An opening day crowd watches a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Friday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have reversed course after angering the family of the late Roberto Clemente by removing a sign honoring the franchise icon on the right-field wall at PNC Park.

The sign featured Clemente’s name and his No. 21. Replacing it was an advertisement for Surfside, an alcoholic drink.

However, the Clemente sign will be restored before tonight’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Pirates president Travis Williams.

Williams took responsibility for the controversy on Sunday.

“We did not intend to disrespect the legacy of Roberto Clemente by adding the advertisement to the pad in right field,” Williams said in a statement. “When we added the advertisement to the pad, it was an oversight not to keep the No. 21 logo. This is ultimately on me, not anyone else in the organization. It was an honest mistake.

“We want to make sure that the Clemente family understands that we intended no disrespect to their father. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Clemente family and apologize to them and our fans for our honest mistake.”

The right-field wall at PNC Park stands 21 feet high in honor of Clemente.

The Pirates said in a statement that the sign, which had been on the wall since 2022, was meant to be a temporary adornment. However, Roberto Clemente Jr. expressed his unhappiness on Sunday in a statement.

“This change was made without any communication or consultation with our family,” the statement said. “While we appreciate that the Pirates acknowledged their failure to inform us, it reveals a broader issue: a lack of meaningful collaboration between the organization and on matters that are deeply personal and historically significant to us and the fans.

“The outpouring of support from fans in Pittsburgh and across the country has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated. It is clear that our father’s legacy continues to inspire and unite people, not only for his achievements on the field, but for the integrity and compassion he demonstrated off of it.”

Clemente spent his entire career with the Pirates from 1955-72. He played in 15 All-Star Games while winning 12 Gold Glove awards, four batting titles and the 1966 National League MVP.

Skenes blames players

Paul Skenes isn’t exactly sure what the Pirates’ record is, only that it’s not nearly good enough.

So while Pittsburgh’s young ace and reigning National League Rookie of the Year understands the frustrations that resulted in boos and chants of “Sell the team” directed at increasingly popular targets manager Derek Shelton and owner Bob Nutting during a 9-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday, Skenes believes the angst should be directed elsewhere.

“Mr. Nutting and Shelty aren’t the ones playing,” Skenes said on Saturday, hours before the Pirates dropped to 2-7 after falling to the Yankees again. “We’re the ones playing. If we were 8-0 through however many games we’ve played right now, the fans aren’t booing. We’ve got to play better.”

The 22-year-old Skenes has been one of the few bright spots during Pittsburgh’s worst start since 2020. The right-hander has been brilliant during his two starts, allowing two earned runs on six hits with 13 strikeouts in 12• innings.

But it’s telling of how things have gone that the Pirates dropped their opener when the bullpen imploded after his exit and needed a late dash of offense — a rarity so far — to shake free of Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

On Friday, the typically celebratory atmosphere of Pittsburgh’s home opener was tinged with audible and visible signs of fan unrest. A plane circled PNC Park towing a banner urging Nutting to put the club up for sale. Shelton, now in his sixth season, was booed when he was introduced. And chants of “Sell the Team” popped up a handful of times as the Yankees quickly pulled away.

Everyone in the organization, from Nutting to Shelton to Skenes, have stressed it’s time for the Pirates to contend. Nutting stressed on Friday the team has the resources it needs to compete. Though he doesn’t turn 23 until May, Skenes understands most teams go through a rocky stretch at some point. He’s optimistic Pittsburgh’s just happened to come in April and better days are ahead.

“It’s a long season,” he said. “I want to believe that it all evens out. But we aren’t getting these games back. We will go on a stretch where we will go … 7-2 or wherever we are right now in an opposite way.”

Piitsburgh has frequently made mistakes on the basepaths and in the outfield, where it’s often been an adventure for center fielder Oneil Cruz and whoever ends up flanking him on a given day.

“I think pretty much everything has room to improve,” Skenes said. “We can play a lot better.”