Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, throws out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

The crowd packed into the sold-out PNC Park cheered Friday afternoon, April 4, as Butler native Marc Fogel stepped up to the pitcher’s mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener.

Fogel, who was freed from Russian prison in February, was invited by Pittsburgh Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting earlier this week to throw out the first pitch in the game against the New York Yankees.

“I was surprised and excited when Bob called with the invitation to throw today’s first pitch,” Fogel said in a statement released by the team. “As a die-hard Pirates fan, being on the field today is an amazing opportunity. I’m grateful to him, and the whole Pirates community, for a wonderful welcome home.”

Fogel approached the plate following the national anthem, and the pumped-up crowd applauded as he lobbed the ball toward home plate, where Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, caught the pitch.

Fogel, 63, was detained while traveling to Russia in 2021 for carrying a small amount of marijuana, which was prescribed in the U.S. He was released in a prisoner swap in February, in which the U.S. released Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cryptocurrency expert who faced bitcoin fraud charges.

“As I watched the news coverage of Marc landing in the United States draped in an American flag, wearing his Steelers winter cap and drinking an Iron City beer, I knew this moment just had to happen,” Nutting said. “I can’t think of a better way to officially welcome him back home to Pittsburgh.”

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, shares a moment with Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes after he threw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

A Pirate fan gets a photo of Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, threw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees.at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, is embraced by the fans before he threw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, tips his cap before throwing out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, gets a pirates hat before he threw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, shares a moment with Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes after he threw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, prepares to throw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, center, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, talks to former Pirate Steve Blass, left, and chairman Bob Nutting before throwing out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees.at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4,2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, gets ready to throw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4,2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, threw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees.at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4,2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Marc Fogel, the Butler native who returned to the U.S. in February after more than three years of wrongful detention in Russia, threw out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener Friday against the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday April 4, 2025. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle