· The Pirates were established as a team in 1882 but were first known as the Alleghenys.
· They got their name because of them signing a star player from the Philadelphia Athletics and were accused of “Piratical” actions. They started going by it in 1891.
- They play their games at PNC Park which is located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
· They have made the playoff nineteen times with three wild card berths and nine divisional tiles.
· They have won nine NL Pennants and five World Series Championships in 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971 & 1979.
Batting Lineup:
1. SS Honus Wagner
2. CF Max Carey
3. RF Roberto Clemente
4. DH Ralph Kiner
5. 1B Willie Stargell
6. LF Paul Waner
7. C Jason Kendall
8. 3B Pie Traynor
9. 2B Bill Mazeroski
Starting Rotation:
1. Vic Willis
2. Bob Friend
4. Rich Rhoden
5. Vern Law
Bullpen:
1. Closer: Roy Face
2. Kent Tekulve
3. David Giusti
6. Jose Mesa
Bench:
OF-Lloyd Waner
OF-Dave Parker
INF-Arky Vaughan
INF-Bill Madlock
Coaching Staff:
Manager-Fred Clarke
Fred Clarke managed the Pirates for sixteen years where he finished with the most wins with 1422. He guided them to four NL Pennants, one World Series Championship in 1909 and for six years he held the MLB record for wins by a manager. He also guided them to five second-place seasons, three third-place seasons, one year they only lost 36 games and two 100-win seasons. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1945 for his playing career which was also coincided with his managing career. He bought a minority stake in the Pirates, was named the team’s vice president, was kind of the bench coach for a bit and escaped death three times before dying of old age.
Bench Coach-Danny Murtaugh
Danny Murtaugh managed the Pirates for fifteen years where he finished with the second most wins with 1115 and they retired his number 40. He guided them to four division titles, two NL Pennants and two World Series Championships in 1960 & 1970. He started off as a manager in both AA & AAA and became a bench coach first. He stepped down to medical problems with his heart for a season to work in the front office and then took over when his successor was fired. He went back to the front office again till he took over again for another fired manager. He then retired again to medical issues and went back to the front office. He also then took over again after the next replacement was fired but then after retiring for good he died two months after the season due to a stroke. He was the first manager in major league history to field a starting lineup consisting of nine black players.
1B Coach-Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland managed the Pirates for eleven seasons where he finished with the third most wins with 851. He guided them to three division titles, he took them to three straight NLCS and won manager of the year twice.
3B Coach-Clint Hurdle
Clint Hurdle managed the Pirates for nine seasons where he finished with the fourth most wins with 735. He guided them to three straight wild card appearances which were the first playoff appearances since 1992 and the most wins since then too.
Hitting Coach-Chuck Tanner
Chuck Tanner managed the Pirates for nine seasons where he finished the fifth most wins with 711. He was the second manager ever in MLB history to be traded and he guided them to one division title, one NL Pennant and the 1979 World Series Championship. Post championship the team neither lost nor won no more than 84 games, but only finished as high as second place in the division once.
Pitching Coach-Larry Sheppard
Larry Sheppard only managed the Pirates for two seasons but finished with 164 wins. He was a former pitcher and a successful pitching coach for many teams.
Bullpen Coach-Bill McKechnie
Bill McKechnie managed the Pirates for five seasons where he finished the eight most wins with 409 and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1962. He guided them to one NL Pennant and one World Series Championship in 1925. He also started off managing in the minors before his managing career started, was the first manager to win two World Series Championships with two different teams, remains the only manager to win NL Pennants with three teams and ranked fourth in major league history when he ended his managing career. He was nicknamed “Deacon” because he sang in his church choir and generally lived a quiet life.
There have been forty three Hall of Fame players who have played for them at different points in their respective careers. They have seven numbers retired for players and two numbers retired for managers.
Honus Wagner spent eighteen seasons for the Pirates in the infield as their greatest player/greatest/longest tenured shortstop where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1936 and they retired his number 33. He won eight batting titles, led the NL in RBIs five times, led the NL in slugging percentage six times, led the NL in stolen bases five times and was on the 1909 World Series Championship team while there. He also finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the highest offensive WAR, highest for position players, most runs scored, triples, tied for most games played, second highest defensive WAR, second most hits, at bats, plate appearances, total bases, doubles, RBIs, stolen bases and extra base hits to name some. He was a coach for them for nineteen seasons too.
Roberto Clemente spent eighteen seasons in the outfield for the Pirates as their second greatest player/greatest/longest tenured right fielder where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1973 and they retired his number 21. He made all fifteen of his All-Star appearances, led the NL in triples once, led the NL in hits twice, won all twelve of his gold gloves, he won four batting titles, won the 1966 NL MVP, was on two World Series Championship teams in 1960 & 1971 and won the World Series MVP in 1971 while there. He also finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the most hits, at bats, plate appearances, total bases, tied for most games played, second highest offensive WAR and the second highest WAR for position players to name some.
