Pirates Catcher Joey Bart Surprises Family with Gender Reveal

Bart wore a pink sleeve to announce the gender of teammate Braxton Ashcraft's baby during a game against the Nationals.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:58am

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An abstract, energetic painting with vibrant brushstrokes in neon pink, blue, and yellow, capturing the excitement and emotion of a gender reveal moment between baseball teammates.A Pirates player's thoughtful gesture celebrates the personal milestone of a teammate's growing family.Today in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart surprised teammate Braxton Ashcraft's family by wearing a pink sleeve during a game against the Washington Nationals, revealing that Ashcraft and his wife are expecting a baby girl. Bart said he was happy to help with the special moment, even though he's not usually a 'flashy guy'.

Why it matters

Gender reveal moments have become increasingly popular in recent years, as athletes and celebrities look for creative ways to share the news with friends and family. Bart's gesture shows the close-knit nature of the Pirates' clubhouse and the team's willingness to support each other's personal milestones.

The details

Ahead of the game, Bart approached the Pirates' equipment manager and asked for a pink sleeve to wear, knowing it would signal the gender of Ashcraft's baby. Bart said he was happy to do it for his teammate, even though he typically avoids attention-grabbing stunts.

  • Bart wore the pink sleeve during the Pirates' game against the Nationals on April 17, 2026.

The players

Joey Bart

A catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who surprised his teammate with a gender reveal during a game.

Braxton Ashcraft

A Pittsburgh Pirates player whose family received a gender reveal surprise from teammate Joey Bart.

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What they’re saying

“He was like, 'Hey, whoever's catching that day, I need something.' And I was like, 'Only for you, man. I'll do it for you.' I'm not a super flashy guy, but obviously that situation trumps everything, and I'm just happy for him.”

— Joey Bart, Pittsburgh Pirates Catcher

The takeaway

Bart's thoughtful gesture demonstrates the close bonds between teammates and the ways professional athletes can use their platform to celebrate personal milestones for their colleagues and their families.