going to take. The Pirates acquired him at the Trade Deadline from the Orioles in exchange for Minor League pitcher Patrick Reilly, a move to deepen the Pirates’ position player core. After he tore it up at Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates selected his contract and added him to the big league team last Sunday.

He’s had some hiccups in that first week in the Majors as he adjusts to the highest level of competition, but making a throw like that, or being able to score from first on a single because he didn’t slow down on the hit-and-run, is a great way to endear yourself to your new club.

“Every day, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Cook said. “So, if you don’t get a hit that day, how are you going to help the team win? That’s something that I’ve tried to do coming up, just contribute. And I’ve found that playing the game hard ever since a young age has given you the advantage, right, on those little things.”

It was a great throw and clutch run, like the plays Clemente made. And while he is new to the organization and the Majors, the gravity of that moment and being able to play in right field on Roberto Clemente Day is not lost on Cook.

“It was awesome seeing the ‘21,’ and I think even more special because it was just out in right field,” Cook said. “He played an amazing right field. And so, just being able to play the game the right way out there as a tribute to him while wearing the number, really special.”