Ralph Kiner spent eight seasons in the outfield for the Pirates where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1975 and they retired his number 4. He made all six of his All-Star appearances, led the NL in home runs seven times and led the NL in RBIs once while there. He also finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the second highest slugging percentage, second most home runs, fifth most walks and the seventh most RBIs to name some.
Willie Stargell spent twenty one season at first base and leftfield for the Pirates where he finished as their third greatest player where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1988 and they retired his number 8. He made all seven of his All-Star appearances, led the NL in RBIs once, led the NL in home runs twice, won the 1979 NL MVP, won the 1979 NLCS MVP, won the 1979 World Series MVP, won the Roberto Clemente award and was on two World Series Championship teams in 1971 & 1979 while there. He also finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the most extra base hits, RBIs, walks, home runs, third highest slugging percentage, third most total bases and most games played to name some.
Paul Waner spent fifteen season in the outfield for the Pirates as their third greatest outfielder/second greatest/longest tenured right fielder where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1952 and they retired his number 11. He made all four of his All-Star appearances, won three batting titles, led the NL in RBIs once and won the 1927 NL MVP while there. He also the tenth most triples of all time, had one six-hit game, five five-hit games, 55 four-hit game and had the fifth most doubles when he retired. He finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the most doubles, second highest batting average, second most triples, runs scored, third highest offensive WAR, third highest WAR for position players, third most hits, at bats, walks and extra base hits to name some.
Max Carey spent seventeen seasons in the outfield for the Pirates as their greatest center fielder where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1961. He led the NL in stolen bases ten times and was on World Series Championship team in 1925 while there. He was the NL stolen base career leader until Lou Brock passed him. He also finished in the top 10 for man offensive categories in Pirates history like having the most stolen bases, second most walks, third most plate appearances, fourth most games played, at bats, runs scored and hits to name some.
Pie Traynor spent seventeen seasons in the infield for the Pirates as their greatest/longest tenured third basemen where he put up that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1948 and they retired his number 20. He made both of his All-Star appearances, led the NL in triples once, led the NL in fielding percentage once, led the NL in assists three times, led the NL in double plays three times, led NL in putouts seven times, only player to steal home in an All-Star game and was on one World Series Championship team in 1925 while there. He also managed them for six years. He finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the fourth most triples, RBIs, hits, fifth most total bases and extra base hits to name some.
Bill Mazeroski spent seventeen seasons in the infield for the Pirates as their greatest/longest tenured second basemen where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame 2001 and they retired his number 9. He made all ten of his All-Star appearances, won all eight of his gold gloves and was on two World Series Championship teams in 1960 & 1971 while there. He also finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the highest defensive WAR, fifth most games played, sixth most RBIs, at bats and plate appearances to name some. His most memorable moment was hitting the walk-off home run in game 7 of the 1960 World Series.
Vic Willis pitched four years for the Pirates where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1995. He led the majors in ERA once, led the majors in strikeouts once, pitched a no-hitter while there and was on one World Series Championship team in 1909. He also finished with the lowest ERA, fifth best win-loss percentage and the ninth most shutouts in Pirates history.
Lloyd Waner spent seventeen seasons in the outfield for the Pirates as their second greatest center fielder/longest tenured center fielder where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1967. He made his only All-Star appearance, led the NL in runs scored once and led the NL in putouts four times while there. He also finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the six most hits, seventh most runs scored, total bases, eight most games played, plate appearances and at bats to name some. He is considered by Bill James as one of ten examples of Hall of Fame inductees who do not deserve the honor as the possible reasons for his selection include his brother being a fellow inductee and the inflated batting averages of his era, which helped many players from the 1920s and 1930s in the eyes of the Veterans Committee.
Arky Vaughan spent ten seasons in the infield for the Pirates as their second greatest/second longest tenured shortstop where he put up numbers that speak for themselves that got him elected into the Hall of Fame in 1985. He made nine of his ten All-Star appearances, led the NL in triples once, led the NL in walks once, led the NL in slugging percentage, hit for the cycle twice and won one batting title while there. He also finished in the top 10 for many offensive categories in Pirates history like having the third highest on base percentage, fourth highest offensive WAR, fourth highest WAR for position players and the sixth most walks to name some.
Jason Kendall spent nine seasons behind the plate for the Pirates as their greatest/longest tenured catcher where he made all three of his All-Star appearances, won the Sporting News NL Rookie of the year and hit for the cycle while there. His 189 stolen bases are second all-time in MLB history in the modern era to Roger Bresnahan for stolen bases by a player primarily playing catcher for his career and is 26 stolen bases in 1998 are also a single-season record for a catcher in the modern era. He also finished with the most hit by pitches in Pirates history.
Bob Friend pitched fifteen seasons for the Pirates where he made all four of his All-Star appearances, led the majors in wins once, led the NL in ERA once, is the first pitcher to lead the league in ERA while pitching for a last place team and was on one World Series Championship team in 1960. He also finished in the top 10 for many pitching categories in Pirates history like having the most strikeouts, innings pitched, games started, third highest WAR for pitchers, third most games played and shutouts to name some.
