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Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are in the Central Division of the National League.

Founded: 1882, as a charter member of the American Association. Transferred to the National League in 1887.
Formerly known as: the Alleghenies in the 1880s, and then the Innocents. In 1891, after being accused of stealing second baseman Lou Bierbaur from his previous club in 1891, they were first called the Pirates. The name stuck.
Home ballpark: PNC Park, Pittsburgh.
Uniform colors: Black and gold
Logo design: Pirate caricature superimposed on crossed baseball bats.
Wild Card titles won (0): none
Division titles won (9): 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1992
National League pennants won (9): 1901, 1902, 1903, 1909, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1971, 1979
World Series championships won (5): 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, 1979

Pittsburgh Pirates History

In its early days, the club benefitted three times from mergers with defunct clubs. The AA club picked up a number of players from a defunct Columbus, Ohio team in 1885. In 1890, they merged with the Pittsburgh team from the Players League after that league folded. In 1900, the Pirates picked up star players from the defunct Louisville, Kentucky club, including greats like Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke, triggering a long string of pennants. The 1901-1903 Pirates completely dominated the National League, in part because they lost few star players to the rival American League. However, owing to injuries to their starting pitchers, they lost the first World Series ever played, in 1903, to Boston. Deacon Phillippe pitched five complete games, winning three of them, but it was not enough.

Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Hall of Famers

  • Jake Beckley
  • Jim Bunning
  • Max Carey
  • Jack Chesbro
  • Fred Clarke
  • Roberto Clemente
  • Joe Cronin
  • Kiki Cuyler
  • Pud Galvin
  • Hank Greenberg
  • Burleigh Grimes
  • Ned Hanlon
  • Billy Herman
  • Waite Hoyt
  • Joe Kelley
  • George Kelly
  • Ralph Kiner
  • Chuck Klein
  • Freddy Lindstrom
  • Al Lopez
  • Connie Mack
  • Heinie Manush
  • Rabbit Maranville
  • Bill Mazeroski
  • Willie Stargell
  • Casey Stengel
  • Pie Traynor
  • Dazzy Vance
  • Arky Vaughan
  • Rube Waddell
  • Honus Wagner
  • Lloyd Waner
  • Paul Waner
  • Vic Willis


    • Pittsburgh Pirates Retired numbers

  • 1 Billy Meyer (manager)
  • 4 Ralph Kiner
  • 8 Willie Stargell
  • 9 Bill Mazeroski
  • 20 Pie Traynor
  • 21 Roberto Clemente
  • 33 Honus Wagner
  • 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball)


    • Cy Young Award Winners

  • 1960 Vern Law
  • 1990 Doug Drabek


    • Most Valuable Players

  • 1960 Dick Groat
  • 1966 Roberto Clemente
  • 1978 Dave Parker
  • 1979 Willie Stargell
  • 1990 Barry Bonds
  • 1992 Barry Bonds


    • Batting Champion

  • 1900 Honus Wagner (.381)
  • 1902 Ginger Beaumont (.357)
  • 1903 Honus Wagner (.355)
  • 1904 Honus Wagner (.349)
  • 1906 Honus Wagner (.339)
  • 1907 Honus Wagner (.350)
  • 1908 Honus Wagner (.354)
  • 1909 Honus Wagner (.339)
  • 1911 Honus Wagner (.334)
  • 1927 Paul Waner (.380)
  • 1934 Paul Waner (.362)
  • 1935 Arky Vaughan (.385)
  • 1936 Paul Waner (.373)
  • 1940 Debs Garms (.355)
  • 1960 Dick Groat (.325)
  • 1961 Roberto Clemente (.351)
  • 1964 Roberto Clemente (.339)
  • 1965 Roberto Clemente (.329)
  • 1966 Matty Alou (.342)
  • 1967 Roberto Clemente (.357)
  • 1977 Dave Parker (.338)
  • 1978 Dave Parker (.334)
  • 1981 Bill Madlock (.341)
  • 1983 Bill Madlock (.323)


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