John Candelaria pitched eleven seasons for the Pirates where he made his only All-Star appearance, led the majors in ERA once, pitched a no-hitter and was on one World Series Championship team in 1979 while there. He also finished with the fourth most strikeouts, sixth most games started and the sixth highest WAR for pitchers in Pirates history.
Rick Rhoden pitched eight years for the Pirates where he made one of his two All-Star appearances and won all three of his silver sluggers while there.
Vern Law pitched sixteen years for the Pirates where he made both of his All-Star appearances, won one CY Young award, led the NL in complete games once, won NL comeback player of the year, won the Lou Gehrig Memorial award, and was on one World Series Championship team in 1960 while there. He also was their pitching coach for two seasons. He finished in the top 10 for many pitching categories in Pirates history like having the third most games started, fourth most games played, innings pitched, fifth most strikeouts and shutouts to name some. Other notable starters in Pirates history have been Steve Blass, Bob Veale, Babe Adams, Wilbur Cooper, Sam Leever, Bob Walk, Esteban Loaiza, Doug Drabek, John Smiley, Jerry Reuss, Bruce Kinson, Dock Ellis, Rip Sewell, Deacon Phillippe, Gerrit Cole who is active, Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven and Pud Galvin.
Dave Parker spent eleven years in the outfield for the Pirates where he made four of his seven All-Star appearances, won all three of his gold gloves, won two batting titles and was on one World Series Championship team in 1979 while there. He also finished with the sixth most home runs, seventh most doubles, eight most extra base hits, ninth highest slugging percentage and tenth most RBIs in Pirates history. Other notable outfielders in Pirates history have been Jason Bay, Andy Van Slyke, Matty Alou, Bob Skinner, Richie Zisk, Brian Giles, Vince DiMaggio, Nate Mclouth, Barry Bonds, Andrew McCutchen who is active and their greatest manger Hall of Famer Fred Clarke.
Bill Madlock spent six seasons for the Pirates as their second greatest third basemen where he two of his All-Star appearances, won two of his four batting titles and was on one World Series Championship team in 1979 while there. Other notable infielders have been Donn Clendenon, Al Oliver, Jason Thompson, Dick Stuart, Bob Robertson, Hall of Famer Jake Beckley, Charlie Grimm, Dave Cash, Tony Womack, Phil Garner, Johnny Ray, Freddy Sanchez, Frankie Gustine, Jay Bell, Jack Wilson, Gene Alley, Dick Groat, Bob Elliot, Bobby Bonilla, Richie Hebner, Aramis Ramirez, current players Josh Harrison, Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker.
Manny Sanguillen spent twelve seasons behind the plate for the Pirates as their second greatest catcher where he made all three of his All-Star appearances and was on two World Series Championship teams in 1971 & 1979 while there. He currently operates “Manny’s BBQ”, a barbecue-style concession stand at the Pirates’ current home where he sits in a chair greeting fans in line to buy food, signing autographs and posing for photos. He also finished with the sixth highest defensive WAR in Pirates history. Other notable catchers in Pirates history have been Tony Pena, Smoky Burgess, Clyde McCullough, Russell Martin who is active, Hall of Famer managers during their player career as catchers Connie Mack and Al Lopez.
Roy Face was the Pirates closer for ten seasons where he made all six of his All-Star appearances, led the NL in saves three times, has the MLB record of winning percentage, has the MLB record of relief wins a season, had the NL record for career games pitched, had the NL record for saves, still holds the NL record for career wins in relief, had the majors record for career innings pitched in relief and was on one World Series Championship team in 1960 while there. He also finished with the most saves, games played and games finished in Pirates history.
Kent Tekulve was the Pirates closer for twelve seasons where he made his only All-Star appearance, led the majors in games pitched four times, is one of two pitchers in baseball history to appear in 90 or more games more than once (three times), was the oldest pitcher ever to appear in 90 games, has the NL record for career innings pitched in relief, had the majors record for career relief appearances, has the career records for most appearances-innings pitched without making a single start, has the record of pitching on nine consecutive days, had the NL record for career games pitched and was on one World Series Championship team in 1979 while there. He also worked as a broadcaster for ten years and was an advance scout for them. He finished with the second most games played, saves, games finished and has the ninth lowest ERA in Pirates history.
David Giusti was the Pirates closer for seven seasons where he made his only All-Star appearance, led the NL in saves once, won the reliever of the year award once and was on one World Series Championship team in 1971 while there. He also finished the third most games finished, fourth most saves and the eight most games played in Pirates history.
Mike Williams was the Pirates closer for six seasons where he made both of his All-Star appearances while there. He also finished with the third most saves and fourth most games finished in Pirates history.
Joel Hanrahan was the Pirates closer for four seasons where he made both of his All-Star appearances while there and is a pitching coach for their AA team now. He also finished with the seventh most saves and the eight most games finished in Pirates history.
Jose Mesa was the Pirates closer for two seasons where he finished with the eight most saves in Pirates history while there. Other notable relievers in Pirates history have been Stan Belinda, Matt Capps, Al McBean and Ramon Hernandez.
